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Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies

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Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled the latest version of the xAUTO, (main picture) a vehicle capable of autonomous driving on surface roads without high-definition maps and autonomous parking both indoors and outdoors.

The xAUTO is a demonstration car that incorporates Mitsubishi Electric’s cutting-edge technologies for autonomous driving.

Mitsubishi Electric’s autonomous driving system is realized with sensor-fusion technologies implemented with peripheral sensors, millimeter-wave radar and cameras, and so on, as well as infrastructure-assisted technologies incorporating Centimeter Level Augmentation Service signals from the Quasi Zenith Satellite System and high-definition three-dimensional maps. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies

GM and LG agree $2.3 billion partnership to mass-produce car battery cells

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General Motors and LG Chem have agreed a partnership to mass-produce battery cells for future electric vehicles.

Together, the companies will invest up to a total of $2.3 billion through a new, equally owned joint venture company.

The joint venture will establish a battery cell assembly plant on a greenfield manufacturing site in the Lordstown area of Northeast Ohio that will create more than 1,100 new jobs. [Read more…] about GM and LG agree $2.3 billion partnership to mass-produce car battery cells

Lenovo and Schneider Electric partner to develop ‘smart green manufacturing’ in China

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Lenovo and Schneider Electric agreed a strategic partnership that will see the two companies working together on smart green manufacturing solutions for the flourishing Chinese manufacturing sector.

The partnership was unveiled at Lenovo Tech World, the company’s annual innovation summit, with Lenovo chairman and CEO, Yuanqing Yang and Schneider Electric chairman and CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, there to shake hands on the deal.

Leveraging the strengths of both companies, the strategic partnerships will create powerful synergies by combining Lenovo’s Industrial Internet of Things LeapIOT solution with Schneider Electric’s smart green manufacturing solution based on EcoStruxure. [Read more…] about Lenovo and Schneider Electric partner to develop ‘smart green manufacturing’ in China

ABB technology in 40 Vattenfall electric vehicle fast-charging stations across Sweden

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ABB says its technology is integarted into in 40 Vattenfall fast-charging stations across Sweden.

ABB is supporting European energy company Vattenfall develop a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network in Sweden, with a complete solution that includes both the fast-charging station and all the necessary grid connection hardware.

The technology from ABB is now charging EVs at almost 40 public locations across Sweden for Vattenfall. [Read more…] about ABB technology in 40 Vattenfall electric vehicle fast-charging stations across Sweden

Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

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Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC.

The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a smaller space”, while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest smart factory applications.

Mitsubishi Electric launched its first range of micro controllers, the FX family of PLCs, over 35 years ago as part of the MELSEC-F series. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

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Bosch says it is poised to make a technological “leap” in electric mobility as a result of developing new silicon carbide semiconductors.

The vast majority of semiconductors today are made using common silicon, which makes up 25 per cent of Earth’s crust, but silicon carbide is generally made from an extremely rare mineral called “moissanite”.

Bosch is secretive about its technology, but Harold Kroeger, member of the Bosch board of management, says: “Silicon carbide semiconductors will transform e-mobility.” [Read more…] about Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris

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Seine Alliance, a partnersip between Groupe Renault and Green Vision, has launched what it is the “first 100 per cent electric passenger boat with second life batteries” to Paris, France.

The “Black Swan”, as the boat is called, is specifically designed for private or business cruises on the Seine, the main river is Paris.

The aim of Seine Alliance and its partners is to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a model based on the principle of the circular economy, in order to reproduce it and create synergies between the various mobility players. [Read more…] about Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris

Volvo launches sales of electric trucks for urban transport

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Volvo Trucks has started the sales of its Volvo FL and Volvo FE electric trucks in selected markets within Europe, meeting what the company says is “the increasing demand for sustainable transport solutions in city environments”.

In the absence of exhaust emissions and with reduced noise levels from electric trucks offer huge potential in urban areas.

First, the reduced noise levels make it possible to carry out deliveries and refuse collection in early mornings, late evenings or even at night, helping to improve transport logistics and reduce congestion during peak hours. [Read more…] about Volvo launches sales of electric trucks for urban transport

ZF develops fully electric propulsion system for sailing yachts

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ZF has developed what it describes as a “fully electric” propulsion system for sailing yachts.

ZF says the development shows it is continuing to expand its portfolio of environment-friendly marine propulsion solutions.

The new fully electric propulsion system can be combined with ZF’s Steerable Pod Propulsion system and is “steering skippers into a cleaner, more sustainable future”. [Read more…] about ZF develops fully electric propulsion system for sailing yachts

Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

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Magna has been awarded a grant by the US Department of Energy to develop and “auto-qualify” advanced electric motor technologies for next-generation vehicle propulsion systems.

In partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Magna is applying its powertrain, electronics and full-vehicle expertise to deliver an automotive-grade, high-performance electric motor that aims to achieve increased power density and reduced cost compared to current e-motors.

The project objective is to develop an electric motor that is half the cost and eight times the power density, while delivering 125 kW of peak power – similar to packing a gallon of milk into a pint-size container. [Read more…] about Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor