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Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

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Automotive systems maker Denso is partnering with chipmaker Qualcomm to develop what they call “next-generation cockpit systems”.

Though they use the word “cockpit”, they probably mean vehicle dashboards rather than aircraft cockpits.

In recent years, the amount of information provided by a vehicle to the driver has increased due to advanced driver assistance functions using cameras and sensors, as well as various entertainment functions. [Read more…] about Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

Siemens and Qualcomm set up ‘first private standalone 5G network in an industrial environment’

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Siemens and Qualcomm Technologies have implemented what they say is the first private 5G standalone network in a real industrial environment using the 3.7-3.8GHz band.

Siemens is providing the actual industrial test conditions and end devices such as Simatic control systems and IO devices and Qualcomm Technologies is supplying the 5G test network and the relevant test equipment.

The 5G network was installed in Siemens’ Automotive Showroom and Test Center in Nuremberg (main picture). Automated guided vehicles are displayed here which are primarily used in the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Siemens and Qualcomm set up ‘first private standalone 5G network in an industrial environment’

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

Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

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Groupe PSA is testing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology for the first time in the Spanish city of Vigo.

The company has been partnering with the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia on the testing, and the results are intended to help the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

Universal Robots opens authorised training centres in North America

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North American distributors of Universal Robots are now opening Authorized Training Centers (ATCs), offering classes spanning basic to advanced programming of UR cobots. The first four ATCs have been launched, with another nine to follow by end of 2019.

Universal Robots says it is committed to making collaborative robots (cobots) in the workplace accessible to all. The company is now building on the popular online modules offered through the UR Academy by enabling its sales channel to open ATCs.

Through hands-on classes hosted by UR trained teachers, the ATCs will broaden users’ understanding of the UR cobots’ range of use cases, while providing opportunities for hands-on practice in real-life applications.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots opens authorised training centres in North America

Second SpaceDataHighway satellite to launch in July

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The EDRS-C satellite, the second node of the SpaceDataHighway network (also known as EDRS), will be launched into geostationary orbit at 31° East on 24 July 2019 by an Ariane 5 launcher.

Once positioned above Europe, it will provide redundant back-up for the SpaceDataHighway system, double transmission capacity and be able to relay the data from two observation satellites simultaneously.

This second satellite will be joining EDRS-A which transmits the images of Earth acquired by the Copernicus programme’s four Sentinel observation satellites on a daily basis.

[Read more…] about Second SpaceDataHighway satellite to launch in July

HMS Industrial launches new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP linking device

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hms profibus-to-ethernet-ip-linking-device

Communication specialist HMS Industrial Networks now releases the third product in their EtherNet/IP Linking Devices family.

The new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP Linking Device allows users to connect devices on Profibus to a Rockwell ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLC.

Users will benefit from the unique integration into Studio5000 Logix Designer from Rockwell Automation, as all configuration is made from inside Studio 5000.The EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP Linking Device from HMS Industrial Networks.  [Read more…] about HMS Industrial launches new EtherNet/IP to Profibus DP linking device

Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

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emerson IO-Link valve

Company says new component provides Industry 4.0 diagnostics for pneumatics through direct digital control 

Emerson have expanded the ASCO Numatics 580 Series fieldbus electronics platform with the introduction of an IO-Link communication option.

The company says the new IO-Link module is for use with the ASCO Numatics 500 Series valve islands, and will allow machine automation designers a convenient, cost effective and reliable solution for solenoid valve control through direct digital data communication with the machine controller plus the ability for event-based and I/O mapped diagnostics – both important predictive maintenance requirements for Industry 4.0.

The 580 Series IO-Link is compatible with the full range of 501, 502 and 503 Series valve islands which offer from 400 to 1400 l/min flow rates in valve sizes of 11, 18 and 26 mm.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches new control module for industrial machines

Controller area network: No need for a computer

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audi r8

In this exclusive guest article, Kent Lennartsson, research manager at Kvaser, highlights a crucial technology – reliable, hassle-free controller communication 

A “controller area network” – or CAN, also known as a CAN bus or vehicle bus – is most well known for its use in automotive design.

In this system, a vehicle bus allows microcontrollers and other devices to communicate with one another without the need for a central computer.

This concept is akin to our use of the Internet of Things in everyday life.

This means when you’re driving down the highway in your Audi R8, your cruise control system can quickly communicate with your anti-lock brakes, disengaging the gas pedal and activating emergency brake assist, helping to make a fast stop if debris drops from a truck into your lane.  [Read more…] about Controller area network: No need for a computer

Connected world: The death of proprietary networks

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smart kettle

Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation, takes a look at one of the casualties of fluid communication in the factory – that is, the death of proprietary networks and communication protocols in favour of the uninhibited free flow of data 

Like it or not, we live in modern world of fluidity and interconnectedness in which the once ordinary now transcends all previous boundaries.

Take the humble kettle for instance. It’s a sign of the times that you can now purchase a kettle you can control from your phone via the internet. It will even send you notifications when it needs filling or if it’s at optimum temperature. Because it was hard to tell before.

Joking aside, one place where interconnectivity really is making a difference is on the factory floor.  [Read more…] about Connected world: The death of proprietary networks