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Volkswagen initiates system changeover to e-mobility as production of the ID.3 starts

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Volkswagen has initiated a system changeover to electric mobility as production of the ID.3 starts in Zwickau

Volkswagen’s electric offensive is picking up speed: This months sees the official start of series production of the ID.3.

The first car in the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs) – a white ID.3 – rolled off the assembly line watched by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess.

The Volkswagen Group aims to sell some 22 million EVs worldwide by 2028, helping EVs make the breakthrough to the mainstream. [Read more…] about Volkswagen initiates system changeover to e-mobility as production of the ID.3 starts

Volkswagen and NXP in ‘world’s largest’ rollout of V2X technology

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NXP Semiconductors, which claims to be the world’s largest provider of automotive semiconductors, has partnered with Volkswagen to roll out its RoadLINK V2X – vehicle to everything – communication system.

The solution is features in the new Volkswagen Golf, one of the best-selling models of car in the world.

The recently released Golf of the eighth generation is the first volume European car model equipped with V2X, offering a major boost to the deployment of the technology on European roads and beyond. [Read more…] about Volkswagen and NXP in ‘world’s largest’ rollout of V2X technology

BMW shows off sporty version of electric and autonomous concept car

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BMW has been showing off the sporty version of its electric and autonomous concept car, which it calls Vision M NEXT (main picture).

The BMW Vision M NEXT was one of the highlights at the #NEXTGen Event held at BMW Welt in Munich.

Visitors to the IAA Cars 2019 show were also treated to a glimpse into the electrified future of the BMW M brand (pictured below). [Read more…] about BMW shows off sporty version of electric and autonomous concept car

NXP and Volkswagen explore ultra-wideband technologies

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NXP Semiconductors and Volkswagen have shared early glimpses into Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology and its future applications.

In a Volkswagen concept car, the companies showed the capabilities of Ultra-Wideband for advancing security, safety and convenience in vehicles.

Lars Reger, CTO of NXP Semiconductors, and Maik Rohde, head of body electronics and car access systems, Volkswagen, discussed the pioneering collaboration as part of a broader, cross-industry push to leverage the unique capabilities of UWB: accurate localization and fine ranging at maximum security levels. [Read more…] about NXP and Volkswagen explore ultra-wideband technologies

Septentrio and Artisense to demonstrate advanced localization technology for autonomous vehicles at Auto AI Show

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Septentrio, a manufacturer of GPS / GNSS technology for demanding applications, is providing positioning technology to Artisense, supplier of innovative computer vision solutions for automated vehicles.

Artisense incorporates Septentrio GPS / GNSS in their latest Visual Inertial Navigation System (VINS), which will be demonstrated live at Auto AI Show in Berlin, Germany on September 25-27, 2019.

VINS combines computer vision, inertial sensors and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) measurements to deliver highly accurate global 3D positioning and orientation information in any environment, even indoors. [Read more…] about Septentrio and Artisense to demonstrate advanced localization technology for autonomous vehicles at Auto AI Show

BMW unveils ‘the world’s blackest’ car using nanotech coating

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BMW has unveiled what the automaker describes as “the world’s blackest of black” cars, using a coating called “Vantablack”.

The company says Vantablack “highlights the expressive design language and confident, dominant and muscular appearance of the new BMW X6 to perfection”.

Vantablack is the registered trademark for the VBx2 nanostructure paint finish BMW used on the new X6 vehicle. [Read more…] about BMW unveils ‘the world’s blackest’ car using nanotech coating

Self-driving tech startup Voyage Auto raises $31 million in funding

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A self-driving technology startup called Voyage Auto has raised $31 million in Series B funding.

The investment round was led by Franklin Templeton, with significant participation from Khosla Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion Ventures, and Chevron Technology Ventures.

The latest funding round brings Voyage Auto’s total capital raised to $52 million. [Read more…] about Self-driving tech startup Voyage Auto raises $31 million in funding

Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots

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Škoda Auto has opened a new automotive paint shop at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, featuring 66 industrial robots configured for applying the paint.

Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint there each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.

Škoda Auto has invested €214.5 million in the new building, creating more than 650 new jobs. (See infographic below.) [Read more…] about Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots

Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

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Bosch and Daimler have chosen in a city located in the San Francisco Bay in Silicon Valley, California, as the pilot location for a first test fleet developing fully-automated and driverless driving.

Bosch and Daimler will offer customers a shuttle service with automated vehicles on selected routes. Daimler Mobility Services is envisaged as the operator of this test fleet and the app-based mobility service.

The pilot project will demonstrate how mobility services such as car sharing (car2go), ride-hailing (mytaxi) and multi-modal platforms (moovel) can be intelligently connected to shape the future of mobility.

[Read more…] about Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of its new electric car ID.3

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Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of the new electric car ID.3, although none are for sale yet.

The initiative involved the conversion of VW’s vehicle factory in Zwickau, which the company says will eventually be “the largest facility for electric mobility in Europe”.

The members of Volkswagen’s group and brand boards of management, as well as the group works council, were able to see that for themselves at today’s site symposium for all three locations in Saxony held at Zwickau. [Read more…] about Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of its new electric car ID.3