Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for March 7, 2016

Infineon signs deal with TTTech to speed up development in autonomous driving

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Infineon has reached an agreement with TTTech on the joint development of autonomous vehicle technologies. 

Under the guidance of Audi, TTTech developed a central platform control unit, “zFAS”, integrating various functionalities of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The ECU also enables comprehensive fusion of sensor data. Microcontrollers from Infineon Technologies safeguard that highest requirements towards computing performance and safety are met.  [Read more…] about Infineon signs deal with TTTech to speed up development in autonomous driving

IFR survey: 1.3 million industrial robots to enter service by 2018

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IFR survey industrial robots
Figure 1: Global robot density above average – European Union (Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Finland, France, Austria, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, United Kingdom), Asia (Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan), America (USA, Canada)

The automation of the fourth industrial revolution is accelerating: By 2018, around 1.3 million industrial robots will be entering service in factories around the world. In the high-revenue automotive sector, global investments in industrial robots increased by a record-breaking 43 percent (2013-2014) within one year.

Viewed on a cross-sector basis, the international market value for robotic systems now lies at around 32 billion US dollars. So says the 2015 World Robot Statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The robotic density figure is a key performance indicator for gauging the current degree of automation within the international markets: For example, the average global robotic density in producing industries lies at 66  robot units per 10,000 employees. [Read more…] about IFR survey: 1.3 million industrial robots to enter service by 2018

AI crossword-solving application could make machines better at understanding language

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crossword
Image credit: Beth

A web-based machine language system solves crossword puzzles far better than commercially-available products, and may help machines better understand language.

Researchers at Cambridge University have designed a web-based platform which uses artificial neural networks to answer standard crossword clues better than existing commercial products specifically designed for the task.

The system, which is freely available online, could help machines understand language more effectively.  [Read more…] about AI crossword-solving application could make machines better at understanding language

Exploring the art of the possible: Engineering design experts host Dassault Systémes webinar

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Dassault Systèmes Simulia
Dassault Systèmes says its Simulia delivers realistic simulation applications that enable users to explore real-world behavior of product, nature and life

Product lifecycle management (PLM) expert Design Rule has teamed up engineering design software expert SSA Analysis to host an online webinar that explores best practice for users of Dassault Systémes design and simulation software.

The webinar will explore the benefits of two core Dassault software applications: CAD design product Catia V5 and engineering simulation software Simulia.

The webinar, entitled Simulia and the art of the possible, will take place on Friday, March 18, at 10.30 GMT.  [Read more…] about Exploring the art of the possible: Engineering design experts host Dassault Systémes webinar

Increasing connectivity of industrial equipment with ‘digital twins’

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industrial equipment, connectivity, digital twins

Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of obsolete industrial components supplier, European Automation explains the concept of “digital twins” and the impact it will have on industry

Until the beginning of the 21st century, the only way to get information about the status of operating industrial equipment was to inspect it.

Today, increased computing power and connectivity are making it possible to virtualise this task by creating and maintaining a digital twin of anything from electric motors to programmable logic controller (PLC) systems. The concept doesn’t stop at industrial facilities. It’s predicted that by 2018, we will begin to see the first stages of digital twins for entire cities being developed.  [Read more…] about Increasing connectivity of industrial equipment with ‘digital twins’

Billion dollar brain: Exclusive interview with Professor Alois Knoll

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Professor Alois Knoll, co-ordinator of the European Clearing House for Open Robotics Development (Echord), and one of the key scientists involved in the $1.5 billion-dollar Human Brain Project, speaks exclusively to Robotics and Automation News

It’s not every day you learn a new word you like. From my point of view, having been in journalism longer than I’d like to recall, it’s an interesting experience to be reminded of an extract from a biography of Dr Samuel Johnson, “father of the English dictionary”, written by James Boswell in 1791, which I read in my teens.

Nothing specific from what I read applies here, but I’ll paraphrase a quote from Johnson which I think may be most appropriate. “A writer only begins an article. A reader finishes it.”  [Read more…] about Billion dollar brain: Exclusive interview with Professor Alois Knoll