Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

driverless cars

Bosch and Daimler to turn metro area in California into ‘pilot city for automated driving’

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Bosch and Daimler are speeding up the development of fully-automated and driverless driving (SAE Level 4 / 5) in the city and are decisively setting the course.

The companies, which have become close partners to develop this technology, have chosen California as the pilot location for the first test fleet.

In the second half of 2019, Bosch and Daimler will offer customers a shuttle service with automated vehicles on selected routes in a Californian metropolis.  [Read more…] about Bosch and Daimler to turn metro area in California into ‘pilot city for automated driving’

How sensors and actuators are being used to create self-driven vehicles

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Autonomous vehicles aren’t science fiction any more. Top automobile firms and technology giants are working towards making self-driven cars commercially available by 2021.

In the same way how IoT is revolutionizing the industrial organization, self-driven vehicles are revolutionizing the transportation industry, allowing people to travel safely and comfortably.

These connected vehicles have the ability to mitigate pollution owing to their real-time traffic information and smart routing.  [Read more…] about How sensors and actuators are being used to create self-driven vehicles

Toyota Research Institute partners with GoMentum to test autonomous vehicles in California

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Toyota Research Institute has signed an agreement with GoMentum Station to test autonomous vehicle technology at the 5,000 acre autonomous vehicle proving grounds located in Concord, California.

Managed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, this partnership enables TRI to expand closed course testing of its two-prong approach to vehicle automation – Guardian and Chauffeur.

Established in 2015, TRI has made rapid advancements in its research into automated driving and recently demonstrated Platform 2.1, its new advanced safety research vehicle that allows for testing of both Guardian and Chauffeur in a single vehicle.  [Read more…] about Toyota Research Institute partners with GoMentum to test autonomous vehicles in California

GM acquires lidar developer Strobe to accelerate driverless car development

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General Motors has acquired lidar – light detection and radar – technology company Strobe.

As part of the deal, Strobe’s engineering talent will join GM’s Cruise Automation team to develop next-generation lidar solutions for self-driving vehicles.

Kyle Vogt, founder and CEO, Cruise Automation, says: “Strobe’s LIDAR technology will significantly improve the cost and capabilities of our vehicles so that we can more quickly accomplish our mission to deploy driverless vehicles at scale.” [Read more…] about GM acquires lidar developer Strobe to accelerate driverless car development

US politicians approve driverless car bill

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The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to create a national framework for the development and testing of driverless cars. 

Until now, the situation has been that each individual state deals with automakers which want to test and develop autonomous cars in their area.

The new measure would allow automakers to acquire permits for up to 25,000 vehicles without meeting existing auto safety standards, according to Reuters.  [Read more…] about US politicians approve driverless car bill

Samsung acquires permission to test autonomous vehicles in the US

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Electronics giant Samsung has acquired a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, according to a report by Reuters. 

The company is spending $8 billion acquiring Harman, which makes in-car entertainment technology and other car components.

Harman is what is called a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive trade, which means that they are one of a relatively small group of companies which supply parts or systems directly to car manufacturers.  [Read more…] about Samsung acquires permission to test autonomous vehicles in the US

DHL could stop Amazon from taking over the world. Probably

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It’s not a glamorous business, logistics. Doesn’t make the mainstream news very often. And it’s not likely to be the top career choice for most people. 

It’s understandable. After all, how interesting can it be to move boxes from point A to point B?

Put like that, it’s not much to write home about. But now, with driverless vehicles everywhere, augmented reality glasses and exoskeletons for warehouse workers, and robotics and automation technologies of all kinds promising to transform the industry worldwide, logistics is about to get much more interesting.  [Read more…] about DHL could stop Amazon from taking over the world. Probably

Pennsylvania to legislate on autonomous vehicles

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autonomous car

The US state of Pennsylvania has decided to be an early adopter of autonomous cars and speed up the process of legislation surrounding the new technology

Citing the future anticipated benefits to travel safety, the environment and mobility, Pennsylvania Department of Technology (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S. Richards recently joined elected, industry and other transportation officials to mark the state’s continued and progressive steps as a national leader in the safe, innovative development of autonomous and connected vehicle technologies.

“We are always looking at ways to make travel safer, and these new vehicle technologies offer a huge opportunity to not only advance our network, but also reduce human behavior as a factor in crashes,” Richards said. “We’re looking forward to expanding on the innovation that’s already alive and well here in Pittsburgh so companies can test their technologies in our state’s varied seasons and roadway types.”  [Read more…] about Pennsylvania to legislate on autonomous vehicles

Audi integrates new autonomous technologies into A3 models

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audi a3 autonomous tech
The new Audi A3, which now has lots of autonomous tech

Audi has integrated a range of new autonomous technologies into its A3 model as part of a major upgrade. 

The company says it has added new driver assistance systems and engines as well as newly designed headlights and taillights.

Also new on board is what Audi says is an “innovative operating and display concept”, the Audi virtual cockpit.  [Read more…] about Audi integrates new autonomous technologies into A3 models

The car of the future: Think concierge on the move

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teradata car-of-future

In the 1970s, if you had a car with air-conditioning, you’d probably have been the envy of all your friends, and you’d even have gotten more for your car on the second hand market. Today, it’s pretty much impossible to buy a new car that doesn’t have air-conditioning.

You’re more likely to find that you new car offers not just air-conditioning, but also heated seats (that you can control remotely with your smartphone), climate control, heated windscreens and a whole lot more.

Product innovation has always been top priority for car manufacturers, which is why they are among the top spenders in research and development. The question now is whether this is enough. Product innovation is taking place at such speed that a unique innovation today can easily be copied and manufactured by a rival firm tomorrow.

Product specifications and feature lists no longer offer that unique reason for the customer to choose one car model over another.So where does that leave car manufacturers? How can they find that X-Factor that will make customers desire one of their cars more than their competitors?  [Read more…] about The car of the future: Think concierge on the move