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The Future of Auto Transportation

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We live in a world of automation. Our worlds are in the palm of our hands, thanks to mobile technology. We have more access to everything, faster, and drones are already delivering parcels. Self-driving cars are fast approaching the next stage after experimentation.

But what does this mean for the future of the auto transportation industry?

Freight demand continues to grow, placing significant strain on freeways. In fact, the Department of Transport estimates that “… by 2040, nearly 30,000 miles of our busiest highways will be clogged on a daily basis. Truck congestion will waste $27 billion in time and fuel economy annually”. [Read more…] about The Future of Auto Transportation

Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies

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Yamaha’s agricultural technology investments leader says he is observing the vertical farming market with a view to backing startups in the sector. (See video below.)

In a wide-ranging interview with Robotics and Automation News, Nolan Paul, partner, global agricultural technology lead at Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, says he finds vertical farming

“Vertical farming is one of those technologies which has the ability to transform the way food is grown and consumed,” says Paul. [Read more…] about Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies

Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground

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The City of Peachtree Corners, in the state of Georgia, has opened what is claimed to be “America’s first 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground”.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, powered exclusively by True Mobile 5G from Sprint, enables companies to prove out emerging technologies in a living environment with smart city infrastructure, next-generation connectivity and real-world conditions.

Sprint says the “groundbreaking” Curiosity IoT dedicated network and advanced operating system is poised to enable a new world of applications. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground

Komatsu supplies 41 giant autonomous haulage trucks to BHP

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Komatsu has supplied 41 giant autonomous haulage trucks to mining behemoth BHP. 

The vehicles are the “new model” Komatsu 930E-5 ultra-class haul trucks, made “autonomous-ready”, and will be operated at BHP’s new South Flank iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, from next month.

Sean Taylor, Komatsu Australia’s CEO and managing director, says: “People-powered technology is our central philosophy at Komatsu, and it’s this people-first approach to technology that we feel we share with BHP.” [Read more…] about Komatsu supplies 41 giant autonomous haulage trucks to BHP

Continental reveals its new virtual dashboard

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Automotive components and parts supplier Continental has unveiled its new virtual dashboard, saying it represents a “complete culture change”.

Continental will be formally launching what it calls its “Integrated Interior Platform” at the IAA 2019 in Frankfurt later this month.

As a high-performance computer, this comprehensive solution for software and hardware provides the basis for interaction between humans and vehicles in the connected cockpit of tomorrow – and at the highest level of quality. [Read more…] about Continental reveals its new virtual dashboard

Ground launches robotic picking solution

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Warehouse automation company Ground Inc has launched a robotic picking solution.

Called “SuperPick”, the company has been demonstrating the system at its research and development centre in Japan.

Ground says “SuperPick” is a combination of the latest vision technology and algorithm originally developed by Soft Robotics, and the material of the part that picks up the object called “hand” that has been patented. [Read more…] about Ground launches robotic picking solution

Swisslog to build pallet warehouse for Rapunzel

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Swisslog has been contracted to expand a logistics centre for Rapunzel Naturkost, a manufacturer and supplier of organic food in Germany.

The expansion will feature Swisslog’s automated pallet technology in the form of five Vectura pallet stacker cranes and ProMove conveyor for the high-bay warehouse.

Valued at €5.5 million, the project’s scope of services also includes construction of the steel structures and picking stations. [Read more…] about Swisslog to build pallet warehouse for Rapunzel

Laser interferometer verifies Trumpf Trumatic faster and more accurately

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When Trumpf saw API’s XD Laser at a trade show, they immediately recognized that it could measure the three degrees of freedom needed for production of their TruMatic 7000 punch laser machine in only a single measurement process.

A subsequent demo at Trumpf’s factory in Ditzingen, Germany, however, revealed more benefits than Trumpf was anticipating. [Read more…] about Laser interferometer verifies Trumpf Trumatic faster and more accurately

Yamaha taps into its $100 million fund to invest in Advanced Farm Technologies

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Yamaha is using part of its $100 million investment fund to buy a stake in Advanced Farm Technologies.

Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley led the Series A funding round for the startup.

Yamaha says this latest investment reflects the company’s “core interest in businesses driving innovation in the agricultural sector. [Read more…] about Yamaha taps into its $100 million fund to invest in Advanced Farm Technologies

Wipro partners with university for advanced research and innovation in autonomous systems, robotics and 5G

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Wipro, widely known as an IT company, has formed a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), India’s premier public establishment for research and higher education in science and engineering, to conduct advanced applied research in autonomous systems, robotics and 5G space.

The two organizations have jointly set up the Wipro IISc Research and Innovation Network (WIRIN), a hybrid industry-academia collaboration unit, which will drive idea discovery, research and innovation in technology and product design.

A group of senior professors and research staff from IISc and engineers, developers, architects and researchers from the autonomous systems, robotics and 5G domains at Wipro will constitute the team at WIRIN. [Read more…] about Wipro partners with university for advanced research and innovation in autonomous systems, robotics and 5G