Robotics & Automation News

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Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

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The Volkswagen Group Components plant in Braunschweig is significantly expanding its production of battery systems for the latest electric vehicle generation. Following the first expansion stage with a maximum capacity of 250,000 battery systems, the second expansion stage has started up with the same capacity.

This means that once the site is fully ramped up it will now be able to fit up to 500,000 batteries a year for models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – in this case for the fully electric Volkswagen ID.31 and ID.42, as well as the Škoda Enyaq iV3, which should soon be quietly and powerfully cruising the streets of Europe with a battery heart from Braunschweig.

In addition to that, up to 100,000 battery systems for the beloved models e-up!4, SEAT Mii electric5, Škoda Citigoe iV6 and as well as for hybrid vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE7. [Read more…] about Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

May Mobility partners with umbrella group for trucking associations

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Autonomous vehicle developer May Mobility is working with an umbrella group for trucking associations, the Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity (PTIO).

The PTIO says that May Mobility has joined the coalition and its mission is to study the impact of autonomous vehicles on the workforce to ensure that the implementation of the technology will “improve quality of life and economic opportunity for all Americans”.

Rohit Bery, May Mobility vice president and chief of staff, says: “Planning for a workforce of the future is a critical component to May Mobility’s mission to support cities with safe, clean, and accessible autonomous shuttles. [Read more…] about May Mobility partners with umbrella group for trucking associations

Intralogistics market forecast to grow at 15 percent a year

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The global intralogistics market is expected to surge at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to FactMR.com., which would provide more opportunities for automated guided vehicle and autonomous mobile robot suppliers. 

The market burgeoned at a spritely rate of 14.3 percent over the last five years owing to transcendent demand for increased productivity and efficiency across industries, globally.

Moreover, commencement of industry 4.0 has comprehensively compelled industry verticals to go digital with their supply chain networks. [Read more…] about Intralogistics market forecast to grow at 15 percent a year

Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

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Mobileye, an Intel Company, Transdev Autonomous Transport System (ATS), part of Transdev Group dedicated to autonomous mobility solutions, and Lohr Group, a mobility solutions manufacturer, have agreed a strategic collaboration to develop and utilize autonomous shuttles.

The companies are integrating Mobileye’s self-driving system into the i-Cristal electric shuttle, manufactured by Lohr Group, with plans to integrate it into public transportation services powered by fleets of self-driving shuttles across the globe, starting in Europe.

Johann Jungwirth, vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service at Mobileye, says: “Our collaboration with Transdev ATS and Lohr Group serves to grow Mobileye’s global footprint as the autonomous vehicle (AV) technology partner of choice for pioneers in the transportation industry. [Read more…] about Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

PI USA adds ROS drivers to its hexapod robotic positioners

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PI USA has added Robot Operating System (ROS) drivers to its hexapod 6-axis robotic positioners.

ROS, managed by ROS.org, is a flexible framework for robotics software development, and PI has released ROS drivers for its full compact H-811 hexapod range.

These miniature 6 degrees-of-freedom robotic positioning systems provide sub-micron precision for applications including Silicon Photonics array alignment, medical robotics, camera lens optimization, and microscopy. [Read more…] about PI USA adds ROS drivers to its hexapod robotic positioners

2020 saw ‘significant organizational growth and progress in autonomous vehicle market’, says industry group

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2020 saw “significant organizational growth and progress” in the autonomous vehicle market, according to the Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium, a global group of automotive and technology industry leaders cooperating to help accelerate the delivery of automated and assisted driving compute solutions.

AVCC members have finalized two key foundation documents, new working groups have kicked off work, and critical topics such as cybersecurity are now being addressed. Additional work and liaisons are kicking off in 2021, and new members are invited to help drive these initiatives forward.

Armando Pereira, president of AVCC, says: “The need for AVCC’s guidance for autonomous vehicle computing has gained importance over the past year, and we are proud of our technical committees’ work to unite and build consensus around industry recommendations. [Read more…] about 2020 saw ‘significant organizational growth and progress in autonomous vehicle market’, says industry group

VW partners with Microsoft to build computing platform for autonomous vehicles

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Volkswagen says it is further strengthening its capabilities in the development of autonomous or highly automated driving (AD) solutions with a new partnership with Microsoft.

The Group’s software company Car.Software Organisation will collaborate with Microsoft to build a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform (ADP) on Microsoft Azure and leverage its compute and data capabilities to deliver automated driving experiences even faster at global scale.

With ADP running on Azure, Car.Software Organisation will increase the efficiency of the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and AD functions for passenger cars across Volkswagen Group brands. [Read more…] about VW partners with Microsoft to build computing platform for autonomous vehicles

Effidence adds new functionality to its warehouse robot

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Effidence has added new functionality to its warehouse robot, Effibot.

The Effibot is described as “an adaptive handling robot with a customizable structure”.

The new functionality is called “3D-Cart Grip” and said to be an accessory that automates the picking and depositing of Effidence 3D-Cart trolleys (see main picture and video below). [Read more…] about Effidence adds new functionality to its warehouse robot

Dematic automates Landmark Group’s main distribution centre

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Dematic has completed a new automated distribution centre for the Landmark Group in Dubai, UAE, allowing the multinational retailer to consolidate the logistics activities for part of its five existing manual distribution sites.

Mihin Shah, chief supply chain officer of Landmark Group, says: “The automation solution designed by Dematic allows our supply chain network to now operate with enhanced efficiency, productivity and transparency.

“With this investment, we are advancing technological progress and taking a pioneering position in our region.” [Read more…] about Dematic automates Landmark Group’s main distribution centre

VW electric vehicle sales increase more than 400 percent

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Volkswagen’s electric vehicle sales have increased more than 400 percent over the past year, according to the German auto giant’s latest figures.

The Volkswagen Group says its “e-offensive is gaining traction”. Deliveries of electric models in the EU including the UK, Norway and Iceland increased “more than fourfold in the year now ended to a total of 315,400 electric vehicles (2019: 72,600)”.

The proportion of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) in the total deliveries rose to 9.7 percent (2019: 1.7 percent). [Read more…] about VW electric vehicle sales increase more than 400 percent