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The 4 longest and most dangerous haulage routes in the world

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The haulage industry has come a long way from steam powered carts; technological revolution and globalisation have pushed the industry to the forefront, today “85 per cent of everything Brits buy, eat, wear and use is moved by a UK-registered lorry”. From the clothes on your back, to the bricks and mortar that are used to build your home – it probably came in a lorry.

Long haul trucking is defined as any form of trucking that requires the driver to stay away from home because the journey cannot be completed in a day. HGVs are everywhere and are used in all industries, from huge scale machinery movers to retail product delivery.

Drivers are often required to live a partially nomadic lifestyle because the role requires them to regularly commit to long time periods away from home, It is not uncommon for a long-haul driver to travel the whole length of a country and even travel internationally, however, some journeys are considerably longer than others and some pose a greater risk. [Read more…] about The 4 longest and most dangerous haulage routes in the world

OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

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OnRobot, the maker of tools for collaborative robots, has released a screwdriver end-effector for collaborative robots. (See video below.)

OnRobot says its “smart, complete-out-of-the-box” Screwdriver allows manufacturers to automate a wide range of assembly processes quickly, easily, and flexibly.

The company says this provides welcome relief for manufacturers who are eager to automate repetitive, unergonomic, and often inconsistent manual screwdriving processes, but who struggle to integrate and program typical piecemeal screwdriving systems. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

Opinion: Disruption should bring passion into minds of investors

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By Deblieck Tommy, Managing Director / Partner, Zora Robotics

It is absolutely stunning to see how being disruptive makes you barely bankable.

When you become an entrepreneur, you’re first convinced that difference is an asset, that heading for a direction that no one follows is one of the keys. You with me? [Read more…] about Opinion: Disruption should bring passion into minds of investors

Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

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Stäubli’s Quick Charging Connector (QCC), a rapid charging system for the automatic charging of electric vehicles, have been incorporated in high powers chargers installed by Tritium at the Port of Long Beach, California, USA.

SSA Marine, which manages the terminal at the Port of Long Beach, is transforming 33 diesel-powered tractors by retrofitting them with all-electric drivetrain systems.

Tritium, an Australian company that designs and manufactures fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles, will install its Veefil High Power Chargers (HPCs), type PK 175kW DC to power SSA Marine’s fleet of terminal tractors.

[Read more…] about Stäubli charging system installed for electric vehicles at Long Beach port

Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

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Launched less than a year ago, Bosch Rexroth’s innovative Subsea Valve Actuator (SVA) – an entirely new concept for underwater actuators which offers SIL3 safety levels and up to 75 per cent lower energy consumption – has been granted a Mechanical Engineering Design Award.

The SVA was developed to help address some of the challenges and shortcomings associated with either purely electromechanical or electrohydraulic actuator technology used on the sea floor for oil and gas exploration and production systems.

Until now, underwater actuators required large, central hydraulic power units above water. Designed to supply the actuators with fluid, the fluid-lines themselves can be miles long. [Read more…] about Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

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

Omron releases full metal proximity sensor for auto industry

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Omron Corporation has launched the E2EW Series of Full Metal Proximity Sensors, which have the world’s longest sensing distances, the company claims.

The automotive industry needs lighter automobiles, for electric vehicles and low fuel consumption, encouraging the material change in automotive components from iron to aluminium.

This will increase mixed production lines containing iron and aluminium. Full metal proximity sensors are mainly used in welding processes. However, previous full metal proximity sensors have short sensing distances.

[Read more…] about Omron releases full metal proximity sensor for auto industry

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