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Geolux updates traffic radar product to consume less power

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Geolux RSS-2-300 T Doppler radars and RSS-2-300 OEM radar modules are used worldwide in various traffic monitoring and law enforcement applications, including LED speed signs.

LED speed signs are often placed on locations where there is no connection to electric power grid, so they rely on solar power and batteries.

For solar-based setups it is critical to reduce power consumption of all components of LED sign, including radar sensor unit. Geolux has recently improved its firmware that controls the radar operation, to include a special low-power mode which greatly reduces radar current draw. [Read more…] about Geolux updates traffic radar product to consume less power

Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

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Harman, a provider of connected technologies for automotive markets, and Airbiquity, which specialises in connected vehicle services, have launched what they claim is the first automotive grade end-to-end intrusion detection system for connected vehicles.

The companies say that with the increasing dependency on software to power vehicle systems and features, cybersecurity has become a threat to connected vehicles and the introduction of new driving assistance, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and autonomous driving capabilities.

By combining Harman’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention System inside the vehicle with Airbiquity’s cloud-based Choreo service delivery platform and software and data management solution, the two companies say they now deliver “the most robust connected vehicle security threat detection and response capability for automotive customers and their consumers alike”.  [Read more…] about Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

Audi to test new autonomous driving technology

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Audi A7 piloted driving concept

German automaker calls its autonomous technology “piloted driving”

Twelve months after the launch of the “Digital Motorway Test Bed”, Audi has presented new technologies for what it calls “piloted driving” and connected cars at the German Federal Ministry of Transport. 

The connected car aspect of the presentation will deal with car-to-x technology, with the “x” denoting anything – other vehicles and infrastructure, for example.

Audi says it will concentrate on “online variable message” road signs and infrastructure measures. One of the more difficult problems for autonomous car developers is teaching machines how to tell the difference between traffic lights and other lights, for example.  [Read more…] about Audi to test new autonomous driving technology

US Department of Transportation issues new cybersecurity guidelines for vehicles

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Guidance covers cybersecurity best practices for all motor vehicles, individuals and organizations manufacturing and designing vehicle systems and software

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking a proactive safety approach to protect vehicles from malicious cyber-attacks and unauthorized access by releasing proposed guidance for improving motor vehicle cybersecurity.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says: “Cybersecurity is a safety issue, and a top priority at the Department.  [Read more…] about US Department of Transportation issues new cybersecurity guidelines for vehicles

Cargoways using Gatehouse Logistics telematics to monitor truck fleets transporting racing cars

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Cargoways controls routes with the ghTrack telematics portal of Gatehouse Logistics to monitor 170 trucks carrying racing cars every day with the technology

It’s been a breakthrough year for forwarding company Cargoways Logistik & Transport, winning the business of transporting race cars to venues.

The first contract was to transport Formula E equipment using 35 trucks from London to Paris and the success of that operation led to Formula 1 enquiries.

Cargoways specializes in transports to islands. Currently, its core business is between Italy and England, but opportunities are now opening up to the firm in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany.  [Read more…] about Cargoways using Gatehouse Logistics telematics to monitor truck fleets transporting racing cars

Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030

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Some say the traditional petrol-driven internal combustion engine is on the way out. 

It would seem inevitable, given that the alternative – the electric engine – is less harmful to the environment at the point of use.

The implications of the rise of the electric engine for the global oil business is beyond the scope of this article, but oil will probably continue to be important going forward because of its role in powering so many other sectors of industry.

But as far as the demands on the oil industry that road-going vehicles will make, it seems there is a definite downward trend emerging.

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the German government’s decision to ban the combustion engine effective 2030.  [Read more…] about Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030

Faurecia launches $64 million smart factory in Columbus, Indiana

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Picture credit: Faurecia via DBusiness.com

Faurecia has unveiled a $64 million “digital factory”, or smart factory as some call it, which the company says showcases the future of manufacturing.

Faurecia says the Columbus, Indiana-based emissions control technologies plant represents the industrial giant’s digital transformation.

Faurecia, which is a leading automotive technology supplier, says the $64 million Columbus South plant is a “data-driven manufacturing facility”.  [Read more…] about Faurecia launches $64 million smart factory in Columbus, Indiana

Logistics robots: The way you move

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As Joni Mitchell once sang, and Janet Jackson reiterated, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”.

So it was when Amazon bought Kiva Systems in 2012 for a chart-topping $775 million.

Now one of the world’s largest online retailers, Amazon is also growing its logistics business, with 30,000 Kiva robots working away at its warehouses all over the world. [Read more…] about Logistics robots: The way you move

Clearpath Robotics raises $30 million to expand Otto self-driving logistics vehicle technology

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Funding from iNovia Capital, Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures and previous investors will expand new Otto Motors division

Clearpath Robotics, a leading provider of self-driving vehicle solutions, announced today the completion of a $30 million investment led by iNovia Capital with participation from Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures, Eclipse Ventures, RRE Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank.

Clearpath will use the funding to grow the company’s industrial division, Otto Motors. Clearpath launched Otto Motors in 2015 to focus on self-driving vehicles for material transport inside manufacturing and warehouse operations.

Matt Rendall, CEO and co-founder of Clearpath, says: “Factories operate like small indoor cities, complete with roads, traffic, intersections and pedestrians.

“Unlike city streets, a factory floor is a controlled environment, which makes it an ideal place to introduce self-driving vehicles at scale. Companies like Google, Tesla and Uber are still testing, whereas our self-driving vehicles are commercially available today.”  [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics raises $30 million to expand Otto self-driving logistics vehicle technology

nuTonomy and Grab partner to expand public trials of self-driving cars

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Uber rival Grab signs deal with driverless car developer nuTonomy

nuTonomy, a developer of software for self-driving cars, and Grab, which claims to be Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing app, have entered a partnership to expand nuTonomy’s ongoing public trial of self-driving cars in Singapore, believed to be the first such public trial anywhere in the world.

The trial will give select Grab users a chance to experience the full end-to-end experience of e-hailing and riding in a nuTonomy self-driving vehicle.

Combining nuTonomy’s autonomous vehicle software and technology system with Grab’s fleet routing technology and mapping in its app will enable both companies to study the end-to-end user experience of on-demand hailing of driverless vehicles.  [Read more…] about nuTonomy and Grab partner to expand public trials of self-driving cars