Robotics & Automation News

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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

Nagel tests Mercedes-Benz eActros electric truck in Hamburg

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The fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros will now take to the roads for the food logistics specialist Nagel-Group in Hamburg.

The vehicle will round off the Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros “Innovation Fleet” for testing the heavy-duty electric truck.

The first eActros has been taking part in customer testing since September 2018 and the eActros in use by Nagel-Group is the tenth vehicle in the fleet.

[Read more…] about Nagel tests Mercedes-Benz eActros electric truck in Hamburg

Auto industry leaders publish new automated driving safety framework

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Intel, in collaboration with 10 industry leaders in automotive and autonomous driving technology, have published ‘Safety First for Automated Driving‘, a framework for the design, development, verification and validation of safe automated passenger vehicles (AVs).

The paper builds on Intel’s model for safer AV decision-making known as Responsibility-Sensitive Safety (RSS).

Developing AVs that are verifiably safe by design is critical to enabling higher levels of autonomy on public roads, says Intel.

[Read more…] about Auto industry leaders publish new automated driving safety framework

Event to highlight the shift toward connected autonomous vehicles

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Drive World Conference & Expo, a showcase bringing together the brightest minds across the automotive electronics and intelligence industries, has released its 2019 conference content.

Spanning four distinct tracks, the conference features an ideal forum to share knowledge related to system connectivity, sensing technologies, infotainment, safety, security, smart mobility, and more.

Drive World, partnered with the Embedded Systems Conference, an event with a 30-year legacy of influencing electronics design and innovation, will take place August 27-29 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California. [Read more…] about Event to highlight the shift toward connected autonomous vehicles

ZF wins multi-billion-euro order for 8-speed automatic transmission

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ZF Friedrichshafen has received a customer order with a double-digit billion euro value for its enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission. The business is planned to run over a period of several years.

The latest version of ZF’s 8-speed transmission – a technology which has been production since 2009 – has been improved by integrating an electric drive. This also includes a hybrid variant.

The new transmission generation will start series production in 2022 at ZF’s plant in Saarbrücken, the lead production facility for ZF’s automatic passenger car transmissions.

[Read more…] about ZF wins multi-billion-euro order for 8-speed automatic transmission

Parker Hannifin introduces new servo drive range

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Parker Hannifin, a leader in motion and control technologies, has introduced its PSD series of servo drives designed for use in central control applications.

All components utilise an Ethernet-based fieldbus system for communications with the controller via popular fieldbuses, currently in use in industry, such as EtherCAT, Ethernet IP and PROFINET.

Due to its flexibility, the new system can be used in a wide range of applications including highly dynamic packing and production machinery.

[Read more…] about Parker Hannifin introduces new servo drive range

Hyundai walking car concept for the ‘first responder’ industry

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Any first responder will tell you that the first 72 hours following a natural disaster are the most crucial to saving lives.

However, often times due to the nature of the disaster (forest fire, earthquake, hurricane, or flood), it can be difficult for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid missions to reach and get immediate help to those in need.

The need for efficient, rapid, resilient transportation for disaster assistance is what led Hyundai to develop the first-ever vehicle with moveable legs.

[Read more…] about Hyundai walking car concept for the ‘first responder’ industry

Preparing metal parts for airplanes

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By Martin Zimmermann, key account manager, Kollmorgen Switzerland

Freymatic is building shot peening plants for the construction of aircraft engines – and, to do this, it’s opting for motion control technologies from Kollmorgen to achieve high-quality requirements.

Peening, or shot peening, refers to the striking of metal with a hammer of some description while preparing it for manufacturing.

The shot needs to hit accurately. This is the only way for their power to be optimally deployed. This power does not do any damage. In fact, with each hit it makes the target stronger, more solid and tougher. And this is why accuracy, airspeed and the right quantity with the right measurements are so crucial. [Read more…] about Preparing metal parts for airplanes

ZF wins major order for new automatic transmission

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ZF Friedrichshafen AG has received a double-digit billion-euro order from BMW AG for its enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission.

The latest version of ZF’s 8-speed transmission has been improved by integrating an electric drive. This also includes a hybrid variant.

The new transmission generation will start series production in 2022 at ZF’s plant in Saarbrücken, the lead production facility for ZF’s automatic passenger car transmissions.

[Read more…] about ZF wins major order for new automatic transmission

Electrified Mercedes EQC goes into production

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The Mercedes-Benz of electric vehicles is ready for launch. The EQC is produced at the company’s Bremen plant and can be ordered now.

The first EQC will roll off the production line at the company’s plant in Bremen. There it is being produced on the same line as the C-Class Saloon and Estate as well as the GLC and GLC Coupé.

Production of vehicles with various drive systems can be adapted variably and efficiently in line with market demand. This approach ensures the best use of capacity at the plant.

[Read more…] about Electrified Mercedes EQC goes into production