Automotive

Tesla has doubled the amount of workers involved in construction of its “gigafactory” in the Nevada desert, aiming to have it complete by early next year and the launch of its Model 3 vehicle.

Samsung Electronics is to pay 3 billion yuan ($450 million) for a stake in Chinese automaker and rechargeable batteries firm BYD, the Chinese company said in a stock exchange filing this week.

Unlike our previous election, in fact unlike our past three federal elections, in the US, both candidates for president are vowing to revitalise and resurrect the U.S. manufacturing industry. In fact, Donald Trump says he will “reclaim millions of American jobs” while Hillary Clinton is pushing a “make it in America” strategy. “While too many … Continue reading OPINION: Unlike in Australia, US elections are all about manufacturing →

Rare earth elements and their compounds are a crucial part of our everyday technologies. But our demand for these precious elements are growing, and the world’s supply is not evenly distributed. Below is an infographic outlining these major elements, how they are used, and where they are found. 7 Rare Earth Elements that Run our … Continue reading INFOGRAPHIC: Rare earth metals supply and where it is found →

Servicing, Maintenance and Welding (SMW) Group provides field servicing, maintenance and emergency repair and rebuild services to customers in Central Queensland. The company also provides complete plant and equipment management, supported by a range of mine site compliance activities. In response to SMW’s desire to make its large welding workshop more efficient, BOC and its … Continue reading New gen robots cutting weld time by up to 90 per cent →

While hiring intentions among Australian employers remain positive, their employees feel let down on the training front and many are actively looking to switch jobs, the latest Hudson Report has revealed. The report tracked the hiring intentions of more than 2,000 employers, as well as the attitudes of 1,330 employees in April this year. It … Continue reading Report finds employers eager to hire but staff also eager to leave →

When I first saw the results of IFS’s Digital Transformation Survey of nearly 500 senior decision makers in 20+ countries, I was surprised that only 50 per cent of respondents in Australia said they had a clear strategy for digital transformation. The reason wasn’t that 50 per cent seemed like a low figure based on … Continue reading OPINION: Are Australian companies doing enough to transform themselves? →

Emerson has announced the release of the Rosemount 975 flame detectors, a complete line of optical flame detectors designed to perform in the harshest environmental conditions and connect directly to alarm or automatic fire extinguishing systems. The new line incorporates a variety of flame detection technologies that will provide optimal coverage for a wide range of … Continue reading New flame detectors to help keep staff and facilities safe →

In a move that could help reinvigorate the metal production industry in Australia, CSIRO and Enirgi Group have joined forces to develop and commercialise an affordable and low-emission technology for producing magnesium metal. The CSIRO-developed technology, known as MagSonic, produces magnesium using up to 80 per cent less energy and up to 60 per cent … Continue reading Low-cost magnesium developed by CSIRO →

Tesla Motors is working on amendments to its autopilot system after it failed to stop a fatal crash earlier this year. In a recent Twitter post, CEO Elon Musk said Tesla is improving its radar system, which is used (along with cameras and computers) to detect objects and automatically brake if the vehicle is about to hit something.

A fire at an unnamed automotive factory in Sunshine North, west of Melbourne’s CBD, yesterday morning is being treated as suspicious.

Tested in demanding NASCAR and Touring Car racing environments, an Australian brake rotor innovation is ready for the market, according to the company behind it. Brent Balinski spoke to OzBrakes’ Colin Lagoon about the road ahead.

Daimler has announced it will use 3D printing to help localise production of spare parts for its trucks. Reuters reports that the world’s biggest truck maker and parent company of Mercedes Benz will begin the initiative in September, for parts “including spring caps, air and cable ducts, clamps, mountings and control elements.” It has experimented on … Continue reading Daimler to begin 3D printing truck parts →

LG Electronics and Volkswagen AG have entered into a memorandum of understanding signaling their commitment to cooperate on the research and development of a next-generation connected car service platform. The two companies will work together to develop Volkwagen’s Cross-Over-Platform to enhance vehicle connectivity and convenience. Using the latest in cloud technology, the goal of the new … Continue reading LG and Volkswagen commit to connected car platform →

The South Australian government has announced a grant scheme, offering SMEs in the state – which has the country’s worst unemployment rate – $10,000 per each job created.

In early May, the driver of a Tesla S sports car died after a collision, prompting an investigation into Tesla’s self-driving technology. This has come months after Australia’s first-ever automated car trials in South Australia.

With a growing appetite for technology, quality and performance, India’s auto sector has been cited as an area of opportunity for Australian companies. It’s also very tricky regarding what it expects, Professor Peter Hodgson told Brent Balinski.

Toyota has issued two recalls this week, cumulatively affecting 3.37 million cars worldwide.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was encouraged by today’s strategic decision to bring together the planning, coordination and operation of Victoria’s transport system under the new body, Transport for Victoria. Victorian Chamber Chief Executive said that a highly integrated infrastructure system was vital to supporting long term economic growth and liveability … Continue reading New body to help meet transport needs of Victorian business →

Volkswagen executives have addressed a general meeting of shareholders for the first time since the September “defeat device” scandal broke, apologising for the company’s behaviour.