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Visteon partners with ECARX and Qualcomm to develop ‘intelligent cockpits’ for automotive industry

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Visteon, ECARX and Qualcomm Technologies have launched a joint initiative to develop intelligent cockpit solutions across conventional and electric vehicle applications. 

Visteon and ECARX, using Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms, are working together to develop these intelligent technologies and sharing research to commercialize an integrated cockpit project for a variety of vehicle platforms starting in 2021.

Sachin Lawande, president and CEO of Visteon, described digital content as “the battleground” for OEMs as human interfaces becomes more complex and connected technologies are increasingly important to improve the cockpit. [Read more…] about Visteon partners with ECARX and Qualcomm to develop ‘intelligent cockpits’ for automotive industry

UBTech reveals robot ox on ‘the most watched TV show on Earth’

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UBTech Robotics, a developer of intelligent humanoid robots and artificial intelligence technologies, has displayed its first four-legged ox robot at the 2021 CCTV New Year Gala, commonly known as Spring Festival Gala, which is the most watched TV program in the world.

As 2021 marks the Year of the Ox in Chinese astrology, four “Pioneering Ox” robots remodeled from UBTech’s quadruped robot prototype have taken the festival stage and captured viewers’ hearts with their “dazzling dancing moves and state-of-the-art mechanical designs”, says the company.

Standing 83 cm tall and weighing 60kg, the futuristic ox-looking robot features strong physical features with sixteen joints and weight payload capability of 15 kg. [Read more…] about UBTech reveals robot ox on ‘the most watched TV show on Earth’

GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

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General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to truck-making giant Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International RHTM Series.

Navistar’s FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes.

Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. [Read more…] about GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

RoboDK unveils ‘handheld robot programming’ system

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Robot software company RoboDK has released TwinTrack, a tool that allows users to program any industrial robot quickly and easily by tracing the desired motion with a handheld probe. (See video below.) 

As robots move into the hands of less experienced users, there is a growing need for more intuitive programming interfaces that are accessible to everyone. In January 2021, Montreal-based robot software company RoboDK released a new type of flexible, affordable programming tool.

TwinTrack is a combined solution that allows users to program any industrial robot with a laser tracker and its handheld probe. [Read more…] about RoboDK unveils ‘handheld robot programming’ system

Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

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Siemens Digital Industries Software announces the availability of the latest release of Simcenter 3D software, part of the Simcenter portfolio of simulation and test solutions.

Simcenter 3D and the Simcenter portfolio are part of the Xcelerator portfolio, Siemens’ integrated portfolio of software, services and application development platform.

In the 2021 release, Simcenter 3D continues to further improve its powerful unified and shared engineering platform for all simulation disciplines to help users gain full value of the benefits that simulation provides in terms of cost, speed and impact to innovation. [Read more…] about Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

Aston Martin to integrate 3D printed parts into Callum Vanquish 25

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The Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged will be the first in a series of bespoke and limited-edition supercars to be designed and produced using MakerBot’s Method X 3D printer, with other projects already in the pipeline.

MakerBot, a 3D printing company and subsidiary of Stratasys, says product design and engineering firm Callum has installed a Method  3D printer to produce functional prototypes, tooling, and production parts across a number of luxury vehicles and lifestyle brands, including the limited edition Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged. [Read more…] about Aston Martin to integrate 3D printed parts into Callum Vanquish 25

Robot displays ‘glimmer of empathy’ to partner robot

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Columbia University engineers say they have created a robot that learns to visually predict how its partner robot will behave, displaying a glimmer of empathy. This “Robot Theory of Mind” could help robots get along with other robots – and humans – more intuitively.

Like a longtime couple who can predict each other’s every move, a Columbia Engineering robot has learned to predict its partner robot’s future actions and goals based on just a few initial video frames.

When two primates are cooped up together for a long time, we quickly learn to predict the near-term actions of our roommates, co-workers or family members. Our ability to anticipate the actions of others makes it easier for us to successfully live and work together. [Read more…] about Robot displays ‘glimmer of empathy’ to partner robot

Oqton raises over $40 million investment for its digital manufacturing platform

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Oqton, an American-Belgian software company specialising in artificial intelligence-powered solutions for the manufacturing industry, has raised more than $40 million in a Series A financing round, led by Fortino Capital, a leading B2B software investor, by PMV, the regional Flemish investment fund, and by Sandvik, a global engineering group.

The founding team – Samir Hanna and Ben Schrauwen – and several angel investors, including Carl Bass, who is the former CEO Autodesk, Dries Buytaert, of Drupal and Acquia, and Peter Mercelis, of Layerwise, also participated in the round.

The financing will be used to further develop its platform, while expanding its commercial partnerships in multiple domains and verticals, including additive manufacturing, robotic welding, and CNC machining. [Read more…] about Oqton raises over $40 million investment for its digital manufacturing platform

PTC to acquire product lifecycle management provider Arena Solutions

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Computer-aided design specialist PTC has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arena Solutions, a software as a service (SaaS) product lifecycle management (PLM) platform provider.

The acquisition will further PTC’s strategy to be the leader in the rapidly-growing market for SaaS-based product development software, enabling the company to deliver a complete CAD + PLM SaaS solution.

Under the terms of the agreement, PTC will acquire Arena Solutions for $715 million in cash. Subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to be completed in PTC’s fiscal Q2 2021. [Read more…] about PTC to acquire product lifecycle management provider Arena Solutions

MassRobotics chooses Festo as winner of its GM Gripper Challenge

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MassRobotics has chosen Festo, a MassRobotics partner, in collaboration with Magswitch, is the winner of the 2020 GM Gripper Challenge.

Festo’s design concept was selected for its ability to handle a variety of parts, in addition to avoiding occluding a part when gripped.

Joseph Cyrek, Magswitch CEO, says: “The technology challenge hosted by MassRobotics provided an excellent platform for collaboration and rapid development of innovative solutions.” [Read more…] about MassRobotics chooses Festo as winner of its GM Gripper Challenge