Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for July 11, 2018

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

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The global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is forecast to reach a record $62.7 billion, according to a report by the industry association SEMI.

The organization says the figure tops the previous record, and that Korea is at the top with China closing the gap.

Releasing its mid-year forecast at the annual Semicon West exposition, SEMI says worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to increase 10.8 percent to $62.7 billion in 2018, exceeding the historic high of $56.6 billion set last year.  [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

Groupe PSA and Inria create an artificial intelligence OpenLab

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Groupe PSA and Inria are creating an OpenLab dedicated to artificial intelligence. The studied areas will include autonomous and intelligent vehicles, mobility services, manufacturing, design development tools, design, digital marketing as well as quality and finance.

Carla Gohin, Groupe PSA’s Vice President for Research and Advanced Engineering, said: “Artificial intelligence will quickly become an efficiency factor for the group. The OpenLab will work on artificial intelligence algorithms enabling autonomous vehicles to drive in complex environments for example.

“It will also work on predictive maintenance, powertrain design optimisation and the modelling of complex systems such as cities, to offer mobility services adapted to people’s needs.”

[Read more…] about Groupe PSA and Inria create an artificial intelligence OpenLab

Opening up to women in artificial intelligence

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A look ahead to the Re-Work Women in AI Reception in New York, in September

Interest in artificial intelligence and its numerous branches – the most well known of which are machine learning and deep learning – has never been more intense than it is today. 

This is probably because whereas in the past the fascination around AI did not always materialize in actual technological innovations because of the limited resources available at the time, now, anyone who has the knowledge and skills in the field of AI can find many powerful tools that they can use to develop the next “killer app”.

For example, like many companies, Amazon offers a huge stack of AI software tools and a massive, global hardware infrastructure on which to run memory- and processor-hungry AI applications to anyone who has a computer and an internet connection – and, of course, for what we consider to be a relatively small usage fee considering the colossal power on offer at your fingertips.  [Read more…] about Opening up to women in artificial intelligence

Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live

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The largest European energy storage system using second-life and new electric vehicle batteries in a commercial building was made live in Amsterdam at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, home ground of the famous Ajax football club.

This unique project is the result of collaboration between Nissan, Eaton, BAM, The Mobility House and the Johan Cruijff ArenA, supported by the Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund (AKEF) and Interreg.

The 3 MW storage system provides a more reliable and efficient energy supply and usage for the stadium, its visitors, neighbours and the Dutch energy grid.

[Read more…] about Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live

Paris and Renault share vision on urban electric mobility

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The City of Paris and Groupe Renault have announced their intention to share their expertise and skills to develop electric mobility for Parisians, and ‘greater Paris’ Ile-de-France residents and visitors.

This unprecedented approach between a metropolis and Europe’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer testifies to a shared vision of the future of mobility, in the face of challenges such as public health, climate change, easier travel, accessibility and economic attractiveness.

This will result in short, medium and long-term actions in favour of the development of connected and autonomous electric vehicles.

[Read more…] about Paris and Renault share vision on urban electric mobility

California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

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CMTC and its California’s Manufacturing Network has expanded its capabilities to include advanced robotics and automation consulting for manufacturers in California.

CMTC is one of 51 centers across the US in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is part of the US Government’s effort to develop technology, management and technical expertise for small and medium enterprises focused on improving their productivity and global competitiveness.

As part of the new initiative, Raminder Sandhu has joined CMTC in the position of advanced robotics and automation practice lead.  [Read more…] about California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

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Stuntronics figure can autonomously decide when to perform somersaults while flying through the air, says Disney (see video below)

The stuntman, or stunts person, has always been highly regarded by filmmakers and fans even though very few of them are famous. 

Everyone knows that behind every famous action film star is a stunt double who undertakes to do the dangerous things that maybe nobody should do anymore in this day and age of computer-generated imagery and special effects which can make everyone and everything look real even when they’re not.

But no matter how realistic the CGI, most people would probably be able to tell the difference between machinima and real cinema.  [Read more…] about Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

Samsung sets out roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon manufacturing

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Samsung Electronics has set out its roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon-based technology manufacturing – things like microprocessors. 

As computer chips get smaller, it’s getting increasingly difficult to control the signals that move around on the chip. If the chip is too small, the electrons can jump from one track to another. That is just one possible problem.

Some people say that silicon manufacturers have reached the limit and chips cannot be made any smaller.  [Read more…] about Samsung sets out roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon manufacturing