Robotics & Automation News

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trucks

Robotic toymaker Anki to close down

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Anki, a startup company which made robotic toy cars and trucks, is planning to close its doors, according to a report on the Recode website.

The company had raised more than $200 million in funding for the venture, and generated $100 million in revenue in 2017, but is now making all of its 200 employees redundant.

In a statement to Recode, the company says that it had been left “without significant funding” which meant it could not finance its hardware and software development plans going forward.

[Read more…] about Robotic toymaker Anki to close down

Hyundai and H2 Energy sign joint venture deal on hydrogen mobility in Europe

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Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy AG have signed a contract for a joint venture, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, aimed at taking a lead across Europe’s burgeoning hydrogen mobility ecosystem.

To begin the joint venture’s operations, Hyundai Motor will deliver 1,600 fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks to Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility from 2019 through 2025.

The venture will then lease a large portion of these fuel-cell powered trucks to the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, which comprises major refuelling station operators, transport and logistics companies, as well as to various other industry players that promote hydrogen mobility in Switzerland. [Read more…] about Hyundai and H2 Energy sign joint venture deal on hydrogen mobility in Europe

Daimler Trucks set to acquire majority stake in Torc Robotics

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Daimler Trucks, a division in the Daimler Group, and Torc Robotics, a pioneer in autonomous driving solutions, are joining forces in a one-of-a-kind combination to commercialise highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) on U.S. roads.

The companies have signed an agreement whereby Daimler Trucks and Buses Holding Inc. will acquire a majority stake in Torc Robotics for an undisclosed sum. Closing of the acquisition is subject to approval from U.S. authorities.

“Bringing Torc Robotics within the Daimler Trucks family creates a unique and powerful team of innovators to put highly automated trucks on the road,” said Martin Daum, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, responsible for Trucks and Buses.

[Read more…] about Daimler Trucks set to acquire majority stake in Torc Robotics

Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

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At ProMat 2019, Yale showed its industry-first dual-mode pantograph robotic lift truck.

The truck is capable of autonomously depositing and retrieving loads from locations as high as 30 feet and reaching into double-deep storage.

The high-lifting capability of the reach/forklift truck makes it suited for distribution centres facing pressure to maximise vertical storage space, says the company.

[Read more…] about Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US

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NTT DoCoMo and Itochu Logistics are planning to trial an internet-of-things solution for delivery fleet management in the US.

The system uses devices compatible with low-power, wide-area LTE-M technology to enable delivery businesses to visualize the status of outsourced trucks in their fleets.

The trial will begin in the United States on May 1, 2019. [Read more…] about DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US

Volvo Trucks provides autonomous transport solution to Brønnøy Kalk

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Volvo Trucks has signed a landmark agreement with Brønnøy Kalk AS in Norway to provide its first commercial autonomous solution transporting limestone from an open pit mine to a nearby port.

The solution consists of limestone being transported by six autonomous Volvo FH trucks on a five kilometre stretch through tunnels between the mine itself and the crusher.

Tests of this solution have been carried out successfully and will continue throughout 2018 to become fully operational by the end of 2019.

[Read more…] about Volvo Trucks provides autonomous transport solution to Brønnøy Kalk

Bosch reveals ideas for autonomous technology for trucks

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Bosch has unveiled a long list of ideas for future trucks, which it envisions as having much more autonomous technology and being powered by an electric engine.

Apparently, the company also believes digital side-view mirrors are the way forward, as well as a “digital instrument cluster”, which is probably the same as a “virtual dashboard”.

In fact, “digital” is at the heart of almost all the new ideas, with computers being used for cloud connectivity, predictive diagnostics and many other new functions and services.  [Read more…] about Bosch reveals ideas for autonomous technology for trucks

Volvo Trucks and FedEx demonstrate truck ‘platooning’ in the USA

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Volvo Trucks North America has carried out a successful on-highway demonstration of its truck platooning technology.

The company has been working closely with FedEx and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to expand on-highway operations of Volvo’s Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) in the United States on N.C. 540, the Triangle Expressway.

This marks the first public on-highway showcase of platooning technology between a major truck manufacturer and a transportation company in the U.S.

[Read more…] about Volvo Trucks and FedEx demonstrate truck ‘platooning’ in the USA

Platooning: practical use of networked truck convoys in Gemany

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DB Schenker, together with its cooperation partners MAN Truck & Bus and Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, has sent two digitally networked trucks into practical use on a German highway.

In the presence of Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Andreas Scheuer, a truck “platoon” set off from the DB Schenker branch office in Neufahrn near Munich via the A9 digital test field to Nuremberg. The federal government is funding the pilot project with around 2m euros.

The term “platooning” refers to a system in which at least two trucks drive in a tight convoy on a freeway, supported by technical driving assistance and control systems.

[Read more…] about Platooning: practical use of networked truck convoys in Gemany

Mitsubishi Fuso launches E-Fuso electric truck and plans to electrify all its vehicles

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, part of Daimler Trucks, have strengthened the commitment of their Fuso brand towards alternative drivetrains.

At the Tokyo Motor Show, MFTBC announced it will electrify its complete range of trucks and buses in upcoming years.

At this occasion, MFTBC unveiled E-Fuso as the first original equipment manufacturer to launch a product brand exclusively dedicated to electric mobility of trucks and buses.

As further proof of this strategic move, MFTBC celebrated the world-premiere of its all-electric heavy-duty truck concept with a range of up to 350 kilometers. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Fuso launches E-Fuso electric truck and plans to electrify all its vehicles