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Innovation

How to innovate, make things better - read news and articles about it here (soon).

automatica 2018: Human-robot interaction is a key to unlock the potential of service robotics

Advances in human-robot interaction, enabled by graphics displays, artificial intelligence and sensors, are ushering in a new generation of service robots that are easy to programme and intuitive to use. In Munich, from 19 to 22 June, 2018, automatica will demonstrate how state-of-the-art products and systems - from flexible, collaborative robot tools to smart warehouses and humanoids - place people at the heart of their design, enabling not only better assistance and collaboration but also reduced costs.

Wireless Charging System developed on Kia Soul EV

Three-year development project successfully progressed from development to real-world performance. System can wirelessly charge cars with up to 85 percent efficiency, even when misaligned.

Marking an important step in the future of electric vehicles, the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) and Mojo Mobility, Inc. (Mojo) have completed a three-year project to develop a fast-charging wireless power transfer system on a test fleet of Kia Soul EVs[i]. The project, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, paves the way for the future of electric vehicles in which plugs are no longer necessary.

Viking Grace transforms into a sailing ship

Viking Line starts collaboration with the winds of the Baltic Sea. The M/S Viking Grace is the first passenger ship in the world equipped with a rotor sail for the utilisation of wind power. Developed by the Finnish company Norsepower Oy Ltd, the Rotor Sail Solution will cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions by up to 900 tonnes annually.

Viking Line will operate the Viking Grace on windassisted voyages between Turku (Finland) and Stockholm (Sweden) from April 12th 2018.

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Finnish Smartphone Producer Bittium presented Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone and innovative Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX solution

Finnish smartphone producer Bittium (based in Oulu) presented Bittium Tough Mobile, secure LTE smartphone, and innovative Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension at the British APCO exhibition for authorities in Coventry, United Kingdom, on March 20 – 21. The new Bittium Tough Mobile HybridX extension gives Bittium Tough Mobile a new user interface and functionalities that are very useful in demanding Public Safety use. In addition, Bittium showcased Bittium SafeMove Analytics, which is a monitoring and reporting tool for collecting information on the performance of devices used on the field and thus enhance the efficiency of the authorities.

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VIDEO: Boost innovation with updated laws, education and new funding

Europe can close its innovation gap with other parts of the world by establishing better conditions for innovation. This means enacting flexible legislation and codes of conduct that give start-ups more freedom to create, says the EPP Group’s Michał Boni. The EU can also encourage innovation by supporting 5G Internet technology, financing for start-ups, and by supporting more education.

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Graphene Ultracapacitors Deliver 34% Fuel Savings in One of the Largest Container Terminals in the Baltic Sea

Skeleton Technologies, the European leader in the production of ultracapacitors, and Transiidikeskus, one of the leading container terminals in the Baltic Region with an annual capacity of 600 000 TEU, unveil a Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) crane equipped with a graphene ultracapacitors powered kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) reducing the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 34%.

The Muuga Crane KERS solution in Estonia recuperates energy while the crane is lowering the cargo and re-uses the same energy for lifting.

What does a connected car do for you?

For years, cars have no longer just been a machine to transport us from one place to another; they have become an extension of our mobile phones. Getting real-time traffic information, inquiring about the weather forecast or opening the garage door from behind the wheel is now all possible thanks to connected cars. With the Mobile World Congress just around the corner, SEAT Digital Officer Fabian Simmer explains how these technologies help us in our everyday lives and gives us some insights into future trends:

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Porsche Classic Supplies Classic Parts from a 3D Printer

"No longer available" – for collectors of rare classic cars, the unavailability of spare parts can quickly lead to problems. In the worst case scenario, the car may even be forced out of action. Porsche Classic, the division of Porsche dedicated to classic vehicles, has come up with a solution to this problem: namely, producing extremely rare parts that are only needed in small quantities using 3D printers. All parts that are produced using the 3D printing process meet the requirements in terms of absolute fidelity to the original specifications – both from a technical and a visual perspective.

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A new Era for Timekeeping Technology in PyeongChang

At the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, every millisecond counts. Timekeeping technology has evolved since the early days of Olympics. 2018 is no exception. OMEGA has been the Official Timekeeper of the Games on 27 occasions since 1932. At PyeongChang, OMEGA will once again take on the role of the official timekeeper. 

Through incredible sensor systems, the brand will now provide continuous mea­surements from start to finish of events, meaning that athletes can gain an imme­diate understanding of where they gained or lost time, or where they won or lost points.From the live speed of a single alpine skier - to the formations of an entire ice hockey team – the information provided will add a brand new dimension to every performance. 

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