Latest news with #ZFLifetec
CTV News
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Province invests $500K to support local skills training in automotive industry
Jill Dunlop, Simcoe North MPP, announced a substantial investment on Thursday to train locals who are interested in working in the automotive industry. In a news release, Dunlop confirmed that the province is investing nearly $500,000 to help Simcoe North residents get the skills they need to land 'good-paying, in-demand' jobs in the industry. The funding is sourced from the province's Skills Development Fund (SDF). 'As MPP for Simcoe North, I'm proud to support the Ontario government's investment through Round 5 of the Skills Development Fund,' said Dunlop in the news release. 'This substantial funding will empower Masterful Tec in Midland to expand their registered apprenticeship program, giving more people the opportunity to gain in-demand skills and build rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Investments like this are crucial for growing our local workforce, supporting businesses, and strengthening our economy for the future.' The province says its SDF training stream is available for applicants that include employers, industry associations, labour unions, hospitals, and others. ZF, a tech company that supplies systems for passenger and commercial vehicles, has a branch in Midland and helped develop the Masterful Tec program. 'The Masterful Tec registered apprentice program has been developed by ZF Lifetec in Midland to meet current and future labour market challenges and introduces a hybrid program that integrates traditional time-based and technology on the job learning and competency-based education, which allows workers to progress at their own pace', said Gail Gillian from ZF Lifetec in Midland. 'The long-term impact and effectiveness of this program will not only equip apprentices with essential skills for their current roles but also foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability for the future.' The province adds that its SDF has helped connect more than 500,000 jobseekers find good-paying and fulfilling careers close to home.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why Cartken pivoted its focus from last-mile delivery to industrial robots
Autonomous robotics startup Cartken, known for its four-wheeled robots that deliver food on college campuses and through Tokyo's bustling streets, has found a new area of focus: industrials. Cartken co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch told TechCrunch that applying its delivery robots to industrial settings was always in the back of his mind as they built the startup. When companies started reaching out about using their robots in factories and labs, Cartken took a closer look. 'What we found is that actually there's a real big need in industrial and onsite use cases,' said Bersch, who co-founded the startup along with other former Google engineers behind the Bookbot project. 'Sometimes there have even [been] more direct value to companies optimizing their material flows or their production flows.' In 2023, the startup landed its first big industrial customer, German manufacturing company ZF Lifetec. Initially, ZF Lifetec used its existing delivery robots, called the Cartken Courier, which can hold 44 pounds and resembles an Igloo cooler on wheels. 'Our food delivery robot started moving production samples around, and it's quickly turned into our busiest robot of all,' Bersch said. 'That's when we said, hey, there's like real use cases and real market need behind it, and that's when we started targeting that segment more and more.' At the time, Cartken was still pressing ahead on its delivery sidewalk business, including locking in partnerships with Uber Eats and GrubHub for its last-mile delivery operations across U.S. college campuses and in Japan. But that early success with ZF, encouraged the startup founders, which includes Jake Stelman, Jonas Witt and Anjali Naik, to expand its business model. Switching Cartken's robots from food delivery to an industrial setting, wasn't much of a challenge, Bersch said. The AI behind the robots is trained on years of food delivery data and the devices are designed to traverse various terrains and weather conditions. This means the robots can travel between indoor and outdoor settings. And thanks to data collected from delivering food on Tokyo streets, the robots are able to react and maneuver around obstacles. Cartken, which has raised more than $20 million from 468 Capital, Incubate Fund, Vela Partners, and other venture firms, has started to build out its robotic fleet to reflect its pivot to industrials. The company released the Cartken Hauler earlier this year, which is a larger version of the Cartken Courier and can hold up to 660 pounds. The company also released the Cartken Runner, designed for indoor deliveries, and is also working on something similar to a robotic forklift. 'We have a navigation stack that is parameterizable for different robot sizes,' Bersch said. 'All the AI and machine learning and training that went into that is like transferring directly to the other robots.' Cartken recently announced that it was deepening its four-year relationship with Japanese automaker Mitsubishi, which originally helped the company get the needed certifications to operate their delivery robots on the streets of Tokyo. Melco Mobility Solutions, a company under the Mitsubishi umbrella, just announced that it will be buying nearly 100 Cartken Hauler robots for use in Japanese industrial facilities. 'We're definitely seeing a lot of traction across various industrial and corporate sites, from automotive companies to pharmaceutical to chemical,' he said. 'All these companies typically have people moving stuff from one building to another, whether it's being by hand, on a cart ,or a small forklift, and that is really what we're targeting.' Cartken will still continue its food and consumer last-mile delivery business, but it won't be expanding it, Bersch said, adding they still do a lot of testing for new capabilities on these existing last-mile delivery routes. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- TechCrunch
Why Cartken pivoted its focus from last-mile delivery to industrial robots
