Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

mobility

China’s auto mobility revolution: Going from ‘ownership’ to ‘usership’

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Gao Feng, a business consultancy headquartered in China, has released a new paper about the revolution in auto mobility in China. 

China’s unique set of urban transportation challenges, very high rate of adoption of mobile internet services, and rapid and aggressive introduction of alternative mobility solutions have combined to make China a global breeding ground for mobility innovation.

The deeply-rooted automotive industry business model is experiencing disruption.

Mobility needs previously satisfied through product “ownership” are increasingly being served through mobility services “usership”, with profound implications not only for traditional players within the value chain, but also for non-traditional players – as they enter and compete to deliver services.  [Read more…] about China’s auto mobility revolution: Going from ‘ownership’ to ‘usership’

Electric autonomous vehicle maker Navya to open first US production plant

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Autonomous electric vehicle maker Navya is set to open its first US production plant. Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor Spark are to collaborate with Navya on site selection and talent recruitment.

In a joint statement, Navya, MEDC and Ann Arbor Spark said the Michigan plant will be located in the city of Saline, Michigan with a 20,000+ sq ft facility.

Navya plans to build approximately 25 of its Arma fully autonomous and electric shuttle vehicles at the plant before the close of 2017.  [Read more…] about Electric autonomous vehicle maker Navya to open first US production plant

Perspective: Learning from urban mobility systems in the Middle East

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dubai

By Ralf Baron, Thomas Kuruvilla, Morsi Berguiga, Michael Zintel, Joseph Salem, and Mario Kerbage

The Middle East may have been late to urbanization, but this has provided a unique opportunity to shape its urban mobility strategies.

Rather than adopting a piecemeal approach, leaders such as Dubai are following an ecosystem model that addresses mobility holistically.

In this article, contributed by experts at consultancy Arthur D Little, the authors explain this new model and the lessons it provides for other cities across the world as they struggle to meet their own urban mobility challenges.  [Read more…] about Perspective: Learning from urban mobility systems in the Middle East

Groupe PSA and nuTonomy partner to test autonomous Peugeot cars in Singapore

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nutonomy peugeot

Driverless car software developer nuTonomy will integrate its self-driving software and sensor system into the new Peugeot 3008 for on-road testing later this year.

The ultimate goal of the partnership between the two companies is the deployment of thousands of fully autonomous cars in cities worldwide.

nuTonomy and Groupe PSA– which owns the Peugeot brand – say the system will initially use the Peugeot 3008s for on-road testing of fully autonomous cars in Singapore. The Peugeot 3008 was recently named 2017 European Car of the Year.

Under the initial phase of the partnership, nuTonomy will install its software, along with specialized sensors and computing platforms, into Peugeot 3008 vehicles that have been customized by PSA’s innovation teams.  [Read more…] about Groupe PSA and nuTonomy partner to test autonomous Peugeot cars in Singapore

World’s oldest consultancy claims new car tech will change auto manufacturing

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Arthur D. Little, which claims to be the world’s first consultancy company, predicts how future mobility solutions will affect automotive manufacturing.

In a new report, The Future of Automotive Mobility, the company says – somewhat surprisingly – that the future vehicle technology will depend less on consumer preferences than government regulations.

The company draws its conclusions on a global survey of 6,500 participants, including customers, industry players and regulators. Its research examines how the megatrends of electric mobility, car sharing and autonomous driving are likely to impact on the global automotive ecosystem and future original equipment manufacturing sales.  [Read more…] about World’s oldest consultancy claims new car tech will change auto manufacturing

Volkswagen launches its first autonomous and electric concept car

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Volkswagen’s new concept autonomous and electric car, Sedric
Volkswagen’s new concept autonomous and electric car, Sedric

Volkswagen has unveiled what it says is its first autonomous concept car, describing it as a “comfortable lounge on wheels”. 

The company claims to be the first automobile manufacturer to present an integrated mobility concept for mobility of the future in road traffic, including a concept car developed from scratch for autonomous driving.

Volkswagen says “Sedric”, the name of the new self-driving car, provides an insight into the future of individual mobility that can be used by everyone, but which can be geared to personal needs.

Volkswagen says Sedric highlights the major importance of fully automated driving in the future strategy of the company.  [Read more…] about Volkswagen launches its first autonomous and electric concept car

Daimler does deal with Uber on autonomous vehicles

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Concept EQ, Interieur

Daimler says it has agreed a deal with Uber that aims to bring more self-driving vehicles onto public roads.

The “general agreement” is intended to pave the way for the supply and operation of self-driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Uber’s network.

The two companies say they intend to cooperate on the supply and operation of self-driving vehicles.

Under the terms of the cooperation Daimler plans to introduce self-driving vehicles also on Uber’s global ridesharing network in the coming years.

Daimler is the first auto company to join with Uber as it opens up its platform for manufacturers to introduce their own self-driving cars.  [Read more…] about Daimler does deal with Uber on autonomous vehicles

Infineon joins electric charging association to support global standards

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Chipmaker Infineon Technologies has joined an organisation which is developing a global network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

Infineon says an appropriate charging infrastructure is “critical” to support the rapidly growing electric vehicles market worldwide.

Infineon often boasts that it is the world’s leading semiconductor supplier for driver assistance systems and electric mobility.

The company currently claims its technology is the “key” to securing the future of all life on Earth.
[Read more…] about Infineon joins electric charging association to support global standards

Denso opens automotive research and development lab at Michigan university

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university-of-michigan

Global auto supplier Denso has opened a new research and development lab at the University of Michigan, in the US. 

Denso, which used to be part of Toyota, says the new research facility will “accelerate development of new auto safety technologies and create new research opportunities for engineering students”.

The company says the Denso R&D Lab gives Denso an opportunity to more closely collaborate with the university and North American automotive manufacturers on key safety technologies like machine learning, advanced driver assistance systems, and automated drive.

As part of the lab, 12 university students have been selected to participate in research projects, which will begin this month and run throughout 2017.  [Read more…] about Denso opens automotive research and development lab at Michigan university

Daimler buys PayCash in anticipation of new motoring culture

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daimler car2go

The way people get around is going to change, with more people deciding that they don’t want the hassle of owning a car – they just want to hire one from time to time.

This seems to be the prevailing view among established automakers such as Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, as well as new entrants to the motoring market, such as the smartphone apps which enable users to hail cabs and so on.

In the latest development towards the new motoring world, Daimler has paid an undisclosed sum to buy PayCash, which will become the electronic payment system for the services of the Daimler under the new brand name “Mercedes Pay”, which enables payment through smartphones.  [Read more…] about Daimler buys PayCash in anticipation of new motoring culture