Robotics & Automation News

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Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

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Magna has been awarded a grant by the US Department of Energy to develop and “auto-qualify” advanced electric motor technologies for next-generation vehicle propulsion systems.

In partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Magna is applying its powertrain, electronics and full-vehicle expertise to deliver an automotive-grade, high-performance electric motor that aims to achieve increased power density and reduced cost compared to current e-motors.

The project objective is to develop an electric motor that is half the cost and eight times the power density, while delivering 125 kW of peak power – similar to packing a gallon of milk into a pint-size container. [Read more…] about Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

Volkswagen initiates system changeover to e-mobility as production of the ID.3 starts

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Volkswagen has initiated a system changeover to electric mobility as production of the ID.3 starts in Zwickau

Volkswagen’s electric offensive is picking up speed: This months sees the official start of series production of the ID.3.

The first car in the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs) – a white ID.3 – rolled off the assembly line watched by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess.

The Volkswagen Group aims to sell some 22 million EVs worldwide by 2028, helping EVs make the breakthrough to the mainstream. [Read more…] about Volkswagen initiates system changeover to e-mobility as production of the ID.3 starts

SEMICON Europa opens with smart mobility, medtech, design and talent in spotlight

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SEMICON Europa, Europe’s largest event connecting the entire electronics design and manufacturing supply chain – from innovation to applications – has opened in strategic co-location with productronica at Messe München, in Munich, Germany.

Themed Semiconductors Drive Smart, SEMICON Europa 2019 – November 12 to 15 – highlights the vital importance of European sectors and ecosystems in propelling the semiconductor manufacturing industry and the broader electronics design and manufacturing supply chain worldwide.

Olivier Schwab, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, kicks off the Executive Keynote Opening Ceremony with his presentation Leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. [Read more…] about SEMICON Europa opens with smart mobility, medtech, design and talent in spotlight

SEMICON Europa 2019 expands intelligent applications showcase

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SEMICON Europa, the largest European event that links the entire supply chain for electronics design and manufacturing from innovation to application, will take place from November 12 to 15, 2019 at the Munich Exhibition Center, parallel to productronica 2019.

This year, SEMICON Europe offers exhibitors and visitors many synergies, and an even greater range of information through unique exchange opportunities.

The exponential growth of the industry in the following “smart” industries will be presented:

  • Automotive;
  • Medical;
  • Design and Fabless;
  • Smart Manufacturing;
  • MEMS and Sensors;
  • Image Processing;
  • Materials; and
  • Workforce Development.

Registration is now open to visitors and exhibitors at the following link: http://www.semiconeuropa.org/register
Connect. [Read more…] about SEMICON Europa 2019 expands intelligent applications showcase

StoreDot and BP fully charge an electric vehicle in five minutes

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StoreDot and BP have demonstrated a live, full-charge of a two-wheel electric vehicle (EV) in just five minutes.

An electric scooter equipped with StoreDot’s charging battery demonstrated that this technology can charge an electric vehicle in only five minutes.

This proof-of-concept is a major milestone for ultra-fast charging battery technology and its game-changing potential to accelerate the adoption of EVs.

[Read more…] about StoreDot and BP fully charge an electric vehicle in five minutes

How AI Could Boost Business Customer Service

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From forecasts to spam filters, artificial intelligence has long been used to help companies across industries. Within recent years, it’s begun to play a key role in a major business area: customer service. 

Though it’s widely seen as a human-led sector, this form of tech could simplify a number of B2C tasks, likely boosting overall client experience as a result. In turn, this may very well improve brand reputation as well as profit turnover.

Let’s explore the main ways in which AI stands to enhance customer service within a business. [Read more…] about How AI Could Boost Business Customer Service

Daimler Trucks sets up global organisation for highly automated driving

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Daimler Trucks is establishing the Autonomous Technology Group as a global organisation for automated driving, bringing together its worldwide expertise and activities, as of June 1.

The main tasks of the new unit comprise overall strategy and implementation of the automated driving roadmap, including research and development as well as setting up the required operations infrastructure and network, heading towards the series production of highly automated trucks (SAE level 4).

The newly established Autonomous Technology Group is part of Daimler Trucks’ global effort to put highly automated trucks onto the roads within a decade.

[Read more…] about Daimler Trucks sets up global organisation for highly automated driving

Challengers in Esmera robotics competition in line to receive €200k each

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In the context of the European robotics project Esmera, 12 experiments have now started to solve industry challenges by developing new robotics solutions.

The Esmera consortium has chosen the best twelve experiments from 32 proposals that were handed in during the first Open Call in 2018.

The solution design by the experiments will be carried out in two competitive phases.

[Read more…] about Challengers in Esmera robotics competition in line to receive €200k each

Volkswagen partners with Infineon for electric vehicles

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Infineon Technologies is a new partner in the Volkswagen Group’s strategic supplier network called “Fast”, short for Future Automotive Supply Tracks.

Infineon says the program is aimed at developing close cooperation in key future fields.

As the market leader in semiconductors for electro-mobility, Infineon says it contributes significantly to the move toward electric drivetrains by the world’s largest car maker.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen partners with Infineon for electric vehicles

B&R software better utilises the potential of robots

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B&R Automation has added new functions to its mapp Motion software package. It is now possible to represent the structure of a complex machine intuitively in the configuration.

The various subsystems of a machine can be linked together. The movements of robots can be easily synchronised with gantry systems or workpiece tables with no additional programming.

The “Frame hierarchy” function can be used to represent the actual structure of a machine. Coordinate systems can be positioned at key points, such as the tool mounting flange.

[Read more…] about B&R software better utilises the potential of robots