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Volkswagen to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles

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Automotive giant Volkswagen is planning to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles, according to a report in German newspaper, Handelsblatt.

VW’s CEO, Herbert Diess, is said to have “ordered” the company to “launch the next revolution after electromobility”, and Handelsblatt says that Diess “wants to create the fully networked and self-steering vehicle with its own processor”.

Diess told Handelsblatt: “To achieve optimal performance in light of the high demands that exist for cars, software and hardware have to come out of one hand.” [Read more…] about Volkswagen to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles

UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

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When UPS Global Logistics & Distribution in Europe needed to add capacity at a fulfillment center in the Netherlands, the team used an innovation driven approach to think inside the box and find a better way to utilize the existing space rather than build another warehouse.

The solution was implementing a leading automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

Automated storage and retrieval systems are revolutionizing traditional warehousing and order fulfillment. Sprawling buildings filled with tall racks, wide rows and loud forklifts are being replaced by grids and bins with robotic arms and workstations. [Read more…] about UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

AVCC releases two key technical reports for the autonomous vehicle compute industry

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The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC), a global collaboration of automotive and technology industry leaders in automated and assisted driving compute solutions, has released two key technical reports, developed to provide the basis for a common autonomous vehicle language, conceptual system architecture, as well as use cases for automated and assisted driving compute systems.

Paul Hughes, chair of AVCC technical committee and lead system architect and distinguished engineer at Arm, says: “The path to a truly autonomous future is paved with foundational technology and computing challenges requiring industry collaboration.

“The new technology reports from the AVCC are a result of key industry players working together to establish a common language and frame of reference for critical autonomous applications, taking us a step closer to a safe, truly autonomous future.” [Read more…] about AVCC releases two key technical reports for the autonomous vehicle compute industry

Continental to increase investment into developing autonomous mobility systems

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Continental is planning to increase its investment into developing autonomous mobility systems from €200 million to €250 million this year.

The company, which is mainly known as a manufacturer of tyres and related technologies, says it will create a separate business unit for autonomous mobility in 2022.

The reason for the additional funds in the area is because of the trends in the industry. [Read more…] about Continental to increase investment into developing autonomous mobility systems

Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

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To better address demand for its popular ActiNav flexible machine loading system, Universal Robots has “handpicked” a number of integrators as ActiNav solutions providers.

Today, solutions for unstructured picking and placing of parts into machines are solely focused on the vision aspect, often requiring additional programming to bridge the gap from “pick” to “place” – especially if the “place” is not just dropping into a box but accurately inserting parts into fixtures for further processing.

Universal says its ActiNav product changes all that, combining real-time autonomous motion control, Universal Robots cobots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

IDS cameras ensure quality of vaccine containers

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Coronavirus: Vaccine bottle manufacturers under pressure?

Combating the Covid-19 pandemic is at the top of the global agenda. Providing vaccine to populations around the globe means providing around 8 billion doses – with only one for every person in the world.

In addition to the availability of the vaccine, a decisive factor in the race against time is the disposability of the glass vials.

To ensure that the mass vaccination against the coronavirus does not fail because of the container, the producers of the vials are massively ramping up their production so as not to become the proverbial bottleneck in the supply chain. [Read more…] about IDS cameras ensure quality of vaccine containers

Continental and Amazon Web Services create platform for automotive software

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Automotive parts and systems manufacturer Continental and Amazon Web Services will be working together going forward within the scope of a new development cooperation.

The goal of the long-term collaboration with AWS serving as the preferred cloud provider is to develop Continental Automotive Edge (CAEdge) – a modular hardware and software platform that connects the vehicle to the cloud and features a virtual workbench offering numerous options to develop, supply and maintain software-intensive system functions.

This will allow drivers to integrate the functions they want going forward during the entire service life of their vehicle by downloading quick and convenient software updates. [Read more…] about Continental and Amazon Web Services create platform for automotive software

Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

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The Volkswagen Group Components plant in Braunschweig is significantly expanding its production of battery systems for the latest electric vehicle generation. Following the first expansion stage with a maximum capacity of 250,000 battery systems, the second expansion stage has started up with the same capacity.

This means that once the site is fully ramped up it will now be able to fit up to 500,000 batteries a year for models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – in this case for the fully electric Volkswagen ID.31 and ID.42, as well as the Škoda Enyaq iV3, which should soon be quietly and powerfully cruising the streets of Europe with a battery heart from Braunschweig.

In addition to that, up to 100,000 battery systems for the beloved models e-up!4, SEAT Mii electric5, Škoda Citigoe iV6 and as well as for hybrid vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE7. [Read more…] about Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

Porsche Engineering developing ‘intelligent vehicles’ with computer games engines

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Porsche Engineering, technology service provider and wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche, is using games engines from the computer games industry to develop the intelligent vehicle of the future.

Game engines – popular examples include Unity and Unreal – generate photorealistic images and ensure the physically correct behavior of objects in computer and video games.

Among other uses, Porsche Engineering utilizes these software packages for the virtual development and testing of highly automated driving functions. [Read more…] about Porsche Engineering developing ‘intelligent vehicles’ with computer games engines

AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter

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AeroVironment, a developer of unmanned aircraft systems, celebrated with its colleagues at NASA/JPL when data confirming the Ingenuity Helicopter’s successful first flight on Mars arrived at approximately 3.50 am PT on April 19.

Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and CEO, says: “AeroVironment is proud to have played a key role in developing the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter and achieving today’s historic first powered flight on another planet.

“We congratulate JPL and NASA on today’s achievement and salute their leadership and vision for deploying unmanned technology to further our understanding of other worlds.” [Read more…] about AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter