Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

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Nikon has invested $7.5 million in Wrnch – or wrnch, as the company prefers – a computer vision and deep learning startup.

Established in 2014, wrnch uses deep learning to develop and provide tools and software development kits (SDKs) that enable computers to see and understand human movement and activity.

Wrnch has also used its advanced work in pose estimation technologies to establish ties with major entertainment and communications companies. The company continues its operations in technical development, while raising funds continuously. [Read more…] about Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

Nvidia builds supercomputer to develop self-driving cars

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Nvidia unveils DGX SuperPOD, ‘world’s 22nd fastest supercomputer’. By Charlie Boyle, Nvidia

In a clear demonstration of why artificial intelligence leadership demands the best compute capabilities, Nvidia has unveiled what it claims is “the world’s 22nd fastest supercomputer” – DGX SuperPOD – which provides AI infrastructure that meets the massive demands of the company’s autonomous-vehicle deployment program.

The system was built in just three weeks with 96 Nvidia DGX-2H supercomputers and Mellanox interconnect technology. Delivering 9.4 petaflops of processing capability, it has the muscle for training the vast number of deep neural networks required for safe self-driving vehicles.

Customers can buy this system in whole or in part from any DGX-2 partner based on Nvidia’s DGX SuperPOD design. [Read more…] about Nvidia builds supercomputer to develop self-driving cars

Geek Plus Robotics wins award at Deliver e-logistics event

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Geek Plus Robotics has won an award at the Deliver e-logistics event, which this year took place in Lisbon, Portugal. 

The warehouse robotics and automation specialist was awarded the “Rising Star” prize in recognition of its spectacular growth since the company was founded four years ago, and especially for its progress in the past couple of years.

Geek Plus says it is particularly pleased with this award because it was voted for by retailers. “We believe that this award would further encourage us to the next level and provide more efficient solutions to the logistics industry,” said a spokesperson for the company. [Read more…] about Geek Plus Robotics wins award at Deliver e-logistics event

Logistics and supply chain: An overview of ‘goods-to-person’ and ‘last-mile delivery’ technologies

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The term “goods to person” in the context of the logistics and supply chain sector refers to technology that brings items from locations within, for example, a warehouse to a human picker while he or she remains in one place, also within the warehouse. 

And while “logistics” and “supply chain” are terms that are often used interchangeably, logistics usually refers to moving goods along public roads or out in the wider world, whereas supply chain refers to the entire journey that the goods make, as well as specific parts of it, such as their processing through a warehouse.

One of the technologies most readily associated with medium- to large-scale warehouses is the conveyor, which has been around for more than 100 years. But in the past few years, warehouse robots have been eroding the total dominance of conveyors by offering what are offering described as “flexible” supply chain systems, in contrast to the “fixed” nature of conveyors. [Read more…] about Logistics and supply chain: An overview of ‘goods-to-person’ and ‘last-mile delivery’ technologies

Taiwanese store employs robot to make and serve tea

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A Taiwanese food and beverage store called Babo Arms is now using a collaborative robot from Universal Robots to make and serve tea.

Universal Robots’ UR5 unit was chosen by Babo Arms to “add a twist of modernity” into their production process.

Babo Arms were searching for an automated device to enhance operations and address the ongoing recruitment issue faced by the food and beverage industry. [Read more…] about Taiwanese store employs robot to make and serve tea

Epson Robots wins Vision Systems Design 2019 Innovators award

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Epson Robots was presented with a Silver-Honoree award in the Robotics category at the Fifth Annual Vision Systems Design Innovators Awards presentation, held recently in Chicago, Illinois.

The Epson Force Guide was recognized by a panel of esteemed experts from system integrator and end-user companies. The company was recognized the previous year for their Synthis T3 All-in-One SCARA robot.

Gregg Brunnick, director of product management for Epson Robots, says: “Vision Systems Design’s recognition of our new Force Guide underscores our commitment to meeting our customers’ needs for a revolutionary force control system that opens up possibilities for robot automation in areas that were not possible before. [Read more…] about Epson Robots wins Vision Systems Design 2019 Innovators award

Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

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Teradyne says it has shipped its 4,000th Eagle Test System, hitting a new sales success milestone for its Eagle Test System automatic test equipment in China.

MPS, a high-growth, linear, power and automotive semiconductor supplier with multiple locations in China, purchased the milestone system, an ETS-88.

The ETS-88 is an optimal platform for testing a wide variety of devices including simple analog, high precision, high voltage, high current / power, automotive, video, audio, complex mixed-signal, as well as emerging power processes like SiC and GaN. [Read more…] about Teradyne ships its 4,000th ‘Eagle’ semiconductor test system to MPS

Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

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Chinese media outlets are raising the possibility of restrictions on the export of rare earth metals to the US. 

The move could be the most effective response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase and broaden import tariffs on Chinese goods into the country.

According to the South China Morning Post, the ruling Communist Party’s propaganda outlet, People’s Daily, said in a commentary: “The Chinese people would never agree to the US using products made from rare earths exported from China to curb and suppress China’s development.” [Read more…] about Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

LG unveils its own AI chip

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LG has unveiled its own microprocessor specifically designed for artificial intelligence.

The company says the new chip is part of its strategy to accelerate the development of AI devices for the home.

LG’s own AI chip contains the proprietary LG Neural Engine to “better mimic the neural network of the human brain” in order to greatly improve the processing of deep learning algorithms. [Read more…] about LG unveils its own AI chip

Top US semiconductor companies stop supplying Huawei

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Leading technology companies in the US have started to cut off supplies to Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier Huawei, according to Bloomberg.

US chipmakers such as Intel, Qualcomm, and Xilinx are reported to have said they will not supply Huawei until further notice.

Meanwhile, Google is reported by the Wall Street Journal to have banned Huawei from using some services in its version of the Android operating system for smartphones. [Read more…] about Top US semiconductor companies stop supplying Huawei