Robotics & Automation News

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Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

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Teradyne says it has shipped its 4,000th Eagle Test System, hitting a new sales success milestone for its Eagle Test System automatic test equipment in China.

MPS, a high-growth, linear, power and automotive semiconductor supplier with multiple locations in China, purchased the milestone system, an ETS-88.

The ETS-88 is an optimal platform for testing a wide variety of devices including simple analog, high precision, high voltage, high current / power, automotive, video, audio, complex mixed-signal, as well as emerging power processes like SiC and GaN. [Read more…] about Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

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Chinese media outlets are raising the possibility of restrictions on the export of rare earth metals to the US. 

The move could be the most effective response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase and broaden import tariffs on Chinese goods into the country.

According to the South China Morning Post, the ruling Communist Party’s propaganda outlet, People’s Daily, said in a commentary: “The Chinese people would never agree to the US using products made from rare earths exported from China to curb and suppress China’s development.” [Read more…] about Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

355 welding robots at new Byton car plant in China

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Byton, the electric vehicle maker, has announced it will complete its Round C fundraising in mid-2019 with support from multiple investors and shared further details of its Nanjing factory.

Construction of the plant, which started in September 2017, is nearing completion and trial production of the M-Byte SUV will start in the third quarter of 2019.

The installation and commissioning of key equipment has already begun in the five major workshops: stamping, paint, welding, battery, and assembly.

[Read more…] about 355 welding robots at new Byton car plant in China

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

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More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

DHL launches last-mile drone delivery service in China

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DHL Express has partnered with autonomous aerial vehicle company EHang to jointly launch a fully automated and intelligent smart drone delivery solution to tackle the last-mile delivery challenges in the urban areas of China.

The launch ceremony was held today at the EHang Command and Control Center in Guangzhou, with the attendance of senior executives from both companies.

This cutting-edge solution takes its inaugural flight for a DHL customer, making DHL the first international express company to provide such a service in China.

[Read more…] about DHL launches last-mile drone delivery service in China

Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events

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Magna held two grand opening ceremonies last month in China, for new factories in Changsha and Shanghai.

The new plant in Changsha, a joint venture with GAC subsidiary GAC Component Co., Ltd. (GAC Component), began production of composite liftgates for a global automaker’s crossover vehicle in late 2018.

Last month, Magna’s plant in Shanghai started production on active aerodynamic grille shutters for an American brand producing multiple vehicle platforms for the China market.

[Read more…] about Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi partner with Plug and Play China

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Alliance Ventures, the venture capital fund that invests in technology start-ups for Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors, is partnering with Plug and Play China, part of the global innovation platform.

“China is leading innovation in the automotive industry,” said Francois Dossa, Alliance Global Vice President, Ventures and Open Innovation; Chairman of Alliance Ventures.

“By harnessing the expertise of Plug and Play China, we can gain access to start-ups and technologies that will transform the mobility experience.”

[Read more…] about Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi partner with Plug and Play China

Trump trade tariffs to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods

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US President Donald Trump’s proposed increase in tariffs will hit $350 billion worth of goods imported from China, according to economic analysts.

Trump announced his intention to impose the additional tariffs recently in a tweet, but the US and China are currently locked in trade talks and there may be some modifications to the proposal.

The effects of his announcement, however, have been far-reaching, and are said to be the reason for the $1 trillion fall in share prices around the world.

[Read more…] about Trump trade tariffs to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods

OnRobot opens Singapore office for its robot end-of-arm tools

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OnRobot, the Danish end-of-arm tooling specialist, is opening regional headquarters in Singapore.

OnRobot says it will closely focus on the growing demand of end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) in robotics automation in Southeast Asia.

OnRobot specializes in EOAT for collaborative applications, where machines and humans come together to automate, for faster and cost-effective production. [Read more…] about OnRobot opens Singapore office for its robot end-of-arm tools

Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules

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Chinese export companies have strongly criticized President Donald Trump for deciding to increase tariffs on imports into the US by another 10 percent, bringing them up to 25 percent for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of manufactured goods.

Comments reported by the South China Morning Post say Chinese exporters are decrying Trump as a business “killer” who “never plays by the rules”.

One exporter, Liao Yu, who produces bags and suitcases, said: “A 25 per cent [tariff] will kill everyone.”

[Read more…] about Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules