Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Robots could help Mauritius clean up devastating oil spill

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Robots could be helpful in cleaning up the oil spill that has devastated the coastline of the tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. (See video below.) 

Popular with tourists from around the world, the paradise island has been overwhelmed by the oil spill from the merchant vessel Wakashio, operated by Japanese company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), and owned by the Nagashiki Shipping Company.

Akihiko Ono, vice president of MOL, has issued an apology for the disaster and says the company is taking the accident “very seriously”, according to The Asahi Shimbun. [Read more…] about Robots could help Mauritius clean up devastating oil spill

US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

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The United States government is calling for goods made or exported to the US from Hong Kong to be relabelled “Made in China”, according to a report on the South China Morning Post. 

The measure, to be introduced by US President Donald Trump, does not appear to need Congressional approval or any kind of vote.

It will mean that Hong Kong companies exporting to the US will be required to pay the same kind of punitive tariffs currently placed on goods arriving in America from mainland China. [Read more…] about US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

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The Japanese government is planning to develop common standards for robots in workplaces such as offices, shops and other environments where they would be working with humans, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The country’s industry ministry will lead the initiative and will establish a public-private partnership under the working name Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The group will define common telecommunications standards as well as produce guidelines on creating object shapes that are easier for robots to grip, pick up, hold, move and so on. [Read more…] about Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

US tightens restrictions on Huawei

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The US government has tightened its restrictions on doing business with Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier Huawei.

The US had already effectively banned American companies from providing a platform for Huawei, which led to the company being unable to put its products and services on the Android operating system used by the majority of smartphones around the world.

Although Android is an open-source operating system, Google, Samsung and many others have developed their own versions for their smartphones based on the original code and, therefore, can call it their own and prevent others connecting to it or using it. [Read more…] about US tightens restrictions on Huawei

Sesto Robotics launches new autonomous mobile robot

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Sesto Robotics has launched a new autonomous mobile robot designed to automate material handling processes in manufacturing, commercial and healthcare industries.

The Sesto Magnus is a a bi-directional, compact autonomous mobile robot able to carry loads up to 300 kg, and the company claims it has the “highest payload rating in the compact class”.

Specially built for tight navigation in space-scarce facilities, Sesto Magnus is able to autonomously travel through spaces as narrow as 0.9 metres wide while avoiding obstacles in its path. [Read more…] about Sesto Robotics launches new autonomous mobile robot

China’s biggest chipmaker to double investment in capital goods to $7 billion

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China’s largest chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International is to double its investment in capital goods to $6.7 billion, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website. 

The company is somewhat flush with cash as a result of net profit skyrocketing by 644 percent in the second quarter. Part of the increase is due to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei stockpiling chips.

Huawei is trying to prepare for any potential shortage in its supply chain caused by the ban imposed on its activities in the US and Europe. [Read more…] about China’s biggest chipmaker to double investment in capital goods to $7 billion

Toyota boss calls for transformation as profit plunges 74 percent

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The president of automotive giant Toyota has called for the transformation of company amid a 74 percent decrease in profit, mostly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Toyota this week has reported a profit of approximately $1.5 billion for the most recent quarter, which is down from more than $6 billion in the same quarter the previous year.

Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun reports that Toyota ’s sales went in “all markets”, with the company warning that huge uncertainties remain over the pandemic. [Read more…] about Toyota boss calls for transformation as profit plunges 74 percent

Computer games giant Nintendo’s profits skyrocket by more than 500 per cent

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Nintendo, one of the original games companies and still one of the biggest despite the “casual” gaming revolution brought about by smartphones, is reporting an astounding increase in profits. 

According to the Financial Times, Nintendo’s net profits “soared by 541 percent” at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and its consequential lockdowns, when most people in most countries stayed home.

Nintendo often suffers from too much demand for its consoles, as it did when its Switch handheld console – which looks rather like a smartphone, as shown in the main image – sold out around the world with many millions still searching for it. [Read more…] about Computer games giant Nintendo’s profits skyrocket by more than 500 per cent

Mitsubishi Motors considering building first factory in Myanmar

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Mitsubishi Motors is considering building its first factory in the formerly communist and closed state of Myanmar, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website.

Mitsubishi, one of Japan’s top 10 automotive companies, builds more than a million cars a year at more than a dozen plants and supply centres, and also has five research and development facilities.

The Asian countries in which Mitsubishi currently has manufacturing facilities include the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and China. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Motors considering building first factory in Myanmar

Apple rejects billion-dollar lawsuit over virtual assistant Siri

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Trillion-dollar tech giant Apple has rejected a $1.4 billion lawsuit over its voice assistant Siri, the virtual robot integrated into all its devices.

The legal action was initiated by Xiao-i Robot, also known as Shanghai Zhizhen Intelligent Network Technology, in the Shanghai High People’s Court.

Xiao-i Robot, which is little known outside China and doesn’t appear to have a readily discoverable website, claims that Apple integrated features into Siri which is part of its patent. [Read more…] about Apple rejects billion-dollar lawsuit over virtual assistant Siri