Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Auto industry leaders publish new automated driving safety framework

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Intel, in collaboration with 10 industry leaders in automotive and autonomous driving technology, have published ‘Safety First for Automated Driving‘, a framework for the design, development, verification and validation of safe automated passenger vehicles (AVs).

The paper builds on Intel’s model for safer AV decision-making known as Responsibility-Sensitive Safety (RSS).

Developing AVs that are verifiably safe by design is critical to enabling higher levels of autonomy on public roads, says Intel.

[Read more…] about Auto industry leaders publish new automated driving safety framework

NXT Robotics launches autonomous AI security patrol vehicle and platform

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San Diego, US-based NXT Robotics Corp. has announced the launch of its Generation 5 Autonomous Vehicle and Cognitive Software Platform, called ‘Maverick’.

Maverick is an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) for outdoor security patrols in places such as data centres, construction sites, parking complexes and detention facilities.

Maverick’s baseline model includes four high resolution PTX security cameras which can be used to do AI-based analysis of a physical environment along with licence plate detection and facial and object recognition.

[Read more…] about NXT Robotics launches autonomous AI security patrol vehicle and platform

CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

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CP Technologies, a provider of ruggedized computers, is claiming to have become the “first” rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration. 

The company’s president and CEO, Mike McCormack, gave Robotics and Automation News an interview some time before the latest development in which he explained that the company’s background in the military is useful for the industrial and commercial markets. (See video below.)

For over 20 years, CP Technologies – formerly Chassis Plans – has been designing and manufacturing computers, servers, LCD displays, storage arrays, and human interface devices to defense and industrial customers. [Read more…] about CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

Mack Trucks unveils fully electric refuse demonstration model

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Mack Trucks unveiled its highly anticipated Mack LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) at WasteExpo 2019.

Combining the refuse industry-leading design of the Mack LR model with a fully electric Mack drivetrain, the demonstration model will begin real-world testing in 2020 in the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

The Mack LR BEV is powered by Mack’s integrated electric powertrain consisting of two 130-kW motors producing a combined 496 peak horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of torque available from 0 rpm.

[Read more…] about Mack Trucks unveils fully electric refuse demonstration model

Komatsu develops electric mini excavator

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Komatsu Ltd has unveiled its electric mini excavator, based on its accumulated technological expertise of hybrid construction equipment and electric forklift trucks.

Equipped with an in-house developed new charger, high-voltage converter and other devices, it offers excavation performance on a par with the internal combustion model of the same power output, while achieving zero exhaust gas emissions and a dynamic reduction in noise levels.

Komatsu expects a wider range of applications for this machine, including construction work near hospitals or schools or in residential areas, where contractors pay special attention to exhaust gas and noise during work, as well as inside tunnels or buildings.

[Read more…] about Komatsu develops electric mini excavator

VW unveils cutaway model of electric Golf car

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Volkswagen has demonstrated a cutaway model of an electric version of its popular Golf model of car, calling it “eGon”.

Volkswagen released details of the multifaceted program in store for visitors at IdeenExpo in Hannover, Germany from June 15 to 23.

eGon, the cutaway model of an e-Golf, is one of Volkswagen’s highlight projects to be showcased at Germany’s largest youth event for science and technology.

[Read more…] about VW unveils cutaway model of electric Golf car

Panasonic says it has sold 100 million household refrigerators

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Panasonic says its production of household refrigerators reached a grand total of 100 million in 2018, 65 years since the company first began to manufacture them in 1953.

Panasonic began working on refrigerators as well as televisions and washing machines in anticipation of the approaching electrical age after the Second World War.

In 1952 an alliance was formed with Nakagawa Kikai Company, a specialist machine tool manufacturer that had made refrigerators. [Read more…] about Panasonic says it has sold 100 million household refrigerators

Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

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At ProMat 2019, Yale showed its industry-first dual-mode pantograph robotic lift truck.

The truck is capable of autonomously depositing and retrieving loads from locations as high as 30 feet and reaching into double-deep storage.

The high-lifting capability of the reach/forklift truck makes it suited for distribution centres facing pressure to maximise vertical storage space, says the company.

[Read more…] about Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

Market for logistics robots predicted to exceed $75 billion in 10 years

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Mobile robotics in material handling and logistics will become a $75 billion market by 2027, according to a new report, which adds that it will be more than double by 2038. 

These staggering headline figures mask turbulent transformative change underneath: some technologies will rise and transform the fortunes of industries, fuelling growth rates far outpacing recent trends, whilst others will face with decay and obsolescence.

“We are at the beginning of the beginning of a transformative change, and the time to plan is now,” says the report by IDTechEx Research.  [Read more…] about Market for logistics robots predicted to exceed $75 billion in 10 years

Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

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iphones

Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com. 

It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has been considering its options, and Michigan is said to be one of the locations being scouted.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8