Daily Archives: February 14, 2021

In Americas Uncivil War, Republicans Are The Aggressors – FiveThirtyEight

Posted: February 14, 2021 at 2:10 pm

In his inaugural address, President Biden described America as in the midst of an uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. His invocation of a civil war and the American Civil War was provocative. It was also accurate. There is no formal definition of an uncivil war, but America is increasingly split between members of two political parties that hate each other.

In the same speech, Biden warned of the dangers of a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism. This too was accurate. Biden was delivering his address exactly two weeks after a group of supporters of then-President Trump, riled up by his false claims about voter fraud, stormed the Capitol to try to overturn the results of a free and fair election, an act of political extremism and domestic terrorism carried out by at least some people who believe in white supremacy.

[Related: Storming The U.S. Capitol Was About Maintaining White Power In America]

Biden didnt explicitly say that the extremism, domestic terrorism and white supremacy is largely coming from one side of the uncivil war. But thats the reality. In Americas uncivil war, both sides may hate the other, but one side conservatives and Republicans is more hostile and aggressive, increasingly willing to engage in anti-democratic and even violent attacks on their perceived enemies.

The Jan. 6 insurrection and the run-up to it is perhaps the clearest illustration that Republicans are being more hostile and anti-democratic than Democrats in this uncivil war. Biden pledged to concede defeat if he lost the presidential election fair and square, while Trump never made such a pledge; many elected officials in the GOP joined Trumps efforts to overturn the election results; and finally, Trump supporters arrived at the Capitol to claim victory by force. But there are numerous other examples of conservatives and Republicans going overboard in their attempts to dominate liberals and Democrats:

We could also compile a long list of anti-democratic and hostile actions taken by Trump himself against Democrats. At the top of that list would be his attempt to coerce the Ukrainian government into announcing it would investigate the Biden family essentially a scheme for Trump to use the power of his office to tilt the upcoming presidential election in his favor.

Its important to be specific here, however. Many of the most aggressive actions against liberals have been taken not by Republican voters but largely by Republican officials, particularly at the state level.

Many Republicans do not accept Democratic governance as a legitimate outcome of elections, said Thomas Zimmer, a history professor at Georgetown University who is writing a book about political divides in America. America is nearing a crisis of democratic legitimacy because one side is trying to erect one-party minority rule.

Gretchen Helmke, a political scientist at the University of Rochester who studies the state of democratic governments around the world, said, There is a marked asymmetry between the two parties, with Republicans more engaged in playing constitutional hardball and taking actions that are still within the letter of the law but [that] may violate the spirit of the law or common-sense ideas about fairness and political equality.

Those types of actions are much harder to find on the Democratic side. There is no campaign by Democratic elected officials to disenfranchise white evangelical Christians, a constituency that overwhelmingly backs GOP candidates, just as Black voters overwhelmingly back Democratic candidates. There was no widespread, systematic attempt by Democratic officials four years ago to disqualify the votes that elected Trump or to spur Democratic voters to attack the Capitol to prevent the certification of his presidency. While the left-wing antifa movement has violent tendencies, it isnt an organized group nor is it aligned with Biden or Democrats. And at least right now, national security experts describe right-wing violence as a much bigger danger in America than any violent behavior from the left. In an October 2020 report, the Department of Homeland Security called violent white supremacists the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland.

And, of course, Democrats did not embrace an anti-democratic figure like Trump as their standard-bearer. There are no Democratic politicians in Congress implying that conservative politicians are such dangers to the country that they should be killed.

[Related: The GOP Might Still Be Trumps Party. But That Doesnt Mean Theres Room For Him.]

The GOP is a counter-majoritarian party now, every week it becomes less like a normal party, said Jay Rosen, a journalism professor at New York University who has written extensively about the radicalization of the Republican Party. The GOP has to make it harder to vote and harder to understand what the party is all about. Those are two parts of the same project. And it cant treat its white supremacist and violent wings as extremists who should be isolated because it needs them. They provide motor and momentum.

The GOP has radicalized (and is still radicalizing) on its willingness to break democratic norms and subvert or eliminate political institutions. Dont expect restraint where youve seen it in the past, said Charlotte Hill, a Ph.D. candidate at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, who conducts research on election and voting laws.

Because of this deep conservative antipathy for the liberal version of America, Joanne Freeman, a professor of history and American studies at Yale University, has compared the state of America today to the 1850s, right before the U.S. Civil War.

Mass violence in Congress seemed possible in 1850. Now, 171 years later, its in the national mindscape once again. And for good reason. The echoes of 1850 are striking. Were at a moment of extreme polarization when outcomes matter, sometimes profoundly, Freeman wrote in a recent essay in The New York Times.

The Republicans, she continued, whose ironclad grip on the Senate has dominated the federal government, feel entitled to that power and increasingly threatened; they know theyre swimming against the demographic tide in a diversifying nation. They have proven themselves ready and eager for minority rule; voter suppression centered on people of color is on the rise and has been for some time. And some of them are willing to protect what they deem right with threats of violence.

To be sure, only a very, very small fraction of conservative Americans participate in acts of domestic terrorism. Most rank-and-file Republicans would likely describe themselves as opposed to individualized acts of racism (a workplace not hiring Black employees, for example) as well as systemic racism and white supremacy. Most Republican voters are not directly participating in moves by GOP officials to make it harder for people of color to vote. And there are a lot of Republican elected officials who have not tried to have the 2020 election results disqualified or promoted laws and rules to make it harder for people of color to vote.

At the same time, Republican voters have stuck with the party despite its recent shift toward move overt and aggressive anti-democratic behavior. This stuff seems not a deal-breaker to the vast majority of Republican voters, said Zimmer.

[Related: How Trump Changed America]

Susan Hyde, a political scientist at University of California, Berkeley, who studies democracy and democratic backsliding both in the U.S. and abroad, said that Republican voters tolerated the partys anti-democratic tendencies because the partys elites signaled that it was OK to do so. Republican politicians have been lying to their own voters, and they need to stop doing that if we are going to have peace, said Hyde, who was referring specifically to the false belief among a large bloc of Republican voters that Trump won the election.

The war is not completely one-sided, however. Liberals and Democrats are trying to enact what amounts to an equality agenda to create a new America where LGBTQ Americans can openly participate in any institution; women can join and lead any institution; and women, Black people, Native Americans and other traditionally marginalized groups can have as much power, wealth and representation as the shares of the population they represent.

