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ABB launches IoT Dashboard for mid-sized commercial building automation solutions

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ABB has launched its new “user-friendly IoT Dashboard” to improve usability and reduce maintenance in smart buildings.

The company’s says the launch is in response to its finding that “preventative maintenance is three to nine times cheaper than reactive maintenance”.

ABB says its IoT Dashboard is “easy to commission, simple to install and intuitive to use”, and allows stronger control, monitoring and automation of all building functions, from dimming and switching of lights to controlling blinds, heating and ventilation. [Read more…] about ABB launches IoT Dashboard for mid-sized commercial building automation solutions

MIT develops navigation method to help delivery robots find the front door

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MIT has developed a navigation method that is designed to help delivery robots find the front door of an address. (See video below.)

Standard approaches for robotic navigation involve mapping an area ahead of time, then using algorithms to guide a robot toward a specific goal or GPS coordinate on the map.

MIT says that, while this approach might make sense for exploring specific environments, such as the layout of a particular building or planned obstacle course, this method can become “unwieldy in the context of last-mile delivery”. [Read more…] about MIT develops navigation method to help delivery robots find the front door

CloudMinds opens cloud robotics support centre in Chile

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CloudMinds Technology, a provider of cloud artificial intelligence architecture for robots, has opened a new support centre in Santiago, Chile.

The company says the office will expand support for customers across Mexico and South America. The new operation will report to the company’s global co-headquarters in Santa Clara, California.

said Robert Zhang, company co-founder and president of international business development, says: “Our new operation in Latin America is a reflection of the continued global momentum CloudMinds has been building, driven by our proprietary cloud artificial intelligence architecture and cloud robot solutions that are already helping to transform various industry verticals around the world. [Read more…] about CloudMinds opens cloud robotics support centre in Chile

Hitachi delivers ‘world’s fastest’ elevator to skyscraper

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Hitachi has delivered its elevator system to Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, a skyscraper complex building in Guangzhou, China.

The building has the Guinness World Records title as having the world’s fastest elevator. The presentation ceremony for the award of the official certificate was held recently.

This elevator travels with a rated speed of 1,260 metres per minute and connects the ground floor to the hotel lobby on the 95th floor in approximately 42 seconds, over a distance of 440 metres. [Read more…] about Hitachi delivers ‘world’s fastest’ elevator to skyscraper

Delta Electronics starts construction of new office building in Netherlands

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Delta Electronics has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its new building in the “Automotive Campus” in Helmond, the Netherlands.

Delta is a large, Taiwan-headquartered company which provides a huge range of industrial technologies including robotic arms.

The new building will become the base for its industrial automation business in Europe, Middle East and Africa. [Read more…] about Delta Electronics starts construction of new office building in Netherlands

House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

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House built using robots and 3D printing technologies claimed to be a first

ETH university in Zurich, in partnership with industrial companies, has built what is claimed to be “the world’s first” inhabited house to be digitally planned and digitally built with the help of robots and 3D printers. (See video below.)

Called the “DFAB House” (main picture), the construction is part of a project that involves the Empa materials science and technology project and Eawag, an aquatic research company. [Read more…] about House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

ABB creates ‘intelligent’ football stadium for FK Austria

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ABB was appointed to transform Austria’s Generali Arena, originally built in 1925, into an intelligent, future-proofed venue that incorporates the latest in smart building technology and energy efficient power distribution.

This is also the first sustainable football venue in Austria. It was retrofitted in co-operation with the Austrian Sustainable Building Council, who helped with planning the design and implementation, which includes a photovoltaic system on the roof of the north stand.

The stadium’s entire electrification value chain – from medium-voltage distribution to each individual socket – has been raised to an advanced level.

[Read more…] about ABB creates ‘intelligent’ football stadium for FK Austria

Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’

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Switzerland-based Teralytics has raised $17.5 million for what is described as “the world’s first intelligent mobility operating system”.

innogy Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of innogy Innovation Hub, has invested in Teralytics as part of a $17.5 million funding round. innogy Ventures and innogy Innovation Hub are backed by innogy SE, a leading German energy company.

The round was led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital, the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group. Other participants included Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, LBBW Venture Capital and Liil Ventures, as well as existing investors Atomico and Lakestar. [Read more…] about Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’

Mercedes inaugurates new testing facility for EMC and antenna systems

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Daimler-Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated a new testing facility for electromagnetic compatibility and antenna systems in Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart, southern Germany.

The auto giant says electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a key prerequisite for the future of connectivity, autonomous driving, shared, and electric drivetrain.

With the new test facility, Mercedes-Benz takes an important step as a pioneer in the digitisation of the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Mercedes inaugurates new testing facility for EMC and antenna systems

Hitachi wins lift order in Hyderabad, India

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Hitachi has been awarded a contract to supply 106 lifts for large-scale office buildings to be constructed in Hyderabad, a major city in South India. This is the largest order for Hitachi group’s lifts and escalators in India.

Hitachi Building Systems and Hitachi Lift India will deliver 72 lifts for the large-scale building complex Phoenix Spaces 285, located in a suburb of Hyderabad’s financial district and scheduled for completion in February 2020.

Hitachi Lift India will also deliver 34 lifts for Phoenix Aquilia, an office building located in the centre of Hyderabad’s financial district, which is scheduled to be completed in December 2019.