Robotics & Automation News

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Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

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Comau has been selected by Automotive Cells Company – or ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft and Mercedes-Benz – to design and develop a “highly integrated” battery module production line for its future Gigafactory in Billy-Bercalu Douvrain, in the north of France.

With the projected capacity to ultimately ramp up to 40 GWh, ACC is set to become a European leader in enabling cleaner, efficient mobility for all. Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will supply ACC with the expertise and equipment needed to automate manufacturing of the next-generation EV batteries.

Featuring the inherent flexibility to handle both 8- and 16-cell modules, the Comau-designed lines will allow ACC to produce up to 8 Gigawatt hours (GWh) annually by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has formed a strategic joint venture with SANY Heavy Truck, a subsidiary of SANY Heavy Industry, a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer and the third largest heavy equipment manufacturer globally.

Pony.ai and SANY say they will collaborate to create a “world-leading autonomous truck brand”.

The two companies say they will “deeply integrate” Pony.ai’s “virtual driver” with SANY’s technical accumulation in the field of wire-controlled chassis and vehicle development to jointly develop high-end heavy trucks that are automotive-grade and have L4-class redundancies. These trucks will inaugurate the future of truck logistics transportation.

The joint venture plans to start small-scale deliveries of the robotrucks in 2022 and 2023. Mass production of the L4 truck will commence in 2024 and within a few years will reach an annual production of around 10,000 trucks. [Read more…] about Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks

Hexagon and ESAB to help manufacturers ‘optimise robotic welding processes’

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Hexagon’s manufacturing intelligence division has signed a partnership agreement with ESAB, a fabrication specialist, to create a “streamlined welding solution” combining Hexagon’s simulation software with ESAB’s InduSuite solutions to help fabricators perform more efficient and successful welding operations.

Hexagon’s simulation intelligence, embedded within ESAB’s software and automation portfolio, will ensure that users have the tools required to “consistently manufacture high-quality products without costly trial and error”, according to the companies.

Producing successful welds can be challenging without the benefit of many years’ shop-floor experience and, even with an extensive welding experience, can incur high costs from waste and time. [Read more…] about Hexagon and ESAB to help manufacturers ‘optimise robotic welding processes’

John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation

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Farm machinery manufacturer John Deere has formed a joint venture with GUSS Automation, based in Kingsburg, California.

GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) is a pioneer in semi-autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayers.

High-value crops, such as orchards and vineyards, generate significantly higher value per acre than grains or oilseeds. [Read more…] about John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation

Volvo, Daimler, and Traton partner to build high-performance charging network

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Europe’s three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers – Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and Traton Group – have signed a binding agreement to create a joint venture to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe.

As previously publicised, the parties are committed to initiating and accelerating the necessary build-up of charging infrastructure for the increasing number of customers of electric vehicles in Europe and contribute to climate-neutral transportation in Europe by 2050.

The joint venture creation is subject to regulatory approvals. [Read more…] about Volvo, Daimler, and Traton partner to build high-performance charging network

A history of advanced driver assistance systems

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In its report, Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis & Sensors 2022–2042, IDTechEx predicts that SAE Level 3 autonomous features, such as traffic jam pilot, will emerge in 2022 and become common in vehicles by 2042.

How did IDTechEx predict this time scale? The answer lies in the historical adoption trends of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies.

Everyone is familiar with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and traction control; you would not have even thought to ask about them when purchasing your last car. [Read more…] about A history of advanced driver assistance systems

ABB creates joint venture with China’s largest automotive parts supplier

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Industrial automation company ABB and China’s leading automotive parts supplier, HASCO, have agreed to create a joint venture to drive the next generation of smart manufacturing in China’s automotive industry.

The joint venture will build on the existing successful relationship between the two companies, leading to the crucial development of highly flexible and sustainable auto parts manufacturing within HASCO’s China-based operations.

As the automotive industry’s transition towards electric vehicles gathers pace, parts manufacturers must increasingly invest in flexible facilities that can respond to rapidly changing demands and trends. [Read more…] about ABB creates joint venture with China’s largest automotive parts supplier

Inov8 Orthopedics performs first surgery using Think Surgical robot

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Healthcare facility Inov8 Surgical has performed its first surgery using Think Surgical’s next-generation robot technology for knee replacement.

Think Surgical, an innovator in the field of orthopedic active robot surgery, says Inov8 Surgical is the first healthcare facility to utilize the second-generation TSolution One Total Knee Application (TKA) for total knee arthroplasty.

Stefan Kreuzer, MD, orthopedic surgeon, and the founder of Inov8 Orthopedics, performed the first procedure with the new system on August 24th at Inov8 Surgical Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) in Houston, Texas. [Read more…] about Inov8 Orthopedics performs first surgery using Think Surgical robot

Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

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Nidec Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of drives, has agreed to start discussions on establishing a joint venture with Hon Hai Technology Group and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.

The Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan has been the main manufacturer for Apple products in the past two decades.

Nidec signed a memorandum of understanding with Foxtron regarding its strategic alliance in the development of electric vehicle drive systems. [Read more…] about Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

Mecademic releases new firmware for its tiny robot

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Mecademic has released the latest version of the firmware – 8.4 – for its tiny Meca500 industrial robotic arm.

The company says this update “prioritizes the features most requested by our user community and is provided free of charge”.

The update enables the robot with multi-rotation with cartesian moves. [Read more…] about Mecademic releases new firmware for its tiny robot