Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a robot that uses 3D vision along with robotic arms and grippers to autonomously assemble a chair from IKEA. [Native Advertisement] To assemble a STEFAN chair kit from IKEA, Assistant Professor Pham Quang Cuong and his team used two six-axis Denso VS-060 robot arms, two six-axis… Continue reading Vision-guided robot autonomously assembles IKEA chair
Tag: Mobility
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak: ‘I do not believe in auto driving cars’ — it’s not possible yet
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak: Tesla makes so many mistakes
12:30 PM ET Tue, 13 Nov 2018 | 03:35
Technologist Steve Wozniak told CNBC on Tuesday he had once hoped that Apple would build the first self-driving car.
But the Apple co-founder said, “I do not believe in auto driving cars” at this point. “I don't really believe it's quite possible yet” that cars will be able to drive themselves without a steering wheel, he added.
Wozniak said on “Fast Money Halftime Report” that roads are not prepared for autonomous vehicles because they are built by imperfect humans who are “not as good as nature and mathematics and even evolution.”
However, Wozniak does support of advancements in “assistive driving” technology that can allow cars to “spot red lights, and stop signs and avoid some of the accidents today.”
But he warned that people should “not to lose sight of the fact you're not going to get a car that drives itself.”
Wozniak — who owns a Tesla and said he enjoys driving it — warned that the so-called Autopilot feature does not actually self-drive the car.
“Tesla makes so many mistakes,” he said, but didn't elaborate. “It really convinces me that auto piloting and auto steering car driving itself is not going to happen.”
Wozniak said he kept upgrading his Tesla and then “gave up” on the idea of autonomous driving. “I said, 'It's really not going to happen,'” he recalled.
Tesla was not immediately available to respond to CNBC's request for comment on Wozniak's interview.
Ford plans construction on Michigan Central Depot by year's end
Ford plans construction on Michigan Central Depot by year's endFord Motor Co. expects to start construction on its Michigan Central Station renovation before the end of 2018, the automaker said Thursday.
The automaker will work with design firm Quinn Evans Architects and architects at Christman-Brinker on the project expected to be completed some time in 2022.
Ford in June confirmed it purchased and had plans to restore the blighted train station. It bought the building for $90 million, and after the restoration is complete, the automaker plans to move its electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle teams to the facility.
Around 2,500 Ford employees will work out of the building. Another 2,500 entrepreneurs, technology companies and partners related to Ford's expansion into Autos 2.0. will also be housed there. The station will be the “centerpiece” of Ford's planned 1.2-million-square-foot Corktown campus.
Both firms Ford hired have offices in Detroit in addition to other cities around the country. Quinn Evans has a history of work on historic preservation and landmark preservation projects, including the Michigan State Capitol restoration. Christman-Brinker is a newly-formed joint venture between two Detroit companies. Together, the companies have worked on the new Little Caesars World Headquarters, the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University and multiple schools around Detroit.
“Quinn Evans Architects and Christman Brinker have a strong track record of working together on restoring historic buildings, so we felt they were the right partners to help us begin this transformation project,” Todd Brooks, program manager at Ford Land, the company’s real estate arm overseeing Ford’s Corktown campus, said in a statement. “They share Ford’s passion for redeveloping Detroit’s landmark train station, ensuring the local community benefits from our presence and building the future of the transportation industry right here in Detroit.”
The automaker has spent most of the last several months sealing the blighted building from the elements.
Ford estimates construction and restoration efforts will cost $740 million and will require 2.5 million man-hours, 51 percent of which must be done by Detroit residents. The automaker has committed $5 million for workforce training, education and development to help address a shortage of skilled trade workers in Detroit.
ithibodeau@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Ian_Thibodeau
Read or Share this story: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2018/11/08/ford-plans-start-work-michigan-central-station-end-year/1929555002/
Ford hits the road in Miami, in a big bet on autonomous vehicles, ride sharing and delivery services
Ford's autonomous vehicle fleet
10:04 AM ET Fri, 16 Nov 2018 | 02:45
Ford is road testing its autonomous vehicles in partnership with the city of Miami, as the legacy automaker hopes to capitalize on the emerging technology in ride-share and business delivery.
The automaker has been testing a Ford Fusion equipped with autonomous vehicle tech, or AV, in Miami since February. It chose the city because of its congestion and the unpredictability of the traffic there. Tests are also being done in three other cities: Pittsburgh, Detroit and Washington, D.C.
