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Country Garden builds ‘world’s first’ robot restaurant in China

June 24, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Country Garden says it has built what it claims is “the world’s first-ever robot restaurant complex” in Guangdong, China.

The modern eaterie was opened on June 22 by Qianxi Robot Catering Group, a subsidiary of Country Garden. The location is Shunde, a city in China’s Guangdong province.

Powered by the latest in advanced technologies, the restaurant has separate sections for Chinese food, hot pot and fast food and features a wide selection of dishes, each one of which is delivered to the waiting diner within seconds. [Read more…] about Country Garden builds ‘world’s first’ robot restaurant in China

BMW and Mercedes blame ‘timing’ for abandoning plan to jointly develop autonomous cars

June 19, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

German auto giants BMW and Mercedes are blaming “timing” for abandoning a plan to jointly develop autonomous cars.

The two companies had reached an agreement in July last year to enter into a “co-operation” agreement on the development of autonomous cars, or “automated driving”, as the two companies call it.

The developments are intended to build vehicles that are classed as “Level 4” – or “full autonomy with human” – on the SAE’s categorisation. [Read more…] about BMW and Mercedes blame ‘timing’ for abandoning plan to jointly develop autonomous cars

Eni to co-host Automa 2020 and to show ‘most powerful supercomputer in the world’

June 16, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

An Italian major oil and gas company and BGS Group have recently announced their partnership in the run-up to Automa 2020 – Automation and Digitalization Congress that will be held in Italy, Milan, on October 19-20.

Regina Chislova, project director of Automa 2020, says: “Eni middle and senior management have been attending the congresses organized by BGS Group for a few consecutive years, flying to different European countries.

“This year we bring Automa to Eni’s home and, therefore, decided that it will be a mutually beneficial partnership.” [Read more…] about Eni to co-host Automa 2020 and to show ‘most powerful supercomputer in the world’

Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

June 2, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

HERE Technologies says Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have completed their joint acquisition of a 30 per cent ownership stake in the company, after receiving regulatory approvals.

HERE welcomes Mitsubishi and NTT as strategic investors. The two companies have co-invested in HERE via their recently established, jointly owned holding company COCO Tech Holding in the Netherlands.

As a result, HERE now has nine direct and indirect shareholders: Audi, Bosch, BMW Group, Continental, Intel Capital, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, NTT and Pioneer. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

May 25, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Volkswagen is to construct buildings and infrastructure for the battery cell factory it has agreed to build with Northvolt. The automotive giant has made initial investment of some €450 million.

The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt is gaining further momentum.

It has been decided that Volkswagen itself will erect the buildings and infrastructure for the joint venture’s “Northvolt Zwei” factory that is to produce lithium-ion battery cells, in order to leverage synergies at the Salzgitter site – based on the existing Center of Excellence for Battery Cells. [Read more…] about Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

BMW reaffirms ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology

May 22, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Automotive giant BMW has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative to petrol cars and electric vehicles. The company also unveiled images of the powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT.

Developing alternative powertrain technologies is a top priority for the BMW Group. The premium carmaker offers first virtual insights into the powertrain system for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT and reaffirms its commitment to following a carefully considered and systematic route to emission-free mobility.

This approach also includes the careful consideration of differing market and customer requirements as part of the company’s Power of Choice strategy. Customer centricity and the flexibility needed for this are essential in facilitating the breakthrough for sustainable mobility on the global stage.

Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of management of BMW, research and development: “We are convinced that various alternative powertrain systems will exist alongside one another in future, as there is no single solution that addresses the full spectrum of customers’ mobility requirements worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW reaffirms ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology

BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

May 14, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Automotive factories to incorporate artificial intelligence robots built on new Isaac platform from Nvidia

BMW Group has selected the new Nvidia Isaac robotics platform to enhance its automotive factories – utilizing logistics robots built on advanced AI computing and visualization technologies, the companies announced today.

The collaboration centers on implementing an end-to-end system based on Nvidia technologies – from training and testing through to deployment – with robots developed using one software architecture, running on Nvidia’s open Isaac robotics platform.

BMW Group’s objective is to enhance logistics factory flow to produce custom-configured cars more rapidly and efficiently. Once developed, the system will be deployed to BMW Group factories worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

April 27, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Denso, one of the world’s largest advanced automotive technology suppliers, has invested in Certhon Group, a developer and builder of automated greenshouses.

Certhon operated mainly in Europe and the United States and will collaborate with Denso to expand its horticulture business in the global market, specifically by developing and providing automated greenhouse solutions.

While food demand increases as the global population continues to grow, the number of the agricultural population is decreasing due to demographic aging, unstable wages, and strict work environment. [Read more…] about Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

Volvo and Daimler to begin ‘large-scale production’ of hydrogen fuel cells

April 23, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Volvo and Daimler are to begin “large-scale production” of hydrogen fuel cells.

The companies say this enable them to “lead the development of sustainable transportation”.

Sharing the Green Deal vision of sustainable transport and a carbon neutral Europe by 2050, two leading companies in the commercial vehicle industry – Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group – have signed a preliminary non-binding agreement to establish a new joint venture. [Read more…] about Volvo and Daimler to begin ‘large-scale production’ of hydrogen fuel cells

BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories

April 23, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

BMW is testing a range of “autonomous, connected and intelligent” technologies at its German facilities.

In fact, BMW and three partner companies from Bavaria are exploring the possibilities for making BMW Group Plant Dingolfing a smart factory for logistics.

It’s part of a three-year research project supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. [Read more…] about BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories