Robotics & Automation News

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bmw

BMW opens autonomous driving campus in Germany

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The BMW Group has opened its autonomous driving campus in Unterschleißheim, near Munich, Germany.

The campus is a state-of-the-art centre of excellence, which offers 23,000 square metres of office space with room for 1,800 employees.

The BMW Group is intending to drive forward development of highly automated vehicles with the new campus and is looking to recruit IT specialists and software developers in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis. [Read more…] about BMW opens autonomous driving campus in Germany

BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

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BMW is to integrated Amazon’s Alexa artificial intelligence into its in-car systems.

Amazon Alexa will be available in BMW and Mini vehicles starting in mid-2018.

Users can ask Alexa in-car to get directions, call a business, play music or Audible content, control your smart home, check the news, and so on – without downloading a separate app.  [Read more…] about BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

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Robotics and automation technology company Dürr and automaker BMW have won an award for developing a new robotic painting system.

The companies received the award for technique for their concept of a “smart paint shop” at the Surcar 2017 event in Cannes, France.

The jury at Surcar, which is said to be the world’s leading biennial congress on automotive body finishing, traditionally selects the winners for three awards.  [Read more…] about Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies

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Accenture using a “new way” of measuring corporate competitiveness

Industrial companies, such as automotive manufacturers, could unlock billions of dollars in revenue by adopting a more “holistic strategy”, according to a new report by Accenture.

The business management consultant conducted a survey into competitiveness in industry and found that the best approach is one that places equal emphasis on growth, profitability, sustainability and trust.

This “inter-dependent” strategy “yields massive growth potential”, says Accenture, which bases its conclusions on analysis of 47 automotive and industrial companies’ performances.

[Read more…] about Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies

BMW and General Electric invest in Xometry manufacturing marketplace

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bmw i cars 2

An online marketplace which offers custom-manufactured parts using 3D printing and machine learning to generate instant price quotes has raised $15 million in its latest funding round. 

Relatively new startup company Xometry – which rhymes with geometry and is pronounced zometry – has raised a total of $38 million since it was established in 2013.

The company already generates approximately $20 million in annual revenue and has hundreds of providers and more than 5,000 customers.  [Read more…] about BMW and General Electric invest in Xometry manufacturing marketplace

Collaborative robotic system makes ‘monotonous and physically demanding tasks’ at BMW easier

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bmw dingolfing kuka robot
A worker at BMW Dingolfing, with the Kuka collaborative robot

The employees at BMW Group’s Dingolfing Plant have a new, highly responsive assistant: an LBR iiwa lightweight robot from Kuka, which they say takes over “monotonous and physically demanding tasks”. 

Previously, BMW employees had to lift a differential case which weighed up to 5.5 kg, and had to manoeuvre it with millimeter-precision, in the assembly of the front axle.

Now the robot is taking over this “ergonomically demanding work”.  [Read more…] about Collaborative robotic system makes ‘monotonous and physically demanding tasks’ at BMW easier

Designworks collaborates with Shell to improve hydrogen refuelling

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Ergonomic nozzle of Shell H2 Dispenser Concept_ by Designworks

BMW Group subsidiary Designworks and Shell have collaborated in the development of an innovative hydrogen dispenser that will improve the refuelling experience.

Designworks and Shell say that hydrogen vehicles have proved to be “increasingly suitable” for everyday use and offer the potential to become an important low carbon transport option for the future.

The new dispenser design will create a seamless experience for hydrogen drivers on the forecourt and help to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel of the future.  [Read more…] about Designworks collaborates with Shell to improve hydrogen refuelling

BMW shows off its smart factory technologies at its plants worldwide

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bmw worker with collaborative robot

Collaborative robots, smart glasses, exoskeletons and innovative work gloves are among the tech being integrated at plants across the group’s worldwide operations 

German automaker BMW has been providing a glimpse into the advanced manufacturing technologies at several of its factories – in Germany and the US. 

The company says it has been harnessing the potential of innovative automation and flexible assistance systems in production.

In doing so, BMW says it has modernized the work environment and increased the efficiency of its workforce.  [Read more…] about BMW shows off its smart factory technologies at its plants worldwide

MRK-Systeme builds Kuka-based automation solution for BMW

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Human-robot collaboration-compliant Kuka robots put to work in quality assurance at BMW facility 

MRK-Systeme has developed an automation solution with human-robot collaboration capability for the BMW Group using Kuka robots for high payloads.

It enables the factory in Landshut, Bavaria to carry out quality assurance for crankshaft housing in an “ergonomically friendly manner”, says the company.  [Read more…] about MRK-Systeme builds Kuka-based automation solution for BMW

BMW demonstrates new concepts for autonomous and electric cars at CES

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Klaus Frohlich at CES
Klaus Fröhlich, BMW’s head of development, at CES

lockBMW has showcased some of its concepts, ideas and developments for autonomous and electric cars at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. 

The company says the projects incorporate “technically revolutionary innovations in automated driving, intelligent connectivity and interior design”.

BMW has committed itself to launching its iNext self-driving, electric and fully connected car by the year 2021. It already has the i3 electric car and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.  [Read more…] about BMW demonstrates new concepts for autonomous and electric cars at CES