Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

volvo

Volvo Cars and Varjo launch ‘world-first’ mixed-reality application for car development

by

Volvo Cars and Varjo, the Finnish maker of high-end augmented-reality headsets, have created what they say is a “world-first” mixed-reality approach to evaluating prototypes, designs and active safety technologies.

The collaboration will be further strengthened by the Volvo Cars Tech Fund’s decision to invest in Varjo. The Tech Fund is Volvo’s venture capital fund, which invests in high-potential technology start-ups.

Volvo Cars and Varjo have made it possible for the first time to drive a real car while wearing a mixed-reality headset, seamlessly adding virtual elements or complete features that seem real to both the driver and the car’s sensors, for development purposes. [Read more…] about Volvo Cars and Varjo launch ‘world-first’ mixed-reality application for car development

Volvo signs multi-billion dollar battery supply deals with CATL and LG Chem

by

Volvo Car Group has signed long-term agreements with leading battery makers CATL and LG Chem to ensure the multi-billion dollar supply of lithium ion batteries over the coming decade for next generation Volvo and Polestar models.

The automaker’s target is to switch to electric across all its cars by 2025.

The agreements cover the global supply of battery modules for all models on the upcoming SPA2 and Volvo’s existing “Compact Modular Architecture” vehicle platforms and represent “a major step towards realising Volvo Cars’ ambitious electrification strategy”, says the company.

[Read more…] about Volvo signs multi-billion dollar battery supply deals with CATL and LG Chem

ABB charges Hannover Messe’s first emission-free shuttle service

by

Visitors to Hannover Messe 2019 have been experiencing electric transportation in action with the installation of the fair’s first sustainable hybrid electric bus service.

Running from 1 to 5 April, Hannover Messe attracts some 220,000 visitors from around the world, this year, visitors are being transported around the site on a new emission-free hybrid shuttle bus, powered by ABB’s high-power chargers.

ABB‘s High-Power 300PD OppCharge system powers a Volvo Hybrid bus shuttling guests around the world’s biggest exhibition space, which spans 26 halls and pavilions.

[Read more…] about ABB charges Hannover Messe’s first emission-free shuttle service

Volvo Cars to impose 180 kph speed limit on all cars

by

Volvo Cars is sending a strong signal about the dangers of speeding and will limit the top speed on all its cars to 180 kph from 2020.

The company’s Vision 2020, which aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020, is one of the most ambitious safety visions in the automotive industry.

But realising that technology alone will not get it all the way to zero, Volvo Cars is now broadening its scope to include a focus on driver behaviour.

[Read more…] about Volvo Cars to impose 180 kph speed limit on all cars

Volvo partners with Singapore university to launch ‘world’s first’ 12-metre fully electric autonomous bus

by

Global automaker Volvo has partnered with a Singapore university to launch what they say is “the world’s first 12-metre fully electric autonomous bus”. (See video below.)

Volvo Buses and the Nanyang Technological University and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority say the new autonomous bus is the first of two buses they plan to operate.

They add that the vehicle has “completed rigorous testing and is ready for trials on designated public roads”.  [Read more…] about Volvo partners with Singapore university to launch ‘world’s first’ 12-metre fully electric autonomous bus

Volvo CE opens parts distribution centre in Canada

by

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has opened a new parts distribution centre in Toronto, Canada, to better serve its customers in the country.

With the new centre, Volvo CE will be able to deliver critical parts the next day after an order is placed to dealers in most major markets across Canada.

Volvo CE dealers in Canada forsee huge benefits to having a distribution centre based in the country. Prior to the opening of the centre, the company shipped all parts to its Canadian dealers from the United States. This entailed processing through customs, which could cause delays in delivery and increase machine idle time.

[Read more…] about Volvo CE opens parts distribution centre in Canada

Volvo installs fast Festo spot-welding solution

by

Spot welding is becoming ever faster and more reliable, as illustrated by a customer-specific solution installed at Volvo in Sweden.

The ingredients of this special Swedish recipe are electric drive technology and vision systems from Festo, linked to the automation platform CPX.

In the south Swedish town of Olofström lies the most important bodywork plant of the Volvo group.

[Read more…] about Volvo installs fast Festo spot-welding solution

Volvo Group sells majority stake in WirelessCar to Volkswagen

by

The Volvo Group has signed an agreement to divest 75.1% of the shares in its wholly-owned subsidiary WirelessCar to the Volkswagen Group for SEK 1.1 billion.

WirelessCar provides connected vehicle services and solutions to global producers of passenger cars. Closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2019.

“We are committed to remaining the leader within the field of connectivity and connected services. This agreement will enable us to fully focus our resources and efforts on connected solutions for commercial vehicles,” said Jan Gurander, Deputy CEO of the Volvo Group.

[Read more…] about Volvo Group sells majority stake in WirelessCar to Volkswagen

Autonomous vehicles: A future without humans

by

 

Automotive companies are showcasing driverless vehicles in a wide range of environments all around the world.

From busy, urban roads in overpopulated cities to remote, desolate landscapes where no human has ever set foot, autonomous vehicles are almost everywhere now.

Almost 400 companies are working towards making autonomous vehicles part of modern society, but the vast majority of their innovations are still in the testing phase, awaiting technical and regulatory approval.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles: A future without humans

Volvo Trucks provides autonomous transport solution to Brønnøy Kalk

by

Volvo Trucks has signed a landmark agreement with Brønnøy Kalk AS in Norway to provide its first commercial autonomous solution transporting limestone from an open pit mine to a nearby port.

The solution consists of limestone being transported by six autonomous Volvo FH trucks on a five kilometre stretch through tunnels between the mine itself and the crusher.

Tests of this solution have been carried out successfully and will continue throughout 2018 to become fully operational by the end of 2019.

[Read more…] about Volvo Trucks provides autonomous transport solution to Brønnøy Kalk