N. Andersen

The so-called "net zero" in greenhouse gas emissions is an important goal – but according to a joint assessment by the Swiss Empa and the German Öko-Institut, it is not sufficient to achieve climate targets. CO2 capture technologies – and solutions like "Carbfix" – are urgently needed.

Despite the progress of electromobility, charging infrastructure remains a concern in some places. However, the energy transition is also advancing in the heavy commercial vehicle sector. Scania Switzerland, together with a well-known transport company in Sargans, is addressing this issue.

Almost four years ago, the Swiss train manufacturer won the tender from the Schleswig-Holstein public transport association (NAH.SH) for 55 battery-powered Flirt regional trains. Now, the foundation stone has been laid for a maintenance depot in the far north. 

The goal is "net zero." Not in terms of revenue, of course, but to "limit climate change and simultaneously maintain prosperity in Switzerland" through technological innovations, explains Swissmem President Martin Hirzel. The metalworking industry faces difficult times ahead.

Despite traffic control measures, nighttime driving bans, and construction sites, Bavaria continues to rely too heavily on road freight transport via the Brenner Pass. This is shown by surveys conducted as part of the "Climate-Friendly Brenner Transit" project by the Prien Logistics Competence Center. It's high time for a change of thinking.

Photo: SBB

It happens fairly often in the Swiss Alps, but this one is of considerable weight: Nearly 300 meters above the railway line between Zug and Arth-Goldau, a block weighing around 500 tons has broken away from the rock face. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) secured the block with steel cables and is now monitoring the Rossberg area. 

A Fraunhofer IML project focused on the automation of a gantry crane for the comprehensive automation of a transshipment terminal. A gantry crane was prototypically redesigned to enable it to perform independent processes. 

The Digital Automatic Coupler for freight trains (DAK) is gaining momentum. A multi-month field test on lines and marshalling yards across Europe has been successfully completed. The consortium carrying out the project includes DB, DB Cargo, and SBB Cargo. 

Fires in logistics warehouses are often fatal, not only because of the high value of the goods stored there. The fumes, smoke and soot particles, and other potentially toxic substances and compounds released can also cause significant damage. 

At the Fraunhofer IML booth at LogiMAT 2023, the institute will be showcasing an AI-controlled robot fleet “in action”, an open-source system for data acquisition using AI and camera, and a “Remote AI” (RAI) box that contains all the intelligence a robot needs to perform its tasks. 

 Image: Virgin Hyperloop

Deutsche Bahn has often struggled with delays. If the ideas of an engineer from the DB network control center are implemented, "early arrival" could become the norm. The hypersonic train, based on vacuum maglev technology, is reminiscent of Hyperloop and Cargo sous Terrain. 

 Photo: TUM

The proposal by scientists to pause the further development of artificial intelligence is currently being hotly debated. "That 's not helpful ," says Urs Gasser, a legal scholar from Solothurn in his view, a kind of AI certification process

Numerous innovations are attributed to Michael ten Hompel, head of the Fraunhofer IML. He is one of the inventors of shuttle technology in intralogistics, a driving force behind the Internet of Things and the Silicon Economy. He has now been awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit.  

The first fully electric truck in the WS Skyworker fleet in Oensingen has entered service after an intensive planning and implementation phase. The Scania Battery Electric Vehicle is stationed in Basel to transport aerial work platforms to and from the company's base in northwestern Switzerland.

Production will take place in Switzerland, delivery in Norway: Train manufacturer Stadler has been awarded the contract for 17 "Flirt Nordic Express" trains with an option for up to 83 more. The trains, capable of speeds up to 200 km/h, have up to 542 seats and, depending on their area of ​​operation, feature either electric or bi-modal propulsion.