Robotics & Automation News

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Is the eVTOL market dead? We take a high-level look

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Here at RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com Towers, we love to let readers know about completely new technologies that are opening up entirely new and unpredicted markets – or at least ones we hadn’t thought about here.

I mean, things like the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) – small, light aircraft about the size of a car designed to carry around four passengers over short distances. eVOTLs have been subject of much hype over the past few years.

We’ve been part of that hype in the sense that we have covered the market extensively even though, strictly speaking, it probably doesn’t come within our subject area of robotics and automation – we have to stretch the meaning somewhat anyway. [Read more…] about Is the eVTOL market dead? We take a high-level look

Shanghai Electric celebrates a decade of Nedschroef acquisition as it breaks ground to build new factory in Spain

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On the 10th anniversary of its acquisition of Nedschroef, Shanghai Electric marks a significant milestone with the ground breaking of Nedschroef’s second automotive fastener factory in Spain.

Situated in Tarragona, a prominent city in northeastern Spain, this facility underscores Shanghai Electric’s commitment to enhancing Nedschroef’s capacity to deliver advanced fastening solutions across Europe.

The Tarragona factory is a cornerstone of Nedschroef’s three-year action plan, poised to optimize production capacity and drive operational efficiency. [Read more…] about Shanghai Electric celebrates a decade of Nedschroef acquisition as it breaks ground to build new factory in Spain

May Mobility launches autonomous shuttle service at Toyota site

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May Mobility, an autonomous driving technology company, has launch a corporate autonomous vehicle service that will utilize the Toyota-manufactured e-Palette vehicle.

The mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) vehicle platform will be operated in Toyota’s Miyata factory, in Fukuoka, Japan. The full name of the site is the Toyota Motor Kyushu (TMK) Miyata factory.

The service uses a custom version of the e-Palette battery-electric vehicle and will provide an efficient and effective transit option for factory employees and guests. [Read more…] about May Mobility launches autonomous shuttle service at Toyota site

ZF opens new e-mobility manufacturing plant in China

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ZF has opened a new e-mobility plant, known as ZF Electric Mobility Systems, Shenyang.

As ZF’s third e-mobility plant in China, Shenyang plant gathers ZF’s advanced technology and innovative concepts, and will produce and sell advanced products such as electric axle drives for new energy vehicles, to provide more high-quality and high-efficiency e-mobility solutions for customers in China and the world.

The main products of the Shenyang plant are the electric axle drives for new energy vehicles. Its core components are based on ZF’s modular kit electric drive platform and cover both front and rear axles, including motors, power electronics and reducers. [Read more…] about ZF opens new e-mobility manufacturing plant in China

Electric ATVs vs. UTVs for Worksites: Which Vehicle is More Efficient?

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Choosing the right vehicle for worksite tasks is crucial for maximizing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.

Electric All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) are popular choices, each offering distinct advantages depending on the nature of the work.

This comparison aims to guide businesses in selecting the best vehicle for their specific needs by evaluating the efficiency of both options. [Read more…] about Electric ATVs vs. UTVs for Worksites: Which Vehicle is More Efficient?

SMD makes first sale of its compact electric remote underwater vehicle

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Subsea technology company, SMD, has made the first sale of its compact workclass electric remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the Atom EV, to Greece’s Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), the primary Greek public body undertaking marine research in the Eastern Mediterranean.

With a 4,000 m rated turnkey system, the vehicle represents the latest technological evolution in the e-ROV sphere and will unlock a host of capabilities for HCMR.

John McCann, discussing the milestone contract win, SMD’s business development manager says: “As part of a significant upgrade to its primary marine facilities, HCMR was seeking a sustainable and adaptable vehicle with which to conduct its operations.

[Read more…] about SMD makes first sale of its compact electric remote underwater vehicle

How Plasma Polishing is Revolutionizing the Future of Surface Finishing

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Surface finishing is a crucial process in many industries, from medical to automotive, aimed at improving the functionality and aesthetics of a material’s surface.

Traditional methods like grinding and polishing have their limitations, especially when it comes to treating surfaces with high precision and without deformation.

Plasma polishing, an innovative technique, offers a solution to these challenges, delivering not only more precise results but also being more environmentally friendly. In this article, we explain how plasma polishing is revolutionizing the future of surface finishing.

[Read more…] about How Plasma Polishing is Revolutionizing the Future of Surface Finishing

On the road to decarbonization: The importance of the electric arc furnace route in steel production

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The steel industry is facing an epochal challenge: decarbonization. With growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the need to mitigate climate change, steel manufacturers must find alternative ways to make their production more environmentally friendly.

In this context, the electric arc furnace route is becoming increasingly important and promises a more sustainable future for the steel industry.

Traditionally, steel has mainly been produced by the blast furnace route, which is based on smelting iron ore with coke. However, this process is extremely energy-intensive and results in significant CO2 emissions. In response, the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) route has gained popularity in recent years.

[Read more…] about On the road to decarbonization: The importance of the electric arc furnace route in steel production

Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka is supplying 23 friction stir welding cells with integrated robots for the production of electric vehicles for an automotive customer.

The industrial automation specialist say it is the largest single order for robotic work cells in this area to date.

The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) cells with various technologies and Kuka KR Fortec robots are integrated into production lines for electric vehicles.

[Read more…] about Kuka receives order for robotic work cells ‘in the double-digit million range’

ROCIN-ECO consortium takes ‘major step’ towards hands-free EV charging

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Rocsys, a provider of hands-free charging solutions, together with partners Ionity, Audi, TÜV SÜD and affiliated partners Porsche, BMW, Ford, Marquardt, AVL, and Huber+Suhner, as part of the ROCIN-ECO consortium, has developed and demonstrated what they say is “the first interoperable automatic conductive charging solution for passenger electric vehicles”.

The solution both uses and contributes to international standards (ISO and IEC) for automatic charging.

The partners worked together to create an ecosystem where any car can charge automatically regardless of brand or type, and which Rocsys will adopt in early 2025. [Read more…] about ROCIN-ECO consortium takes ‘major step’ towards hands-free EV charging