Robotics & Automation News

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5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

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Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

Mercedes-Benz car plants worldwide restart production

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Mercedes-Benz car plants worldwide are restarting production this month after a production suspension period caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Mercedes-Benz says its car plants have “successfully restarted production step by step”.

On April 20th, the engine and component plants in Germany gradually resumed production first, followed by the Mercedes-Benz car assembly plants. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz car plants worldwide restart production

Airbus and Xenesis to demo 10 Gbps networking on ISS for robotics and other applications

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Airbus and Xenesis have signed a contract for a payload slot on the International Space Station Bartolomeo platform for the demonstration of their Xen-Hub optical communication space terminal.

The Xen-Hub is a greater than 10 gigabyte per second optical communications terminal. The terminal was enabled with a technology transfer from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is designed to increase satellite communications bandwidth.

The Airbus-built Bartolomeo platform offers external science and payload hosting capabilities on the ISS, providing new opportunities for science and research. [Read more…] about Airbus and Xenesis to demo 10 Gbps networking on ISS for robotics and other applications

Hitachi awarded its ‘largest order’ to install 300 lifts at Singapore apartments

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Hitachi Elevator Asia has been awarded the contract for the supply and installation of 300 lifts by the Housing & Development Board of Singapore.

This is the largest single order for the Hitachi group’s lifts and escalators business in Singapore.

Hitachi Elevator Asia will see the supply, delivery and installation of the 300 lifts at HDB blocks. [Read more…] about Hitachi awarded its ‘largest order’ to install 300 lifts at Singapore apartments

Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

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Volkswagen is to construct buildings and infrastructure for the battery cell factory it has agreed to build with Northvolt. The automotive giant has made initial investment of some €450 million.

The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and the Swedish battery producer Northvolt is gaining further momentum.

It has been decided that Volkswagen itself will erect the buildings and infrastructure for the joint venture’s “Northvolt Zwei” factory that is to produce lithium-ion battery cells, in order to leverage synergies at the Salzgitter site – based on the existing Center of Excellence for Battery Cells. [Read more…] about Volkswagen invests €450 million in battery manufacturing joint venture with Northvolt

Peachtree Corners launches ‘world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters’ as part of styling itself as a smart city

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Peachtree Corners, a tiny city in the state of Georgia, USA, is launching what it believes is the “world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters” as part of styling itself out as a smart city.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is on a mission to solve many of the technology issues facing cities and municipalities around the country. For many, the term “smart city” is an unclear concept.

For Peachtree Corners, Georgia, it’s about empowering the latest in emerging technologies to solve real-world problems. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners launches ‘world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters’ as part of styling itself as a smart city

Facilities management leaders call for strategic partnerships to drive robotics and innovation

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With cleaning robots increasing in number and being installed in many types of buildings, a study about the future of facilities management has been published.

In the survey, it was found that the vast majority of facilities management leaders across the EMEA region believe that technology suppliers should offer performance-based contracts in order to improve the success rate of innovation projects within facility management and commercial cleaning.

New research from SoftBank Robotics EMEA, reveals that 89 percent of supply side and 78 percent of demand side facilities management leaders think that performance-based contracts are positive for the cleaning industry. [Read more…] about Facilities management leaders call for strategic partnerships to drive robotics and innovation

ABB offering digital services free of charge

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ABB is making its digital services available free of charge.

During this unprecedented crisis, ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business says it is working to “help customers and partners keep production lines going and to enable businesses to continue to function while many are working from home”.

ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business is making “key software services” available free of charge to our customers until the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB offering digital services free of charge

Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

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Denso, one of the world’s largest advanced automotive technology suppliers, has invested in Certhon Group, a developer and builder of automated greenshouses.

Certhon operated mainly in Europe and the United States and will collaborate with Denso to expand its horticulture business in the global market, specifically by developing and providing automated greenhouse solutions.

While food demand increases as the global population continues to grow, the number of the agricultural population is decreasing due to demographic aging, unstable wages, and strict work environment. [Read more…] about Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

Vitesco Technologies to open new R&D center in China

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Vitesco Technologies, the powertrain business of Continental, will build a research and development center in the Chinese port metropolis of Tianjin.

The company has now signed a corresponding agreement with the Administration Committee of the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area.

Vitesco Technologies will develop technologies for hybrid and electric powertrains in the new R&D center, which is scheduled for completion in 2021. [Read more…] about Vitesco Technologies to open new R&D center in China