Robotics & Automation News

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japan

Honda and CiNet begin joint neuroscientific research in Japan

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Honda R&D Co., Ltd., a research and development subsidiary of Honda, has begun a collaboration with the Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet), Japan, in neuroscientific research of humans in the areas of mobility and robotics.

CiNet is a flagship research institute that focuses on the brain and artificial intelligence within the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

Honda has recently established the Innovative Research Excellence within Honda R&D, a new centre of excellence which will be responsible for the pursuit of revolutionary advancement and the creation of values for mobility and people’s daily lives.

[Read more…] about Honda and CiNet begin joint neuroscientific research in Japan

ZF unveils electric truck prototype for Japan

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ZF has developed an electric light commercial vehicle specifically for the Japanese market.

The company has been electrifying a wide range of systems not only for passenger cars and commercial vehicles but also for industrial machines.

This prototype vehicle has been developed by ZF Japan’s engineering team at their Tech Centre in Yokohama, collaborating with a team in ZF HQ in Germany in order to satisfy Japan’s unique requirements.

[Read more…] about ZF unveils electric truck prototype for Japan

Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

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Agricultural innovations are essential for feeding our ever-growing global population.

Especially these days, as industrialisation and global warming continue to negatively affect soil fertility and reduce the amount of arable land.

According to the United Nations, the world’s population is set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

[Read more…] about Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

ABB and Porsche to jointly develop electric vehicle chargers

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ABB has teamed up with Porsche to develop a dedicated high-power charger for Porsche’s electric vehicles in Japan.

ABB has entered into an agreement to deliver its market-leading electric vehicle infrastructure for Porsche Japan’s EVs, including Taycan, the automaker’s first fully electric car, set to enter the Japanese market in 2020.

Under the terms, Porsche Japan will install ABB’s high-power chargers at Porsche Centers and public facilities across the country, creating a network of fast chargers for its electric vehicles. The first installation is set to go live in mid-2020.

[Read more…] about ABB and Porsche to jointly develop electric vehicle chargers

Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

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Sony Corporation and NTT Docomo, Inc. will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which uses 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions.

The test will be conducted using the trial network in Docomo 5G Open Lab Guam, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification environment constructed by Docomo.

The test will verify data transmission and operational performance required to remotely control the cart from a long distance via the extra-high speed, large capacity, low latency and massive-device connectivity.

[Read more…] about Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

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Infineon is outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors in Japan, according to new research by Strategy Analytics.

Infineon says this shows “strong growth in a strategically important market”.

The latest research from Strategy Analytics finds that Infineon Technologies increased its automotive business in Japan by almost 25 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

Brain Corp and SoftBank Robotics enter Japan’s commercial cleaning market

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Brain Corp, an AI company specialising in the development of self-driving technology for robots, has entered the Japanese robotics market in partnership with SoftBank Robotics Corp.

Together, the two companies will address gaps in Japan’s commercial cleaning workforce with SoftBank Robotics’ robotic floor scrubber, powered by BrainOS.

The first SoftBank Robotics’ product integrated with Brain’s autonomous navigation technology will be the ICE RS26 floor scrubber.

[Read more…] about Brain Corp and SoftBank Robotics enter Japan’s commercial cleaning market

Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier

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Hanwha Q Cells Japan claims it is now “the leading solar module supplier in Japan”, with 770 MW of module shipments in 2017.

Hanwha, which is headquarted in South Korea, says this growth builds upon a strong showing for Hanwha Q Cells Japan in 2016, when the company was the second largest module supplier with 700 MW of shipments.

Hanwha Q Cells Japan first entered the Japanese solar market in 2011. In 2012, the company delivered a relatively modest 50 MW of modules, before rising to become the leading overseas player in 2013 with shipments of 500 MW.  [Read more…] about Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier

Japanese industrial robot sales increase by 34 per cent on strong demand from China

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The Chinese government may be encouraging domestic companies to develop more advanced technologies, but for now, the country’s manufacturers are turning to established industrial robot manufacturers abroad.

Japan, being one of the leading industrial robot manufacturing nations in the world, is expecting a 10 per cent increase in orders over the course of this year, according to figures released by the Japan Robot Association.

Jara’s latest data covers the period from October to December 2017, and show that the country’s industrial robot makers produced a total of 53,918 units, valued at about $1.7 billion.  [Read more…] about Japanese industrial robot sales increase by 34 per cent on strong demand from China

ABB unveils newest product in the YuMi industrial robot range – this one has a single arm

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ABB Robotics has unveiled a new single-arm collaborative robot at the International Robotics Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo.

The company says it is building on the success of YuMi, the dual-arm industrial robot which ABB describes as “the world’s first truly collaborative”.

ABB says the new single-arm collaborative robot “combines industry-leading capabilities with a much smaller footprint” (see video below).  [Read more…] about ABB unveils newest product in the YuMi industrial robot range – this one has a single arm