Autonomous robotics startup Cartken, known for its four-wheeled robots that deliver food on college campuses and through Tokyo's bustling streets, has found a new area of focus: industrials. Cartken co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch told TechCrunch that applying its delivery robots to industrial settings was always in the back of his mind as they built the startup. When companies started reaching out about using their robots in factories and labs, Cartken took a closer look. 'What we found is that actually there's a real big need in industrial and onsite use cases,' said Bersch, who co-founded the startup along with other former Google engineers behind the Bookbot project. 'Sometimes there have even [been] more direct value to companies optimizing their material flows or their production flows.' In 2023, the startup landed its first big industrial customer, German manufacturing company ZF Lifetec. Initially, ZF Lifetec used its existing delivery robots, called the Cartken Courier, which can hold 44 pounds and resembles an Igloo cooler on wheels. 'Our food delivery robot started moving production samples around, and it's quickly turned into our busiest robot of all,' Bersch said. 'That's when we said, hey, there's like real use cases and real market need behind it, and that's when we started targeting that segment more and more.' At the time, Cartken was still pressing ahead on its delivery sidewalk business, including locking in partnerships with Uber Eats and GrubHub for its last-mile delivery operations across U.S. college campuses and in Japan. But that early success with ZF, encouraged the startup founders, which includes Jake Stelman, Jonas Witt and Anjali Naik, to expand its business model. Switching Cartken's robots from food delivery to an industrial setting, wasn't much of a challenge, Bersch said. The AI behind the robots is trained on years of food delivery data and the devices are designed to traverse various terrains and weather conditions. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW This means the robots can travel between indoor and outdoor settings. And thanks to data collected from delivering food on Tokyo streets, the robots are able to react and maneuver around obstacles. Image Credits:Cartken Cartken, which has raised more than $20 million from 468 Capital, Incubate Fund, Vela Partners, and other venture firms, has started to build out its robotic fleet to reflect its pivot to industrials. The company released the Cartken Hauler earlier this year, which is a larger version of the Cartken Courier and can hold up to 660 pounds. The company also released the Cartken Runner, designed for indoor deliveries, and is also working on something similar to a robotic forklift. 'We have a navigation stack that is parameterizable for different robot sizes,' Bersch said. 'All the AI and machine learning and training that went into that is like transferring directly to the other robots.' Cartken recently announced that it was deepening its four-year relationship with Japanese automaker Mitsubishi, which originally helped the company get the needed certifications to operate their delivery robots on the streets of Tokyo. Melco Mobility Solutions, a company under the Mitsubishi umbrella, just announced that it will be buying nearly 100 Cartken Hauler robots for use in Japanese industrial facilities. 'We're definitely seeing a lot of traction across various industrial and corporate sites, from automotive companies to pharmaceutical to chemical,' he said. 'All these companies typically have people moving stuff from one building to another, whether it's being by hand, on a cart ,or a small forklift, and that is really what we're targeting.' Cartken will still continue its food and consumer last-mile delivery business, but it won't be expanding it, Bersch said, adding they still do a lot of testing for new capabilities on these existing last-mile delivery routes.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
ZF unveils flexible range extender tech to solve EV range anxiety. Here's how it works
A range extender essentially transforms a standard electric vehicle into a hybrid without it actually propelling the wheels As the auto industry leans heavily toward full electrification, German automotive supplier ZF is preparing a different kind of solution. The company recently announced it will launch a new electric range extender system by 2026, aimed at easing concerns about EV range without abandoning combustion engines entirely. A range extender essentially transforms a standard electric vehicle into a hybrid without it actually propelling the wheels. A small petrol engine instead acts as a generator that will charge your battery when needed. Unlike plug-in hybrids, where the engine can drive the vehicle as well as charge the battery, range extenders have the engine to constantly run at its optimal speed resulting in improved fuel economy and lowered emissions. Also Read : Future of control? ZF Lifetec unveils new steering wheel with safety and tech While this technology is not entirely new—cars like the BMW i3 used similar setups—ZF believes there's still a market need. Despite modern EVs achieving around 500 kilometers of range, many buyers still experience "range anxiety," especially in regions with limited charging infrastructure. ZF makes the case that range extender systems have a number of benefits when compared to plug-in hybrids. They are less expensive to produce, simpler to design, and based on less complicated supply chains. And since the petrol engine is not connected to the wheels, it can be optimized exclusively for producing electricity, which makes the whole system more efficient. 'This technology represents a cost-effective alternative to larger batteries or plug-in hybrids," said Dr. Otmar Scharrer, Senior Vice President of Electrified Powertrain Technology at ZF. ZF range extender: Two versions The upcoming system will be available in two variants: eRE and eRE+. The eRE version pairs an electric motor with an integrated converter and a planetary gearset. The eRE+ adds an intelligent clutch and differential, enabling it to work either as a generator or as a secondary drive source if needed. Also Read : This new semiconductor claims to increase EV range by 10% Power outputs will be adjustable according to customer requirements. The eRE will offer between 93 and 147 horsepower, while the eRE+ could deliver up to 201 horsepower. ZF's move to reintroduce range extenders highlights the continuing evolution of EV technologies. Instead of larger, costlier batteries, these systems may offer manufacturers a more flexible, efficient path forward—especially for vehicles already built on electric platforms. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 30 Apr 2025, 19:00 PM IST
