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EasyMile raises €55 million to scale up its autonomous vehicles business

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EasyMile, a developer of driverless vehicle solutions for material handling and shared passenger transport, has closed a €55 million Series B funding round.

Led by Searchlight Capital Partners, a private investment firm, with McWin and NextStage AM, the round saw all EasyMile’s earlier investors, including Alstom, Bpifrance and Continental, also participating.

The funding will facilitate the completion of EasyMile’s product and technology roadmap while accelerating its international expansion and client service. [Read more…] about EasyMile raises €55 million to scale up its autonomous vehicles business

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

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Kivnon has expanded its range of mobile robots with a new range of automated forklifts and the new rotational lifting platform.

Kivnon has unveiled three new models of autonomous vehicles: the K03 Twister, the K55 Pallet Stacker and the K50 Pallet Truck, capable of moving around the environment using magnetic guidance or mapping navigation, based on SLAM technology.

The new K03 Twister is a rotational mobile platform with dimensions of 700 x 500 x 280 mm, making it the smallest AGV in Kivnon’s portfolio of mobile robots. [Read more…] about Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

How a top automotive manufacturer went ‘fork free’ to boost productivity and safety

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By Rob Sullivan, president and CEO, AutoGuide Mobile Robots

With forklifts an ongoing contributor to workplace accidents, and skilled operators difficult to find and retain in today’s competitive manufacturing environment, automating material transport is solving both issues.

A few years ago, a top-tier automotive manufacturer wanted to reduce how often employees had to manually lift and move heavy objects, and eliminate the risk of forklift-related injuries.

They understood that they needed safer and more efficient solutions for transporting engines and other materials from assembly to testing within their 40,000 square foot facility. [Read more…] about How a top automotive manufacturer went ‘fork free’ to boost productivity and safety

SafeLog launches warehouse robots that can operate individually or in a ‘swarm’

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SafeLog has launched warehouse robots that can operate individually or in a “swarm”, and says it offers customised automated guided vehicle solutions that have no need for a control station connection.

The company adds that the latest model of the SafeLog AGV L1 lifts loads of up to 1500 kg.

At present, many processes and systems for internal transport tasks in both, production and intralogistics are in a state of upheaval. [Read more…] about SafeLog launches warehouse robots that can operate individually or in a ‘swarm’

Einride and Electrolux enter innovation partnership to electrify transport

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Autonomous and electric truck developer Einride and home appliance giant Electrolux have agreed a partnership to “electrify transport”.

Operations are planned to start in the second half of this year.

The companies say their partnership will save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 within the first three years, compared to diesel freight. It also signifies a crucial first step for two companies deeply invested in technological innovation and sustainability. [Read more…] about Einride and Electrolux enter innovation partnership to electrify transport

GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

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General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to truck-making giant Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International RHTM Series.

Navistar’s FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes.

Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. [Read more…] about GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

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Continental has developed what it says are “quieter” conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo.

The company says its “Sicon” pouch conveyor belt transports bulk material safely and cleanly, with low noise and emissions, through residential districts of Japan’s capital.

The conveyor belt are being used in the construction of an underground catch basin for 150,000 cubic meters of water. [Read more…] about Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

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Fetch Robotics and Honeywell Intelligrated have partnered to launch a new “integrated pallet conveyance” solution for distributions centers.

Fetch Robotics says its new PalletTransport1500 is an autonomous mobile robot that supports cross-docking, returns and case picking workflows for contactless pallet transport in distribution centers.

The PalletTransport1500 will utilize Honeywell Intelligrated’s Momentum warehouse execution system software, known as Momentum WES, to safely move pallets and other large payloads up to 1136kg (2504 lbs). [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

Safelog AGVs win numerous awards

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Safelog automated guided vehicles have won numerous awards over the past few months, including a German Design Award as well as an IF Design Award.

In the latest success, Safelog’s AGV product range emerged from the Red Dot design competition with two awards. The jury of around 40 international experts commended the series’ excellent design quality, and also awarded the range the prestigious design prize in the “Smart Products” meta-category, which was presented for the first time.

In a statement, the jury said: “The three AGV S2 / M3 and L1 transport robots were designed for complex logistics processes with both a high degree of precision and technological sophistication. [Read more…] about Safelog AGVs win numerous awards