Robotics & Automation News

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batteries

Tennant introduces lithium-ion technology to its autonomous floor cleaning machines

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Tennant Company, a manufacturer of robotic floor cleaners, has introduced lithium-ion technology to its portfolio of autonomous floor cleaning machines, including the T380AMR, T7AMR, and T16AMR.

This new advanced battery technology provides added benefits to customers across the world in the cleaning industry.

Tennant Company and partner Brain Corp, a leader in the robotics market, have engineered a portfolio of autonomous floor scrubbers and together they have deployed over 5,400 robotic scrubbers, representing the world’s largest fleet of autonomous floor scrubbers. [Read more…] about Tennant introduces lithium-ion technology to its autonomous floor cleaning machines

Festo ‘investing heavily’ in automating electric vehicle battery production

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Manufacturing automation specialist Festo says it is “investing heavily” in automating the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

Festo says the trend towards electrification has led the company to pour in almost three-quarters of all its investment money into electrification initiatives.

Basically, there are many “gigafactories” and other types of battery manufacturing facilities being planned and built – and Festo is involved in developing manufacturing systems for a good number of them. [Read more…] about Festo ‘investing heavily’ in automating electric vehicle battery production

Mercedes partners with ProLogium to develop next-generation solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles

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Mercedes-Benz and ProLogium, a developer of solid-state batteries, have signed a technology cooperation agreement to develop next-generation battery cells.

The first Mercedes-Benz test vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries co-developed with ProLogium are expected to be introduced in the coming years.

The companies also agreed on milestones that would enable integration of the solid-state battery technology into a range of passenger vehicles in the second half of the decade. [Read more…] about Mercedes partners with ProLogium to develop next-generation solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles

Powercast showcases wireless recharging and batteryless system at CES

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Powercast has showcased an array of new, batteryless products that are powered by the company’s signature radio-frequency-based long-range over-the-air wireless power technology at the recent CES.

The company also announced a record year in customer and revenue growth driven by the demand for wireless power – a market expected to reach $25.9 billion by 2027 – and demand for sustainable product designs that keep disposable batteries out of landfills.

Powercast helps its partners create environmentally-friendly electronic devices either with rechargeable batteries that can be recharged by RF, or with no batteries at all that can be directly powered by RF. [Read more…] about Powercast showcases wireless recharging and batteryless system at CES

Interview: Energy Systems Network CEO Paul Mitchell talks about the future of cars and Indy Autonomous Challenge

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It’s been a while since we wrote up an interview, mainly because they take a long time to transcribe and edit into a readable article. And we’re not yet a large enough website to devote time to doing that because there are many other stories that would have to wait while we’re busy doing that.

However, the subject of electric vehicles and EV charging networks are important technologies that literally millions of people have been reading about on this website, and we think they will find this interview interesting.

The interview is with Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of Energy Systems Network, a US-based nonprofit which could be described as a kind of public-private partnership with the aim of discovering and commercialising technologies that provide a platform for the continued healthy growth of the entire clean-energy future of moving machines – cars and other road-going vehicles in particular, but possibly even marine vessels and other types of craft such as drones and maybe even planes. [Read more…] about Interview: Energy Systems Network CEO Paul Mitchell talks about the future of cars and Indy Autonomous Challenge

Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

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Comau, an industrial robotics and automation specialist, has designed and developed a “high-volume module manufacturing line” to produce new generation lithium-ion batteries for Leclanché, a provider of energy storage solutions for the heavy transportation, naval and railway industries.

Comau says the “state-of-the-art, highly automated line” is the result of a simultaneous engineering process and combines industrial robots, vision systems, laser welding, and the automated in-line validation of joints via artificial intelligence. Priority was given to ensuring multi-module configurability, full traceability and the highest level of safety.

The line includes the latest quality and process control technologies, thus setting the foundation for the transition towards Industry 4.0 principles. It will also allow Leclanché to produce up to six times the company’s current capacity, reaching an output of more than 60,000 modules per year. The solution is also expected to reduce costs by up to 20 percent, support 50 different product configurations and save Leclanché valuable time when introducing new formats into the manufacturing line.  [Read more…] about Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

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The Volkswagen Group Components plant in Braunschweig is significantly expanding its production of battery systems for the latest electric vehicle generation. Following the first expansion stage with a maximum capacity of 250,000 battery systems, the second expansion stage has started up with the same capacity.

This means that once the site is fully ramped up it will now be able to fit up to 500,000 batteries a year for models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – in this case for the fully electric Volkswagen ID.31 and ID.42, as well as the Škoda Enyaq iV3, which should soon be quietly and powerfully cruising the streets of Europe with a battery heart from Braunschweig.

In addition to that, up to 100,000 battery systems for the beloved models e-up!4, SEAT Mii electric5, Škoda Citigoe iV6 and as well as for hybrid vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE7. [Read more…] about Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

Panasonic to invest extra $100 million in battery-making factory in the US

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Panasonic is to invest an additional $100 million in a battery-making factory it is building in Nevada, US, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

The so-called “Gigafactory 1” is currently equipped with 13 production lines, but the new investment will enable Panasonic to add an extra line and increase capacity by 10 percent.

The expansion is intended to boost the supply of batteries to automaker Tesla for its electric vehicles. The original agreement between the two companies stipulated that Panasonic builds and equips the facility to produce batteries, while Tesla provides and manages the land and utilities. [Read more…] about Panasonic to invest extra $100 million in battery-making factory in the US

Japanese startups develop concept batteries that last ‘10 times longer’

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Japanese startup companies are developing concept batteries that could last “10 times longer” than current technologies. 

One company, 3Dom, has demonstrated numerous ideas for next-generation batteries, mostly based on conventional lithium-ion systems.

Most recently, the company has developed next generation rechargeable batteries that can be used in vessels. [Read more…] about Japanese startups develop concept batteries that last ‘10 times longer’

CATL and Honda agree ‘comprehensive strategic alliance’ on batteries for new energy vehicles

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Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and automaker Honda have signed an agreement to form a “comprehensive strategic alliance” on new energy vehicle (NEV) batteries to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote the popularization of electrified vehicles.

This agreement will enable the two companies to begin discussions on a broad range of areas including joint development, stable supply, and the recycling and reuse of batteries.

By bringing together the two companies’ individual technology advantages, CATL and Honda will conduct joint development on NEVs batteries and joint research and development into fundamental technologies, aiming for their future application. [Read more…] about CATL and Honda agree ‘comprehensive strategic alliance’ on batteries for new energy vehicles