Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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NASA takes delivery of first all-electric experimental aircraft

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The first all-electric configuration of NASA’s X-57 Maxwell now is at the space agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

The X-57, NASA’s first all-electric experimental aircraft, or X-plane – and the first crewed X-plane in two decades – was delivered by Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) of San Luis Obispo, California on Wednesday, October 2, in the first of three configurations as an all-electric aircraft, known as Modification II, or Mod II.

The X-57’s Mod II vehicle features the replacement of traditional combustion engines on a baseline Tecnam P2006T aircraft, with electric cruise motors. [Read more…] about NASA takes delivery of first all-electric experimental aircraft

Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

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Alstom has launched the latest innovation in its range of ground-based recharging systems – SRS dedicated to electric buses.

The premiere, as part of the “Paloma” pilot project currently under way in the southern Spanish city of Malaga, sees a prototype of SRS for e-buses operating at a bus stop in front of the University of Malaga’s School of Industrial Engineering.

It is equipped with a 200 kW charger and is associated with a 12-metre Linkker e-bus which is running on Bus Line 1, operated by EMT, the local transport operator. [Read more…] about Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore

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Powering zero-emission, autonomous container transportation with direct current charging infrastructure

ABB has won a contract from ST Engineering Land Systems to deliver and commission integrated smart charging points for automated guided vehicles (AGV) in the new Tuas port of Singapore.

Deliveries of the vehicles, which will be deployed to transport heavy shipping containers at the port terminal, are scheduled to begin from September 2020 through to August 2022.

The ABB chargers and supporting infrastructure are set to be installed towards the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore

Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

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Groupe PSA is testing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology for the first time in the Spanish city of Vigo.

The company has been partnering with the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia on the testing, and the results are intended to help the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

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House built using robots and 3D printing technologies claimed to be a first

ETH university in Zurich, in partnership with industrial companies, has built what is claimed to be “the world’s first” inhabited house to be digitally planned and digitally built with the help of robots and 3D printers. (See video below.)

Called the “DFAB House” (main picture), the construction is part of a project that involves the Empa materials science and technology project and Eawag, an aquatic research company. [Read more…] about House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

Metal working event EMO to put spotlight on robots

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One of the best-known and most well-attended metal working exhibitions in Germany, EMO, is planning to put the spotlight on robots.

In a showcase entitled Robotics for Agile and Competitive Manufacturing, EMO will highlight how new “robotic technologies can be used to improve the agility, productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing companies”, say the organisers.

The conference is organised by Trinity, a European Commission-funded project focusing on robotics, IoT and cybersecurity. [Read more…] about Metal working event EMO to put spotlight on robots

ESMERA opens €200,000 competition to fund small businesses developing robotics solutions

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The EU funded robotics project ESMERA – the European SMEs Robotics Applications – has opened its second open call to help fund small businesses developing robotic solutions for enterprise applications.

Within that call, industrial end-users have defined specific challenges that are to be solved by introducing a robotics solution.

The challenges come from the areas of manufacturing, energy, construction, agriculture, food processing, retail, healthcare and emergency response. [Read more…] about ESMERA opens €200,000 competition to fund small businesses developing robotics solutions

Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

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Volume Graphics, a provider of industrial computed tomography software, is partnering in a second joint project on “rapid tooling” with companies from a wide range of industries.

The company’s partnership is with the Kunststoff-Institut, in Germany.

As a project partner, Volume Graphics brings expertise in quality assurance and process optimization to the team via its advanced industrial computed tomography (CT) data-analysis software.

Christof Reinhart, CEO of Volume Graphics, says: “Working on this project with Kunststoff-Institut and partners is very important to us because we are convinced that industrial computed tomography can advance the future of rapid tooling. [Read more…] about Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

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

Groupe PSA tests test vehicle-to-infrastructure communications in Spain

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For the first time in an urban environment, The Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia and Groupe PSA are testing the contribution that communication technologies can make to the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment.

The tests carried out in Vigo related to: an automated valet parking system; autonomous driving in an urban environment; optimal speed regulation when approaching a traffic light; and protection of vulnerable users.

[Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests test vehicle-to-infrastructure communications in Spain