Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Record sales of industrial robots in China reported

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Chinese companies bought a record number of robots in 2017, according to the country’s main robotics association, as reported on the Sputnik website. 

Sputnik, which is a media outlet of the formerly communist country of Russia, says China purchased 141,000 industrial robots in 2017, which is an increase of 58 per cent compared with 2016.

Foreign industrial robot makers accounted for nearly three-quarters of the sales figure, but an increasing number of Chinese robot makers are emerging.  [Read more…] about Record sales of industrial robots in China reported

Hasbro developing robot cats and dogs to keep people company

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Hasbro, one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, is developing robotic cats and dogs that it says will be better able to keep people company. 

The company is working with Brown University on the project to add more artificial intelligence to Hasbro’s Joy for All range of companion pets, whose slogan is “No vet bills, just love”.

The robot pets appear to be aimed mainly at the elderly, although there doesn’t seem to be any reason that they could not appeal to younger people.

The National Science Foundation of the US has awarded a grant of $1 million to develop the toy companions, especially the cats, to be more responsive and lifelike, according to a report on The Independent website.

MIT demonstrates four-legged robot that can jump like a cheetah

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has demonstrated a four-legged robot that can jump around like a cheetah. Indeed the robot itself is called Cheetah and is being developed as a first responder to help in emergencies.

This is the third version of the Cheetah robot and it looks like other four-legged robots being developed by companies such as AnyBotics and Boston Dynamics.

They look like hugely complex machines and the manoeuvres that they can perform – from simple walking to jumping around – are highly sophisticated and represent great technical achievement.  [Read more…] about MIT demonstrates four-legged robot that can jump like a cheetah

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

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The global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is forecast to reach a record $62.7 billion, according to a report by the industry association SEMI.

The organization says the figure tops the previous record, and that Korea is at the top with China closing the gap.

Releasing its mid-year forecast at the annual Semicon West exposition, SEMI says worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to increase 10.8 percent to $62.7 billion in 2018, exceeding the historic high of $56.6 billion set last year.  [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

Opening up to women in artificial intelligence

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A look ahead to the Re-Work Women in AI Reception in New York, in September

Interest in artificial intelligence and its numerous branches – the most well known of which are machine learning and deep learning – has never been more intense than it is today. 

This is probably because whereas in the past the fascination around AI did not always materialize in actual technological innovations because of the limited resources available at the time, now, anyone who has the knowledge and skills in the field of AI can find many powerful tools that they can use to develop the next “killer app”.

For example, like many companies, Amazon offers a huge stack of AI software tools and a massive, global hardware infrastructure on which to run memory- and processor-hungry AI applications to anyone who has a computer and an internet connection – and, of course, for what we consider to be a relatively small usage fee considering the colossal power on offer at your fingertips.  [Read more…] about Opening up to women in artificial intelligence

California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

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CMTC and its California’s Manufacturing Network has expanded its capabilities to include advanced robotics and automation consulting for manufacturers in California.

CMTC is one of 51 centers across the US in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is part of the US Government’s effort to develop technology, management and technical expertise for small and medium enterprises focused on improving their productivity and global competitiveness.

As part of the new initiative, Raminder Sandhu has joined CMTC in the position of advanced robotics and automation practice lead.  [Read more…] about California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

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Stuntronics figure can autonomously decide when to perform somersaults while flying through the air, says Disney (see video below)

The stuntman, or stunts person, has always been highly regarded by filmmakers and fans even though very few of them are famous. 

Everyone knows that behind every famous action film star is a stunt double who undertakes to do the dangerous things that maybe nobody should do anymore in this day and age of computer-generated imagery and special effects which can make everyone and everything look real even when they’re not.

But no matter how realistic the CGI, most people would probably be able to tell the difference between machinima and real cinema.  [Read more…] about Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

Samsung sets out roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon manufacturing

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Samsung Electronics has set out its roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon-based technology manufacturing – things like microprocessors. 

As computer chips get smaller, it’s getting increasingly difficult to control the signals that move around on the chip. If the chip is too small, the electrons can jump from one track to another. That is just one possible problem.

Some people say that silicon manufacturers have reached the limit and chips cannot be made any smaller.  [Read more…] about Samsung sets out roadmap towards 3-nanometer silicon manufacturing

Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

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Faurecia and Parrot have finalized a proposal which will see the take-over of 100 per cent of Parrot Automotive by Faurecia, ahead of schedule.

The company says the transaction “underlines the importance of Parrot Automotive in Faurecia’s Cockpit of the Future strategy”.

This refers to the general trend of developing what are called “digital cockpits” or virtual dashboards” for new cars and vehicles.

Faurecia says the takeover will “accelerate the development” of infotainment solutions based on the Android operating system by Parrot Automotive and the development of an open platform integrating the different connected systems and functionalities of the vehicle interior.  [Read more…] about Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials

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Fujitsu and Riken say their the joint development of the successor to the K supercomputer – one of the fastest in the world – is complete and is beginning trials.

The so-called “post-K” is a supercomputer that the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has chosen as a successor to the K computer, is moving forward, with the goal of beginning full operations around 2021.

Fujitsu has now completed the prototype central processing unit chip that will serve as the core of post-K, commencing functionality field trials.  [Read more…] about Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials