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Celanese suggests replacing metal parts in robots with polymers

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Choosing materials is one of the most important decisions when designing and building a machine such as a robot, particularly one that moves around, like an autonomous warehouse robot or an automated guided vehicle. 

Most of the machines this website features in its articles and advertising use metals for the vast majority of their components. Even the outer casing on most industrial robots tends to be a metal such as iron or steel.

However, according to an expert at Celanese, one of the largest materials companies in the world, the vast majority of components and parts that are currently made out of metal can actually be replaced with polymers or thermoplastics. [Read more…] about Celanese suggests replacing metal parts in robots with polymers

Car sharing promotes mobility turnaround in Luxembourg

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MOQO app assures easy operation and good service

Luxembourg is also working intensively on the transport revolution. The Duchy received a lot of attention when it became the first country in the world to introduce free local transport at the end of February 2020.

Even before that, a nationwide car sharing system was established with FLEX Carsharing, which is to be further expanded. FLEX provider CFL Mobility wants to use MOQO’s Shared Mobility Platform in the future. The know-how of the Shared Mobility experts from Aachen is increasingly in demand in more and more countries.

Luxembourg is the country in the EU with the highest level of individual ownership. Reasons for this are the high level of prosperity, favourable company car practices and a very good road infrastructure. However, the infrastructure could not prevent the high number of vehicles from leading to traffic chaos. [Read more…] about Car sharing promotes mobility turnaround in Luxembourg

VW electric vehicle sales increase more than 400 percent

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Volkswagen’s electric vehicle sales have increased more than 400 percent over the past year, according to the German auto giant’s latest figures.

The Volkswagen Group says its “e-offensive is gaining traction”. Deliveries of electric models in the EU including the UK, Norway and Iceland increased “more than fourfold in the year now ended to a total of 315,400 electric vehicles (2019: 72,600)”.

The proportion of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) in the total deliveries rose to 9.7 percent (2019: 1.7 percent). [Read more…] about VW electric vehicle sales increase more than 400 percent

Why We’re Still Decades Away From Self-Driving Cars

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While self-driving cars are becoming a much-discussed piece of technology, experts say that we’re still decades away from seeing cars drive themselves autonomously.

While there are a good number of driving assist safety features in modern vehicles, these are merely rudimentary examples compared to the technology that makes a fully autonomous car possible.

In fact, even when most modern cars are equipped with these safety features, there are still a good number of scenarios like these Tampa car accidents. [Read more…] about Why We’re Still Decades Away From Self-Driving Cars

What Barriers Still Impede Electric Vehicles?

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Electric vehicles have been with us for a long time.

It’s only recently that they’re being touted as a serious replacement for the internal combustion engine and a (partial) answer to our climate crisis.

The UK government says that it’ll ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 – and you can reasonably expect any Labour government to be at least as ambitious, given their slightly greener voter-base.

By then, electric cars will need to be fairly ubiquitous. So what’s stopping this from happening right now? [Read more…] about What Barriers Still Impede Electric Vehicles?

Why Car Collectors Flock to Classic Cars Over New Automobiles

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If you’ve ever looked up car collections of celebrities or the rich, or just went to a car show, you’ve likely seen a noticeable trend. That trend is that most of the cars you see are classic or muscle cars, rather than some of the flashy and technologically impressive offerings available in modern markets.

You might ask yourself why that is, and that’s a good question. You’d think someone would want to spend a lot of money on a more advanced car, not one that was made more than a half-century ago, so why is that?

The answer isn’t always that straightforward. Some people like newer cars, while others prefer the older classics. If you’re interested in the classics and want to know why car collectors also flock to these older models, rather than their newer counterparts, then read on to see why classics never go out of style. [Read more…] about Why Car Collectors Flock to Classic Cars Over New Automobiles

The impact of self-drive cars on the insurance industry

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When you think about it, the year 2021 sounds quite futuristic, doesn’t it?

If the film 2001: A Space Odyssey is anything to go by, we should be a further two decades of technology on from immersive interplanetary space travel by now – but unfortunately, we’ve underachieved a little on those goals.

While the sci-fi fantasists of the 1960s might be somewhat disappointed in what we currently have to offer, one mind bending technology that is making palpable and commercially viable strides forward is the self-driving car. [Read more…] about The impact of self-drive cars on the insurance industry

Electric SUVs Launching in 2021

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SUVs were known for their pollution but now they’re at the forefront of car development. Electric SUVs are eco-friendly, powerful, and gorgeous.

An electric car is a technological wonder in its own right. The cars are getting better by the minute, and they’re able to go for longer without charging.

Huge progress is being made when it comes to power, size, technology, and design. Electric cars really are the future. [Read more…] about Electric SUVs Launching in 2021

How robotics is helping those with disabilities

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Government statistics show that 14.1 million people reported a disability in the UK in 2018-19 – a figure that equates to 21% of the population. Of course, disabilities can range in severity and further data from the authorities reveals 4.1 million disabled people are in work.

Although that represents almost 30% of all disabled people, Scope’s 2019 disability price tag study found that on average, those with a disability face extra living costs of nearly £600 per month.

The encouraging news is that plenty is being done to improve the quality of life for disabled people, to help them enjoy the sense of freedom and independence that more able members of the population may take for granted. [Read more…] about How robotics is helping those with disabilities