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Mitsubishi Electric agrees strategic investment in Otto Motors to accelerate industrial automation

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Mitsubishi Electric, a factory automation solutions provider, has agreed a strategic investment in Clearpath Robotics, the parent company of autonomous mobile robot leader, Otto Motors.

With more than 4 million hours of production experience, Otto Motors’ pioneering autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology and award-winning software are used by Fortune 500 companies to deliver productivity and safety in material handling operations.

The investment expands the strategic relationship between Otto Motors and Mitsubishi Electric, and strengthens the two companies’ commercial collaboration. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric agrees strategic investment in Otto Motors to accelerate industrial automation

5 Challenges Involved in Owning an Electric Vehicle

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It seems inevitable that electric vehicles are the future of automotive transport. However, many consumers have understandable concerns about the viability and ease of owning these types of cars in 2023.

Here are 5 general challenges to consider before diving into your electric vehicle purchase. [Read more…] about 5 Challenges Involved in Owning an Electric Vehicle

CNH Industrial unveils ‘first’ electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

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CNH Industrial has unveiled the New Holland T4 Electric Power – which the company says is “the industry’s first all-electric light utility tractor prototype with autonomous features” – at its Tech Day in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, at the start of this year.

A concentrated effort between CNH’s team of experts in the USA (Burr Ridge, Detroit) and Italy (Modena) was able to halve this prototype’s development time thanks to collaboration with CNH’s strategic partner Monarch Tractor – an electrified agtech innovator based in California, USA. CNH says its expertise and resources, in conjunction with Monarch’s disruptive technology, “made this world-first result possible”.

This product milestone is the latest development in CNH’s strategic plan for electrification. The prototype presented is branded New Holland Agriculture, while the commercial model will also extend to the CNH Case IH Brand. It follows the launch of the multi award-winning e-Source power pack – an external generator for electric farm implements. [Read more…] about CNH Industrial unveils ‘first’ electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

Thomson moves Swedish manufacturing operations to larger facility to ‘make room for continued business growth’

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Thomson Industries, a provider of linear motion control solutions, is moving its Kristianstad, Sweden, operations into a larger space to meet what it says is “growing demand” for its motion control technology.

The Kristianstad plant has been a steadily growing supplier of Thomson electric linear actuators and linear motion systems to European customers and is on track for further growth. The new facility is larger, more advanced and will effectively support future business growth.

Peter Swahn, site manager, Thomson Industries, says: “Strict adherence to safety, quality, delivery, inventory management and productivity excellence has fuelled our success, so much so that we have outgrown our facilities. [Read more…] about Thomson moves Swedish manufacturing operations to larger facility to ‘make room for continued business growth’

ZF partners with STMicroelectronics to develop silicon carbide devices

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Automotive technology group ZF will, from 2025, purchase silicon carbide devices from STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications.

Under the terms of the multi-year contract, ST will supply a volume of double-digit millions of silicon carbide devices to be integrated in ZF’s new modular inverter architecture going into series production in 2025.

ZF will leverage ST’s vertically integrated silicon carbide manufacturing in Europe and Asia to secure customer orders in electromobility. [Read more…] about ZF partners with STMicroelectronics to develop silicon carbide devices

Comau supplies ‘highly intelligent’ welding robots for electric automaker

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Comau has supplied Hycan Automotive Technology with a “highly intelligent” welding solution for its framing line. The innovative system ensures multi-model manufacturing of new energy vehicles, high jobs per hour (JPH) and a concrete reduction in production losses. 

Deployed at the Hycan Hangzhou manufacturing base, the flexible automated production system can randomly switch between four different platforms, is fully compatible with the existing manufacturing platforms and is mass producing the brand’s smart, pure electric A06 sedan and stylish, intelligent-driving, pure electric SUV Z03 at a cycle efficiency of 60 JPH.

Hycan Automotive specializes in the development of electric vehicles, with a strategic focus on attracting young generations in the Chinese market. Given the diverse preferences of its target users, the need to develop a rich product range in a short period of time, and the rapid iteration of its offer, Comau engineers made sure the highly flexible welding assembly line could keep pace with the automaker’s evolving manufacturing needs. [Read more…] about Comau supplies ‘highly intelligent’ welding robots for electric automaker

Nauticus Robotics launch new generation of its Aquanauts

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has launched the first of three second-generation Aquanauts, dubbed the “Mark 2” (MK2).

The Aquanauts will now start commissioning exercises. Following commissioning, Nauticus expects to send the initial Aquanaut MK2 units to the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico in the coming months to support customer initiatives in those regions.

The Aquanaut MK2 is a fully electric, untethered and autonomous subsea robot that is controlled through acoustic communication networking and underpinned by Nauticus’ proprietary software suite, toolKITT. The artificial intelligence-based software suite allows for robotic controls, user interfaces, sensor integration, simulation, data analysis, and communication frameworks purpose-built to enable subsea work. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics launch new generation of its Aquanauts

How have electric cars advanced in the past 10 years and what’s the future?

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Electric cars have come a long way in the past decade, with advancements in technology making them a more viable option for everyday consumers.

From longer battery ranges to faster charging times, electric cars are becoming increasingly practical and efficient.

In this blog post, we will explore how electric cars have advanced in the past 10 years and what the future holds for this exciting industry. [Read more…] about How have electric cars advanced in the past 10 years and what’s the future?

Schneider Electric invests €40 million in new smart factory in Hungary

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Schneider Electric, a provider of digital transformation of energy management and industrial automation, has broken ground on its new smart factory in Dunavesce, Hungary.

With a planned investment of €40 million, the new site will span 25,000 sq m and have a headcount of 500 employees.

The 36th smart factory in Europe, this will be the 22nd engeneering-to-order factory in the region, producing primary and secondary switchgears, low voltage cabinets and components, and state-of-the-art SF6-free AirSeT medium voltage switchgear range, all made-to-order to individual customers’ specifications. [Read more…] about Schneider Electric invests €40 million in new smart factory in Hungary

MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation

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MasterMover, a manufacturer of electric tug and tow solutions, has agreed a new partnership with vehicle automation company BlueBotics to provide ANT navigation technologies for MasterMover’s range of automated guided vehicles.

Known for its broad portfolio of pedestrian operated electric tugs and electric tows, used across Industrial Manufacturing, Logistics, and Retail, MasterMover also offers a range of advanced solutions, spanning remote control operation, line follow navigation, and fully autonomous solutions.

MasterMover says its AGV products now include BlueBotics’ ANT natural navigation technology as standard, ensuring customers benefit from the “advanced features and functionality available from the vehicle navigation market leader”. [Read more…] about MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation