concept

Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

April 21, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Five robotic technology experiments have moved into the final phase of a competition run by Esmera, the European Union-funded project set up to develop innovative technologies.

The five entrants are:

Nix;
Minotaur-R (energy sector);
Reflect;
Wire Cobots (manufacturing); and
Cobolleague (construction).

They have all been selected to move into the second phase of Esmera, which is an abbreviation of European SMEs Robotic Applications. [Read more…] about Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

March 9, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile manipulation robots, and OTTO Motors, a maker of industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), have unveiled what they describe as “a demo of the future of warehouse automation”.

In a video (see below), Boston Dynamics’s logistics robot, Handle, can be seen picking boxes and building pallets on top of OTTO AMRs in a distribution center testbed.

Last year, Boston Dynamics announced its efforts to add flexible, highly mobile automation technology to the warehouse with its Handle robot and Pick computer vision system. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

Students provide fascinating glimpse into the future of car design in Magna competition

January 30, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Imagination soared as students from around the world competed for the first-ever Magna Global Bold Perspective Award, presented at the Car Design News LA Forum during the LA Auto Show.

Zehao “West” Zhang, from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, won the top prize for his autonomous vehicle for urban nomads.

An accomplished panel of design industry leaders judged the 2019 competition, including Chip Foose of Foose Design, Brad Richards of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Jay Shuster of Pixar Animation Studios, Freeman Thomas of Freeman Thomas Design and Larry Erickson from Magna. [Read more…] about Students provide fascinating glimpse into the future of car design in Magna competition

Sony showcases new concept car with tech for autonomous driving

January 15, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Sony has showcased a number of new technologies at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and one of them was a concept car packed with the company’s sensors and other components that provide a package that supports autonomous driving.

Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony president and CEO, says: “It’s not an exaggeration to say that mobile (communication) has been the mega-trend of the last decade. I believe the next mega-trend will be mobility.”

Yoshida formally unveiled the prototype vehicle, which incorporates imaging and sensing technologies that Sony says “contribute to safer and more reliable autonomous driving”. [Read more…] about Sony showcases new concept car with tech for autonomous driving

John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech

November 19, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

John Deere, probably the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world, has been showcasing a new autonomous tractor and other new technology at the ongoing Agritechnica event.

In a new exhibition concept at this year’s Agritechnica, Deere is demonstrating its leading position in precision agriculture in the Future Technology Zone.

Nine different product developments and research projects in the fields of electrification, autonomy through automation and artificial intelligence show how agriculture could work even more sustainably and productively in the future. [Read more…] about John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech

Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles

November 15, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Continental says its new server concept is a “central element” for the conversion to a service-oriented electronics architecture in highly connected ID electric cars.

Volkswagen uses the server as an in-car application server (ICAS1) for ID vehicle models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).

High computing power and a consistent separation of hardware and software are paving the way for new functions and convenient over-the-air updates. [Read more…] about Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles

BMW shows off sporty version of electric and autonomous concept car

October 7, 2019 by David Edwards

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

October 4, 2019 by David Edwards

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

Scania unveils new driverless concept truck

October 2, 2019 by Sam Francis

Scania has unveiled a new driverless – and indeed cabless – concept truck which looks to be aimed at the mining and construction sectors.

Describing it as “the latest member of our autonomous family”, Scania says the AXL is a fully autonomous concept truck, without a cab.

In what is another milestone in the development of heavy self-driving vehicles, a group of Scania experts in different fields have teamed up and developed a concept truck, which, even without the cab, has the company’s modular system at the heart of the design. [Read more…] about Scania unveils new driverless concept truck

SICK showcases new monitoring system for packaging operations

September 24, 2019 by David Edwards

SICK is showcasing a new monitoring system for packaging operations at Pack Expo.

The company describes it as “a revolutionary way to improve packaging processes”, and says it’s part of what it sees as a “smart moonitoring kit”.

Called “4.0 NOW Factory”, the sensor technology and dashboard represents how SICK can provide manufacturers greater visibility to their production processes, making it easier to implement improvements and new innovations. [Read more…] about SICK showcases new monitoring system for packaging operations