Archives for January 12, 2018

Maxim introduces smart car battery safety device

January 12, 2018 by Anna

Maxim Integrated Products has introduced a new 12-channel, high-voltage smart sensor data-acquisition device to improve safety for car lithium-ion battery packs, called the MAX17843.

Electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid EVs, and plug-in hybrids rely on large lithium-ion battery packs filled with hundreds or even thousands of individual battery cells.

With industry experts predicting that 25% of cars sold by 2025 will have electric engines, automotive OEMs and Tier 1s need an intelligent battery management system to enable safe, low cost solutions with robust communications.

Smart Ag delivers first cloud-based platform for driverless tractors

January 12, 2018 by Anna

Iowa, USA, technology company Smart Ag has developed the first cloud-based platform for driverless tractors.

The company is releasing on a limited basis, the first application for the platform, called AutoCart. This software application fully automates a grain cart tractor, which provides farmers with assistance during the demanding harvest season.

Colin Hurd, the founder and CEO of Smart Ag, said the innovative technology will allow farmers to automate their existing equipment and maximize its efficiency and capacity – regardless of manufacturer.

Misty creates developer edition of home robot

January 12, 2018 by Anna

Misty Robotics, the personal robot company spun out from Sphero, the creator of the BB-8 toy robot, announced, at CES 2018, the limited availability of the Misty I Developer Edition prototype robot and software tools.

The robot will be made available to a select group of developers and inventors who will help create useful skills for the next generation robot, Misty II, coming later in 2018. The Misty I Developer Edition robot will begin shipping next month and is priced at $1499.

“We believe that by creating an affordable and highly programmable robot for developers first, we can accelerate towards a future of helpful personal robots in our homes and offices,” said Ian Bernstein, Founder and Head of Product, Misty Robotics.

How to secure your programmable logic controller

January 12, 2018 by Sam Francis

By Joseph Zulick, MRO Electric

As security concerns increase in many sectors, including the factory automation space, getting up-to-speed with the different types of programmable logic controller security is imperative.

By creating and implementing an effective strategy to remain secure, you will likely avoid issues, downtime, and setbacks. [Read more…] about How to secure your programmable logic controller

Rising minimum wage pushing fast-food joints towards automation

January 12, 2018 by Sam Francis

The ongoing demand for an increase in the minimum wage to the level which would enable workers to buy burgers is leading fast-food giants to consider fully automating hundreds if not tens of thousands of restaurants across the US, getting rid of all the human employees.

The latest senior executive to suggest such a move is Leonard Comma, CEO of fast-food chain Jack in the Box.

Speaking at an industry conference, and quoted by Business Insider, Comma said: “As we see the rising costs of labor, it [getting rid of them all and replacing them with automation technology] just makes sense.” [Read more…] about Rising minimum wage pushing fast-food joints towards automation

LG expands range of robots to explore new commercial possibilities

January 12, 2018 by Sam Francis

Electronics giant LG has expanded its portfolio of robots and says it is exploring a variety of commercial possibilities.

The company says the expansion of its robotics activity is a “key factor of LG’s transofrmation into an artificial intelligence company”.

Following the introduction of the company’s robot lineup a year ago, LG says it is continuing to “push the envelope” with the unveiling of three more work robots at CES 2018.

LG is introducing three new concept robots specifically developed for commercial use at hotels, airports and supermarkets. [Read more…] about LG expands range of robots to explore new commercial possibilities

MaidBot launches Rosie the robot to provide room service at hotels

January 12, 2018 by Sam Francis

A company backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel has launched a robot to provide room service at hotels.

Rosie the robot, which looks like a small robotic vacuum cleaner, has a number of data gathering functions which can help improve the operation of hotels and similar establishments.

The company that developed and launched Rosie is MaidBot, which has recently closed a new funding round. [Read more…] about MaidBot launches Rosie the robot to provide room service at hotels

Fast-growing sectors within robotics and automation

January 12, 2018 by Sam Francis

If we were to think of robotics and automation as one industry – which we at this website in fact do – we could argue that it’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the world right now.

Certainly if we were to include software automation systems – such as robotic process automation – it would probably be the biggest.

But Robotics and Automation News tends to concentrate on physical machines – such as robotic arms or autonomous vehicles – which can be seen in a typical manufacturing or logistics facility.

And we try and understand what other sectors are most closely related to robotics and automation – manufacturing and logistics being two obvious ones.