Through legislation, lawsuits and other means, liberals and Democrats are pressing this agenda aggressively, over the objections of conservatives. Same-sex marriage has been legalized, and some legal protections have been extended to transgender Americans. Liberals are trying to outlaw the death penalty while trying to enshrine into law the right to use marijuana. They are pushing for a dramatic rethinking of American institutions, including the church and the police, and in some ways a rethinking of America itself.

And liberals and Democrats, believing that their equality agenda is right and just, increasingly cast those who oppose it in very negative terms like racist and sexist. Views held by even many Democrats a decade ago opposition to same-sex marriage and skepticism that racial discrimination is a major barrier to Black advancement in America are now sharply criticized. These criticisms are at the root of conservative complaints that American culture is too politically correct or that those who dissent from the liberal view must be canceled. And in some instances, liberal pressure does result in conservatives being denied platforms: Twitter suspended Trumps account, for example, and Simon and Schuster canceled a book deal with Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley.

Of course, some conservative behavior, like trying to make it harder for Black people to vote, probably should be both shamed and called out as racist. That said, its important to understand that some liberal and Democratic policies will require conservative Christians in particular to live in a changed America that they simply do not wish to live in. And the liberal focus on ideas like systemic racism and white supremacy has left many conservatives feeling that their individual behaviors and choices are being unfairly cast as racist.

Conservatives are reacting to something real, said Zimmer. Their version of Real America a white, Christian America is under threat. Republicans are convinced they are waging a noble war against the demise of Real America. Conservatives think their backs are against the wall.

[On the left] there is a demand for more redistribution and laws and programs that help some people and not others, said Vasabjit Banerjee, a political scientist at Mississippi State University who studies political conflicts. For example, he described Black Lives Matter as a form of status redistribution, that might be threatening to non-Black Americans because the movements goal is to, in effect, make Black people truly full citizens in America, equal to white Americans.

Reflecting on the actions of both sides, you can see why conservative attacks on liberals are much more problematic than the inverse. And thats why it is hard to imagine Biden being able to unify America or end this uncivil war his side is not the one feeling most aggrieved and taking anti-democratic, even violent, measures to win.

In his inaugural speech, Biden said, We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.

He didnt quite say why we had learned that democracy is precious, why it is fragile, or who or what it had prevailed against. But the reality is that some Republicans in America are so intent on defeating liberals that they are willing to erode Americas democracy, or even end it, along the way to victory.

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This fever will break: Republican Jeff Flake on the slow fade of Trumpism – The Guardian

Posted: at 2:10 pm

By now, Jeff Flake thought this would all be over.

Flake, the former Arizona Republican senator and outspoken critic of Donald Trump, concedes that he expected the ripple effects in the Republican party Trumps loss of the White House to have been bigger by now.

Instead, Flake has had to watch as Trump departed office but Trumpism refused to fade around the country. That includes in Flakes home state, where the Republican party recently censured him alongside the two other most prominent Republicans Cindy McCain, the widow of the late senator John McCain, and Doug Ducey, the Arizona governor.

I do think this fever will break, but its been slow, Flake said in an interview with the Guardian. Its been really slow.

For much of the Trump administration Flake was something of a solitary voice within his party, opposing him first as a rare anti-Trump statewide elected official and then as a member of the club of Republicans who stood up to the 45th president only to face blowback.

Throughout all of that Flake hoped Trump would leave office one way or another, other Republicans would see the same light he did, and the opposition to the 45th president would grow. Flake calls it a migration of Republicans away from their fealty to Trump.

This migration will start, Flake said chuckling. Its just slow to get going.

These days the outlook for anti-Trump Republicans can feel both bright and dark. Trump is out of office and there are elected Republican officials actively working to move on from Trump under the specter of blowback from activists within the GOP.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois has set up a political action committee to fight against the QAnon movement saturating the Republican party. The House Republican conference chairwoman, Liz Cheney, and almost a dozen other Republicans voted to move forward with impeaching Trump again.

Other Republicans stood up to Trump as he was peddling unfounded claims about voter fraud after Joe Biden won the presidential election but before he took office.

But those forces are more a small rebellion or insurgency and less an army involved in an inter-party civil war. The anti-Trumpists are growing but very slowly, Flake concedes. Flake thinks successfully convicting Trump in his upcoming impeachment trial would help speed things along.

I think if theres enough elected officials who say were done then that is the threshold, we cross that rubicon that we need to cross, and then Trump fades quickly, Flake said.

It wasnt supposed to be like this for Flake, a libertarian leaning conservative with soap opera-star good looks. He served in the House of Representatives for over a decade before winning the Senate seat once held by conservative icon Barry Goldwater in then-reliably red state Arizona. But as Trumps unlikely presidential bid took off, Flake refused to go along with most of his Republican colleagues and fall in line. In October 2017 he delivered a speech in which he said he wouldnt seek another term.

I didnt want to leave the Senate. I wanted to do another term at least, Flake said. But the thought of standing on a campaign stage with Donald Trump and laughing at his jokes and staring at my feet while he ridiculed my colleagues I just could not do it. Theres nothing worth that. But I look and think going off and leaving the party or starting a third party that just doesnt we need two strong parties in this country. I think that well be back, I hope that we will. I want to be part of that.

Since then Flake hasnt shied away from speaking out against Trump and he plans to continue to do so, in addition to some teaching work hes doing at Arizona State University. Flake is also a familiar face on cable news and in political reporting.

Flake is optimistic as well. He predicted in his interview with the Guardian on Tuesday that extremist congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a QAnon conspiracy theory supporter, would be stripped of her committee assignments, an effective legislative neutering for any member of Congress. She was though it was Democrats, not Republicans who did it.

He also doesnt think Cheney is doomed to lose re-election as Trumpists seek her ouster. On Wednesday, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opted to support Cheney in the face of an uproar over her move to help impeach Trump.

Youre having some defining moments here soon with Marjorie Taylor Greene and what theyre going to have to do with her and that will maybe expedite this departure, I guess, Flake said. I wouldnt count Liz Cheney out here. She has some benefits and ties thats just so high profile now that she might be able to survive it. Maybe Adam Kinzinger too. Im sure hoping and praying so.

Asked if hes been in touch with either Cheney or Kinzinger, Flake said he hadnt but he said hes talking with some similarly minded Republicans.

Trumpism requires a certain amount of swagger that you lose when you lose. And he lost, Flake said. In Georgia he couldnt pull those two senators across the finish line. So yeah, I very much believe that would be the case and that would come a lot faster if more elected officials would say yeah, we gotta move on. I think theyll get to that point but boy its been slow.

He also has seen shoots of promise at home. His neighbors in the Pheonix suburbs where he lives once ran up Trump flags on their properties. Not anymore.

