Robotics & Automation News

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mobility

Pratt Miller installs autonomous disinfecting robot at Detroit Airport

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In the early months of 2020, the world became victim to the rapidly spreading Covid-19 virus, causing a pandemic of epic proportions, as well as unprecedented shutdowns and public health mandates.

One industry that was hard hit was air travel as it slowed to nearly a standstill as airlines and airport facilities scrambled to build proper protocols for safe travel.

The adverse health situation provided opportunities for manufacturers and engineering firms to step up and create solutions to combat the disruptive virus pandemic. [Read more…] about Pratt Miller installs autonomous disinfecting robot at Detroit Airport

Indy Autonomous Challenge to use RTI software to build and race autonomous vehicles

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Real-Time Innovations (RTI), a software framework provider for smart machines and real-world systems, has joined the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), the two-year, $1.5 million university competition to advance autonomous mobility technologies and enable the next generation of mobility leaders.

RTI is providing software to more than 500 students globally to design and develop the control software to autonomously race full-size, modified Dallara IL-15 racecars.

The students are competing in the first-ever head-to-head, high-speed autonomous race on the world’s largest racing stage, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in October 2021. [Read more…] about Indy Autonomous Challenge to use RTI software to build and race autonomous vehicles

Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

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The State of Michigan is planning to redesign its road network to accommodate driverless cars, according to a report on CNN.

Authorities in the state refer back to the area’s history as the home of some of the world’s largest automotive companies and factories.

The city of Detroit, Michigan used to known as “Motor City” in decades gone by, inspiring the name of the famous record label “Motown”, which launched the careers and made global stars of singers such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, and Michael Jackson. [Read more…] about Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

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Drivers of electric vehicles will have more locations to recharge their vehicle’s batteries as they travel across Michigan because of $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The EGLE made the funding available for direct current fast chargers located along well-traveled routes. It says this will “make it more convenient for drivers to reach their destinations”.

EGLE says it is committed to the future of mobility through investment in infrastructure that is needed to support EVs and it has identified “optimal charger locations” across Michigan. [Read more…] about Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

Pratt Miller and partners demo disinfecting robot at Grand Rapids airport

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Pratt Miller Mobility has demonstrated its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting (LAAD) Vehicle at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The robot is the result of a Pratt Miller’s partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and PlanetM, and the demo was conducted in front of key stakeholders and members of the press.

The partner companies say the LAAD robot is “the first-of-its-kind” to be introduced in the US, as it is a connected, electric and autonomous disinfecting robot that dispenses FDA-approved disinfecting materials through a multi-head electrostatic sprayer array. [Read more…] about Pratt Miller and partners demo disinfecting robot at Grand Rapids airport

Panasonic trials new robotic technologies at Tokyo station

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Panasonic is partnering with JR East Mechatronics to conduct trials for station services using robots at Takanawa Gateway Station, which opened in March, this year. (See video below.)

The trial was intended to provide guidance and help passengers with limited mobility move easily. This was the second trial of the autonomous robots at a train station, following the first one at Saitama-Shintoshin Station in December, last year.

East Japan Railway Company, the parent of JREM, positions Takanawa Gateway Station as the entrance to a new hub for international exchange planned around the station. [Read more…] about Panasonic trials new robotic technologies at Tokyo station

Horiba Mira offers simulation platform to autonomous car developers

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Automotive engineering and development consultancy Horiba Mira says it is providing its new “co-simulation” platform to helps US Connected and Autonomous Challenge organisers get through the Covid-19 lockdown.

With the coronavirus pandemic causing disruption across the industry, Horiba Mira’s forward-thinking Horizon Scanning team has provided critical support to the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge (EcoCAR), using its new Component-in-the-Loop (XiL) co-simulation platform, DigiCAV, to help EcoCAR safely carry on developing its vehicles despite the recent lockdown.

As one of the world’s leading competitions for creating concept vehicles for future mobility, the EcoCAR Challenge is a four-year scheme managed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), a multidisciplinary science and engineering research centre based in Chicago. [Read more…] about Horiba Mira offers simulation platform to autonomous car developers

Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

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PlanetM, the State of Michigan’s mobility initiative, is awarding a round of its technology activation grant program to companies addressing the challenges presented by the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

Five companies received more than $280,000 in funding to aid in the development and deployment of solutions that address the mobility challenges Covid-19 presents in Michigan.

The five companies are:

  1. GHSP;
  2. Gatik;
  3. Penske Vehicle Services;
  4. RCO Engineering; and
  5. Pratt Miller.

The mobility challenges include contactless automated delivery within the statewide retail supply chain, disinfecting technologies in West Michigan and barriers to protect transit workers in Detroit. [Read more…] about Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

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DB Schenker, a global logistics company, has invested in Volocopter, a startup developing a new type of passenger-carrying drone which can also be used for good distribution.

DB Schenker says its investment shows that it is “a pioneer of urban air mobility”. With the new investment, Volocopter has extended its Series C funding to now a total of €87 million.

Besides DB Schenker, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, MS&AD Ventures, and TransLink Capital (Japan Airlines and Sompo Japan Insurance) join the round as new investors, existing investors Lukasz Gadowski and btov also invested. [Read more…] about DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

Hyundai Motor showcases miniature model of smart mobility ecosystem

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Hyundai Motor Company is showing its smart mobility ecosystem model in the lobby of its headquarters and at other key global events afterward in order to further communicate its future mobility vision.

The 1:8-scale model on display is a miniature of the exhibit shown at CES 2020 and includes integration of its Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV) and Hub (Mobility Transit Base) smart mobility solutions as part of a dynamic human-centered future cityscape.

The exhibition aims to inspire Hyundai employees and other audiences by showing the company’s vision for future mobility as it aims to become a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. After the current exhibition ends on June 12, the model will be showcased at major events around the globe. [Read more…] about Hyundai Motor showcases miniature model of smart mobility ecosystem