infrastructure

‘World’s first 3D printed fiber reinforced polymer footbridge paves way for circular composites’, say designers

July 9, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The world’s first lightweight 3D printed fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) footbridge will be installed at Kralingse Bos park – the green heart of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

Its designers say the construction will herald the transition towards “the next generation of bridges, offering high performance with extreme versatility, circularity and sustainability”.

Science and technology company DSM and the City of Rotterdam are to collaborate in the designing and building of the new “circular composite footbridge” – “circular” usually refers to recycled or recyclable. [Read more…] about ‘World’s first 3D printed fiber reinforced polymer footbridge paves way for circular composites’, say designers

Sprint Robotics launches innovation challenge with €50,000 for winner

July 2, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Sprint Robotics has launched a new industrial innovation challenge and has issued a call for robotic technologies for Cleaning & Fabric Maintenance.

Sprint Robotics announces the CFM Challenge, aiming to find demonstrable robotic technologies that can be used for the cleaning and fabric maintenance of storage tanks, pressure vessels, process piping, and their associated supporting infrastructure.

One winning solution provider will receive a reward of €50,000 and the opportunity to further develop their solution and its application. [Read more…] about Sprint Robotics launches innovation challenge with €50,000 for winner

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

FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

April 24, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

FedEx has now started on the “next phase” of its electric vehicle rollout after initially launching construction on electronic direct current charging stations back in January.

One of the biggest logistics companies in the US, Federal Express has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet for more than 10 years.

Through a new agreement with Chanje Energy, the company plans to electrify 42 FedEx stations in California, making it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet to date. [Read more…] about FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Gecko Robotics raises $40 million in funding for energy infrastructure inspection robots

December 16, 2019 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Gecko Robotics has raised $40 million in funding to develop its energy infrastructure inspection robots.

A Y-Combinator alum, Gecko Robotics raised the $40 million in its Series B round, which was led by Drive Capital.

Gecko already partners with the largest brands in power, oil and gas and manufacturing industries. [Read more…] about Gecko Robotics raises $40 million in funding for energy infrastructure inspection robots

Edge computing infrastructure market set to be worth $700 billion by 2028, says report

December 6, 2019 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The global edge computing infrastructure market is set to be worth $700 billion by 2028, according to a report by State of the Edge, a member-supported research organisation.

State of the Edge unveiled its findings at this year’s IFX Conference in Las Vegas, in a free market research report that explains and documents the latest developments in edge computing.

New to the 2020 report is a comprehensive forecast model built by Tolaga Research, which predicts $146 billion in annual spend on edge IT and data center infrastructure by 2028, with a 35 percent annual growth rate and a $700 billion cumulative CAPEX spend between now and then. [Read more…] about Edge computing infrastructure market set to be worth $700 billion by 2028, says report

Volvo launches sales of electric trucks for urban transport

November 25, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

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

Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots open collaborative automation center in Spain

November 11, 2019 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Two of the most well-known robotics companies have jointly opened a collaborative automation center in Barcelona, Spain.

Universal Robots, the maker of the best-selling collaborative robotic arms, and Mobile Industrial Robots, which makes mobile robots for warehouses, say the new facility will help promote collaborative automation in southern Europe.

Described as “the first worldwide hub focusing on collaborative robotics”, the center is located in 22@ district of Barcelona. [Read more…] about Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots open collaborative automation center in Spain

Volkswagen and NXP in ‘world’s largest’ rollout of V2X technology

November 1, 2019 by Sam Francis 1 Comment

NXP Semiconductors, which claims to be the world’s largest provider of automotive semiconductors, has partnered with Volkswagen to roll out its RoadLINK V2X – vehicle to everything – communication system.

The solution is features in the new Volkswagen Golf, one of the best-selling models of car in the world.

The recently released Golf of the eighth generation is the first volume European car model equipped with V2X, offering a major boost to the deployment of the technology on European roads and beyond. [Read more…] about Volkswagen and NXP in ‘world’s largest’ rollout of V2X technology

Toyota to offer rides in autonomous cars on public roads

October 24, 2019 by Mai Tao

Toyota Research Institute plans to make its Platform 4 (P4) automated driving test vehicle available for public demonstration rides next summer in Tokyo.

Offered from July to September 2020, the P4 will demonstrate Toyota’s “Chauffeur” SAE Level-4 capabilities in a specific “mobility as a service” driving environment.

The P4 experience will take place in Tokyo’s Odaiba district, a busy and often congested waterfront subcenter. [Read more…] about Toyota to offer rides in autonomous cars on public roads