Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Transportation

AImotive launches self-driving automotive technology powered by artificial intelligence

by

aimotive

AImotive – formerly known as AdasWorks – claims to be the first to enable an artificial intelligence ecosystem for autonomous driving regardless of location, driving style or driving conditions

AImotive has launched what it says is a “full stack technology solution and the most powerful artificial intelligence software” for the automotive industry, designed to provide self-driving vehicles better safety, improved comfort and increased productivity. 

AImotive used to be called AdasWorks, and the new name reflects the broader vision to “bring global accessibility to self-driving vehicles, faster and safer than any other company in the world”.

The AImotive product suite delivers the robust technology required to operate self-driving vehicles in all conditions, and adapts in real-time to different driving styles and cultures, says the company.  [Read more…] about AImotive launches self-driving automotive technology powered by artificial intelligence

Daimler sets its sights on vision of smart factory

by

At Daimler, the “smart factory” is the centrepiece of the digitalisation of the entire company. In the smart factory, the products, machines and the entire environment are networked with each other and connected to the internet. Integration of the real world into a functional, digital world enables a so-called “digital twin” to be created, which allows the real-time representation of processes, systems and entire production shops.

“Digitalisation enables us to make our products more individual, and production more efficient and flexible. The challenge is to plan for the long term while remaining able to respond rapidly to customer wishes and market fluctuations,” says Markus Schäfer, executive board member Mercedes-Benz cars production and supply chain management.

“The working environment in the automobile industry is facing major and very rapid changes,” says Michael Brecht, chairman of the Daimler works council. “We want to be actively involved in shaping these changes. One key to this is undoubtedly the systematic, far-sighted training of the current and future workforce.”  [Read more…] about Daimler sets its sights on vision of smart factory

Toyota launches connected car platform and partners with Getaround to compete with Uber

by

Toyota follows up its Microsoft deal with partnership with Getaround in bid to challenge Uber

Toyota says it will launch a Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) to collaborate with various service providers, as well as telematics insurance.

Based on the proliferation and popularity of mobility services, like car-sharing, the MSPF will have various functions to support mobility services, and leverage the Toyota Smart Center (TSC), the Toyota Big Data Center, and financial services.

Shigeki Tomoyama, president of Toyota Connected, says: “As a mobility service platform provider, by collaborating with various companies and services, we would like to help create a new mobility society in order to offer safer and more convenient mobility to our customers.”  [Read more…] about Toyota launches connected car platform and partners with Getaround to compete with Uber

The Toyota Corolla at 50: The best-selling car of all time

by

The Toyota Corolla is by far the best-selling model of car ever made, with close to 50 million units sold since its launch in 1966. 

The company commemorated the 50th anniversary last month of “the car for everyone” by producing a video and other content looking back on its success in putting Toyota on the global automaking map.

One notable story told of how one owner has been driving his first-generation Corolla since he bought it in 1969 at the age of 24.  [Read more…] about The Toyota Corolla at 50: The best-selling car of all time

The Rubik’s Cube phenomenon: One for the all-time pop charts

by

lockTo date, more than 400 million Rubik’s Cubes have been sold around the world. As such, the puzzle game is one of the biggest-selling products in history.

Not bad for a toy which its inventor, Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, says he didn’t even plan to make.

He was working as a professor of architecture at the Budapest College of Applied Architecture at the time, in 1974, and built the cube with the intention of “searching to find a good task for my students”.  [Read more…] about The Rubik’s Cube phenomenon: One for the all-time pop charts

Electric car industry sparks into life

by

2017-chevrolet-volt-electric-car

Two of the world’s biggest automakers have made moves which would suggest electric cars will become mass-market vehicles much sooner than perhaps some may have expected. 

General Motors has decided to bring forward its production of the all-electric Chevy Volt, according to a report in Manufacturers’ Monthly, which quotes a report on Associated Press.

The vehicles will go on sale towards the end of this year for around $30,000.  [Read more…] about Electric car industry sparks into life

Rodriguez Automation launches MiR100 mobile logistics robot

by

Rodriguez Automation has signed a deal to distribute the MiR100 platform of mobile robots for the automation of internal transport.

The company says this new generation of advanced mobile robots is designed to optimise workflows, free-up staff resources for more valuable tasks and allow users to increase productivity, shorten delivery times and reduce costs.

Indeed, high operational efficiency means that return on investment can be achieved within 12 months in many instances.  [Read more…] about Rodriguez Automation launches MiR100 mobile logistics robot

Geolux updates traffic radar product to consume less power

by

geolux-rss-2-300t-1

Geolux RSS-2-300 T Doppler radars and RSS-2-300 OEM radar modules are used worldwide in various traffic monitoring and law enforcement applications, including LED speed signs.

LED speed signs are often placed on locations where there is no connection to electric power grid, so they rely on solar power and batteries.

For solar-based setups it is critical to reduce power consumption of all components of LED sign, including radar sensor unit. Geolux has recently improved its firmware that controls the radar operation, to include a special low-power mode which greatly reduces radar current draw. [Read more…] about Geolux updates traffic radar product to consume less power

Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

by

harman-tcushield_0

Harman, a provider of connected technologies for automotive markets, and Airbiquity, which specialises in connected vehicle services, have launched what they claim is the first automotive grade end-to-end intrusion detection system for connected vehicles.

The companies say that with the increasing dependency on software to power vehicle systems and features, cybersecurity has become a threat to connected vehicles and the introduction of new driving assistance, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and autonomous driving capabilities.

By combining Harman’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention System inside the vehicle with Airbiquity’s cloud-based Choreo service delivery platform and software and data management solution, the two companies say they now deliver “the most robust connected vehicle security threat detection and response capability for automotive customers and their consumers alike”.  [Read more…] about Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

Opinion: ‘How data science and machine learning will save lives on the roads’

by

toyota car
Toyota is recalling 5.8 million cars globally to replace potentially faulty airbag inflators made by Takata, according to the IBTimes.co.uk

By Sundeep Sanhavi, CEO of Data RPM, who claims data science and machine learning will save lives in this exclusive article for Robotics and Automation News

Recalls happen all too frequently, often as a result of some horrendous accident or incident. But there are ways in which the predictive qualities of data science and machine learning can relegate recalls to the annals of history. 

“A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph,” explains the Narrator in the film adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club.

“The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don’t do one.”

Edward Norton’s chilling performance aside, vehicle recalls are a persistent problem. Their persistence – given the increasing availability of improved technology and insight – is baffling.  [Read more…] about Opinion: ‘How data science and machine learning will save lives on the roads’