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Volkswagen enters global electric vehicle battery business

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Volkswagen has broken ground for its first battery production factory in Salzgitter, Germany last week in the presence of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Production will start in 2025. With immediate effect, responsibility for global battery business is to be held by the newly created company “PowerCo”. In addition to cell production, the new company will be responsible for activities along the entire battery value chain.

Up to 2030, PowerCo is to invest more than €20 billion together with partners in the development of the business area, to generate annual sales in excess of €20 billion and to employ up to 20,000 people in Europe alone. [Read more…] about Volkswagen enters global electric vehicle battery business

Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion

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Global semiconductor equipment billings grew 5 percent year-over-year to $24.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022, according industry association SEMI.

The figures were revealed in SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics Report. Quarter-over-quarter billings in the seasonally soft first quarter declined 10 percent.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “Year-over-year first quarter equipment revenue growth is in sync with positive forecasts for 2022 as the semiconductor industry continues its robust increase of fab capacity. North America and Europe logged healthy quarter-over-quarter rises in equipment spending as they intensify efforts to bolster domestic chipmaking.” [Read more…] about Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion

ForwardX Robotics partners with Qualcomm to develop new autonomous mobile robots

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ForwardX Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, is partnering with chipmaking giant Qualcomm to develop new robots.

The two companies showcased the results of their collaboration at the recent Hannover Messe event in Germany, where ForwardX and Qualcomm jointly gave demonstrations.

Qualcomm showcased its Robotics RB5 Platform with the ForwardX Flex AMR on display. The robotics platform supports 5G connectivity, AI and machine learning, superior computing, and intelligent sensing capabilities. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics partners with Qualcomm to develop new autonomous mobile robots

SLAMcore raises $16 million to give spatial understanding to robots and the metaverse

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SLAMcore, a developer of vision-based location and mapping for robots and autonomous machines, has raised $16 million in Series A capital.

The company says the funding will allow the business to rapidly capitalize on its proven technology which combines AI with consumer-grade cameras, sensors and processors to solve the complex challenges of mapping and navigating for a wide range of autonomous machines and devices.

The funding round was led by ROBO Global Ventures and Presidio Ventures who invested alongside Amadeus Capital, Global Brain, IP Group, MMC and Octopus. Strategic investors Samsung Ventures, Toyota Ventures, and Yamato Holdings also joined the round. [Read more…] about SLAMcore raises $16 million to give spatial understanding to robots and the metaverse

GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots

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GXO Logistics, one of the world’s largest contract logistics providers, has reached a multi-year global agreement with 6 River Systems, a robotic fulfillment solutions provider, to meet the demand for collaborative mobile robots – also known as autonomous mobile robots – in its logistics operations across the US and Europe.

Sandeep Sakharkar, chief information officer at GXO, says: “6 River Systems’ Chucks provide a huge boost to the retention of our team members and deliver a substantial sustained increase in operational productivity.

“This agreement fortifies our long-term partnership with 6RS, ensuring rapid deployment of popular productivity-enhancing warehouse collaborative robots that give our customers a competitive advantage.” [Read more…] about GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots

Key VPN Statistics: What Are the Numbers Telling Us?

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All over the world, individuals use virtual private networks (VPNs) to secure their connections to the internet. The encryption protects your activity from prying eyes, allowing you to browse the web with greater anonymity.

Furthermore, a VPN may replace your actual IP address with one from another region, allowing you to access material that would otherwise be. [Read more…] about Key VPN Statistics: What Are the Numbers Telling Us?

Geek+ and Reesink Logistic Solutions partner to implement robots in warehouses

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Geekplus, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has agreed a new partnership with one of Europe’s top system integrators, Reesink Logistic Solutions.

The two companies are entering a non-exclusive cooperation covering the entire Geekplus product range and targeting primarily Northern Europe, with a focus on the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland.

Gert Bossink, vice-president of Royal Reesink and division director of Reesink Logistic Solutions, says: “The warehouse automation market is becoming increasingly competitive and dense. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Reesink Logistic Solutions partner to implement robots in warehouses

Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain partners with GreyOrange to increase warehouse automation

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Apotek Hjärtat, Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain, has signed a new partnership with GreyOrange to develop automation solutions for its new 20,000 square meter e-commerce warehouse that will open in September in Norrköping.

Through the partnership, Apotek Hjärtat will take the next step in automating its logistics. The warehouse that supplies pharmacies with goods is already largely automated, but the new collaboration gives Apotek Hjärtat the conditions to continue to improve customer experience through faster and smoother deliveries.

Eric Lundberg, CEO of Apotek Hjärtat, says: “Through the collaboration, we continue to automate our logistics flows and thereby lay the foundation for the next generation of e-commerce offering. [Read more…] about Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain partners with GreyOrange to increase warehouse automation

North America ‘catching up’ in global robotics race, says report

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A research study released by Strategic Exits Partners, a boutique investment bank specializing in the sale of technology companies, found that although America has lagged behind Asia in design and production of manufacturing robots, it is now positioned to catch up and lead in a new global robotics race.

The study analyzed the last five years of transactions including 300 exits, and 5,000 investments into 3,000 global companies.

Len Zapalowski, partner, Strategic Exits Partners, says: “Our research found that despite America’s minor role in manufacturing robots, it is now making robot acquisitions at a rapid rate that exceeds its geopolitical rivals. [Read more…] about North America ‘catching up’ in global robotics race, says report

Massive growth predicted for robotic last-mile delivery

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Worldwide robotic last-mile delivery revenues are forecasted to grow from $70 million in 2022 to $670 million in 2030.

This is according to new research from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research.

Furthermore, the value of those parcels delivered by autonomous mobile robots could reach $3.3 billion by 2030. [Read more…] about Massive growth predicted for robotic last-mile delivery