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Jacobs, Peachtree Corners, and Qualcomm partner to develop cellular vehicle-to-everything technology in Georgia Smart City

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Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies have agreed a partnership to implement end-to-end smart solutions in one of the nation’s first smart city environments powered by real-world connected vehicle technology and infrastructure.

As a part of the working relationship, Qualcomm Technologies serves as ecosystem enabler by providing technology solutions, while Jacobs manages the installation commission project delivery.

The program aims to demonstrate the continued momentum of smart cities and spaces, with Peachtree Corners serving as a model for other municipalities as they look to deploy smart solutions and programs. [Read more…] about Jacobs, Peachtree Corners, and Qualcomm partner to develop cellular vehicle-to-everything technology in Georgia Smart City

Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss global chip shortage with US government

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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is to meet with officials in the administration of newly elected president of the United States, Joe Biden, to discuss the ongoing global shortage in chips, which is affecting many areas of manufacturing and the wider economy.

The SIA released a statement from its president and CEO, John Neuffer, welcoming the upcoming meeting at the White House between Biden Administration officials and leaders from the semiconductor industry and other sectors to discuss the global chip shortage, President Biden’s infrastructure plan, and other issues related to the semiconductor supply chain.

In the statement, Neuffer says: “We welcome this high-level engagement between the White House and industry leaders and see it as an important opportunity for a discussion on the need to fund investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research to help ensure the long-term strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chain.” [Read more…] about Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss global chip shortage with US government

Boston Dynamics unveils new robot for warehouse automation

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Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile robotics, has revealed Stretch, its new box-moving robot designed to support the growing demand for flexible automation solutions in the logistics industry.

This debut marks the company’s official entrance into warehouse automation, a fast-growing market fueled by increased demand in e-commerce.

Stretch is Boston Dynamics’ first commercial robot specifically designed for warehouse facilities and distribution centers, of which there are more than 150,000 globally, according to analysts. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics unveils new robot for warehouse automation

Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

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By John Hayes, Balyo USA

Economic policies from Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and connected warehouses point to the imperative to lower costs, increase productivity, and guarantee quality. There are as many forklift truck operator positions to be filled as there are IT developer and R&D engineer jobs combined.

In the United States, 65 percent of the businesses surveyed by Deloitte (as part of its annual Supply Chain report) noted that it is “extremely difficult” to hire qualified warehouse labor.

Moving pallets is expensive. One of the global Fast Moving Customer Goods (FMCG) leaders estimates spending “almost 380 million dollars per year” for tasks that create no additional value for the business. [Read more…] about Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

Siemens provides electric charging points for bus depot in Hamburg

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Siemens Smart Infrastructure won a major contract from Hamburger Hochbahn, the largest local transport provider in the Hanseatic city.

Siemens will equip two of the six carports at the Alsterdorf bus depot with a total of 96 charging points as well as medium and low-voltage technology. Operations are scheduled to start in summer 2021.

With a total of 240 parking spaces, it is one of the largest and most modern bus depots for electric buses in Europe. [Read more…] about Siemens provides electric charging points for bus depot in Hamburg

What Barriers Still Impede Electric Vehicles?

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Electric vehicles have been with us for a long time.

It’s only recently that they’re being touted as a serious replacement for the internal combustion engine and a (partial) answer to our climate crisis.

The UK government says that it’ll ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 – and you can reasonably expect any Labour government to be at least as ambitious, given their slightly greener voter-base.

By then, electric cars will need to be fairly ubiquitous. So what’s stopping this from happening right now? [Read more…] about What Barriers Still Impede Electric Vehicles?

Japanese infrastructure company selects ABB’s Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers

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ABB’s newly launched Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers have been selected by Japan’s e-Mobility Power (eMP) to modernize the infrastructure for the country’s electric vehicle market and accelerate the nation’s shift towards sustainable mobility.

Financial details of the order were not disclosed.

The project is part of a broader push in Japan to increase the share of electric and plug-in hybrids to between 20-30 percent by 2030, from just 1 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Japanese infrastructure company selects ABB’s Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers

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

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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

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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

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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