Robotics & Automation News

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Audi shows autonomous concept car at Auto Shanghai

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At Auto Shanghai 2019, Audi is introducing its mobility concept for the megacities of the future.

The showcar, known as the Audi AI:ME, offers compact dimensions, a spacious, futuristic interior, and the ability to drive autonomously at level 4.

This allows the occupants to do what they like with their time on board. The Audi AI:ME offers a broad range of high-tech features for communication, entertainment, or simply relaxation.

[Read more…] about Audi shows autonomous concept car at Auto Shanghai

Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

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Infineon is outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors in Japan, according to new research by Strategy Analytics.

Infineon says this shows “strong growth in a strategically important market”.

The latest research from Strategy Analytics finds that Infineon Technologies increased its automotive business in Japan by almost 25 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

Hyundai invests in WayRay to develop holographic navigation

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Hyundai Motor Company is investing in Swiss deep-tech startup WayRay AG to speed the development of a holographic augmented reality (AR) navigation system for future vehicles, aiming to introduce it in vehicles as early as 2020.

WayRay’s holographic AR solutions create a true augmented reality experience where virtual objects are seamlessly integrated into a vehicle’s interior environment.

Compared with conventional head-up displays (HUD) available in the market, WayRay’s technology has a smaller projection system that provides a clearer image, which can be installed in almost any vehicle, says the company.

[Read more…] about Hyundai invests in WayRay to develop holographic navigation

Continental sends out autonomous minibus for a driverless drive

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Continental, a company which provides a range of automotive solutions such as tyres and advanced driver assistance systems, has been showing off its new autonomous minibus. 

The company calls the vehicle Cube, short for Continental Urban Mobility Experience, and describes it as a “robo-taxi”.

This particular trial of the driverless minibus took place in Frankfurt, Germany.  [Read more…] about Continental sends out autonomous minibus for a driverless drive

TheConstruct launches new training courses for Robot Operating System

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construct ros industrial

TheConstruct has launched several new courses for people who want to learn to use the Robot Operating System. 

The online simulation environment provider has two courses, in particular, which may interest readers of this website.

One of them is called ROS Autonomous Vehicles 101, and the other is ROS-Industrial 101. Both are available through the website, TheConstructSim.com.  [Read more…] about TheConstruct launches new training courses for Robot Operating System

Roborace shows off its driverless electric racing car in the US

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roborace new york 2 small

Roborace has been showing off its driverless electric racing car in New York, in the US, after organising similar exhibitions in other countries. 

Roborace organises what is believed to be the world’s first driverless electric car racing series, using vehicles based on Nvidia’s Drive PX2 artificial intelligence platform.

The car incorporates technologies such as lidar, radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, optical speed sensors, GNSS positioning, and others, according to Engineering.com.  [Read more…] about Roborace shows off its driverless electric racing car in the US

Daimler lays foundation stone for $280 million Mercedes-Benz plant in Russia

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Bense, von Fritsch, Schaefer, Manturov, Ruess and Vorobyov attend a new Mercedes-Benz plant's cornerstone laying ceremony in the town of Esipovo outside Moscow
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Rus CEO Axel Bense, Germany’s Ambassador to Russia Ruediger von Fritsch, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars Markus Schaefer, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, head of production planning of Mercedes-Benz Cars Rainer Ruess and Moscow Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov attend a new Mercedes-Benz plant’s cornerstone laying ceremony in the town of Esipovo outside Moscow, Russia earlier this week. Reuters / Tatyana Makeyeva

By Jack Stubbs, Reuters

Daimler began construction of a new Mercedes-Benz plant near Moscow this week, following through on the first new investment by a major foreign automaker in Russia since Western sanctions were imposed three years ago.

Daimler said in February that it will invest more than $280 million in the factory, contrasting with widespread wariness among international investors after a prolonged downturn brought on by sanctions and a collapse in global oil prices.

But Russia’s economy has recently shown signs of recovery, while its car market is returning to growth after four years of decline.  [Read more…] about Daimler lays foundation stone for $280 million Mercedes-Benz plant in Russia

Audi autonomous car tech boss chats with humanoid robot as though it were entirely natural

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Audi has demonstrated its autonomous car – which it calls “Jack” – in a road test featuring a humanoid robot called Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics.

Audi’s head of concept development, automated driving, Klaus Verweyen, was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, while Sophia was in the passenger seat.

Verweyen chatted away to Sophia as though it was the most normal thing in the world. Meanwhile, Jack drove itself from Audi’s facility onto a main highway and back again.  [Read more…] about Audi autonomous car tech boss chats with humanoid robot as though it were entirely natural

Apple confirms it’s developing autonomous car technology

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By Abdul Montaqim

Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that the tech giant is working on software for self-driving cars, according to Bloomberg. 

Cook calls the development effort “the mother of all AI projects”.

Apple has been rumoured to be working on building a driverless car for some time, but the company has never directly confirmed anything.  [Read more…] about Apple confirms it’s developing autonomous car technology

Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka

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KR FORTEC 360

The robotics division of Kuka has received what the company describes as “a major new order in the double-digit million euro range” from a German premium car manufacturer.

The framework agreement with the Daimler encompasses the supply of multiple industrial robots of the KR Quantec generation and the integrated KR C4 controller, as well as robots from the KR Fortec heavy-duty series.

The robots will be used primarily for joining and handling applications in body-in-white production.  [Read more…] about Daimler orders millions of dollars worth of industrial robotics tech from Kuka