Robotics & Automation News

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Los Angeles airport takes delivery of final cars for automated people mover train

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The final 4 Automated People Mover (APM) train cars arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), bringing the total number on site to 44. The first cars arrived in summer 2022 and the remaining cars have since been steadily making the cross-country journey from the manufacturer in Pittsburgh, PA.

The new cars will join the rest of the fleet in testing on the APM’s elevated guideway, as the design-build team at LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) continues progress toward the project completion date of December 8, 2025.

John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, says: “Receiving the final train cars for the APM signifies a major milestone for this project and our airport’s transformation. [Read more…] about Los Angeles airport takes delivery of final cars for automated people mover train

Alstom starts production of driverless trains for metro network in India

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Alstom, a French multinational train manufacturer, has started the production of its driverless Metropolis trainsets for the Chennai Metro Phase II from its manufacturing facility in Sricity.

This order aims to deliver 36 metro trainsets, each comprising of three cars, and capable of operating at a top speed of 80 kmph. These trains are designed to run on the 26 km corridor, a segment of Phase II linking Poonamallee Bypass to Light House via 28 stations (18 elevated and 10 underground).

The production was commenced at a commemorative ceremony led by leaders from Chennai Metro Rail, and Alstom India. [Read more…] about Alstom starts production of driverless trains for metro network in India

Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

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Nvidia researchers show how training in simulation enables the transfer of complex manipulation skills to a robot hand with project DeXtreme

The human hand is one of the most remarkable outcomes of millions of years of evolution. The ability to pick up all sorts of objects and use them as tools is a crucial differentiator allowing us to shape the world around us.

For robots to work in the everyday human world, the ability to deftly interact with our tools and the environment around them is critical. Without that capability, they will continue to be useful only in specialized domains such as factories or warehouses.

While it has been possible to teach robots with legs how to walk for some time, robots with hands have generally proven to be much trickier to control. A hand with fingers has more joints, and they must move in specific coordinated ways to accomplish a given task. [Read more…] about Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

How Data Annotation Speeds Up the Development of AI Robots in the Agriculture Industry

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AI has made the lives of companies across industries a lot easier since it allows them to automate a lot of time-consuming and mundane processes.

However, these robots need to be trained with data that allows them to recognize and function in the physical world. This is where data annotation services come in.

Today we will take a look at how data annotation speeds up the development of AI robots and the types of data annotation that are necessary. [Read more…] about How Data Annotation Speeds Up the Development of AI Robots in the Agriculture Industry

Alstom wins €156 million contract for driverless metro trains in Italy

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Alstom, a large transportation vehicles manufacturer, has won a €156 million contract from the Italian city of Turin to supply its latest generation of fully driverless metro trains.

Turin’s transportation infrastructure agency, Infra.To, actually placed the order. Infra.To is owned by the city of Turin and is one of Europe’s largest public companies.

The contract is for the supply of Alstom’s latest generation of fully driverless train-to-train CBTC system for line 1 of Turin Metro along with four new Metropolis trains. The contract includes an option for 12 more Metropolis trains. [Read more…] about Alstom wins €156 million contract for driverless metro trains in Italy

Toyota Research Institute reaches ‘new technical milestones in robotics’

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Toyota Research Institute (TRI) says it has reached “new technical milestones in robotics”. The company has unveiled new robotics capabilities aimed at solving complex tasks in home environments.

Specifically, TRI roboticists were able to train robots to understand and operate in complicated situations that confuse most other robots, including recognizing and responding to transparent and reflective surfaces in a variety of circumstances.

As TRI demonstrates in a new video (see below), this robust system allows robots to make generalizations in a range of scenarios, including in different homes. [Read more…] about Toyota Research Institute reaches ‘new technical milestones in robotics’

Grenzebach launches new conveyor technologies

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Grenzebach says its new generation of conveyor technology makes it possible to further increase the availability of float glass plants.

Transporting glass gently, carefully and safely is tricky. Grenzebach says its specially developed drive train with direct drive represents a major step forward.

The number of components in the drive has been minimized and access to key components is now even easier. This enables companies to significantly reduce the cost of spare parts and maintenance. [Read more…] about Grenzebach launches new conveyor technologies

Automated transport ‘could propel development forward’, say World Bank analysts

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Automated transportation and mobility systems – such as autonomous cars, driverless trains, elevators, escalators and moving walkways – “could propel development forward” for the global economy, according to World Bank analysts.

Writing on the World Bank blog, Michael Lokshin, lead economist, Europe and Central Asia, and David Newsom, retired World Bank senior IT manager, say that although the vast majority of new transportation ideas do not succeed, innovation should nonetheless be encouraged.

“Despite impressive technological strides, attempts to automate transport operations are usually met with reactions that can range from mild skepticism to downright hostility,” say Lokshin and Newsom in their article. [Read more…] about Automated transport ‘could propel development forward’, say World Bank analysts

Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

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Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom is to trial what could be described as “fully driverless trains” in Germany. 

The company has going ahead with a test project to implement Automatic Train Operation technology in the daily passenger operation of regional trains.

The project will begin in 2021 in partnership with the Regional Association of the greater area of Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin). [Read more…] about Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

Alstom considers the implications of its first order for battery trains

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In February 2020, Alstom received an order for 11 battery powered regional trains for the Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen in Germany.

These are the first battery trains to be ordered from Alstom.

Offering both hydrogen and battery is an important milestone for the Alstom, as it expands its role in the emission-free mobility market. [Read more…] about Alstom considers the implications of its first order for battery trains