There were actually two neighbors, one on either side, had Trump flags, theyre both down, Flake said, cautioning that elsewhere in his neighborhood Trump fans are still flying their support.

Recently Flake and his wife took a long leisurely bike ride through his neighborhood and counted the Trump signs still up. They cringed when they saw signs at houses they knew. They then went by one house with three cars in his driveway. As they passed he yelled thanks for doing what you did. We gotta get past this.

That surprised Flake, he recalled. He didnt know the man and he assumed of all the houses he passed this would be home of a Trump fan.

We engaged in a very enlightened conversation about the future of the party and how he wanted to stay but it was difficult, Flake said.

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Ways Robotics Are Revolutionizing Construction Sites – Robotics Tomorrow

Posted: at 2:09 pm

Robots are rapidly changing operations in numerous industries from agriculture to medicine. The construction sector is also investing in them, and that trend seems set to continue.

A report from MarketsandMarkets expects the construction robots market to reach $166.4 million by 2023. That change would represent a 16.8% compound annual growth rate from 2018 to 2023.

Heres a look at some of the different types of construction robots and why companies find them so beneficial.

Having accurate, up-to-date information about a projects progression makes it easier for company leaders to set the correct expectations for their clients. Some businesses use automated technologies such as drones to gather and transmit data. These can work well in many cases, but wheeled robots offer additional possibilities.

A partnership between Boston Dynamics and Trimble involves using a dog-like robot named Spot to handle tasks such as site surveying, scanning, and progress updates. People involved with the effort say bringing a repeatable process to data capture gives project managers real-time updates.

Pilot projects tested Spot at construction sites with challenging conditions, including solar farms. When robots take over repetitive monitoring responsibilities, humans have more time to devote to more creative and rewarding duties.

Scaffolding is a common sight around the world. These temporary structures provide support during ongoing construction or renovation work. However, depending on the scaffolding type used, assembling it could take from hours to days.

People also lose time if they need to repair the scaffolding due to severe weather or other issues. Scaffolding assembly and repair may soon look a lot different thanks to an effort from the European Unions HEPHAESTUS project.

The project aims to facilitate advanced construction robots through research and trials. One recent innovation was a scaffolding robot that can lift up to one ton and move in all directions with the help of cables. Experts working on the project reported that choosing the correct cable tension is one of the biggest challenges. However, they can customize the length based on the size of the scaffolding.

Construction teams often demolish existing structures before new work can start. Demolition brings inherent dangers to humans, which is why people are so interested in using automated machines for the jobs. Some advanced demolition robots can handle entire sites and even address hard-to-reach areas.

Once robots assist with site demolition, other models can process the resulting waste, preparing it for recycling. Some European plants that accept construction and demolition materials process from tens to hundreds of tons per hour while using high-tech robots programmed for specific tasks.

These advanced construction robotics applications either pick out and sort the desired materials for reuse or focus on grabbing the impurities, leaving the valuable contents behind. People can then take whats left and discard it or begin the recycling process at a different area of the same facility.

These types of construction robots are available at an ideal time, especially since many individuals are increasingly concerned about sustainability.

Companies invest in construction robots for numerous reasons, but one of the main ones is to get projects done faster. If businesses repeatedly finish projects on time and with few complications, theyll remain competitive.

However, theres an ongoing trend of construction workers retiring without sufficient numbers of younger, thoroughly trained people to replace them. Robots could help organizations stay productive, even with smaller workforces and limited talent pipelines.

In Japan, a contractor plans to build a 334-meter-wide dam almost entirely with robots. This approach has only increased productivity by about 10% so far. It also still requires human involvement, particularly for supervision. However, representatives hope to eventually cut the overall building time by 30%.

In another example, a newer version of a previously released bricklaying robot built a house in less than three days. The achievement included three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plus, a civil and structural engineering consultancy set building standards that the robots creation met.

People in todays fast-paced world continually look for safe and feasible ways to finish projects quickly. The types of construction robots discussed here show whats possible.

Construction work is labor-intensive, but some team members face particularly taxing duties. For example, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors are especially likely to handle overhead drilling tasks that can quickly become fatiguing. When people get tired, the likelihood of accidents goes up.

An invention called Jaibot takes care of drilling holes, leaving users to operate it with a remote control. The robot goes to the correct location, creates the holes, then marks them appropriately. Construction teams can then take care of the next steps.

While developing the robot, people researched which routine tasks on construction sites are most stressful. They concluded that overhead duties fit that description and proceeded with the project. However, this example may pave the way for companies to build and test robots that handle other tiring tasks, too.

Potholes do more than cause unexpected travel bumps. An unprepared driver could hit them while moving too fast, then lose control of their vehicle. Potholes also damage tires and affect a cars shocks and alignment. Once people learn where potholes are, they try to avoid them. However, the best solution is to fix them.

Robotiz3d Ltd., a new company spun out from the University of Liverpool, has a solution that uses robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to find potholes and stop new ones from forming. Besides locating road defects and categorizing them according to severity, the technology can also fill in small cracks autonomously.

Such proactive measures could stop potholes from causing problems. They form due to a combination of water seeping into surface cracks and traffic associated with those damaged areas. A phenomenon called crocodile cracking results in small pavement separations that indicate distressed areas. If construction robots address them quickly, potholes should become less prevalent.

The examples mentioned here highlight why people are so interested in how advanced construction robots could substantially improve the sector. However, some individuals worry these machines might take over their jobs or even hurt them. Offering specialized training to help people recognize how robots can improve their jobs may alter their perspectives.

A project at the University of Southern California uses virtual reality learning modules to teach construction workers to collaborate with robots safely. Researchers hope this approach will show workers how the machines can supplement their tasks and help them build trust in the technology.

The initiative is in the early stages. However, those involved will soon examine whether virtual learning offers comparable results to in-person, hands-on training with robots. This use of virtual reality could attract younger people to the construction sector, too, making them excited to work with robots.

Theres an ongoing need for construction projects that are finished on time, safely, and within tolerances and specifications. Construction robots can meet these aims and others, making them well worth the investment for companies that want to stay competitive, nimble, and successful.

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Professor Yi Guo appointed Editor in Chief of IEEE Robotics and Automation magazine The Stute – The Stute

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Photo courtesy of Trevor Dameika.

The Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recently appointed Dr. Yi Guo from the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science as the new Editor in Chief for the Robotics and Automation magazine. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, focusing on content related to robotics and automation written by researchers and experts from across the world.

In an interview with The Stute, Dr. Guo stressed that being appointed as an Editor in Chief consists of many important roles such as looking over various articles from writers and providing input on the topics written about. She is an expert in multidisciplinary areas of engineering such as robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and control theory, and has worked on many projects relating to robotics. After serving for several years as an Associate Editor and as a senior member at the IEEE, Dr. Guo has learned a lot about how the world of engineering is progressing.

