Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Noyes Technologies secures $3.8 million to ‘revolutionize’ automation of urban storage areas with robotized nano warehouses

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Noyes Technologies, provider of a flexible robotic warehousing solution designed for urban use, has completed a seed investment round of $3.8 million, led by Vsquared Ventures, and joined by 468 Capital and the Abacon Capital.

The way of consuming is changing rapidly. Customers are requesting ever speedier delivery times but storage spaces close to the customer, especially in the urban landscape, are scarce and costly.

By providing a unique solution ahead of market demand and empowering the delivery and quick commerce market on the journey to profitability, Noyes Technologies is the enabler for urban living and dynamic consumer behavior. [Read more…] about Noyes Technologies secures $3.8 million to ‘revolutionize’ automation of urban storage areas with robotized nano warehouses

AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages

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AutoX, a developer of Level 4 fully autonomous RoboTaxis founded by e-commerce giant Alibaba, has released a new video this week showcasing how its fully driverless RoboTaxis handle the challenging rush hour conditions of China’s “urban villages” in what is described as the “ultimate autonomous driving challenge”.

Unique to China, urban villages are ultra high-density residential neighborhoods in major cities, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, that are typically surrounded by skyscrapers, transportation infrastructure, and other modern urban developments.

The public roads in urban villages are extremely busy, chaotic and overcrowded, especially in the early evening. [Read more…] about AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages

Arrival partners with Ambarella to develop advanced driver assistance systems

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Arrival, a develop of electric vehicles, has selected the Ambarella CV2FS CVflow AI vision processor for the environmental perception module available for all types of Arrival vehicles.

The module will be used to enable autonomous driving (AD) and ADAS features in the Arrival Bus and Van.

Arrival believes it will accelerate the mass adoption of EVs globally by producing affordable commercial vehicles across the whole transportation ecosystem, and working closely with cities and governments to transform mobility. [Read more…] about Arrival partners with Ambarella to develop advanced driver assistance systems

Swisslog brings supply chain automation to vertical farming

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Swisslog, a provider of warehouse automation systems, is making a push into the vertical farming market and has demonstrated newly built technologies specifically designed for the sector. 

The company says its automation systems can bring scalability, flexibility and lower costs to vertical farming, allowing them to be installed and maintained in a wide range of pre-existing and purpose-built spaces.

These systems help broaden the applicability of growing crops and bring food production closer to consumers in densely populated urban areas. [Read more…] about Swisslog brings supply chain automation to vertical farming

Autonomous local public transport introduced in southern Germany

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Autonomous local public transport is being introduced in southern Germany through a research project funded with €7 million.

The RABus project is one of the implemented measures of the strategic goals for automated and networked mobility in the southern German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport of Baden-Wuerttemberg, handed over the notice of funding in the amount of €7 million to the RABus consortium. [Read more…] about Autonomous local public transport introduced in southern Germany

Honeywell forms business units for unmanned aerial systems

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Honeywell has formed a new business unit dedicated to the growing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industries.

The UAS business unit will continue Honeywell’s momentum and leadership in these emerging markets, utilizing Honeywell’s technology, software, services and certification expertise to meet customers’ needs in these markets.

Mike Madsen, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace, says: “Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between. [Read more…] about Honeywell forms business units for unmanned aerial systems

DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

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DB Schenker, a global logistics company, has invested in Volocopter, a startup developing a new type of passenger-carrying drone which can also be used for good distribution.

DB Schenker says its investment shows that it is “a pioneer of urban air mobility”. With the new investment, Volocopter has extended its Series C funding to now a total of €87 million.

Besides DB Schenker, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, MS&AD Ventures, and TransLink Capital (Japan Airlines and Sompo Japan Insurance) join the round as new investors, existing investors Lukasz Gadowski and btov also invested. [Read more…] about DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

Hyundai Motor showcases miniature model of smart mobility ecosystem

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Hyundai Motor Company is showing its smart mobility ecosystem model in the lobby of its headquarters and at other key global events afterward in order to further communicate its future mobility vision.

The 1:8-scale model on display is a miniature of the exhibit shown at CES 2020 and includes integration of its Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV) and Hub (Mobility Transit Base) smart mobility solutions as part of a dynamic human-centered future cityscape.

The exhibition aims to inspire Hyundai employees and other audiences by showing the company’s vision for future mobility as it aims to become a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. After the current exhibition ends on June 12, the model will be showcased at major events around the globe. [Read more…] about Hyundai Motor showcases miniature model of smart mobility ecosystem

Renault Trucks signs ‘historic agreement’ with the Carlsberg Group to deliver 20 electric trucks

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Renault Trucks says it is taking “a critical step in the transformation of urban transport” by signing of a contract with the Carlsberg Group to deliver 20 D Wide ZE vehicles.

These 100 per cent electric 26-tonne trucks, which will be delivered in 2020, will be operated by the Feldschlösschen brewery, the Carlsberg Group’s Swiss subsidiary.

Renault Trucks says urban transport “needs to move towards electric mobility quickly” in order to improve quality of life in city centres and tackle global CO2 emissions. [Read more…] about Renault Trucks signs ‘historic agreement’ with the Carlsberg Group to deliver 20 electric trucks

Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

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Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s joint project to develop urban automated driving has now entered a new stage.

Their pilot project for an app-based ride-hailing service using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles has now been launched in the Silicon Valley city of San José.

Monitored by a safety driver, the self-driving cars shuttle between West San José and downtown, along the San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard thoroughfares. [Read more…] about Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José