Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for January 22, 2018

Robots are stealing the world’s fish, says World Economic Forum

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A third of all fish consumed in the world are already caught illegally, and artificial intelligence and drone technologies are increasingly to blame, according to a report by the World Economic Forum into risks to the global economy.

WEF says that when the automation of illegal fishing is considered, the impact on fish stocks could be “devastating – particularly in international waters where oversight is weaker”.

Countless other areas exist where the same logic might unfold, says WEF, adding that huge short-term incentives might lead to the use of emerging technologies in ways that trigger irreversible long-term damage.  [Read more…] about Robots are stealing the world’s fish, says World Economic Forum

China’s HIT Robot Group launches joint venture with South Korea’s Golden Jumping Group

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Chinese manufacturer of industrial robots HIT Robot Group is partnering with South Korea’s Golden Jumping Group to expand both companies’ businesses in each other’s countries. 

The deal will see the establishment of a joint venture company in Pohang, South Korea, and a new HRG office is also planned for the country, according to China Money Network.

The two companies say they will co-operate with local governments and research and educational institutions both in China and in South Korea.  [Read more…] about China’s HIT Robot Group launches joint venture with South Korea’s Golden Jumping Group

Estun Automation starts production of industrial robots in China

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A Chinese industrial machinery manufacturer called Estun Automation has started production of industrial robots at the company’s newly built facility in Nanjing, China, according to Xinhua. 

The state news agency says Estun’s new plant has the capacity to produce 9,000 industrial robots and pieces of equipment a year.

The agency says the facility was co-designed by Estun and German manufacturing giant Bosch through its Rexroth division.  [Read more…] about Estun Automation starts production of industrial robots in China

Pinpoint releases new manufacturing execution system and plant management software

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Pinpoint Information Systems, a provider of manufacturing execution systems, has released the latest version of its software, named V5 MES and V5 Andon.

The company says the latest software represents “the most powerful version to date” of the Pinpoint MES, and includes website configurable paperless manufacturing with live product tracking, and real-time overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) reporting.

“More than a manufacturing execution system, Pinpoint V5 is a tool set that empowers all levels of a manufacturing facility to walk the talk,” said Rob MacMillan, president of Pinpoint Information Systems.  [Read more…] about Pinpoint releases new manufacturing execution system and plant management software

Gamaya launches software for industrial-scale sugarcane growers

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Gamaya, a provider of agriculture monitoring technology, has launched what it says is “a unique solution” for large industrial sugarcane growers in Brazil, called “CaneFit”. 

The platform facilitates significant improvement of efficiency and sustainability of farming businesses.

The CaneFit solution includes a free trial offering.  [Read more…] about Gamaya launches software for industrial-scale sugarcane growers

Robotics and automation transformation: Omni-channel and supply chain

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By Vikrant Angia, founder and CEO of VCO Systems

The challenges an omni-channel environment places on retailers require the right solutions through this rapid transformational change.

In conducting hundreds of kaizen events and lean assessments there are specific omni-channel outcomes that must be supported in a wide range of solutions.  [Read more…] about Robotics and automation transformation: Omni-channel and supply chain

Integrating CMMS and IoT to change the future of your business

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By Lindsey Walker, NexGen Asset Management

Pretty sure you have come across the term Internet of Things (IoT) more than you would have expected in the past few years.

IoT refers to a network of physical objects that are connected through the internet and function automatically without any kind of human involvement.

IoT can be applied in several areas – right from household appliances, industrial applications to fashionable wearables.  [Read more…] about Integrating CMMS and IoT to change the future of your business

Nord drives picked for airport baggage handling system

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A baggage handling system OEM has chosen Nord Drivesystems’ IE4 AC vector drives for a new system installed at a Canadian airport.

Glidepath carried out the work at Victoria Airport in British Columbia, Canada, installing a new handling system with a capacity of 750 pieces of luggage per hour.

“The baggage handling system is made up of 85 conveyors with a total length of some 250 m,” says Jason Williams, project engineer at Glidepath.

[Read more…] about Nord drives picked for airport baggage handling system

Robots need not apply: New research finds human strengths needed in digital age

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New research from ManpowerGroup suggests that automation is good news for humans – if they have the right skills.

ManpowerGroup’s report — Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution — surveyed 20,000 employers across 42 countries on the impact of automation on headcount, the functions most impacted and the soft skills that are both of greatest value and hardest to find.

The report finds that as companies go digital, in the near-term most will need more people, not fewer. As technology transforms organizations, skills needs are changing rapidly and companies are struggling to find the talent they need.

[Read more…] about Robots need not apply: New research finds human strengths needed in digital age