The Stute asked Dr. Guo how behind we are technologically; she claimed that since every advancement depends upon multiple areas of discipline instead of just one particular field, it takes time and energy to make developments to current technologies. With the current generation of students having direct exposure to electronic products from an early age coupled with online learning in schools, it can be concluded that in a way, we are ahead of the game as compared to previous generations. Dr. Guo additionally recommended that students should be introduced to the various technical institutions, such as IEEE, at an early age that exposure can cause youth to develop creative minds.

Dr. Guo pointed out that being Editor in Chief is an exciting role as it involves continuous administration. All the publications which are available from IEEE are extremely insightful and elaborative; all it takes is a bit of a passion and interest.

Technological advancements due to Artificial Intelligence have become prominent in everyday life, such as products like Alexa and self-driving cars. When asked about the trajectory of robotics, Dr. Guo responded that these technologies are worth working on, and there is a good chance for more improvements. Recent developments have proved to be fruitful based on the response from users of robotic products. Dr. Guo further explained that the field of engineering is capricious and has possibilities that could propel the developments of new age technology. However, it is important to proceed step by step and move with improvements at each step until satisfactory levels are reached.

The IEEE is known to foster various developments and efforts to propel arduous projects and has made several accomplishments in different domains of the technical world. Dr. Yi Guos recognition and recent appointment as Editor in Chief of the Robotics and Animation Magazine is progress for the Stevens community.

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The Future of Robotic Garages – Robotics Business Review

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There is no doubt that robotics is playing an increasingly prominent role in modern life. It seems that every day more aspects of daily life become automated, yet some instances of automation still seem foreign to most of us. Robotic garages, for example, seem like something out of the future, yet they are already in use today.

According to Robotic Parking Systems, Inc., the term robotic parking first emerged in 1994, and the first automated garage opened in 2002. Despite the technology being nearly two decades old, many have not heard of it. Despite the concepts age, as yet there has not been widespread adoption.

That is beginning to change. The world in 2002 may not have been ready for automated parking, but 2021 is. Below we will review robotic garages and what lies in store for them.

The Current State of Robotic GaragesWhile robotic garages today are not unheard of, they are still relatively rare, especially in the United States. Since the U.S. is the third-largest nation by landmass, the need for more efficient parking systems is not pressing. In other, smaller countries in places like Europe, automated parking has a long, successful history.

Definitions of a robotic garage vary, so it is challenging to find a definitive number for how many robotic garages exist in the U.S. One company, U-tron, operates eight fully autonomous garages across the US. Large cities like New York feature several private robotic garages, but by and large, this technology is mostly unavailable to the general public.

Private parking garages are typically expensive and exclusive, often appearing in luxury apartment buildings or similar complexes. In contrast, in countries like Japan and Germany, automated parking facilities are more accessible, appearing in both private and public spaces.

While current robotic garage adoption in the U.S. may be lackluster, that will not be the case for long. Many types of automated parking systems are available from companies such as Worldwide Robotic Automated Parking, Westfalia, LT Smart, Automotion Parking Systems, Park Plus and others.

Residential vs. Commercial GaragesAmericans are no strangers to automation, especially when it comes to everyday conveniences. While large-scale robotic garages may be a luxury to most, many U.S. families have automated features in their home garages. Going from smart home garages to commercial robotic ones is a natural progression, but one with some obstacles.

It is far easier to automate a home garage than an entire parking facility. Smart home garages feature automatic doors, but they are not designed to park cars autonomously. There is also the issue of size and usage. Commercial garage doors, for example, need to withstand up to 50,000 cycles, five times more than a home system.

The U.S. also has a relatively low population density, especially considering its overall population. As a result, comparatively more people have garages in their homes, so theres less need for commercial garages, much less new ones. Several trends will likely change the countrys parking needs in the future, though.

Robotic garages will become increasingly popular in the U.S. over the next several years. While population density is comparatively low now, it has been steadily rising for decades, making land more valuable.

The Rise of Robotic ParkingRobotic garages will become increasingly popular in the U.S. over the next several years. The nation is beginning to reach a point where it needs them. While population density is comparatively low now, it has been steadily rising for decades, making land more valuable.

By 2050, 89% of the U.S. population will live in urban areas, which are already far more densely populated than rural ones. Large cities are running out of room, and they can only outwardly expand so much. Automated garages, which take up far less space than traditional solutions, are ideal in this situation.

Perhaps the most significant advantage of robotic parking is that it saves space. When people park cars, they need plenty of room to drive and pull into a parking space. An autonomous garage can fit vehicles into tightly packed cubicles, requiring only enough room for the machinery to move.

Since robotic garages can fit more cars into less space, they free up room for other structures. Cities could simultaneously expand parking and office space with minimal disruption and outward expansion. This trend is why more densely populated nations were so quick to embrace automated parking, which is now coming to the U.S.

Robotic Garages and Smart CitiesAnother trend shaping the future of robotic garages is the rise of smart cities. As IoT technologies have become more advanced and affordable, the idea of a connected city has become more plausible. These systems work better the more connected infrastructure they feature, and robotic garages are ripe for connectivity.

Since technology is already the central aspect of autonomous parking facilities, adding connectivity features is easy. These garages can also be retrofitted to older, obsolete buildings, helping cities become smart without building new structures. Once there, these systems interact with traffic data and driverless cars to create a seamless, interconnected experience.

Efficiency is one of the most desirable features of a smart city, and robotic garages are highly efficient. Since drivers do not have to pull into parking spaces on their own, they save commuters time. Being able to fit more cars in the same area also means people have a better chance of parking close to their destination.

Since large cities have the biggest carbon footprints, smart cities aim to be more sustainable. That is another area where robotic garages fit the smart city ideal. Since people dont have to drive around to find a spot, they emit fewer emissions.

Temporary GaragesThere is a possibility that parking garages as a concept will be entirely different in the future. Cities could prefer flexible solutions over rigid, single-purpose infrastructure, or garages could disappear altogether. In either case, robotic garages would be a better near-term solution than traditional ones. For example, in 2019 construction teams in Seattle began work on a robotic garage that can be disassembled easily. The cubicles and machinery that make up the garage can come apart in pieces, allowing for quick repurposing of the space. Temporary structures like this may become the norm for robotic garages in the future.

With temporary garages, cities could increase parking in different locations according to current needs. If theres an event in one part of town, they could set up a robotic garage, then take it down afterward and repurpose the building. Cities would then become fluid, adaptable landscapes, fit for the flexible modern world.