Ford has said it plans to begin selling self-driving cars by 2021, but it is also testing out ways it can use these vehicles to carry people and things. Sherif Marakby, CEO of Ford Autonomous Vehicles, told CNBC the company is focused on profitability and scalability.
“We're laser focused on profitability,” said Marakby, who said autonomous vehicles provide transportation at a lower cost than current vehicles. “While the vehicle is expensive, initially we're deploying it in service so the cost per mile for transportation for a person or a business is going to be lower and will be profitable for us,” he said.
Ford has said it plans to invest a total of $4 billion into AV technology through 2023.
On Wednesday, the company announced a partnership with Walmart and Postmates to collaborate on a delivery service that will one day use autonomous vehicles.
During a test ride with CNBC, Ford used a car that was autonomous, however, it did travel along a predetermined and pre-programmed route. Ford also manned the vehicle with a safety driver, whose hands hovered over the wheel, which the company said was a “precaution.”
Source: Ford
Ford AV Argo autonomous vehicle test car
Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Alphabet, will launch its first AV service by the end of the year and expects to attract business customers. General Motors' Cruise says it will have an autonomous ride-share service by next year.
Some analysts have said Ford is lagging behind in self-driving technology, but Marakby pushed back on that notion.
“I want investors and I want everyone to know that we are developing an autonomous vehicle service that means a whole lot more than the car,” Marakby said. “What that means is … when we launch these cars it's not just going to be the car. It's going to be an app. It's going to be the cloud … The autonomous car will know where to go when someone orders it.”
Ford is phasing out its manufacturing of most cars and increasing production of trucks and SUVs. Marakby said Ford's ride-share vehicle will be designed for that business.
“We feel that what we're building is an autonomous vehicle mobility service and we think the future is going to continue to have more and more of these transportation methods,” he said.
WATCH: Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer
Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer
6:24 PM ET Fri, 20 April 2018 | 02:20
Mahindra extends boundaries of Electric Mobility industry with +ME, Inaugurates new technology plant and launches Treo
Mahindra extends boundaries of Electric Mobility industry with +ME, Inaugurates new technology plant and launches Treo
Facility in Karnataka to manufacture Electric Vehicle Technology, developed under +ME brand
Based on Mahindra’s Future of Mobility theme based on 3Cs – Clean, Connected & Convenient
Rolls out its first electric 3 wheeler range Treo and Treo Yaari, to be priced attractively, starting at Rs. 1.36 lakhs (ex-showroom Bengaluru)
Bengaluru, 15 November, 2018: Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd, part of the USD 20.7 billion Mahindra Group, today dedicated to the country its first ever Electric Technology Manufacturing Hub in Karnataka. This new hub aligns with Mahindra’s strong belief in an all-electric future and is based on its Future of Mobility vision of producing Clean, Connected & Convenient vehicles. Mahindra is the pioneer of EV technology in India, and is gearing up to realise this vision with its new, futuristic EV products, concepts and solutions.
The new facility, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka is set to revolutionise the way electric vehicle technology would be used in India, under Mahindra’s +ME brand. The Government of Karnataka has played a very proactive role during the development of this facility. The facility was inaugurated by Shri KJ George, Honourable Minister for Large & Medium Scale Industries, IT & BT, Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, along with Shri RV Deshpande, Honourable Minister for Revenue, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, Shri Priyank M Kharge, Honourable Minister for Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka and Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Chairman, Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd.
This first of its kind, electric vehicle technology manufacturing facility in the EV capital of the country, has been set up with a total investment of Rs. 100 crore. Branded under the umbrella of +ME technologies, the facility will manufacture battery packs, power electronics and motor assembly which are integral part of an electric power train. The plant uses global standards of manufacturing processes and will increase the manufacturing of Mahindra Electric to 25,000 units per annum. The facility will create additional direct employment of around 200 people and some more through the allied services, in the state of Karnataka.
This is the first such project to be cleared by the Department of Industries & Commerce’s SLSWCC since the announcement of Karnataka State Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Policy in 2017.
