Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

SAP strengthens ERP software for manufacturing

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SAP says it has strengthened its enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing and other sectors.

The software giant says it is delivering on its “promise to help customers become intelligent enterprises, especially within the manufacturing and professional services industries”.

SAP says its S/4HANA Cloud has already “made great strides” in integrating intelligent capabilities and is now taking “an even bigger step forward with the November release”.  [Read more…] about SAP strengthens ERP software for manufacturing

New book: ‘Robot Rules’ – Beyond Asimov’s ‘Three Laws of Robotics’

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A new book is looking beyond Asimov’s so-called “Three Laws of Robotics” to practical, real-world problems currently being discussed because of increasingly autonomous machines.

For millennia, the laws governing society have had one subject: humans. The new book Robot Rules explores how we might rewrite laws for artificial intelligence.

Who or what should be liable if an intelligent machine harms a person or property? Is it ever wrong to damage or destroy a robot? Can AI be made to follow moral rules? How should AI even be treated – as an object, a subject, or a person?  [Read more…] about New book: ‘Robot Rules’ – Beyond Asimov’s ‘Three Laws of Robotics’

Harman opens new automotive software development facility in Poland

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Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has opened a new office facility in Łódź, Poland to accommodate its “growing talent” in automotive software development in the country.

Harman says its new office offers “an open, collaborative, and superior work environment” for the company’s current and future staff.

It adds that the facility has several progressive design elements that will enhance employee collaboration across teams.  [Read more…] about Harman opens new automotive software development facility in Poland

Infineon launches ‘easy-to-use high power motor driver’ for industrial and consumer applications

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Infineon Technologies is launching the IFX007T NovalithIC motor driver. The company says it is an “easy-to-use, high-power motor driver” for industrial and consumer applications.

The IFX007T smart half-bridge provides an easy and efficient way to drive brushed and brushless motors, integrating a p-channel high-side MOSFET, an n-channel low-side MOSFET and a driver IC into one package.

Along with a microcontroller and power supply, no other devices are necessary to drive a motor.  [Read more…] about Infineon launches ‘easy-to-use high power motor driver’ for industrial and consumer applications

Humans perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines, says report

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Humans perform the vast majority of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines in factories, according to a new report. 

According to new data released today by A.T. Kearney and Drishti, humans still perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks.

This data, from a survey of more than 100 manufacturing leaders, suggests that despite headlines about robots and AI replacing humans in factories, people remain central to manufacturing, creating significantly more value on the factory floor than machines.  [Read more…] about Humans perform 72 percent of manufacturing tasks and create nearly three times more value than machines, says report

IIoT Voice Applications: Changing the Face of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul

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By Bob Bova, President and CEO of AccuSpeechMobile

MRO is an acronym for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. MRO is any action that helps keep or restore an item to its working condition. MRO applications are making an enormous impact in industries such as aviation and aerospace, logistics and transportation, automotive, energy, field asset management, and quality control.

In the maintenance, repair, and mobile inspection market, users and vendors are starting a diligent move toward application development for tasks in the field (and in facilities). This evolution to mobile applications marks an improvement in service delivery, asset management, trend analysis, and most importantly, worker safety.  [Read more…] about IIoT Voice Applications: Changing the Face of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul

Intelligent Automation: Get insights from MSNBC’s ‘practical futurist’

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Organizers of the Intelligent Automation Week Austin event get insights from famous futurist. Here, they provide some highlights…

We sat down with MSNBC’s “The Practical Futurist”, interactive media pioneer, novelist, and journalist Michael Rogers for a better understanding of the impacts of technology on society and business services. 

This interactive interview with Rogers presents an explanation as to why now is the time for AI, the benefits and risks, and the landscape for the future.  [Read more…] about Intelligent Automation: Get insights from MSNBC’s ‘practical futurist’

Smart city technology developer Quantela to receive $10 million investment

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Quantela, a smart city automation and artificial intelligence developer, says it is receiving a $10 million equity investment from Digital Alpha to scale its global business.

Digital Alpha will also fund innovative revenue-sharing financing for key public sector customers around the world.

Silicon Valley-headquartered Quantela is using the $10m investment by Digital Alpha for market expansion and to enable a deeper presence in strategic locations across the US and Europe.  [Read more…] about Smart city technology developer Quantela to receive $10 million investment

Plus One Robotics raises $8.3 million in Series A funding round

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Plus One Robotics, a 3D vision and controls developer for robotic automation in the logistics and e-commerce markets, has raised $8.3 million in its Series A investment round.

The funding round was led by Pritzker Group Venture Capital, with participation from Zebra Technologies. Also participating in the round were Schematic Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, TCL Ventures, ff Venture Capital, Dynamo, and First Star Ventures.

Erik Nieves, Plus One Robotics CEO, says: “We are delighted to add two more firms with deep roots in logistics and supply chain to our leadership.”  [Read more…] about Plus One Robotics raises $8.3 million in Series A funding round

Daimler and Bosch choose San Jose as pilot city for automated on-demand ride-hailing service

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Two giants of the global automotive industry – Daimler Mercedes-Benz and Bosch – have chosen San José as the pilot city for their automated on-demand ride-hailing service.

These companies tend to use the word “automated” to mean autonomous or driverless.

The test area will be the San Carlos-Stevens Creek corridor between downtown and west San José.

The on-demand ride-hailing service app will offer an automated driving experience to a selected user community.  [Read more…] about Daimler and Bosch choose San Jose as pilot city for automated on-demand ride-hailing service