There is also a chance that, as cities grow and sustainability becomes more popular and necessary, car ownership will decline. If city populations move away from private transportation, the need for new, automated garages will decline.

Challenges in the Road AheadThere are still some road bumps in the future of robotic garages. Most notably, installing these systems is initially expensive. As with most automation cases, they lead to long-term savings, but the upfront costs may make some cities hesitant to embrace them.

There is also a chance that, as cities grow and sustainability becomes more popular and necessary, car ownership will decline. If city populations move away from private transportation, the need for new, automated garages will decline.

Robotic parking may not become the norm, but despite these challenges, it will continue to proliferate. At the very least, it will stand as an alternative to traditional parking solutions. This shift may not be a fast one, but the U.S. will likely see adoption levels like Europe and Japan eventually.

Despite Slow Development, Robotic Parking Is PromisingRobotic parking garages have had a surprisingly long history, and it is far from over. U.S. adoption of this technology has just begun and is likely to rise. As such, they could play a central role in designing the cities of the future.

About the Author

Rose Morrison, Managing Editor, Renovated

Rose Morrison is an Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry writer and the managing editor of Renovated. She is passionate about how technology is transforming the construction industry and making it safer and more efficient.

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Supporting Small-to-Medium Manufacturers With Robotics Research, Guidance and More – Robotics Business Review

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The USs National Institute of Standards and Technology is supporting small-to-medium manufacturers (SMMs) by researching ways to make robotics systems easier to program and use, as well as developing novel gripping and manipulation technologies.

By Andrew Peterson | February 11, 2021

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Manufacturing robotics is following an innovation path similar to machining and fixed automation systems. Though the ROI is most easily measured in efficiency and cost savings, manufacturers are also looking for robotic technology to help them resolve pain points in their operations and create new opportunities. Examples include linking processes more efficiently or reducing the need to outsource functions.

The growth path for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) with robotics is increasingly focused on applications and added capabilities, not just efficiency and continuous improvement. The key to increasing adoption of robotics in SMMs is making the robots easier to use and re-use. Specifically, adoption is dependent upon robots having more human-like dexterity and self-control.

Making Robots Easier to UseTo better support small and medium-sized manufacturers, scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specifically NIST Labs, are working to close a significant gap between cutting-edge technology and what is currently deployed on many manufacturing shop floors. This gap is largely due to the lack of measurement science required to verify and validate emerging research which reduces adoption hesitancy and risk.

One of the priorities of NISTs Intelligent Systems Division is the advancement of grasping, manipulation and safety performance that will enable SMMs to effectively deploy robot solutions. This work includes performance metrics, test methods and associated measurement tools that can become industry standards. The research is advancing robotics in manufacturing by focusing on:

Among the advances now reaching the shop floor is software in handheld HMIdevices that translates human coordinate references (right/left, toward/away) into conventional Cartesian X, Y, Z coordinates. This allows operators to more easily program collaborative robots. Improvements in programming with HMIs have allowed some robots to be programmed by welders who model the movements and actions for the process in question.

Robotic Assembly NextEarly adoption of robotics in manufacturing has focused on repetitive tasks that do not require special skills or provide added value. Examples include palletizing, loading / unloading, material handling and case packing (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The most popular robotic applications by usage.

At this time, assembly operations account for only 2 percent of robotic applications, though NIST researchers and industry experts believe it holds much promise for widespread adoption among SMMs as manipulation technology improves. Likely areas for expanding assembly work include:

One of the challenges for robotic assembly is the multitude of variables that must be accounted for when performing complex operations. For example, the optimal force required for a gripper to pick up and move a part might not be the same as the force needed for a threading operation later in the production. As tactile sensing improves, robots will be able to grip everything using the proper force, potentially reducing the steps needed for that production process.

NIST Labs work includes innovative designs utilizing six-axis force and torque sensors for grasping, including mechanisms that mimic human hands.

Dexterity and VersatilityNIST Labs are working on about a dozen test methods for gripping and manipulation using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standards platform for the four most common types of robotic grippers:

NIST Labs work includes innovative designs utilizing six-axis force and torque sensors for grasping, including mechanisms that mimic human hands. These advancements are increasingly emerging on shops floors and feature:

Keys to SuccessOne of the appeals of robotics is that a robot can be built and programmed to do almost anything. However, unlike fixed automation systems, there is a tradeoff between robotics functionality and ease of use. The more functionality you build into a robot, the more environmental considerations must be taken into the conditional requirements, which makes it more difficult to program and integrate the robot into operations for additional tasks.

Small-batch planning can also be difficult with robotics if manufacturers do not have the right support system in place, including the right staff. Robotics adoption will increase when SMMs understand how robotics systems, with the proper set up and programming, save retooling costs. It is not out of the question that manufacturers with 10 or fewer employees will robotics expert on hand to assure overall equipment effectiveness.

Robotics GuideTo increase the use of robotics technologies for manufacturing operations, especially among SMMs, Catalyst Connection, part of the MEP National Network, has put together an easy-to-understand guide to robotics. It identified a number of keys to success for exploring the use of robotics in manufacturing. Recommendations include:

MEP Centers Can HelpFor small-to-medium manufacturers, the initial deployment of robotics systems can be intimidating. For US companies, the experts at a local MEP Center are ready to help you explore and potentially adopt robotics. Connect with them to see how robotics can help you expand your business by adding new functionality.

Information about NIST Labs research provided by Elena Messina, Jeremy Marvel and Joseph Falco.

Editors Note: This article was republished with permission from National Institute of Standards and Technologys Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP).

About the Author:

Andrew Peterson is a general engineer in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEP) Extension Services Division who facilitates efforts to improve advanced manufacturing technology services and supplier scouting services among other focus areas. He started at NIST in November of 2019 with the goal of providing professional engineering services to the MEP National NetworkTM in a variety of focus areas. Prior to joining NIST, Andrew worked as a compliance engineer in for a medium sized manufacturer in the bottled water industry. Andrew holds a Master of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University.

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Autonomous mobile robots doing the dirty work – ZDNet

Posted: at 2:09 pm

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are having a big moment during the pandemic, and the drive to cleanliness is a big part of it. Usage of cleaning robots is skyrocketing as automation technologies have been deployed in office and retail environments to sanitize surfaces for a newly germ-conscious public.

How big is the growth? By anecdotal measures, it's massive. A company called Brain Corp, which provides autonomous solutions that enable OEMs and Robotics Startups to turn manually driven products into autonomous machines, recently finalized 2020 usage data showing remarkable growth over the last year, including 4x growth of the number of BrainOS-powered robots and 6x growth in total square footage covered autonomously by BrainOS robots globally.

