Suzuki taps Soracom for IoT airtime in new industrial robots

Editorial staff
Suzuki taps Soracom for IoT airtime in new industrial robots

KDDI-owned virtual network operator (MVNO) Soracom is working with vehicle and mobility manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation to commercialize electric wheelchair technology in industrial robots. The pair have a proof-of-concept (PoC), they say, that combines Soracom’s IoT airtime with autonomous driving and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in a new family of industrial robots for logistics, manufacturing, construction, and other disciplines. Other partner technologies are also being deployed, said a press note. Suzuki has developed a new “versatile” micro e-mobility platform that uses its mobility technology in electric wheelchairs, developed over a…

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Connecticut to deploy Voltpost lamppost EV chargers

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Connecticut to deploy Voltpost lamppost EV chargers

Lamppost EV charging company Voltpost has been selected by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (Pura) in Connecticut to deploy its modular lamppost retrofit electric vehicle (EV) charging platform, helping to contribute to the state’s electrification goals. The contract includes an 18-month project to demonstrate the feasibility of the Voltpost charging platform, including in territories serviced by two leading regional electric distribution companies (EDCs), Eversource and United Illuminating (UI). EV charging infrastructure According to state authorities, there is a significant need for EV charging infrastructure across Connecticut. While 100 per cent…

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Paris to kick-off Volocopter eVTol operations in France

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Paris to kick-off Volocopter eVTol operations in France

Urban air mobility (UAM) company Volocopter and passenger flight services company Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have signed an agreement to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTol) aircraft services to France. The services are set to begin in Paris, where European and French authorities have an established and approved network of eVTol flight routes and infrastructure. VoloCity eVol aircraft This long-term agreement covers the initial delivery of two VoloCity eVol aircraft after it is certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). In addition, Volocopter will contribute its expertise…

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Europe’s transport networks don’t reflect society

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Europe’s transport networks don’t reflect society

Europe’s transport networks are designed for a narrow demographic: typically, men aged 25 to 45, who work traditional 9-to-5 jobs, have no care responsibilities, and speak the local language, reveals a report. EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, has released its latest report, Better Mobility Trend report, in collaboration with Impact Hub Vienna and Point&. Future of mobility The study is based on insights from over 300 startups and 100 industry and academic experts across Europe…

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Cities seek $86bn for climate infrastructure projects

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Cities seek $86bn for climate infrastructure projects

The 2024 Global Snapshot, developed in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), reveals that 611 cities across 75 countries have disclosed 2,508 climate-related projects through CDP-ICLEI Track in 2024, with a total investment requirement of $86bn. According to CDP, demand for climate finance in cities is increasing year-on-year as reported investment needs surged by 23 per cent in 2024. However, this remains only a fraction of the $800bn in annual public investment from national governments and development finance institutions required by 2030, as highlighted…

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South Korean helicopter operator pre-orders 20 eVTol aircraft

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South Korean helicopter operator pre-orders 20 eVTol aircraft

South Korean helicopter operator Moviation has pre-ordered 20 30-seater electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTol) aircraft from UK-based developer Sora Aviation. Moviation currently operates Jamsil Heliport, a hub for air mobility in Seoul, making it an ideal launch point for future S-1 operations in Seoul. Urban air mobility The two organisations have also signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore the deployment of the S-1 aircraft in South Korea, beginning with three key routes:​ Jamsil Heliport to Incheon Airport Yeouido financial district to Incheon Airport Jamsil Heliport to Sejong…

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Can HyperloopTT transform port logistics?

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Can HyperloopTT transform port logistics

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) has completed the world’s first HyperPort feasibility study in Brazil. The study was undertaken in collaboration with Brazilian port logistics company EGA Group and LabTrans at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Sustainable transport system HyperloopTT is an innovation company dedicated to developing the hyperloop, a high-speed, sustainable transportation system. The study reveals the potential transformative impact of the HyperPort system to meet Brazil’s growing shipping demands while promoting sustainable economic growth. “This is another historic milestone for HyperloopTT,” said HyperloopTT CEO, Andrés de León.…

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Netmore launches Metering-as-a-Service offering

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Netmore launches Metering-as-a-Service offering

Global Internet of Things (IoT) operator Netmore aims to accelerate smart metering for water and gas utilities with its Metering-as-a-Service (MaaS) offering. The service eliminates upfront costs and helps utilities modernise more quickly and affordably by providing an alternative to traditional capex-heavy advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployments. Sustainability and efficiency issues Netmore is experienced in rapidly deploying networks in regions around the world. MaaS enables utilities to redirect their focus from meter-related concerns to critical sustainability and efficiency issues.. Read more: smartcitiesworld.net

