Engineering

AutoX expands robotaxi operation zone to 1,000 sq km

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Alibaba-backed AutoX, a developer of Level 4 fully autonomous cars, or “robotaxis”, now claims to operate “China’s largest autonomous driving area”.

The total area covers 1,000 square kilometers, including a 168-square-kilometer fully driverless zone. AutoX robotaxis are able to navigate all the public roads inside the 1,000 square kilometer area.

Expanding the total autonomous driving area to over 1,000 square kilometers is an important step towards making the robotic taxi service a reality in the daily lives of people in China. [Read more…] about AutoX expands robotaxi operation zone to 1,000 sq km

Schaeffler acquires precision gearbox maker Melior Motion 

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Schaeffler, a billion-dollar German company which supplies bearings and other components to the automotive and aerospace industries, has signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares of Melior Motion.

The acquisition of this supplier of precision gearboxes for robotics and other applications in automation expands the robotics portfolio of the Schaeffler Group’s industrial division.

As automation of simple, repetitive tasks as well as complex mounting and manufacturing processes is progressing rapidly, Schaeffler’s industrial division is expanding its position as a supplier for robotics components and systems. [Read more…] about Schaeffler acquires precision gearbox maker Melior Motion 

Sunflower Labs provides its security drone system to range of new customers

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Sunflower Labs, a provider of autonomous security systems, has installed its Beehive System to its partners’ facilities.

The customers include ADT, 10 Federal Self Storage, Swiss Federal Railways, Security Robotics Development & Solutions, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Sunflower Labs’ Beehive System is a drone-in-a-box solution that can enhance and extend any security or video surveillance system. The Beehive system consists of a fully autonomous drone called the Bee and a compact base station called the Hive. [Read more…] about Sunflower Labs provides its security drone system to range of new customers

Baidu’s autonomous electric carmaker Jidu raises $400 million in Series A financing

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Baidu’s intelligent electric vehicle arm Jidu has closed its Series A financing, raising nearly $400 million.

This round of financing was backed by Baidu and its strategic partner multinational auto manufacturer Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

With the completion of financing, Jidu is set to continue accelerating the progress in R&D and achieving mass production. [Read more…] about Baidu’s autonomous electric carmaker Jidu raises $400 million in Series A financing

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    Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 millionA startup company called Tau, which specializes in materials science and automotive electrification, says it has delivered a prototype wire that enables electric motors to double their power output without changing their size.  The technology could mean that electric vehicles and machines of all kinds can keep going for longer…
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Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

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Autonomous vehicles are currently more hype than substance, given the significant technological, financial, and regulatory barriers to their widespread use, according to GlobalData.

In its latest report, Tech, Media, & Telecom Predictions 2022, the data and analytics company predicts that focus will shift onto “lower-level” autonomous vehicles that require greater human supervision, while mergers and acquisition activity will continue to be driven by transport technology such as robotaxis.

Amrit Dhami, thematic analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on these predictions. She says technological barriers will shift focus onto lower-level autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

Hannover Messe 2022 rescheduled for beginning of June

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This year’s Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade shows for industrial technology, has been rescheduled for beginning of June. It usually takes place in April.

Deutsche Messe AG, the company which organises the event, says the decision to delay Hannover Messe is “due to the current situation surrounding Covid”.

It says that this year’s exhibition is now scheduled to take place from 30 May to 2 June, adding that the new date “provides exhibitors and visitors with planning security”. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe 2022 rescheduled for beginning of June

Starship Technologies launches robot delivery service at Dallas university

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Starship Technologies has rolled out its robot food delivery service at SMU, a Dallas-based private university.

Starship’s fleet of 16 autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from 10 campus eateries.

The University’s students, faculty and staff can now use the Starship Food Delivery app (iOS and Android) to order food and drinks from Cinco Taco, Einstein Bros Bagels, Lawyers Inn, Mac’s Place, Panera Bread, Rollin’ & Bowlin’ Acai Bowls, Starbucks, Sushic, and The Market to be delivered anywhere on campus, within minutes. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches robot delivery service at Dallas university

UK’s first zero emission automated logistics testbed onboards Terberg

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The onboarding of Terberg as a partner and the receipt of a retrofitted electric tractor unit is a huge success for 5G CAL and its mission to be the first project of its kind in the UK to deliver “zero emission automated logistics”.

The next step in the ambitious 5G Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL) project sees the onboarding of new project partner Terberg and next generation 5G infrastructure.

The 5G CAL project was awarded a share of £30 million through 5G Create, an open competition combining British creativity with innovative new uses for 5G as part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s £200 million 5G Testbeds and Trials programme (5GTT). [Read more…] about UK’s first zero emission automated logistics testbed onboards Terberg

Firefly drones with infrared vision set to transform wind turbine and aircraft inspections

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Two UK-based companies, Innvotek and Mapair, have successfully trialled a drone system that uses infrared technologies and artificial intelligence to inspect composite structures, including wind turbines and aircraft wings, for defects. (See video below.)

Firefly Inspect can hover above wind turbine blades and aircraft using a 1,000W heat lamp to test for defects – the first time that such a powerful heat source has been fitted to a drone.

Firefly Inspect was originally a concept for inspecting aeroplane wings when they are stationary within hangars. Thanks to a collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the technology has now been adapted to include inspection of on- and offshore wind turbines. [Read more…] about Firefly drones with infrared vision set to transform wind turbine and aircraft inspections

Wayve raises $200 million to accelerate development of ‘next wave of autonomous vehicles’

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Wayve, a UK-based start-up reimagining autonomous mobility through embodied intelligence, announced today its $200 million Series B backed by a prominent group of global financial and strategic investors.

This latest round of funding brings total equity raised to over $258 million since inception and reinforces Wayve’s position as a leader in autonomous driving, pioneering an artificial intelligence led approach to autonomous vehicles on a global scale.

Eclipse Ventures, long-time supporter of Wayve, led the round with participation from new global financial investors. [Read more…] about Wayve raises $200 million to accelerate development of ‘next wave of autonomous vehicles’