"During the last year, we've seen shoppers' expectations for enhanced cleanliness continue to rise," Josh Baylin, Senior Director of Strategy for Brain Corp, told me in response to the rise in popularity of AMRs for cleaning. "Stores not only need to be clean, they need to show customers that they are actively cleaning. This "proof of work" has become increasingly important, as has the ability for stores to measure their cleaning performance. If a retailer uses an AMR, they are able to track the robot's operations and get near real-time data that shows the job is getting done."

Some of the increased usage can be attributed to growing customer approval of robots and autonomous cleaning.

"We've also seen retailers increasingly run AMRs during daytime business hours," says Baylin. "Shoppers appreciate that they can see the floors being cleaned in front of them, and it frees staff to work on higher-value tasks. We're seeing our customers embrace automation and use their AMRs to the fullest extent possible. We've seen this through a spike in daytime usage, as well as an increase in general usage across the board. It's not just an increase in the number of deployed robots, it's also how much those robots are being utilized."

Brain Corp, which is boasting new deployments withSam's ClubandSchnucks, is being joined in an increasingly competitive field of cleaning and disinfecting AMRs from companies likeFetch Robotics, which offers flexible autonomous mobile robots traditionally for logistics and inventory applications, andUVD Robots.

"We expect the AMR industry will continue to grow at a rapid pace," Baylin tells me. "Businesses are seeing the benefits of using robotic automation to tackle routine tasks and free up their staff to handle more important things, such as helping shoppers. Businesses have also become more comfortable with BrainOS-powered AMRs and once they see how efficient an AMR can be, many look to expand their fleet and increase their usage. We also work with customers on future feature requests and integrations that will continue to make our technology more and more useful over time. Enhanced levels of cleaning, increased data collection and reporting, the development of new applications for robots -- these innovations will lead to increased deployment and usage, both within retail and grocery as well as in other sectors."

One of the biggest takeaways is just how dispersed the customer base is becoming for AMRs. What was once a narrow target seems to be expanding rapidly during the pandemic, which is excellent news for the automation sector.

"There are still tremendous growth opportunities for AMRs in all public-facing commercial sectors. Brain Corp is helping onboard new customers across retail, grocery, malls, education, healthcare, airports, and warehouses."

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MOVIA Robotics’ Director of Curriculum, Monica O’Brien, Named 2021 Connecticut "Mother Of The Year" – PRNewswire

Posted: at 2:09 pm

BRISTOL, Conn., Feb. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Monica O'Brien, Director of Curriculum at MOVIA Robotics, Inc. has been named Connecticut's 2021 "Mother Of The Year" by American Mothers, Inc. The organization recently announced its list of 2021 honorees from across the nation, having led efforts to recognize inspiring mothers for over eight decades. O'Brien is among a special group of women who have been nominated and qualify for this historic award that honors mothers for their leadership and service.

American Mothers, Inc. is an 86-year-old non-profit organization whose mission is to recognize mothers and their positive impact in communities through the annual Mother of the Year award. As Connecticut's 44th Mother of the Year honoree, O'Brien will represent her home state at the American Mothers national convention this May, where one honoree will be chosen as the 2021 National Mother of the Year.

"Being nominated for Mother of the Year is a great honor,"says O'Brien."I am blessed with one of the best examples and role models in my own mother.She taught me that caring and giving your all to your family is honorable.She was and is always there for me and I hope that my own children feel the same way about me. I think it is fabulous that mothers all over the country are being honored for their role."

A former public school teacher, Monica O'Brien is a mother of four and lives with her family in Connecticut. After 25 years of educating her children at home, she rejoined the workforce and brought her expertise to MOVIA Robotics, Inc in 2019 where she proudly joined the growing company as Lead Content Developer. She has since been named Director of Curriculum at MOVIA, where she utilizes her background in Science Education and is responsible overseeing the development, creation and testing of the content. She works to ensure that the curriculum developed at MOVIA meets educational standards.

Monica has a BA in Theater Arts and an MS Ed specializing in Science Education. Aside from her work at MOVIA Robotics, she is very active philanthropically within her community. Having two children with special needs, Monica extends her time and involvement to the special needs community and is a moderator of a large Catholic homeschool group. She leads a local theater arts program and has also volunteered with The Sister's of Life as a mentor to young unwed mothers, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and their outreach to the poor, and is very involved in the Pro-life movement.

Many outstanding individuals throughout America have also served as officers, leaders, members and supporters of this organization such as Sarah Delano Roosevelt, J.C. Penney, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, Norman Vincent Peale, Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, Phyllis Marriott and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Today, American Mothers remains a valuable network and voice for the 85 million mothers in America and is committed to raising awareness about issues that impact mothers and children. It's purpose is exclusively charitable.

ABOUT MOVIA ROBOTICS

Founded in 2010 by internationally renowned scientist, researcher and entrepreneur Timothy Gifford, MOVIA Robotics is a collaborative robotics company building systems and software to help people and robots work together.MOVIA's Robot-Assisted Instruction (RAI) systems help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs unlock the potential to learn and grow through their unique robotic technology. MOVIA Robotics builds systems to help these children remove barriers to learning, socializing and adapting, while facilitating a positive learning environment at school and at home by dynamically leading them through activities using evidence-based prompting and instructional design. Backed by years of research and development, MOVIA's RAI systems have been delivered in schools, in clinics, and in the home.MOVIA's educational content is written by educators and therapists, and aligns with the highest standards for special education curricula. For more information on MOVIA Robotics, please visitwww.MoviaRobotics.com. You can also follow MOVIA onFacebookandInstagram@MoviaRobotics.

Press Contact:Eda Kalkay(212) 877-5551[emailprotected]

SOURCE MOVIA Robotics

http://www.MoviaRobotics.com

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Collaborative Robotic Sanding with Kane Robotics and ATI’s AOV-10 | RoboticsTomorrow – Robotics Tomorrow

Posted: at 2:09 pm

Using ATIs AOV-10 Compliant Orbital Sander and Universal Robots UR10e, Kane Robotics integrated an aluminum polishing application that multiplies productivity.

Collaborative Robotic Sanding with Kane Robotics and ATIs AOV-10

Case Study from | ATI Industrial Automation

Kane Robotics, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Chino, California specializes in turnkey collaborative robot systems for the manufacturing industry. Kanes roots are in aerospace and defense, but they are expanding their focus to include applications in construction, automotive aftermarket, and other commercial manufacturing. Their goal is to eliminate dirty, dull, repetitive processes through the development of cobot solutions for a wide spectrum of assembly, material removal, and inspection tasks. To accomplish this goal and continue growing their application portfolio, Kane Robotics invests heavily in research and development, pairing integration expertise with leading edge robotic equipment in practical, versatile cobot systems. Using ATIs AOV-10 Compliant Orbital Sander and Universal Robots UR10e, they integrated an aluminum polishing application that multiplies productivity.

