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Delphi partners with Innoviz Technologies on ‘high-performance’ lidar solutions for autonomous vehicles

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Delphi Automotive has signed a commercial partnership agreement with Innoviz Technologies, a developer of lidar technology for the mass commercialization of autonomous vehicles.

Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a laser-based mapping system which is expected to play a big part in future vehicles. Currently, lidar is used in such technologies as speed guns and spacecraft.

Innoviz’s proprietary lidar sensing solutions will be integrated into Delphi’s systems to provide automakers with what the companies say will be “a comprehensive portfolio of autonomous driving technologies”.  [Read more…] about Delphi partners with Innoviz Technologies on ‘high-performance’ lidar solutions for autonomous vehicles

Opinion: How the ‘digital cockpit’ will improve user experience, both now and in autonomous vehicles

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By Arvin Baalu, vice president of the integrated digital cockpit platform group at Harman International

As the automotive industry continues on the road to autonomous vehicles, user experience will be a decisive purchase factor.

Harman believes that key to achieving positive user experiences will be an integrated digital cockpit that ensures the “driver” does not feel redundant as the car begins to take control. ‎ [Read more…] about Opinion: How the ‘digital cockpit’ will improve user experience, both now and in autonomous vehicles

Amazon has 100,000 robots working at its warehouses worldwide

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Amazon is estimated to have a total of 100,000 robots working at its numerous locations worldwide, according to a report on the Seattle Times website. 

And so far this year, the company has produced 55,000 of the little machines.

The world’s largest online retailer bought logistics robot-maker Kiva Systems in 2012 and has since built a separate business unit – Amazon Robotics – based on the technology it acquired.

The main robot is a small mobile platform for use in warehouses, and it’s manufactured in Amazon Robotics research and production facility in North Reading, Massachusetts, in the US (video below).

Surgere partners with Fetch Robotics to launch cycle-counting logistics robot

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Surgere has partnered with Fetch Robotics to launch what it calls a “Robotically Optimized and Balanced Inventory” system – or, in other words, a logistics robot called Robi.

The companies say Robi is designed to help automate cycle counts and improve overall accuracy of on-hand inventory within automotive manufacturing and warehouse environments.

Automated and autonomous warehouse management systems are becoming an increasingly important differentiator as competition in the logistics sector intensifies as a result of growing online shopping worldwide.

Surgere is a provider of visibility and control systems within a digitized supply chain – radio frequency identification, location and environment sensors, and advanced data analytics, and so on.  [Read more…] about Surgere partners with Fetch Robotics to launch cycle-counting logistics robot

Apple patents sensor to enable cars to communicate with each other

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Apple has updated one of its patents which outlines the design of a sensor which would enable cars to communicate with each other, according to a report on CNBC. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the company is developing autonomous systems, but did not say whether it would build a car of its own.

The new sensor could be integrated into Apple’s in-car information and entertainment console, CarPlay, which is already in some new cars on the market.  [Read more…] about Apple patents sensor to enable cars to communicate with each other

There will be 35 million autonomous trucks on the road by 2020, says Frost

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Business consultancy Frost & Sullivan expects 35 million connected and autonomous trucks will be on the roads by 2020.

Connected trucks will be integral to future logistics and freight operations as smart trucks will be a necessity in smart cities, says Frost.

And in what may be a controversial prediction Frost says: “By 2020, 35 million trucks are expected to be connected with digital freight solutions and autonomous technologies, transforming the trucking industry into a smarter, efficient and more productive sector.”  [Read more…] about There will be 35 million autonomous trucks on the road by 2020, says Frost

SoftKinetic to showcase DepthSense gesture control solution at Frankfurt motor show

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SoftKinetic is to showcase its DepthSense gesture control and in-cabin monitoring solutions at the Frankfurt International Motor Show event, scheduled for mid-September. 

SoftKinetic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony, says its DepthSense system “paves the way to autonomous driving”.

The provider of 3D vision and gesture recognition technologies says manufacturers need to embrace innovation and compete at the level of hi-tech companies.  [Read more…] about SoftKinetic to showcase DepthSense gesture control solution at Frankfurt motor show

High-end vehicle simulation: Ansible Motion chooses Heason Technology as motion control partner

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Ansible Motion, a designer and manufacturer of advanced driver-in-the-loop simulators, has chosen Heason Technology as its motion control supplier.

Ansible’s heritage is closely associated with the motorsports industry, but nowadays also serving major road car and speciality vehicle manufacturers.

The company’s DIL solutions are available in a variety of form factors from test bench models with steering force feedback to highly dynamic 6 degrees of freedom simulators combining software, mechatronics, video and audio for a truly immersive multi-sensory experience.  [Read more…] about High-end vehicle simulation: Ansible Motion chooses Heason Technology as motion control partner

Ingram Micro investing $10 million in warehouse automation startup HDS Global

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Computer technology provider Ingram Micro is to invest $10 million into warehouse automation startup HDS Global, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal. 

HDS is said to be developing “swarm” software which enables different robotic systems to work together in warehouses.

Ingram, which claims to be the world’s largest distributor of computer and technology products, handles online orders for large retailers such as Wal-Mart.  [Read more…] about Ingram Micro investing $10 million in warehouse automation startup HDS Global

Opinion: Materials handling automation and robotics requires IIoT monitoring

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By John Hayes, Vecna Robotics

There is a frequent complaint of Industry 4.0, Big Data, and the Industrial Internet of Things. Too much data, little of which can be accessed and used effectively.

From tuggers, automated guided carts, and automated guided vehicles, there is a real need to include IIoT monitoring which defines the next phase of automation and robotics in materials handling.

Without IIoT monitoring, plant managers, operations managers, logistics coordinators throughout manufacturing and distribution sectors lack the data collected which offers real-time continuous status and health information.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Materials handling automation and robotics requires IIoT monitoring