Archives for April 29, 2017

Omron develops AI-equipped machine automation controller

April 29, 2017 by Sam Francis

Omron says it has developed a machine automation controller equipped with a machine learning artificial intelligence algorithms.

The company claims it is the first of its kind in the industry.

Omron says the AI-equipped controller achieves real-time integration between a programmable logic controller function, which controls production lines and equipment changing in microseconds on factory floors, and an AI processing function.

Using Omron’s extensive range of sensors to monitor the status of equipment and processes, the controller safely regulates them before an irregularity can occur by predicting unusual movements of machinery based on the causal model that the built-in AI has been made to learn. [Read more…] about Omron develops AI-equipped machine automation controller

ABB and IBM form industrial artificial intelligence partnership

April 29, 2017 by Sam Francis

ABB and IBM have formed a strategic collaboration that brings together ABB’s industrial digital offering, ABB Ability, with IBM Watson Internet of Things cognitive capabilities to “unlock new value for customers in utilities, industry, transport and infrastructure”, according to the two supersized tech companies.

Customers will be provided access to ABB’s domain knowledge and portfolio of digital solutions combined with IBM’s expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as different industry verticals.

The first two joint industry solutions powered by ABB Ability and Watson will bring real-time cognitive insights to the factory floor and smart grids. [Read more…] about ABB and IBM form industrial artificial intelligence partnership

Doctor, I shrunk the robot. Or… Out of their tiny little robotic minds

April 29, 2017 by Sam Francis

By Chris Wagner, head of advanced surgical systems at Cambridge Consultants

Surgical robots today are large and unwieldy. This causes a number of challenges in the operating theatre.

Setting up and managing the robots, for example, takes up valuable operating time. It’s also difficult to swap a robot in and out of a surgical procedure if traditional tools are more appropriate for some elements of an operation. And there are safety issues when clinical staff work in close proximity to a large piece of moving equipment.

So a surgeon has to weigh the benefits of surgical robotics against these limitations for each procedure where a robot is used.

There is an opportunity here – if we can simply make the robot smaller, many of these limitations disappear. It is much easier to move a small robot into an operating theatre, put it into position for an operation and move it out again afterwards. The safety concerns are also much reduced. [Read more…] about Doctor, I shrunk the robot. Or… Out of their tiny little robotic minds

Robots are taking over the world. Run for the hills now, or cash in quick – the choice is yours

April 29, 2017 by Sam Francis

In this guest article, supplied by SKS Media, the spectre of high-net worth individuals teaming up with robots offer a terrifying vision of the future, with some hapless humans finding themselves in the nightmare situation of having mountains of money but not enough opportunities to spend it

The word exponential is often used to describe the pace of technological change which has come to define the world we live in. And with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing and virtual reality only just warming up, the pace is unlikely to let up.

In this environment is it easy to become convinced that, when competing in a global marketplace, speed is the greatest of virtues. Indeed, in The Great Acceleration, author Robert Colvile argues that speed has become the defining feature of the modern economy, the driving force behind wealth creation in the 21st century. [Read more…] about Robots are taking over the world. Run for the hills now, or cash in quick – the choice is yours