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Transportation

uShip raises $25 million to fund logistics automation plan

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uship

uShip, the online shipping marketplace and freight automation software provider, has closed a $25 million Series D round led by DB Schenker, one of the world’s largest logistics companies and an existing uShip partner.

DB Schenker’s funding comes on the heels of unprecedented investment in logistics and supply chain technology.

Since 2015, top pure-play logistics corporations have made 26 investments and/or acquisitions – totalling 13 each year – while logistics tech startups were on pace to raise $5 billion through over 300 deals in 2016, according to CB Insights.  [Read more…] about uShip raises $25 million to fund logistics automation plan

Audi obsessively improving its logistics robot

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Audi is continuously obsessing about how to improve its Ray autonomous logistics robot, which is used to lift and move cars, and park them in specified places. 

The company says the Ray driverless transport system is “continuously being developed further – their weather resistance, for example” and in other ways.

Developed in partnership with Serva Transport Systems, Audi currently has a total of 18 of the parking robots.  [Read more…] about Audi obsessively improving its logistics robot

Worldwide sales of Toyota hybrids surpass 10 million units

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toyota china motor show

In the footsteps of the iconic Prius that started it all, Toyota now sells 34 different hybrid models in more than 90 countries and regions across the globe

Toyota says it has reached cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales of 10.05 million units as of January 31, surpassing the 10 million unit mark.

More than a numerical milestone, Toyota says this demonstrates the staying power of a technology that is now emerging as a mainstream solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

Helping to mitigate the environmental effects of automobiles has long been a priority for Toyota, claims the company in a statement.  [Read more…] about Worldwide sales of Toyota hybrids surpass 10 million units

ABB and Nova Bus announce collaboration on electric transportation

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abb nova buses electric charging
ABB links up with Nova Buses for electric charging. Picture: Anna Rehnberg for ABB

ABB and Nova Bus have partnered to meet what they see as the “growing need for electric buses and charging infrastructure in North America”

ABB, an engineering company specializing in automotive energy technologies, and Nova Bus, the North American buses manufacturer and division of Volvo Buses, have entered a business collaboration that consists of the delivery of the first ABB’s electric bus “opportunity charger” in North America.

This is the latest development in ABB’s growing network of electric charging infrastructure.

This collaboration reflects Nova Bus plans to keep investing in climate action by offering charging stations and electrified bus solutions to major cities in the United States and Canada.

Derek Monk, general manager, ABB in Canada, says: “Transportation can be one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Supporting Nova Bus with ABB’s innovative charging solution will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Volvo Buses, it represents a major step in the advancement of electric buses in public transit in North America and it will be the first ABB electric bus opportunity charging station in the Americas.”  [Read more…] about ABB and Nova Bus announce collaboration on electric transportation

Vehicle safety becoming ‘increasingly complex’, says ZF boss

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Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF and John Plant, CEO of TRW
Picture shows Dr Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF (right), and John Plant, CEO of TRW Automotive. ZF bought TRW last year. 

Majority of vehicles will be driven autonomously in 20 years, he says

The boss of one of the world’s largest automotive parts manufacturers says today’s road vehicles are becoming more sophisticated and ensuring their safe operation more complex. 

Speaking at an industry event, Dr Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen, also said the further development of safety systems would facilitate autonomous driving, and be an “enabler” for automotive “megatrends”.

Sommer said: “Demands to vehicle safety are becoming increasingly complex due to new vehicle architectures and flexible use of internal space. Meeting these demands is necessary for autonomous vehicles and e-mobility to gain general acceptance.”  [Read more…] about Vehicle safety becoming ‘increasingly complex’, says ZF boss

Smart travel for future cities: Integrating and connecting new tram lines

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Smart travel for future cities

The main feature that makes a public transport system smart is enhanced control and monitoring features.

In the case of the Nottingham trams Express Transit project, in the UK, these functionalities became a reality through the collaboration of big industry names such as Taylor Woodrow, Alstom, and Boulting Technology.

Nottingham Express Travel Phase Two

In a bid to become one of the UK’s first smart cities, Nottingham has recently expanded its existing tram network to include two new lines to serve the South and South West of the city.

The first new line crosses the river Trent to Clifton and the second connects the Queens Medical Centre, Beeston and Toton.

The new routes join the existing line at Nottingham Station, with the entire network accommodating over 20 million passengers every year.  [Read more…] about Smart travel for future cities: Integrating and connecting new tram lines

ZF unveils AI driving system which could be used for forklift trucks, while Toyota adopts the fuel cell

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toyota fuel cell forklift truck

ZF teams up with Nvidia on artificial intelligence system for autonomous cars, trucks and industrial applications

ZF says its ProAI system for automated driving is built on high-performance Nvidia Drive PX 2 AI computing platform, and will enable vehicles to “see, think, and act”. 

ZF is one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers and a global leader in active and passive safety technology, and has been working with Nvidia to develop artificial intelligence systems for the transportation industry for some time.

The two companies are looking at various sectors, including:

  • automated and autonomous driving systems for passenger cars;
  • commercial trucks; and
  • industrial applications.

The ZF ProAI for highway automated driving is ZF’s first system developed using Nvidia AI technology.  [Read more…] about ZF unveils AI driving system which could be used for forklift trucks, while Toyota adopts the fuel cell

Daimler does deal with Uber on autonomous vehicles

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Concept EQ, Interieur

Daimler says it has agreed a deal with Uber that aims to bring more self-driving vehicles onto public roads.

The “general agreement” is intended to pave the way for the supply and operation of self-driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Uber’s network.

The two companies say they intend to cooperate on the supply and operation of self-driving vehicles.

Under the terms of the cooperation Daimler plans to introduce self-driving vehicles also on Uber’s global ridesharing network in the coming years.

Daimler is the first auto company to join with Uber as it opens up its platform for manufacturers to introduce their own self-driving cars.  [Read more…] about Daimler does deal with Uber on autonomous vehicles

US Senate approves Elaine Chao to steer driverless policy

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The US Senate has approved Elaine Chao to become the next secretary of transportation. 

This means she will be in charge of the department at something of a crossroads in motoring history, with autonomous vehicles accelerating their way onto public roads faster than many had predicted, and with the steady growth of intelligent transport systems.

Chao – who has extensive links to the communist Chinese government – was approved by the Senate by a vote of 93 to 6 earlier this week.  [Read more…] about US Senate approves Elaine Chao to steer driverless policy

Omron launches website to promote AI-equipped mobile robots

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Omron has unveiled a promotional website for the artificial intelligence-equipped autonomous vehicles for logistics. 

The Omron Mobile Robot LD Series is a family of what the company calls “autonomous intelligent vehicles”, or AIVs, which it says is a “significant step towards achieving human-machine harmony in manufacturing”.

Since the LD Series was announced in October last year, customers from a number of industries, ranging from automotive and electronics to foods and pharmaceuticals, have begun deploying the mobile robots in their manufacturing facilities.  [Read more…] about Omron launches website to promote AI-equipped mobile robots