Aluminum manufacturing is a burgeoning market for aerospace, rich with opportunities for automation in sanding, buffing, and finishing operations. To better understand the overall process of aluminum finishing, Kane Robotics teamed up with Yanks Air Museum to restore aluminum propeller blades for an aircraft display. Their goal was to bring the propeller finish back to a like-new state and hopefully, identify an automated solution that could tackle a variety of aluminum parts and finish requirements.

Aircraft propeller blades are large and complex; regardless of the specific material or finish requirements, a material removal system will have to account for their curvy geometry. Traditionally they are finished by hand a hazardous, tedious process prone to inconsistencies. As one might imagine, people are not exactly lining up to do this work; when they do, they burn out quickly. Employee turnover, rework and scrap costs create expensive problems for aluminum manufacturers.

ATI's AOV-10 Sander is optimized for 3M Abrasives.

Awareness of these pain points inspired Kane Robotics to focus on making aluminum-finishing operations easier to implement and safer for the humans involved. Many of their customers are small to medium sized manufacturers that use a mix of machine and man power. These customers are familiar with robots but need solutions that are easy to program and can adapt to their changing production needs.

Using the UR10e and ATIs Compliant Orbital Sander, the AOV-10, they integrated a multi-step solution to restore the propeller blades to a pristine shine. They used RoboDK to program the initial robot path and making a few software adjustments to utilize different types of finishing media; the robotic sanding system was ready to go to work. They deployed multiple finishing techniques with different types of media alongside the adjustable compliance of the AOV-10 to achieve a sparkling finish on the propeller blades.

Kane Robotics has dedicated resources for investigating the latest and greatest technology and tooling for cobots. They have seen a number of tools emerge for robotic sanding and ultimately settled on the AOV-10 from ATI Industrial Automaton because of its price point, ease-of-use and versatility. The pneumatically-actuated AOV-10 provides a generous range of passive compliance that can be adjusted to suit different finish requirements. Its much less expensive than active force control equipment yet its capabilities address a wide range of surfaces and applications.

The key feature of the AOV-10 Sander is built-in compliance which allows for a consistent contact force on the part throughout the process. As the robot and sander traverse the curved propeller blade, the double-acting compliance ensures even processing to remove the ideal amount of material across the entire surface. The resulting finish was a drastic change from the original state and created an eye-catching display for the exhibit at Yanks Air Museum.

ATI's AOV-10 Robotic Sander is a UR+ Certified product.

The AOV-10 is optimized for use with 3M sanding media and fits any abrasive discs of 5 or 6 inches in size. Adjusting the contact force is as simple as modifying the air pressure. There is a vacuum option for dusty environments as well as automatic media disc changing for increased efficiency. The compact size of the AOV-10 makes it ideal for use with many robot models and is particularly well suited for collaborative robots.

Kane Robotics found that ATIs AOV-10 Compliant Orbital Sander provided a just right approach to their aluminum finishing operation. The passive compliant sander required minimal peripheral utilities, was simple to program, and offered a great deal of flexibility in how it can be used. Kane Robotics and ATI believe there is a future for this system in a variety of aluminum finishing applications on complex parts.

ATI Industrial Automation is a world-leading developer of robotic accessories and robot arm tooling, including Automatic Tool Changers, Multi-Axis Force/Torque Sensing Systems, Utility Couplers, Robotic Deburring Tools, Robotic Collision Sensors, Manual Tool Changers, and Compliance Devices.

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Customers continue to shift toward more flexible solutions to support a variety of tasks. ATIs product families are configured to order and designed to increase process flexibility. Booth #4411

Visitors to the ATI Booth (B29074) will find a wide selection of Robotic and Manual Tool Changers, Force/Torque Sensors, Utility Couplers, and other end-effectors.

Attendees visiting our booth (LS-5809) will see a live robotic demonstration of our QC1 Micro Tool Changer and view our Force/Torque Sensors and Compliance Compensators. ATIs Tool Changers allow robots to exchange end-of-arm-tools (EOAT) automatically.

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IIoT Adoption Expected to Boost Automotive Robotics Industry – Electronic Design

Posted: at 2:09 pm

What you'll learn:

About 3.7 million heavy-duty trucks are in use in the U.S., shipping goods across the country. Theyre usually powered by diesel engines that are noisy and emit pollution. According to IDTechEx, despite representing only 9% of the global vehicle stock, these large diesel truck engines represent 39% of the transport sectors' greenhouse gas emissions, and about 5% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels.

But this may soon change. For those in the automotive world trying to convince the boss that climate change is an important strategic issue for business, something important is happening: Companies are going after green dollars, money spent to reduce pollution and waste, and in doing so, theyre also demonstrating good corporate citizenship.

Over the next year, the number of different zero-emissions freight vehicles will increase significantly. Manufacturers including Ford, GM, Peterbilt, Tesla, and Volvo are investing in all-electric trucks with Daimler, Hyundai, and Toyota working on fuel-cell-powered vehicles.

Tesla

For example, EV maker Tesla is planning to produce a semi, and has pre-orders from giants such as Anheuser-Busch, DHL, FedEx, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, PepsiCo, UPS, and Walmart (Fig. 1). Teslas electric Class-8 Semi truck willcome in 300-mile-range and a 500-mile-range models. According to the company the Semi will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds while carrying a 40-ton full load. It will be able to maintain that speed while traveling up a 5% grade.

1. Tesla is expected to produce about 350 Semi vehicles by the end of August. Then, according to auto industry reports, its production rate will increase to 100 per week by the end of 2021 and 500 per week by the end of 2022.

During Teslas most recent earnings report, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the Semi is ready for productionall engineering work is now completebut the automaker cant achieve volume production until the company ramps up its 4680 battery cell production. The company expects to begin deliveries of Tesla Semi sometime this year.

Kenworth

The new zero-emission Kenworth T680E is the truck makers first Class 8 battery-electric model in its 97-year history. The T680E has an estimated operating range of 150 miles, depending on application. It uses a CCS1 dc fast charger with maximum rate of 120 kWh and has an estimated 3.3-hour charging time. The Kenworth T680E is equipped with 536 hp of continuous power and up to 670-hp peak power plus 1,623 lb-ft of torque.

