Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for February 8, 2022

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue ‘set new records in 2021’

by Leave a Comment

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue “set new records in 2021”, according to a new report by semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI. 

SEMI says that worldwide silicon wafer area shipments in 2021 increased 14 percent while wafer revenue rose 13 percent compared to 2020, topping $12 billion, to reach new “all-time highs”.

The study was produced by the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group as part of its year-end analysis of the silicon wafer industry. [Read more…] about Worldwide silicon wafer shipments and revenue ‘set new records in 2021’

Startup awarded $5 million to build autonomous car that ‘runs on light’

by Leave a Comment

Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), an agency of the US military akin to Darpa, is funding a $4.8 million project spearheaded by Boston University College of Engineering, the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Lightmatter, a startup developing “photonic supercomputing” chips.

Electro-photonic computing, or optical computing, is thought to hold the promise of solving one of the biggest technical hurdles that self-driving cars face today – delivering high performance, low latency computing power that is also energy efficient.

At the end of the IARPA-funded experiment, the scientists hope to have “a fully functioning prototype of a self-driving car that runs on light”. [Read more…] about Startup awarded $5 million to build autonomous car that ‘runs on light’

Automotive software company TTTech Auto raises $285 million investment from Aptiv and Audi

by Leave a Comment

TTTech Auto, an Austria-based automotive safety technology startup, has raised $285 million (€250 million) from Aptiv and Audi in its latest funding round.

Aptiv is investing $228 million (€200 million), while Audi is increasing its existing stake by $57 million (€50 million).

With this latest funding round and a valuation of more than $1 billion, TTTech Auto confirms its strong position amid a growing number of auto tech unicorns. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close within the next two months. [Read more…] about Automotive software company TTTech Auto raises $285 million investment from Aptiv and Audi

Kollmorgen performs 5G tests with Ericsson to explore autonomous mobile robot capabilities

by Leave a Comment

Motion control solutions provider Kollmorgen is currently performing 5G tests with Ericsson to explore the future capabilities of autonomous mobile robot of the type used in an increasing number of warehouses around the world.

5G can enable new levels of AI and Machine Learning, simplify requirements for infrastructure, and increase network stability – which could dramatically increase performance and cost efficiency for Kollmorgen’s partners, that today include six out of the top 10 global players in material handling, such as Toyota Material Handling, Jungheinrich, and Mitsubishi Logisnext (Rocla).

Peter Bladh, director research and development, Kollmorgen, says: “We want to continue to push the boundaries of mobile robot applications with our NDC Solutions platform. [Read more…] about Kollmorgen performs 5G tests with Ericsson to explore autonomous mobile robot capabilities

iFollow to showcase its ‘slimline’ autonomous mobile robots at IntraLogisteX

by Leave a Comment

iFollow will be showcasing its “premium, slimline autonomous mobile robots” at IntraLogisteX 2022, which takes place at the CBS Arena, Coventry on 29-30 March 2022.

Frazer Watson, UK-Ireland country manager at iFollow, says: “IntraLogisteX provides the perfect opportunity to meet the iFollow team on Stand 130.

“We will be discussing the latest agile automated intralogistics techniques involving robots for a broad range of applications in different sectors including grocery, manufacturing and logistics. We look forward to meeting you there.” [Read more…] about iFollow to showcase its ‘slimline’ autonomous mobile robots at IntraLogisteX

New ABB study on industrial transformation unveils ‘critical relationship between digitalization and sustainability’

by Leave a Comment

ABB has released the findings of a new global study of international business and technology leaders on industrial transformation, looking at the “critical intersection of digitalization and sustainability”.

The study, Billions of better decisions: industrial transformation’s new imperative, examines the current take-up of the Industrial Internet of Things and its potential for improving energy efficiency, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and driving change.

The goal of the new ABB research is to spur discussion within industry regarding opportunities to leverage the Industrial IoT and empower companies and workers to make better decisions that can benefit both sustainability and the bottom line. [Read more…] about New ABB study on industrial transformation unveils ‘critical relationship between digitalization and sustainability’

Companies and Climate Change: The Interrelation

by Leave a Comment

Globalization has brought in a drastic shift in the preferences, choices, and tastes of the people. With a vast range of options available in almost every sector of society, people have an option to pick and choose according to their convenience.

However, amidst all these progressions and advancements, it is imperative to remember that all the goods and resources that we use in our daily lives are a product of different manufacturing industries.

Since the demands and expectations from the market have grown, industry and company owners have also equipped themselves with high functioning and reliable technologies that produce optimum results in a minimum span of time. On the other hand, our world is being extremely ignorant of a looming threat that will eventually affect our ecosystem in more ways than one. [Read more…] about Companies and Climate Change: The Interrelation