The company also rolled out its first lithium ion electric 3 wheeler range Treo and Treo Yaari and announced its price, starting at an attractive Rs. 1.36 lakhs ex-showroom Bengaluru, including FAME subsidy.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Chairman Mahindra Electric said “As the pioneers of electric mobility in India, Mahindra is poised to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution while spearheading the endeavour through its range of clean mobility solutions. The manufacturing hub inaugurated today is the next step by Mahindra in the Electric Technology space to increase local value addition and bring affordable EV technology to redefine mobility in India. We are proud to launch Treo, the first Li-ion 3-wheeler auto developed in India. The Government of Karnataka has been very supportive in this initiative with their progressive policy framework for EVs. It has always supported accelerated adoption of EVs in the state.”
According to Mahesh Babu, CEO Mahindra Electric “At Mahindra Electric, our aim is to bring about a monumental change in the way India moves by enabling more EV products on the road through our +ME technology solutions. Reiterating our strong faith in EVs we have now invested in technologies that are core to EVs and have set up manufacturing of battery packs, motors, power electronics etc. in our new facility at Bengaluru. The government of Karnataka has been extremely supportive of this initiative.”
Mr. Babu further added, “Driven by the same +ME technology, we are also proud to roll out the first Treo. Built on India’s first Lithium-ion three wheeler platform, we are confident that Treo will transform the way urban India travels.”
The Treo range of electric three wheelers use Mahindra Electric’s home grown powertrain and maintenance free Lithium ion battery. The variants include Treo electric auto and Treo Yaari electric rickshaw, both available in the industry first hard top weather proof variants. With the use of exceptional light weighting technologies and composite body panels, the Treo boasts of a certified* range of 170 km (eAuto), directly addressing range anxiety in the market. It also offers the best in class comfort for passengers with one of the most spacious interiors in the segment and for the driver through its clutch-less, noiseless and vibration free drive, thereby reducing the overall fatigue of the journey. The Treo range is built on an indigenously developed common platform with a view to serve market demands as they scale up.
During the first phase of its launch, the vehicles will be available at select dealerships across Bengaluru and Hyderabad and later in other cities in a phased manner.
Please use the following hashtags/handles for social media updates:
#GoElectricWithME
#MahindraElctrc
#MahindraTreo
#FOM
@MahindraRise
For more details visit www.mahindraelectric.com
About Mahindra Electric
Mahindra Electric, a part of the USD 20.7 billion Mahindra Group is a global pioneer in the development and production of electric vehicles. Mahindra Electric is India’s only EV manufacturer with indigenously developed EV technologies that have won global accolades. The Mahindra Group has one of the most diversified portfolios of electric vehicles with the e2oPlus hatch, the eVerito sedan and the eSupro mini-van and panel vans.
Pushing the limits of technology and innovation, Mahindra has acknowledged the need to redefine mobility at every step. This has led to a vision with a desire to transform; a vision which provides an imagination which is more sustainable and more dependable. Venturing into the paradigm of alternative technology has helped Mahindra enable a clean, green and a smarter tomorrow.
About Mahindra
The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defense, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,40,000 people across 100 countries.
Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise
Media contact information
Mohan Nair
Vice President (Communications)
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Landline – + 91 22 28468510
Email – nair.mohan@mahindra.com
Careem has signed an MOU with The Oman Technology Fund to inspire…
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Careem and TransAD launch programme to provide new income…
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“ZF Innovation Forklift” – an Electric Forklift Able to See, Think and Act
What is so new about this forklift? Existing electric driveline components are extended by environmental sensors such as radar and camera systems. This technology supports drivers through rear-view monitoring of the vehicle, warning them of obstructions or pedestrians in the danger zone and providing interior local navigation. Automated operations are enabled by driveline elements, such… Continue reading “ZF Innovation Forklift” – an Electric Forklift Able to See, Think and Act
ZF the System Supplier for Material Handling
New joint venture allows ZF supply turnkey solutions for material handling vehicles Collaboration with Chinese Anhui Heli Co., Ltd. strengthens ZF’s presence on the forklift market. The joint venture opens up ZF’s access to the world’s largest and fastest-growing lift truck market in China. Additionally, ZF completes its extensive product portfolio with new products and… Continue reading ZF the System Supplier for Material Handling
30 years of partnership in China: Audi and FAW start a model initiative
Audi and First Automotive Works (FAW) are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their partnership this Monday. The approximately 650 guests at the anniversary event at the FAW plant in Changchun include representatives of the province of Jilin, of partner FAW, and of the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture, as well as members of the boards of management… Continue reading 30 years of partnership in China: Audi and FAW start a model initiative