Robotics & Automation News

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Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

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Automaker Ford has for the first time introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside engineers in Cologne, Germany, to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.

The six cobots complete a choreographed sequence to sand the entire body surface in just 35 seconds. The initiative does not replace employees but allows operators to use their time on more complex tasks and avoid suffering the strains associated with performing repetitive tasks.

Dennis Kuhn, senior manufacturing engineer, paint shop, Ford of Europe, says: “The cobots can feel when more force needs to be applied, just like we can, and they can more easily get to hard-to-reach places, like the centre of the roof.” [Read more…] about Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

IMHX provides platform for more robotics and automation technologies

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IMHX is one of the largest trade shows aimed at the intralogistics sector in the UK. Held in Birmingham, the event features more than 450 exhibitors and attracts more than 16,000 industry experts over its four-day duration, from September 24th to 27th.

As with the other events Robotics and Automation News has covered over the past year or two, IMHX is seeing an increasing number of robotics and automation solutions sharing the stage with technologies that have been established for a lot longer.

Longer-established technologies can be said to be the ones that brought about “mechanised” automation, which has become more sophisticated over time, integrating electronics and computer technologies into it. [Read more…] about IMHX provides platform for more robotics and automation technologies

Hyundai and Aptiv form autonomous driving joint venture

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Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv are forming an autonomous driving joint venture.

The companies say the partnership “brings together one of the industry’s most innovative vehicle technology providers and one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers”.

The joint venture will advance the design, development and commercialization of SAE Level 4 and 5 autonomous technologies, furthering the partners’ leadership position in the global autonomous driving ecosystem. [Read more…] about Hyundai and Aptiv form autonomous driving joint venture

Continental shows off autonomous mobility tech to German chancellor

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Automotive components giant Continental has been showing off its latest autonomous mobility technology to the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the IAA event.

Continental says Merkel’s visit is an implicit acknowledgment that autonomous vehicles have the potential to change everyone’s lives.

Chancellor was pictured (above) getting off a driverless “Robo-Taxi” – also called the “CUbE” and “EZ10 Shuttle” – which Continental developed in partnership with French company EasyMile, of which Continental has been a shareholder since 2017. [Read more…] about Continental shows off autonomous mobility tech to German chancellor

The Future of Auto Transportation

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We live in a world of automation. Our worlds are in the palm of our hands, thanks to mobile technology. We have more access to everything, faster, and drones are already delivering parcels. Self-driving cars are fast approaching the next stage after experimentation.

But what does this mean for the future of the auto transportation industry?

Freight demand continues to grow, placing significant strain on freeways. In fact, the Department of Transport estimates that “… by 2040, nearly 30,000 miles of our busiest highways will be clogged on a daily basis. Truck congestion will waste $27 billion in time and fuel economy annually”. [Read more…] about The Future of Auto Transportation

Mercedes-Benz makes its mobile SDK available to developers

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Mercedes-Benz is making its mobile software development kit available to developers. The automotive giant says it is one of the first in its market to do so.

Mercedes-Benz says the opening of the SDK is intended to “enrich the Mercedes me offering” with additional external services to create an even better customer experience.

Merceded me is a range of online services accessible via mobile, tablet or PC. It can be used to manage maintenance and support. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz makes its mobile SDK available to developers

Via’s on-demand mobility service ‘exceeding targets’ in Australia

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Via, a provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, has released metrics for its new Cooee Busways transport system, launched in partnership with Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) and Busways, an Australian transportation provider.

Despite only starting operations on May 27, Via says “residents are already flocking to the new service by the thousands, with ridership exceeding targets, and vehicle utilization well ahead of the project’s goals”.

Called Cooee Busways, the new on-demand shared transit network provides first- and last-mile connections for residents in The Ponds, Schofields and Kellyville Ridge, linking more residents with the new Sydney Metro public transportation hubs. [Read more…] about Via’s on-demand mobility service ‘exceeding targets’ in Australia

Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

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Industrial robot manufacturer Kuka says it has received an order in the “single-digit million euro range” from the Korean automotive supplier Donghee Industrial.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2019.

Donghee relies on robot-based friction stir welding from Kuka in the area of electric mobility. [Read more…] about Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

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Bosch and Daimler have chosen in a city located in the San Francisco Bay in Silicon Valley, California, as the pilot location for a first test fleet developing fully-automated and driverless driving.

Bosch and Daimler will offer customers a shuttle service with automated vehicles on selected routes. Daimler Mobility Services is envisaged as the operator of this test fleet and the app-based mobility service.

The pilot project will demonstrate how mobility services such as car sharing (car2go), ride-hailing (mytaxi) and multi-modal platforms (moovel) can be intelligently connected to shape the future of mobility.

[Read more…] about Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

ABB and Fastned open their 100th electric vehicle charging location

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ABB, the industrial giant with a massive business in power generation equipment, and electric vehicle network operator Fastned Charging have opened their 100th electric vehicle charging location in the Netherlands.

The companies say Europe is introducing stricter emission targets from 2020, so their partnership Fastned and ABB is “facilitating the electric revolution set to transform European highways”.

Since the launch of the pilot Fastned project in The Netherlands in 2013, the close working relationship between Fastned and ABB has facilitated the successful launch of charging sites across the Netherlands and Germany, with the UK’s first high power station launching in Sunderland just a couple of months ago. [Read more…] about ABB and Fastned open their 100th electric vehicle charging location