Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Anna

Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live

by

The largest European energy storage system using second-life and new electric vehicle batteries in a commercial building was made live in Amsterdam at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, home ground of the famous Ajax football club.

This unique project is the result of collaboration between Nissan, Eaton, BAM, The Mobility House and the Johan Cruijff ArenA, supported by the Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund (AKEF) and Interreg.

The 3 MW storage system provides a more reliable and efficient energy supply and usage for the stadium, its visitors, neighbours and the Dutch energy grid.

[Read more…] about Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live

Paris and Renault share vision on urban electric mobility

by

The City of Paris and Groupe Renault have announced their intention to share their expertise and skills to develop electric mobility for Parisians, and ‘greater Paris’ Ile-de-France residents and visitors.

This unprecedented approach between a metropolis and Europe’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer testifies to a shared vision of the future of mobility, in the face of challenges such as public health, climate change, easier travel, accessibility and economic attractiveness.

This will result in short, medium and long-term actions in favour of the development of connected and autonomous electric vehicles.

[Read more…] about Paris and Renault share vision on urban electric mobility

Hyundai and Wärtsilä partner on second-life electric vehicle batteries for energy storage

by

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has selected Wärtsilä for a technology and commercial partnership designed to utilise second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries for the growing energy storage market.

The global partnership will combine HMG’s expansion in electric vehicles with Wärtsilä’s growing energy business, which includes 67 GW of installed power plants and advanced energy storage technologies and software created through the acquisition of Greensmith Energy.

The partnership will target advanced energy storage products and platforms that maximise HMG’s second-life EV batteries to be commercialised in Wärtsilä’s existing customer and channel networks across 177 countries globally. Wärtsilä sold almost 4 GW of power plants in 2017 in both developed and developing regions of the world.

[Read more…] about Hyundai and Wärtsilä partner on second-life electric vehicle batteries for energy storage

ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

by

ABB is to acquire AB Rotech, a privately-owned company headquartered in Bursa, Turkey, with nearly 20 years of extensive experience in robotic welding solutions and services for the automotive industry.

The expertise of AB Rotech’s engineering team covers the entire robotics welding lifecycle, from design and commissioning to electrical engineering and customer service.

The parties agreed to not disclose the value of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and is expected to close later this year.

[Read more…] about ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp sign joint venture to create new steel firm in Europe

by

Tata Steel and thyssenkrupp AG have signed definitive agreements to combine their European steel businesses in a 50/50 joint venture in a new company. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2017.

The proposed new company, to be named thyssenkrupp Tata Steel BV, will be positioned as a leading pan-European high-quality flat-steel producer with a strong focus on performance, quality and technology leadership.

The joint venture is built on the strong foundations of common value systems and a long heritage in the industry, say the companies.

[Read more…] about Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp sign joint venture to create new steel firm in Europe

Research centre to develop advanced waste-to-energy techniques in Singapore

by

JFE Engineering Corporation has set up the Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology in Singapore to carry out research activities on ‘Development of Enhanced Utilisation Methodologies for Direct Melting Gasification’. This innovation centre is a first-of-its-kind for JFE outside Japan.

The centre will aim to develop advanced waste treatment technologies based on a Research Collaboration Agreement with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore using NTU’s upcoming waste-to-energy facility which will feature JFE’s shaft-type gasifying and direct melting furnace.

The main research activities of the centre are: verification of the gasifying and direct melting technology using biomass fuel; exploration and testing of diverse waste treatment; and development and validation of applications for slag produced by the direct melting gasification process.

[Read more…] about Research centre to develop advanced waste-to-energy techniques in Singapore

Swisslog and Kuka join forces to strengthen CarryPick

by

The CarryPick automated storage and order fulfillment system’s new KMP600 AGV was developed with close collaboration between Kuka and Swisslog, member of the Kuka Group.

Synergies have allowed for a number of technical enhancements that make the AGV suitable for use in multiple industries. The CarryPick solution will be globally supported as part of the Kuka portfolio.

Combining the research and development power of Swisslog and Kuka has resulted in a new CarryPick solution that will deliver the highest performance and reliability through a fully integrated system that includes not only the vehicle but the system software, says the company.

[Read more…] about Swisslog and Kuka join forces to strengthen CarryPick

Electric vehicles a practical reality for everyone?

by

BASF argues that ‘it is all about the chemistry’ and that the materials inside car batteries will have a major impact on vehicle electrification

With the holiday season and sunnier days approaching in the northern hemisphere, traffic inevitably increases on highways, in cities and around sightseeing spots.

Additionally, a rising number of commuters contribute to growing nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions with adverse impacts on air quality and climate. By 2025, there will be approximately 1.5 billion cars on the roads worldwide.

[Read more…] about Electric vehicles a practical reality for everyone?

ArcelorMittal Zenica completes €30 million blast furnace reconstruction

by

ArcelorMittal Zenica, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, has completed a €30 million project to rebuild the blast furnace and upgrade other areas of the factory, including the energy, sinter and steel plants and the rolling mill.

The latest projects are bringing the total invested in the Zenica plant to over €200 million. The refurbishment means that integrated steel production can continue in Zenica for up to 20 years into the future.

The project’s completion was marked with a ceremony in the heart of the steelworks, attended by over 200 guests, including Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fadil Novalic and Miralem Galijasevic, Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton. Augustine Kochuparampil and Lutz Bandusch attended on behalf of ArcelorMittal Europe.

[Read more…] about ArcelorMittal Zenica completes €30 million blast furnace reconstruction

Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

by

Mitsubishi Electric Automation says it is making it easy for small- to medium-sized factories to realise the benefits of an Andon system, with the introduction of iQ Monozukuri Andon.

The simple, cost-effective Andon package allows visualisation of production sites using Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT2000 graphic operation terminal and a web browser.

iQ Monozukuri Andon offers pre-engineered project data and software to quickly and easily implement and operate an Andon system, claims the firm.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites