Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for August 1, 2018

InVia Robotics raises $20 million in funding for warehouse automation robots

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InVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse robots and automation solutions for e-commerce fulfillment centers, has raised $20 million in new funding.

The Series B round was led by Point72 Ventures and included investments from Upfront Ventures and Embark Ventures.

The funds will be used to boost the commercial deployment of inVia’s Picker robots and cloud-based robotics-as-a-service management system in warehouses as necessitated by the scaling e-commerce market.  [Read more…] about InVia Robotics raises $20 million in funding for warehouse automation robots

Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?

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Neural nirvana. Or ignorance is bliss. An opinion piece.

Theoretically speaking, computers can be programmed to mimic everything that a human says or does – or thinks. That might not be the reality now, but most people would probably accept that it’s only a matter of time before we see a fully-functioning humanoid robot, cyborg or android that is indistinguishable from the average human.

But even when they are able to copy us in every way, walking like us, talking like us, and so on, can they, in theory, become conscious?

One problem with answering that question properly is that not everyone agrees on the definition of consciousness.  [Read more…] about Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?

Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

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Manufacturers are concerned that skilled labor shortage could stymie innovation, finds LEK Consulting survey

Most US manufacturers agree that increased growth and investment opportunities are on the horizon, despite some of the uncertainties related to global trade.

But they say a major issue looms: Where are the skilled workers for the digital factories of the future?

In a recent survey of 200 decision-makers across seven manufacturing industries, global management consulting firm LEK Consulting found that four out of five US manufacturers are preparing for an increase in automation technology, with only 18 percent of companies saying they have minimal plans for automation.  [Read more…] about Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company

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The German government has blocked a Chinese bid to buy another of the country’s industrial companies, according to a report on IndustryWeek.com. 

A deal had been discussed for China’s Yantai Taihai Group to take over Leifeld Metal Spinning, an industrial machine builder established in 1891.

Industry Week reports that Yantai had already withdrawn the bid before the German government issued its veto, but the current business environment appears to be different from what it was a couple of years ago.  [Read more…] about Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company

Heavy payload robotic arm market to grow to $14 billion by 2025

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The market for the heavy payload robotic arm is set to grow to $13.6 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Allied Market Research. 

The research company says the large robots sector is currently worth around $10 billion.

If the forecast is accurate, it shows the staggering increase in demand for industrial robots of all types.  [Read more…] about Heavy payload robotic arm market to grow to $14 billion by 2025

General Electric puts Predix IIoT platform and its digital business up for sale

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General Electric is looking to sell its digital business, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. 

The sale would include Predix, GE Digital’s industrial internet of things platform.

Predix was claimed to be the first IIoT platform when it was launched a couple of years ago, and GE Digital was said to be generating approximately $4 billion a year in revenues at some point.  [Read more…] about General Electric puts Predix IIoT platform and its digital business up for sale

ABB Control Technologies and Actemium sign global cooperation agreement

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ABB Control Technologies, the market leader in Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for over 15 years, and Actemium, the Vinci Energies brand dedicated to industry and worldwide major player in industrial processes, signed a global agreement in June to significantly expand their existing relationship.

The purpose of this agreement is to enable customers to access best in class control and automation solutions combining the strengths from both companies: global reach, deep domain expertise, extensive product offering, market leading engineering capabilities and most importantly, a strong portfolio of industrial digital solutions.

The collaboration agreement is focused on industries with a high growth rate, usually characterised by short product cycles and quick launch times.

[Read more…] about ABB Control Technologies and Actemium sign global cooperation agreement

Farming lands in the robotic age while humanoid robot makers adopt 3D technology

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In the latest issue of Sensor Readings magazine, we feature the latest and most advanced technologies for what’s being called “precision agriculture”. 

Farming is said to have started around 15,000 years ago and provided the foundation on which human civilizations were built.

As recently as 50 to 100 years ago, most modern nation-states were agrarian, generating the majority of their gross domestic product from the agricultural sector.  [Read more…] about Farming lands in the robotic age while humanoid robot makers adopt 3D technology