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Hydrogen vs electric vs petrol: How will cars be powered in the future?

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Electric vehicles sales have seen sustained increases in the past few years and significant milestones have been reached in many countries.

According to data published on Wikipedia by independent researcher Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz, cumulative global plug-in electric vehicle sales passed 5 million units in December 2018.

Five million is just a drop in the ocean in terms of the number of all the “light-duty” vehicles – vehicles weighing 4,500 kg or less, which includes cars, vans, and small trucks – on the roads worldwide, which, according to a Guidehouse Insights report, numbers around 1.2 billion in total. Other researchers estimate the figure to be around 2.5 billion. [Read more…] about Hydrogen vs electric vs petrol: How will cars be powered in the future?

BMW reaffirms ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology

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Automotive giant BMW has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative to petrol cars and electric vehicles. The company also unveiled images of the powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT.

Developing alternative powertrain technologies is a top priority for the BMW Group. The premium carmaker offers first virtual insights into the powertrain system for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT and reaffirms its commitment to following a carefully considered and systematic route to emission-free mobility.

This approach also includes the careful consideration of differing market and customer requirements as part of the company’s Power of Choice strategy. Customer centricity and the flexibility needed for this are essential in facilitating the breakthrough for sustainable mobility on the global stage.

Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of management of BMW, research and development: “We are convinced that various alternative powertrain systems will exist alongside one another in future, as there is no single solution that addresses the full spectrum of customers’ mobility requirements worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW reaffirms ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology

BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

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Automotive factories to incorporate artificial intelligence robots built on new Isaac platform from Nvidia

BMW Group has selected the new Nvidia Isaac robotics platform to enhance its automotive factories – utilizing logistics robots built on advanced AI computing and visualization technologies, the companies announced today.

The collaboration centers on implementing an end-to-end system based on Nvidia technologies – from training and testing through to deployment – with robots developed using one software architecture, running on Nvidia’s open Isaac robotics platform.

BMW Group’s objective is to enhance logistics factory flow to produce custom-configured cars more rapidly and efficiently. Once developed, the system will be deployed to BMW Group factories worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories

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BMW is testing a range of “autonomous, connected and intelligent” technologies at its German facilities.

In fact, BMW and three partner companies from Bavaria are exploring the possibilities for making BMW Group Plant Dingolfing a smart factory for logistics.

It’s part of a three-year research project supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. [Read more…] about BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories

Nvidia provides online workshops about robotics and AI

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Nvidia is providing on-demand workshops about robotics and artificial intelligence online through its GTC Digital network.

GTC Digital is Nvidia’s training, research and insights resource and enables direct access to the company’s experts at the GPU Technology Conference.

Through these online services, Nvidia says it hopes to give members the latest news about advances in robotics, embedded computing, internet of things, AI at the edge and more.  [Read more…] about Nvidia provides online workshops about robotics and AI

Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka and Munich-based automotive company BMW have signed a framework agreement for the supply of around 5,000 robots for new production lines and factories.

The Kuka industrial robots will be used around the world at the international production sites of the BMW Group for the manufacture of the current and future generations of vehicle models.

The various robot models from Kuka will be used primarily in body-in-white production and other technologies. [Read more…] about Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

BMW unveils ‘novel aerodynamic wheels’ for the purely electric cars

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BMW has unveiled a new wheel design which it says is more aerodynamic and provides “all-round efficiency”.

The “Aerodynamic Wheel” will feature on the BMW iX3 as well the iNext and i4 models.

In tests, BMW found that the new aerodynamic wheel reduced drag for the iX3 by “about 5 per cent” compared with the conventionally powered BMW X3. [Read more…] about BMW unveils ‘novel aerodynamic wheels’ for the purely electric cars

BMW unveils one of the strangest cars ever designed

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BMW has unveiled what could be described as one of the strangest cars ever designed.

The “BMW i Interaction EASE”, as it’s called, looks from the side to be shaped like a rectangular block with absolutely no aerodynamics integrated into it. But the front and back end do have some aerodynamic contours.

The autonomous weirdo was showcased at this year’s CES, with BMW saying that it “offers a glimpse into a future where autonomous driving has become commonplace”. [Read more…] about BMW unveils one of the strangest cars ever designed

BMW invests €400 million in Dingolfing plant for BMW iNEXT

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The BMW Group is investing around €400 million in its Dingolfing vehicle plant for production of the BMW iNEXT.

In doing this, it is preparing for the manufacture of pure battery-electric and highly automated BMW cars at its largest European production location.

With the launch of the BMW iNEXT in 2021, Plant Dingolfing will be capable of producing the right mix of fully-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and models with combustion engines to suit demand on a single assembly line. [Read more…] about BMW invests €400 million in Dingolfing plant for BMW iNEXT

BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road

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BMW claims it has “half a million” electric vehicles on the road, and is looking to double that number to reach 1 million by the end of 2021.

To mark the reaching of this milestone, Sebastian Mackensen, BMW Group senior vice president market Germany, handed over the keys to a very special BMW 330e to its future owner at BMW Welt today.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW, says: “Half a million vehicles is the best proof: Our broad range of electrified vehicles is meeting exact customer needs. [Read more…] about BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road