Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for May 11, 2016

Virtual assistants prepare to take over the world of work

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Dennis Mortensen, CEO, x.ai,
Dennis Mortensen, CEO, x.ai, pictured in the Wall Street area of New York, US

Exclusive interview with Dennis Mortensen, founder and CEO of intelligent assistants technology developer x.ai 

Virtual assistants, or intelligent assistants, are multiplying by the day. Currently there are around a dozen really well-known ones, such as Siri and Cortana, and then there’s several dozen other reasonably well-known ones talking or otherwise communicating their way into the public consciousness.

These intelligent assistants can be placed in at least 10 different categories, such as text and chatbots, personal advisors, and employee assistants.

Of these, perhaps the most commercially profitable is the employee assistants category. And within this segment, the virtual assistance technology that arguably holds most promise is the one produced by x.ai – in part because among its investors is SoftBank, the Japanese communications giant behind Pepper, the cloud-connected humanoid robot which is claimed to be able to discern human emotions and communicate appropriately.  [Read more…] about Virtual assistants prepare to take over the world of work

IdeaHub launches robotics challenge with ABB

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abb yumi

IdeaHub is recruiting robotics and software innovators worldwide to take on the challenge of improving the way humans work and interact with the next generation of industrial robots.

Working on behalf of ABB Robotics, IdeaHub will help successful applicants pitch their ideas and secure uniquely tailored support packages to maximise their venture’s commercial potential, including investment, mentoring and access to cutting edge hardware.

IdeaHub is a cross sector, open innovation platform that connects visionaries worldwide with funding and support from global corporations.  [Read more…] about IdeaHub launches robotics challenge with ABB

ABB buys SVIA to strengthen robotics and automation offering

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ABB has acquired SVIA, a provider in the fast-growing market of robot automation cells for machine tending.

SVIA, headquartered in Jönköping, Sweden, builds automated solutions for machine tending processes, using robots to feed components to lathes and mills, and to secondary processes like assembly, washing and part marking.

SVIA has a portfolio of over 800 machine tending cell solutions which integrate robotic automation to increase the productivity, flexibility and quality of manufacturing.  [Read more…] about ABB buys SVIA to strengthen robotics and automation offering

Nachi to open giant facility in Thailand

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nachi thailand plant
How the Nachi-Fujikoshi plant in Thailand will look when it’s finished

Nachi is building a manufacturing subsidiary in Thailand to capitalise on the growing Asean market. 

The company is one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, and is looking in particular towards the automotive sector for further growth opportunities.

Nachi says the Thailand plant will be “making forged and turned parts inside Asean market member states, where medium and long term expansion of automotive production is expected”.

Nachi-Fujikoshi is now promoting a “regional production for regional supply” in foreign market areas.  [Read more…] about Nachi to open giant facility in Thailand

B&R claims ‘world’s first’ OPC UA device

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b&r opc ua system

B&R claims to have become the first company in the world to develop a field device for Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA). 

The company says it has added the vendor-independent communication protocol to their X20 I/O system.

B&R says the new X20 I/O system bus controller makes it possible to implement OPC UA communication from the sensor layer to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) layer “without any interfaces whatsoever”. [Read more…] about B&R claims ‘world’s first’ OPC UA device

42Q claims industry’s ‘first cloud-based manufacturing execution system’

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42q image

42Q is claiming that it has become the first company to provide a fully cloud-based manufacturing execution system. 

The company says its new product is an intuitive, comprehensive solution which eliminates large up-front costs and enables fast deployment.

42Q is already a provider of cloud manufacturing execution systems, and says the new all-cloud solution offers “competitive advantages in speed of deployment, operational agility and low total cost of ownership”.  [Read more…] about 42Q claims industry’s ‘first cloud-based manufacturing execution system’

Smart homes: Sage by Hughes now works with Nest

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sage hughes nest

Sage has entered into a partnership with Nest on smart home technology products

Sage by Hughes security and smart home system now works with the Nest Cam security camera, the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.

By working with Nest, Sage says it can expand the lineup of options available to its users and “bring the intelligence and convenience of Nest products to the television – all from the comfort of the user’s couch”.  [Read more…] about Smart homes: Sage by Hughes now works with Nest

Igus receives 10,000th order from robotics company

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igus director, Justin Leonard, presents Fraser Reid, managing director of Cyber-Weld, with the 10,000th readycable order
Igus director Justin Leonard presents Fraser Reid, managing director of Cyber-Weld, with the 10,000th readycable order

As Cyber-Weld reaches 10,000 orders for readycable products, igus outlines the advantages of using robotics in the welding process 

Robotic welding systems have been widely used in large scale automated manufacturing facilities, particularly in the automotive industry, for a number of years. 

Faced with cost pressures from their customers, small metalworking job shops are now starting to consider implementing automation. 

When the operating costs of robotic welding are compared to manual welding the results are now clearly in favour of the robot.  Additional benefits of automating are increased productivity, more consistent welded joints and improved quality.  [Read more…] about Igus receives 10,000th order from robotics company