Market trends and business perspectives
Bosch has given its new robotic lawn mower a run in the garden. The company says the machine enables users unfamiliar with robots a gentle introduction to robotic lawn care.
The two new models are Indego 400 and 400 Connect are 50 per cent smaller and half as loud as previous models. The robomowers can also cut grass on a patch that is up to 400 square metres, says Bosch.
The retail price of Indego 400 is set at around €900 and the Indego 400 Connect is available for around €1,100.
By Johannes Lintzen, vice president of sales and business development at Utimaco
Most big automotive brands have been around since the time “before connected cars”. Since automobiles are typically built incrementally through a complex supply chain, combining existing and new technologies developing at different speeds, it is difficult to ensure that a vehicle is entirely connected.
This includes being accessible for over the air software updates as well and being protected against security breaches, while protecting a driver’s privacy – all at the same time.
With the increase in connected cars on the roads, and an industry disruptor in the name of Tesla, many in the automotive industry are looking for ways to secure their products. There are some key similarities between the auto industry’s current situation, and what payment companies had to consider with the advent and wider adoption of payment cards. [Read more…] about What the auto industry can learn from payments sector about cybersecurity
Martyn Williams, managing director of industrial automation software supplier, Copa-Data UK, discusses three steps manufacturers should take to stay safe in the cloud
You wouldn’t allow an intruder to spend 229 days in your house undetected, so why would you do that with your manufacturing facility?
As incredible as that sounds, the average time between a cyber security breach and its detection is 229 days. Manufacturing facilities are leading the list of potential targets for cyber espionage, denial of service (DoS) and web-application attacks.
As the manufacturing sector moves towards industrial automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the cloud, the number and nature of cyber threats is also growing. A decade ago, user security was the IT department’s responsibility. [Read more…] about Protecting connected manufacturing: Three steps to industrial internet security
CNH Industrial, the agricultural technology giant, is showcasing its new autonomous tractor (see video below).
The company says the driverless vehicle will boost precision and productivity in the farming sector.
CNH says the autonomous tractor will enable better use of labor, integration into current machinery fleets, and bring the flexibility to work unmanned around the clock with real time data monitoring – and, in the future, the ability to automatically respond to weather events.
That’s what the concept autonomous tractor technology developed by CNH Industrial could bring to future world agriculture, following its public preview at the 2016 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, USA. [Read more…] about CNH launches driverless tractor for agriculture applications
Verdigris, an artificial intelligence software company, has launched Einstein, an internet of things smart sensor and metering solution that reduces energy consumption and cost in buildings.
Einstein is Verdigris’ latest IoT energy management platform. It was designed to be the easiest most-scalable connected sensor for complex enterprise facilities. By analyzing Einstein’s continuous stream of energy data, Verdigris drives smarter and more responsive building operation, saving customers tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually on energy costs.
Verdigris CEO Mark Chung says: “Einstein makes it unbelievably easy to know what’s happening inside your building in real time, down to a single appliance.
“We put hard-earned money back into our customers’ pockets each month by predicting the most accurate forecasts of utility, weather and energy data, and automating the reduction of their most inefficient energy operations.” [Read more…] about Verdigris launches Einstein intelligent building solution
Nasa is preparing to launch a solar-powered robotic spacecraft on the agency’s first mission to return a sample of an asteroid to Earth.
The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth. It will also help establish the possible existence of alien life forms in outer space.
The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft will travel to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu and bring a sample back to Earth for intensive study.
Launch is scheduled for 7:05 pm EDT Thursday, September 8 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. [Read more…] about Nasa to send solar-powered robotic spacecraft on mission to look for alien life on asteroid
Adidas will open a robotics-intensive, advanced manufacturing facility to make footwear in the Atlanta, US in 2017.
The “industry-defining, state-of-the-art facility” as the company describes it, called adidas SpeedFactory, will allow adidas to create product more quickly and closer to US consumers.
Adidas’ SpeedFactory concept features high levels of robotics and automation systems as well as advanced manufacturing technology, such as 3D printing.
Adidas Group executive board member Eric Liedtke, responsible for global brands, says: “For years our industry has been playing by the same rules manufacturing product remotely in Asia.
“As the creator brand that challenges convention and looks to co-create the future with our consumers, we are obsessed with bringing all steps of the creation process home to America. We’re fueling design at the ground level of creativity in Brooklyn and reinventing manufacturing with the first adidas SpeedFactory in Atlanta.
“This allows us to make product for the consumer, with the consumer, where the consumer lives in real time, unleashing unparalleled creativity and endless opportunities for customization in America.” [Read more…] about Adidas to open robotics-intensive facility to make shoes in America
HMS Industrial Networks has acquired all shares of the Spain-based company Intesis Software – a provider of gateway solutions for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system integration within building automation.
Intesis was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Igualada, Spain, close to Barcelona. Intesis offers advanced communication gateway solutions and interfaces within the building automation field.
The major part of Intesis’ sales comes from the successful “IntesisBox” building automation communication solution. Intesis works closely with many major manufacturers of air conditioning and building automation systems globally. At present, the company has 30 employees. [Read more…] about HMS Industrial Networks acquires Intesis Software
Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation business, has extended its range of high power modular drives.
Both its Unidrive M and Powerdrive F300 variable speed drive ranges are now available in the larger frame size 11, providing a flexible method of building compact, reliable high-power solutions.
Paralleled together, Unidrive M can control asynchronous and permanent magnet motors in systems up to 2.8 MW (4,200 hp), according to the company. The new frame 11 is a 250 kW (400 hp) module that allows system builders to create high power solutions with the smallest number of components, keeping both footprint and costs to a minimum. [Read more…] about Control Techniques launches ‘high power’ modular drives for industrial internet
Delta says it has strengthened its portfolio of industrial automation solutions and is aiming at smart manufacturing.
Delta has launched what it says is a “strengthened and highly diversified” set of industrial automation solutions. manufacturing and industrial enterprises not only achieve higher productivity and energy
The company says its solutions will help manufacturers and industrial enterprises achieve higher productivity and energy savings, and realize the concept of smart manufacturing. [Read more…] about Delta launches new range of automation solutions for industrial internet