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Toronto to deploy AI-powered video enforcement on streetcars

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Toronto to deploy AI-powered video enforcement on streetcars

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has awarded Gatekeeper its automated streetcar enforcement system (ASES) pilot contract. The company will deploy its proprietary AI-assisted video analytics for incident detection, licence plate capture, and automated ticket processing. ASES is a video-based evidence capture and automated ticketing solution for enforcement of motorists that fail to stop for streetcars when the passenger doors are open. Automatic enforcement The ASES pilot contract is for initial deployment on four streetcars and is valued at approximately $460,000. The TTC operates streetcar routes in mixed-traffic conditions and certain stops…

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Germany to build zero energy bills neighbourhood

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Germany to build zero energy bills neighbourhood

Octopus Energy is enabling Germany’s first 100 per cent ‘Zero Bills’ neighbourhood in Schramberg, Baden-Württember. It follows the launch of Germany’s first Zero Bills home last July. Germany is one of three countries, along with the UK and New Zealand, where Octopus Energy has introduced the tariff. Green energy technology The Schramberg development will offer residents a future free from energy bills for at least six years with each of the 24 homes powered by green technology, including solar panels, heat pumps and batteries. Construction of the development is set…

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Copenhagen Helicopter and Crisalion team to progress advanced air mobility

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Copenhagen Helicopter and Crisalion team to progress advanced air mobility

Spanish electric mobility company Crisalion Mobility has signed a strategic agreement with Copenhagen Helicopter to promote advanced air mobility (AAM) in Denmark. The two companies will develop plans for passenger and cargo transport solutions, as well as the management of infrastructure to facilitate the upcoming AAM services in the air and on the ground. eVTol operations One of the main focuses of this collaboration will be to analyse the feasibility of future electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTol) operations between the island of Funen in Denmark and some of the…

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Connected Colorado Challenge announces winners

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Connected Colorado Challenge announces winners

Companies developing autonomous maintenance robots and visitor traffic analysis pattern technology have been named as the winners of the most recent Connected Colorado (C²) Challenge. Snowbotix and CityData.ai have earned the chance to implement their innovations with the City of Colorado Springs. Colorado Smart Cities Alliance The Challenge, run annually by the non-profit Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, creates a streamlined pathway for global innovators to connect with Colorado’s state and local governments, helping jurisdictions discover, evaluate and acquire breakthrough solutions. The 2024 C² Challenge, which launched in June of last…

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Warsaw further expands electric bus fleet

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Warsaw further expands electric bus fleet

Warsaw’s municipal bus operator Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA) has signed a contract for the delivery of 50 articulated Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses. To date, Solaris Bus & Coach has supplied the Polish capital with almost 1,350 buses, including 163 electric vehicles. Electric bus fleet Warsaw has one of the largest electric bus fleets in Europe, with the majority consisting of Solaris vehicles. In recent weeks, the zero-emission fleet has been increased by 30 12-metre vehicles from providers Solaris and Yutong. After the completion of the planned deliveries, electric buses…

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Eco-friendly tram extension begins operations in Florence

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Eco-friendly tram extension begins operations in Florence

Italian tramway operator Gest has begun operations of the new extension of its T2 tramway line, connecting Peretola Airport to San Marco Square in the Florence. The T2 line now includes six new stops. It transported 11.5 million passengers in 2024 and is expected to attract more than 3.4 million additional passengers with this extension. Eco-friendly electric tramways Gest is the Tuscan subsidiary of public transport operator RATP Dev and plays a vital role in reducing congestion and pollution with its eco-friendly, electric tramways. It complements Florence’s bus network operated…

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SkyDrive and JetSetGo team to develop eVTol routes in Gujarat

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SkyDrive and JetSetGo team to develop eVTol routes in Gujarat

Japanese-based eVTol aircraft manufacturer SkyDrive has entered a strategic partnership with JetSetGo Aviation Services to develop commercial eVTol routes, initially in the state of Gujarat and potentially in other locations across India. JetSetGo, one of India’s largest private jet operators, has also agreed to pre-order 50 units of the eVTol aircraft which will be SkyDrive’s first commercially certified eVTol. Technical collaboration agreement The agreement between SkyDrive and JetSetGo was facilitated by Suzuki Motor Corporation under a business and technical collaboration agreement previously signed by Suzuki and SkyDrive. SkyDrive reports it…

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