12 Jul 2022

Smart Earbud Will Measure How Astronauts Sleep
Astronauts find it difficult to maintain a natural circadian rhythm and generally complain about their sleep. Researchers have developed a technology that can read the brain's electrical activity and map our sleep patterns. The technology, along with astronaut Andreas Mogensen, will travel to the International Space Station ISS to examine the differences between human sleep patterns on earth and in space.
External press release
12 Jul 2022

Electric Van Count to Track Van Fuel Transition
New AutoMotive today launches Electric Van Count to track the UK's transition of vans from diesel to electric.
Background
12 Jul 2022

Lightning eMotors: Electric Trucks
Lightning eMotors, headquartered in Colorado, design, manufacture, and fit all-electric powertrains into vans and medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Topic overview
12 Jul 2022

Roboshuttles
Roboshuttles are a new type of vehicle that we first saw emerging at the start of the last decade. Since then, many companies have shown interest in roboshuttles. They have generated excitement through their small size and bidirectional travel opening new use cases, such as operating in pedestrianised areas. Companies like Navya and EasyMile have been selling roboshuttles to other companies looking to investigate their use in small trials. Some have been able to expand to large trials involving tens to hundreds of units. However, we are starting to see some roboshuttle companies close their doors and others pivot to other vehicle types. While other autonomous technologies are now progressing into commercial trials and even early deployments, roboshuttles appear to be stagnating.
This premium article explores and compares more than 25 different companies that have been involved in roboshuttles. IDTechEx has collected data on each of these companies and uses it to provide in-depth analysis and understanding of the roboshuttle industry in this premium article. From investigating the successes and failings within the industry, IDTechEx has formed an opinion about the outlook of roboshuttles and whether they are likely to be a commercial success in the future.
Background
11 Jul 2022

Gerdau Graphene
Gerdau Graphene are a subsidiary of Gerdau, the largest producer of long steel in the Americas. Gerdau Graphene focus on the commercialization of graphene-enhanced products.
11 Jul 2022

The Biggest Opportunities for the Future of Haptics
IDTechEx has released its latest report on haptics, projecting that the industry's annual revenue will grow to over US$5 billion by 2027 and will continue to increase through to 2033. Where should the industry be focusing to drive this growth?
11 Jul 2022

Sound Reduces Pain in Mice
An international team of scientists has identified the neural mechanisms through which sound blunts pain in mice. The findings could inform development of safer methods to treat pain.
11 Jul 2022

Volkswagen Enters Global Battery Business with PowerCo
Volkswagen Group broke the ground for its first cell factory in Salzgitter. Production will start in 2025. With immediate effect, responsibility for global battery business is to be held by the newly created company "PowerCo". In addition to cell production, the new company will be responsible for activities along the entire battery value chain.
11 Jul 2022

Smashing Through the 30% Efficiency Barrier for Perovskite Solar Cells
For the first time, an efficiency of 30% for perovskite-on-silicon-tandem solar cells has been exceeded thanks to a joint effort led by scientists at EPFL's Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory in partnership with the renowned innovation center, CSEM. Independently certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States, these results are a boost to high-efficiency photovoltaics and pave the way toward even more competitive solar electricity generation.
11 Jul 2022

Smart Textiles Sense How Their Users are Moving
Researchers develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer's activities, like walking, running, and jumping.
Full profile interview
11 Jul 2022

Roboat: Autonomous Stack for Water Vessels
Roboat are developing an autonomous software stack for marine applications. They currently have two vessels testing in the canals of Amsterdam but later this year will be deploying their technology on a commercial ferry service.
External press release
11 Jul 2022

Sustainable Marine partners with Portugal's blueOASIS
Sustainable Marine has formed a strategic partnership with Portugal's blueOASIS to develop a range of 'SIDS-appropriate' marine renewable energy solutions, that can help unlock the vast ocean energy potential of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
External press release
11 Jul 2022

Renewable Energy Sources Provide Nearly 30% of US Electric Generation
Driven by strong solar and wind power growth, electrical generation by renewable energy sources (i.e., also including biomass, geothermal, hydropower) accounted for almost 30 percent of total U.S. electrical generation in April and over a quarter during the first four months of 2022, according to a SUN DAY Campaign analysis of newly-released EIA data.
External press release
11 Jul 2022

Roadside EV Charging Solution, Full Charge in as Little as an Hour
Offering a typical output of 50kW from an onboard battery , the ZAPME charger can offer around 140 miles of charge in an hour. This is more than enough to get to a charging point even if many miles away.
For the most part ZAPME chargers will be plugged in just 10 minutes to allow the EV to make it to a charge point. In a dangerous position on the road this could reduce the risk of problems such as roadside technicians being hit by passing vehicles.
Update
11 Jul 2022

ABB — Cobots for Various Uses
ABB, one of the market leaders in the robotics industry, demonstrated their CRB 1500 cobot performing different tasks with different end effectors, such as picking, welding, and unlocking with keys at Automatica 2022.
Update interview
11 Jul 2022

Viscon Group
Viscon Group is an agtech company, founded in 1927 with headquarters in the Netherlands. IDTechEx spoke with Viscon Group about its horticultural division at GreenTech 2022.
Full profile interview
8 Jul 2022

BCN3D Technologies
BCN3D Technologies are a Spanish manufacturer of 3D printers. IDTechEx spoke with David MartÃnez Reygaza, PR Manager at BCN3D Technologies.
Update interview
8 Jul 2022

VividQ: Visit and Tech Demo
VividQ is a Cambridge, UK, based firm which focuses on developing IP for computer-generated holography, both for software and optical engine hardware. Following its recent profile, IDTechEx visited VividQ, trying out its technology and hearing about VividQ's thoughts on the future of augmented reality.
Full profile interview
8 Jul 2022

Ceylon Graphene Technologies
Ceylon Graphene Technologies are a Sri Lankan company producing graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). IDTechEx spoke with Manju Gunawardana (CEO).
Full profile interview
8 Jul 2022

Elywhere
Elywhere makes mobile, battery-powered fast charging stations. Its solution is ideal for places where EV charging demand is high and spare grid capacity to install chargers is low. Its solution is portable and offers high power charging using on-board battery storage. IDTechEx spoke to its CEO, Kenneth Hauge, at EVS35 in Oslo.