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Daimler and Volvo launch €1.2 billion venture to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for trucks

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Volvo Group and Daimler Trucks have entered into a joint venture to develop, produce and commercialize hydrogen fuel-cell systems for use in heavy-duty trucks as the primary focus, as well as other applications.

The ambition of both partners is to make the new company a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells, and thus help the world take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050.

Volvo will acquire 50 percent of the partnership interests in Daimler Truck Fuel Cell for approximately €600 million on a cash and debt-free basis. Closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2021. [Read more…] about Daimler and Volvo launch €1.2 billion venture to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for trucks

Hyundai Robotics to automate fast-food production for KFC

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Hyundai Robotics is entering the food technology market in cooperation with the global chicken franchise, KFC.

Hyundai Robotics has signed an agreement outlining “research and co-operation in automated production manufacturing” with KFC at the restaurant chain’s Eungam restaurant in Seoul, South Korea.

Hyundai Robotics’ COO Seo Yoo Seong and KFC Korea’s CEO Eom Ik-soo attended the signing ceremony. [Read more…] about Hyundai Robotics to automate fast-food production for KFC

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

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The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute has selected eight new robotics technology projects aligned with the organization’s mission to strengthen US manufacturing and empower workers.

A total of $7.5 million will be contributed across these eight projects. ARM plans to award $2.9 million in project funding, and the participating organizations plan to contribute $4.6 million in cost share. To date, ARM has invested in more than 70 robotics technology and workforce development projects.

The ARM Institute, in partnership with its 270+ member organizations, identifies areas of need in manufacturing, which are used as strategic focus areas in its project calls. [Read more…] about Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

US government awards Fanuc and Rockwell apprenticeship programs

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, has been named a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) by the US government’s Department of Labor.

Fanuc shares this achievement in collaboration with industry partners including Rockwell Automation, APT Manufacturing Solutions and the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI).

An official signing ceremony hosted by US DOL Secretary Eugene Scalia named 18 SRE organizations. [Read more…] about US government awards Fanuc and Rockwell apprenticeship programs

Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform

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Yaskawa, a manufacturer of motion control, robotics, and variable speed drives, and Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of automation solutions, have agreed a partnership to develop a new programmable logic controller platform.

The companies say they will utilize PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the “next generation machine controller and PLC platform”, realizing the i3-Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa.

The common goal of both companies is to offer an open and future-proof ecosystem for industrial automation. In this context, Phoenix Contact has licensed its PLCnext runtime environment to Yaskawa and agrees on further joint developments. [Read more…] about Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform

Denso unveils new IoT platform to link 130 factories

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Denso, one of the world’s largest automotive component manufacturers, has launched a Factory-IoT Platform that connects 130 production factories worldwide using information technology and the internet of things technologies, based on the concept of “as if under one roof.”

This is the first in-house development of a cloud-native platform using open-source-software in the automotive supplier industry. Cloud-Native refers to a system development method that uses open-source-software to cooperatively control multiple applications on the premise of operation in the cloud.

Open-source-software is free software that anyone can use. The newly developed platform stores data collected from a range of equipment at various production sites in a single cloud that can be used freely across Denso’s organization network. [Read more…] about Denso unveils new IoT platform to link 130 factories

Boeing to build four more satellites for SES’ space internet

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US aerospace giant Boeing has received a contract to build four additional 702X satellites from SES as the “space internet” provider increases the number of O3b mPower satellites in its Medium Earth Orbit to 11.  

These four additional O3b mPower satellites will enhance SES’s next-generation MEO constellation throughput and efficiency as well as expand its unique capabilities to deliver connectivity services ranging from 50 Mbps to multiple gigabits per second to a single user.

The system will allow telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, enterprises, aircraft and ship operators, and more, to connect with their core network or extend cloud access worldwide. [Read more…] about Boeing to build four more satellites for SES’ space internet

Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has created a “Startup Engagement Program” through its sponsorship of MassRobotics.

MassRobotics, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an independent, non-profit organization that aims to assist startups and existing technology organizations by providing them the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.

Through the Startup Engagement Program, Mitsubishi Electric Automation is looking to develop proof of concepts and potential investment opportunities. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

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Electronics and household appliances giant LG is partnering with unicorn startup Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots.

The partnership will aim to produce mobile robots that can deliver food to people’s homes as well to the tables of customers at restaurants.

While LG is well known around the world, Woowa Brothers is a startup which achieved unicorn status – became worth more than $1 billion – when German company Delivery Hero acquired it for around $4 billion in January this year. [Read more…] about LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

GM and Honda to jointly develop new electric vehicles

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General Motors and Honda have agreed to jointly develop next-generation Honda electric vehicles powered by GM’s Ultium Batteries.

The move builds on GM’s already established advanced technology relationship with Honda.

Honda will develop the “unique” interior and exterior designs for Honda customers. [Read more…] about GM and Honda to jointly develop new electric vehicles