Peterbilt

Peterbilts Model 579EV is now available for customer orders, with production expected to start by Q2 2021 (Fig. 2). The fully integrated, all-electric powertrain in the Model 579EV uses thermally controlled lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs to provide a range of up to 150 miles. When used in conjunction with a recommended dc fast-charger, the battery packs recharge in 3-4 hours, making the 579EV well-suited for regional haul pickup and delivery and last-mile operations.

2. The Peterbilt Model 579EV is available in a tandem drive configuration, with Meritor 14Xe motors providing power through the drive inverters. Regenerative braking captures energy from stop-and-go operations to help recharge the batteries and maximize the vehicles range. (Source: Peterbilt)

Volvo

Volvo Trucks brought its zero-emission truck, the VNR Electric, to marketat the end of 2020. The VNR Electric has a 150-mile range, with speeds of up to 65 mph on the highway. Its designed for customer applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage and pickup and delivery routes. The truck comes in three models: a straight truck; a 4x2 tractor; and a 6x2 tractor. It employs 264-kWh lithium-ion batteries, which can charge up to 80% within 70 minutes, according to the company.

Daimler

Daimler, the largest truck maker in the world, is now delivering its Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 truck. In the eCascadia, when the driver depresses the accelerator about halfway (50%), the powertrain controller first checks with other components to determine if giving 50% torque to the e-motor is both safe and efficient for the system.

If all requirements are met, the powertrain controller allows the inverter to pull energy from the battery and send it to the e-motors to meet the drivers demand for 50% torque. If the powertrain controller determines that giving 50% torque isnt recommended (if the truck is stationary or moving slowly), it will reduce torque to the ideal level, for example, 30%.

Designed for the eCascadia, the all-electric Detroit ePowertrain employs an eAxle electric drivetrain. By integrating an electric motor, transmission, and specialized electronics within a compact unit, the eAxle can directly power the trucks wheels.

The Detroit ePowertrain offers two Detroit eAxle designs. A dual motor setup has a max torque of 23,000 lb-ft and max power of 360 hp. A single motor design offers max torque of 11,500 lb-ft and max power of 180 hp.

GM

GM is getting in the electric delivery game via a new business unit called BrightDrop, whose electric EV600 package van will be on roads in late 2021 for its first customer, FedEx.

BrightDrops EV600 is an electric light commercial vehicle purpose-built for the delivery of goods and services over long ranges. EV600 features include:

Standard safety featuresinclude: Front and Rear Park Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, and an HD Rear Vision Camera. Additional available safety and driver-assistance features include: Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking, HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, among others.

BrightDrop expects to make the EV600s available to more customers starting in early 2022.

Ford

Auto giant Ford has jumped into a new sector of the electric-vehicle market with plansto develop an all-electric version of its Transit cargo van, with availability starting in late 2021. The vehicle is expected to have a range of 126 miles. Research from the companys internal data says the average transit user drives 74 miles per day, well within the projected range of the electric version of the vehicle.

Rivian

Rivian last year received a huge order of 100,000 all-electric delivery vans from e-commerce giant Amazon. As you read this, Amazon has begun testing the first lot of its Rivian Automotive electric delivery vans in Los Angeles. Rivian expects the first vans to make deliveries for Amazon during the second half of 2021, a total of 10,000 vans to be in service by the end of 2022, and the full 100,000 by 2030.

Fuel-Cell Electric

Refueling time and range are important factors for the operation of heavy-duty trucks. In this regard, hydrogen is a suitable fuel for heavy-duty trucks by ensuring a short refueling time and long distance driving while promoting a zero-emission solution.

Daimler has revealed a hydrogen fuel-cell concept vehicle called the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck, saying it would be able to travel up to 621 miles on a single tank. The series-production version of the GenH2 Truck is said to have a gross vehicle weight of 40tons and a payload of 25tons. Two liquid-hydrogen tanks and a fuel-cell system will make this payload and long range possible, and therefore form the core of the GenH2 Truck concept.

Daimler Trucks prefers to use liquid hydrogen (LH2), because in this state, the energy carrier has a higher energy density in relation to volume than gaseous hydrogen. As a result, the tanks of a fuel-cell truck using liquid hydrogen are much smaller and, due to the lower pressure, significantly lighter. This gives the trucks a larger cargo space and higher payload weight. At the same time, more hydrogen can be carried, which significantly increases the trucks range.

GenH2 trucks will begin customer trials in 2023, and series production in the second half of this decade.

General Motors is joiningother automakers such as Toyota in developing hydrogen fuel-cell technology for long-haul trucking. GM is partnering with truck maker Navistar and hydrogen provider OneH2 to develop a completezero-emissions long-haul truck system across the United States.

The trucks will be powered by hydrogen rather than batteries, thereby eliminating the need for charging stations on long truck routes.

Navistar International Corp will use twoGM Hydrotec fuel-cell power cubes to power its InternationalRH Series fuel-cell EV truck. Each Hydrotec power cube contains more than 300hydrogen fuel cells along withthermal- and power-management systems (Fig. 3).

3. General Motors' Hydrotec fuel-cell power cubes provide more than 80 kW of power and can be arranged with 2-3 units per vehicle to achieve higher power ratings. (Source: General Motors)

The hydrogen-powered trucks will go intoproductionin late 2023 as a 2024 model. Target driving range is more than 500 miles, with a hydrogen fueling time of less than 15 minutes.

Late last year,Toyota announced a deal with truck maker Hino to jointly develop hydrogen fuel-cell trucks forNorth America. The initial demonstration vehicle is expected to arrive in the first half of 2021. The companies will leverage the newly developed Hino XL Series chassis with Toyota's fuel-cell technology.

Koreas Hyundai has been working on its Xcient hydrogen fuel cell, which can be charged within 8-20 minutes per single charge, based on 350-bar tank pressure. Xcient trucks have a battery-pack capacity of 73.2 kWh (24.4 kWh 3) and a drive range of around 400 km per charge (in the 4 x 2 configuration, while towing an 18-ton trailer), according to the company. An electric motor (max. power 350 kW) generates driving force from the electric energy supplied from the stack and the battery.

Government Backing

Californias Air Resources Board (CARB) passed the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation last year mandating that truck manufacturers transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. Starting in 2024, commercial truck manufacturers must sell zero-emissions trucks as an increasing percentage of their annual statewide sales.

President Biden announced that his administration is planning to replace the federal governments fleet of combustion-engine vehicles with electric vehicles manufactured in the U.S. According to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal fleet comprises near 650,000 vehicles with around 100,000 medium-duty and 40,000 heavy-duty trucks in the inventory.

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