Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Engineering

Move fast and build robots: How a Virginia Tech student overcame setbacks to create a growing organization

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After his start-up collapsed his first year at Virginia Tech, Marco Gonzalez Hauger didn’t slow down – he scaled up.

The senior in the College of Engineering, who will earn degrees in both computer science and industrial and systems engineering, founded Virginia Tech Competitive Robotics Organization (CRO), the university’s largest competitive robotics team.

What started in the corner of a lab turned into a multiteam operation with students from across disciplines. [Read more…] about Move fast and build robots: How a Virginia Tech student overcame setbacks to create a growing organization

How Load Placement Affects Handling and Fuel Efficiency While Towing

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When you’re towing a trailer, the way you distribute the load can make a significant difference in your vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency.

At Andersen Hitches, we believe that understanding these factors can help you make smarter decisions on the road, ensuring a safer and more efficient towing experience.

In this blog, we’ll explore how load placement can impact your vehicle’s stability, handling, and even your fuel consumption — and how choosing a Stable Towing Solution can make all the difference. [Read more…] about How Load Placement Affects Handling and Fuel Efficiency While Towing

Table Lifts: The Smart Solution for Adjustable Workspaces

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Modern workspaces demand flexibility, efficiency, and ergonomic solutions, making table lifts an essential innovation.

These height-adjustable tables, powered by electric linear actuators, allow users to seamlessly switch between sitting and standing positions, promoting better posture, reducing strain, and increasing productivity.

Beyond offices, table lifts are transforming industries, from production lines to storage systems, where adaptable surfaces improve workflow and enhance safety. [Read more…] about Table Lifts: The Smart Solution for Adjustable Workspaces

MetalQuest uses 5-axis technology to diversify and expand into new industries

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MetalQuest Unlimited, located in Hebron, Nebraska, United States, has been delivering contract manufacturing services for years.

With a commitment to quality and consistency, MetalQuest has become a trusted supplier to leaders in industries ranging from agriculture and commercial hydraulics to defense, electronics, medical, and more.

Always looking to stay ahead of the technological curve, MetalQuest set its sights on acquiring a 5-axis machine. [Read more…] about MetalQuest uses 5-axis technology to diversify and expand into new industries

Siemens and Audi partner to implement ‘next level’ software-defined automation

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Engineering giant Siemens and automotive company Audi say they are “revolutionizing manufacturing processes” with “next level” software-defined automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

The long-standing partnership is accelerating innovation for the automotive industry by focusing on integrating virtual and hardware controllers, enhancing safety functions, and streamlining production processes.

Audi has also implemented AI-driven automation for optical inspection based on the Siemens portfolio. The goal is to automate detection and removal of weld spatter on vehicle bodies using a customer-trained AI algorithm and high-resolution images. [Read more…] about Siemens and Audi partner to implement ‘next level’ software-defined automation

How a Simple LED Resistor Calculator is Helping DIYers and Engineers Save Time

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Time will always be “of the essence” for professional engineers and amateur enthusiasts alike. This can certainly be said about the process of designing circuits involving Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). So, what kind of profound difference could a simple online calculator make?

Before we go any further on that subject, it might be worth reminding ourselves of the fundamentally important role of resistors in LED circuits. [Read more…] about How a Simple LED Resistor Calculator is Helping DIYers and Engineers Save Time

The Role of Advanced Diagnostics in Modern Vehicles

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Drivers can now no longer simply pop the hood to work on their cars. Understanding automotive technology is equally important as understanding mechanics.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a professional mechanic, knowing how diagnostic systems work is crucial in today’s digitized vehicles.

This post will explore how advanced diagnostic tools, software, and sensors transform vehicle maintenance, allowing mechanics to identify and resolve issues with greater precision. [Read more…] about The Role of Advanced Diagnostics in Modern Vehicles

Battery electric vehicles vs hydrogen fuel cell vehicles: Which technology will power the future?

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Despite all the hype about electric cars, the vast majority of motorists still drive petrol-driven vehicles – approximately 7 percent of new car sales were electric last year.

And while governments have already outlined the phasing out of internal combustion engines, it is by no means certain that this is something that will actually happen – there may be stronger resistance to it closer to the time and the consumers simply might not want to make the switch, despite their best environmental intentions.

The problem is that green cars – most of which are lithium-ion battery powered – are still not quite as good as people want them to be. Electric supercars aside, general production cars that are battery powered tend to have limited range and lack power. It’s the same problem as several years ago, when electric vehicle sales started taking off. [Read more…] about Battery electric vehicles vs hydrogen fuel cell vehicles: Which technology will power the future?

6 New Advances in the Automotive Aftermarket

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The automotive aftermarket industry is all about the parts, services, and upgrades needed to keep a vehicle running after it leaves the dealership.

Over the past few years, this industry has seen big changes thanks to new technology, shifting customer needs, and evolving regulations.

According to Grand View Research, the global automotive aftermarket is expected to grow from $468.91 billion in 2024 to over $585 billion by 2030. [Read more…] about 6 New Advances in the Automotive Aftermarket

Embotech implements new automated marshalling capabilities in BMW factories

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Embotech, a provider of autonomous driving solutions for logistics, is partnering with with Outsight, a LiDAR software solutions provider, and Hesai, a LiDAR hardware manufacturer, to deliver cutting-edge LiDAR technology and perception software for Embotech’s AVM technology deployed in BMW facilities and known internally at BMW as Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW).

Within this AVN solution, Outsight plays a key role with its advanced LiDAR software platform that tracks the vehicle and the surrounding obstacles within BMW’s production facilities, while Hesai supplies its industry-leading LiDAR sensors, renowned for their accuracy and reliability, which act as the “eyes” of the AVM system.

Initially implemented for the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in Dingolfing, is now also in use for the MINI Countryman and other BMW models manufactured in Leipzig. [Read more…] about Embotech implements new automated marshalling capabilities in BMW factories