Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

trucks

Daimler delivers ‘autonomous-ready’ trucks to Torc Robotics

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Daimler Truck North America has delivered a new fleet of autonomous-ready trucks to its subsidiary Torc Robotics, marking a significant milestone in their push toward commercializing driverless freight transport.

The vehicles, built on the newly launched fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia platform, are now being integrated into Torc’s testing program along one of America’s busiest freight corridors between Laredo and Dallas.

The new trucks represent Daimler’s most advanced Class 8 platform yet, featuring built-in redundancy across critical safety systems such as braking and steering – essential for achieving SAE Level 4 autonomous operation. [Read more…] about Daimler delivers ‘autonomous-ready’ trucks to Torc Robotics

Waabi and Volvo partner to jointly develop autonomous transportation solutions

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Waabi, a developer of generative AI for the physical world, has entered a strategic partnership with Volvo Autonomous Solutions for the joint development and deployment of autonomous trucks.

The partnership combines Waabi’s groundbreaking innovation in generative AI with Volvo’s leadership in automation and safety innovation to unleash autonomous trucking and usher in a new era of safer, more efficient, and sustainable freight transportation.

Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi, says: “At Waabi, we believe that vertically integrating next-generation AI technology directly into an OEM’s vehicle production is the path forward to bring safe, robust autonomous vehicles to the road, at scale. [Read more…] about Waabi and Volvo partner to jointly develop autonomous transportation solutions

Top 10 autonomous truck companies: Powering into the future

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Autonomous trucks are one of the most exciting developments in any automotive category, in our opinion. The main reason we think this is because we can’t see autonomous cars being given permission by governments to operate freely on public roads.

Autonomous trucks, meanwhile, have already racked up many years of happy operating in the mining sector – and that is likely to grow, and maybe encompass moving non-mining materials and goods as well. This might need tweaks such as driving at night on lonely highways, but that’s not a problem if you’re not human, of course.

Whether you compare them to other segments or not, autonomous trucks are at the forefront of technological advancements in transportation. These vehicles are designed to navigate and operate without human intervention, and represent a paradigm shift in logistics, freight, and commercial transportation.

The journey toward autonomous trucking began with prototypes and pilot tests that challenged the boundaries of innovation.

The first autonomous truck to make headlines in this recent era – let’s say the past 10 to 15 years – was a prototype developed by Daimler Trucks, which successfully completed a public road test in Nevada in 2015. This milestone marked the start of widespread interest and investment in autonomous truck technology. [Read more…] about Top 10 autonomous truck companies: Powering into the future

Self-Driving Trucks Liability: Insights from a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

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The transportation sector has seen significant changes since self-driving trucks entered service. Autonomous vehicles use AI and advanced systems including LiDAR and machine learning technologies to deliver better safety outcomes and improve transportation efficiency.

Yet this innovation poses unique legal issues, especially regarding personal injury law cases involving autonomous trucks involved in accidents – when this occurs it becomes an intricate puzzle of assigning liability between multiple parties involved, cutting-edge technology involved and many different companies involved.

This blog explores this in more depth while discussing why legal representation by Houston truck accident lawyer is crucial in helping victims navigate these legal complexities successfully. [Read more…] about Self-Driving Trucks Liability: Insights from a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Volvo begins autonomous truck operations for DHL in Texas

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Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) and DHL Supply Chain have taken a significant step towards transforming freight transportation with the launch of autonomous operations in the United States.

The operations will be enabled by the purpose-built, production-ready Volvo VNL Autonomous which is powered by the Aurora Driver. The start of operations marks a critical phase in validating the full ecosystem required for autonomous transport at scale.

At this stage, a safety driver will be present to monitor performance and ensure seamless integration into existing logistic networks. Freight will initially be hauled on two lanes, Dallas to Houston and Fort Worth to El Paso. [Read more…] about Volvo begins autonomous truck operations for DHL in Texas

DB Schenker installs remote-controlled forklifts at logistics facility

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Forklifts are now being operated remotely at DB Schenker’s contract logistics site in Kassel, Germany. The drivers control the vehicles from a distance. With a remote driving setup, drivers are connected to several different vehicles at different locations via the enabl platform.

Lucas Mömken, vice president global engineering and innovation in contract logistics, DB Schenker: “The collaboration with enabl allows us to react flexibly to fluctuations in demand and automate our processes to increase productivity.

“We see this partnership as a valuable addition to our CL digitalization strategy, which will help us to secure our competitiveness in the long term.” [Read more…] about DB Schenker installs remote-controlled forklifts at logistics facility

Third Wave Automation closes $27 million Series C funding to scale autonomous forklifts

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Third Wave Automation, a provider of autonomous high-reach forklifts, has closed a $27 million Series C round led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund.

Return investors Innovation Endeavors, Norwest Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures joined the round, bringing total capital raised to $97 million.

The funding will enable Third Wave to scale its “Shared Autonomy Platform”, expand manufacturing of its multimode TWA Reach forklifts, and support future technology development that advances the use of autonomous forklifts in and around warehouse environments. [Read more…] about Third Wave Automation closes $27 million Series C funding to scale autonomous forklifts

How Automation and Robotics Drive Fleet Efficiency for Pre-Owned Trucks

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Pre-owned trucks are the bread and butter of many business fleets, and while they might have a lot of miles on the clock, modern tech is having a major impact on how these vehicles are managed.

If you’re unfamiliar with the influence of automation on the operation of second-hand commercial vehicles, here’s a look at the ample number of upsides that are made possible by this relationship. [Read more…] about How Automation and Robotics Drive Fleet Efficiency for Pre-Owned Trucks

Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

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By Shihao Fu, technology analyst at IDTechEx

The commercialization of Autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry has rapidly advanced in 2024, presenting substantial potential to address critical industry challenges such as high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns.

It is expected that the global trucking fleet will be supported by an additional half million L4 autonomous drivers, while the remaining drivers will either transition into supervisory roles or continue to operate in less developed regions.

IDTechEx’s recent research on more than 10 companies in the autonomous trucking sector reveals that the industry has officially entered the commercialization phase, marked by deep collaborations across the global supply chain.

[Read more…] about Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

ABB demonstrates robot charging solution for mining trucks

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ABB is currently at MINExpo 2024 to showcase a new technology demonstrator developed to enable safe and efficient, high-power charging in the journey towards the all-electric mine of the future.

eMine Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD) is designed to work in tandem with the ABB eMine FastCharge solution, allowing further interoperability and synergy of connections and interfaces in electric mining trucks.

As a founding member of the CharIN taskforce for electrical standards in mining, ABB is working to accelerate the adoption of electrical interface soluti

[Read more…] about ABB demonstrates robot charging solution for mining trucks