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Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

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By Shihao Fu, technology analyst at IDTechEx

The commercialization of Autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry has rapidly advanced in 2024, presenting substantial potential to address critical industry challenges such as high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns.

It is expected that the global trucking fleet will be supported by an additional half million L4 autonomous drivers, while the remaining drivers will either transition into supervisory roles or continue to operate in less developed regions.

IDTechEx’s recent research on more than 10 companies in the autonomous trucking sector reveals that the industry has officially entered the commercialization phase, marked by deep collaborations across the global supply chain.

[Read more…] about Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

European Union advocates for ‘responsible robotics development’

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The European Union says it is aiming to support, develop, and benefit from advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve the lives of its citizens, businesses, and scientific communities, including the wider use of responsible robots.

However, the EU says that, for robots to be widely accepted in society, it’s “crucial to ensure they adhere to responsible robotics principles”.

In the context of the Robotics4EU project, responsible robotics means designing robots that reflect the values and expectations of society. [Read more…] about European Union advocates for ‘responsible robotics development’

Comau developing fully automated system for battery recycling

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Comau has renewed its commitment to the EU’s Flexible Battery Dismantling (Flex-BD) project for the second year, to help deliver a fundamental pillar on the path towards a truly circular economy.

Flex-BD is a robotized system that automates the entire process of dismantling worn-out electric batteries using a highly flexible, repeatable and standardizable process.

Now, having validated the proof-of-concept, Comau has expanded the scope to include second life repurposing of automotive batteries. [Read more…] about Comau developing fully automated system for battery recycling

Megvii 3D pallet shuttle robot awarded CE certificate

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Megvii Automation & Robotics, the robotic arm of AI giant Megvii, has received a CE certificate from SGS, a top testing, inspection, and certification company, at the Logimat 2023 trade fair in Stuttgart, Germany.

Megvii Automation & Robotics says this certification is a “major milestone” for the company’s independent material-handling solutions in European markets, making it the first Chinese peer to receive official certification for meeting EU safety standards.

According to Mark Lohmann, SGS’s Global Certification Visa Officer, Megvii’s 3D pallet shuttle systems have passed a series of rigorous safety assessments and tests, including safety structure, electrical and mechanical safety of the entire machine, electromagnetic compatibility, functional safety, components, battery, and BMS safety. [Read more…] about Megvii 3D pallet shuttle robot awarded CE certificate

Earth Day 2023: Reckless international trade destroying entire world’s forests

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Land area the size of Europe deforested in 10 years

Nearly one-third of the world’s deforested land is a consequence of international trade, underscoring the importance of addressing imported deforestation in the context of global political and economic concerns.

The International Tropical Timber Technical Association (ATIBT) is a distinguished organization with a rich history in biodiversity conservation.

Its primary mission is to combat deforestation by advocating for the protection and restoration of tropical forests, which are crucial for mitigating CO2 emissions. [Read more…] about Earth Day 2023: Reckless international trade destroying entire world’s forests

European Commission launches online ‘meeting point’ for robotics community

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The European Commission has launched a “meeting point” for the online robotics community.

TheEC says its European hub makes it possible to explore “non-technical aspects of robotics that impact society and our lives”.

Robospot: The Responsible Robotics Knowledge Hub is a platform created within the Robotics4EU project, free and open to anyone. [Read more…] about European Commission launches online ‘meeting point’ for robotics community

Comau introduces new robot for ‘sensitive’ environments

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Comau has introduced its new Racer-5 Sensitive Environments (Racer-5 SE), a high-speed industrial robot designed for the special and sensitive settings that characterize the pharmaceutical, health and beauty, food and beverage and electronics industries.

Featuring a protective water, heat and grease-resistant coating, the ruggedized 6-axis articulated robot fully responds to the demand for IP67 certification, high-grade ISO 5 Cleanroom classification (ISO 14644-1), protection from chemical agents and the need to reduce the risk of contamination. It also has NSF H1 food grade lubrication.

Further benefits of the dedicated robot include reduced operator risk when working with potentially harmful chemicals and substances, as well as increased productivity, traceability, and quality. [Read more…] about Comau introduces new robot for ‘sensitive’ environments

Robotics4EU project is response to ‘unprecedented importance of robotics in modern economy’

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The European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, says its Robotics4EU project is its answer to the “unprecedented importance of robotics in the modern economy”.

Launched officially in January 2021 under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme, Robotics4EU aims to take concrete steps to ensure a more widespread adoption of (AI-based) robots in the EU, particularly in the areas of Healthcare, Inspection and Maintenance of Infrastructure, Agri-Food, and Agile Production.

The project’s goal also includes raising awareness about non-technological aspects of robotics, such as ethics, legal, socioeconomic, data, privacy and gender issues. [Read more…] about Robotics4EU project is response to ‘unprecedented importance of robotics in modern economy’

IMI expands to Europe as modernization of distribution centres drives growth

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With the continued global shift towards e-commerce and crippling shortages of qualified workers, operators in the supply chain are investing heavily in technology and automation.

IMI has seen record demand for its agnostic services platform throughout this unprecedented period and has made the move to expand beyond North America.

IMI is pleased to announce its expansion into the European market and to inform the public that they are officially open for business. [Read more…] about IMI expands to Europe as modernization of distribution centres drives growth

European project Robotics4EU releases surveys aimed at robotics community

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Robotics4EU, a three-year project funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, is releasing two surveys to support the project implementation and its goal: to boost a wider adoption of robotics in Europe. 

Developed as a basis for foundational work and to support the Robotics4EU project implementation, which started in January, these two surveys are aimed at the robotics community and policy makers in the area of robotics.

The data gathered from these surveys will also help identify the greatest challenges, bottlenecks and needs in enabling wider adoption of robotics in the project’s areas – healthcare, inspection and maintenance of infrastructure, agri-food, and agile production – and help the uptake of principles of responsible robotics. [Read more…] about European project Robotics4EU releases surveys aimed at robotics community