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Computing

WinSystems launches new single-board computer for industrial applications

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WinSystems, a provider of industrial embedded solutions, has launched a new single-board computer.

The company says the new PPM-C412 series is designed for demanding environments and applications, and offers a broad spectrum of I/O features and the ability to expand functionality in a densely populated, standalone SBC solution.

The new computer is also PC/104-Plus-compatible, and delivers greater performance and a clear upgrade path for current PPM-LX800 users while providing full ISA-compatible PC/104-Plus expansion, says WinSystems.  [Read more…] about WinSystems launches new single-board computer for industrial applications

Rockwell Automation launches infrastructure-as-a-service to simplify setting up industrial networks

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Rockwell Automation has launched an infrastructure-as-a-service which the company says simplifies and accelerates networks.

The new service bundles networking products and remote-monitoring support into one contract.

Rockwell says a secure and robust network infrastructure is essential to improving overall competitiveness in a connected enterprise, but designing, deploying and maintaining this infrastructure can be complex and time consuming for many companies, and is often too costly for their capital budgets.  [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation launches infrastructure-as-a-service to simplify setting up industrial networks

Emerson to acquire Paradigm for $510 million

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Industrial automation company Emerson has reached a deal to acquire Paradigm, a provider of software solutions for the oil and gas industry. 

The purchase price is $510 million, which Emerson says reflects a multiple of 13 times expected 2017 EBITDA.

Emerson says it will combine Paradigm with its existing Roxar software business to provide an exploration and production software portfolio with offerings spanning seismic processing and interpretation to production modeling.  [Read more…] about Emerson to acquire Paradigm for $510 million

Software developer Veo Robotics raises $12 million in funding

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Veo Robotics has raised $12 million in Series A funding led by Lux Capital and Google Ventures, which is now called GV. 

GV’s Andy Wheeler and Lux’s Bilal Zuberi will join the Veo board of directors.

Siemens, through its company Next24, which previously invested in Veo, also participated in the latest funding round.  [Read more…] about Software developer Veo Robotics raises $12 million in funding

Software in manufacturing: A list of the most well known

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Software Advice, a business unit of Gartner, has produced a list of manufacturing software applications which would be worth perusing if you’re on the market for such things. 

Even if you’re not looking to buy, it’s worth noting that the manufacturing sector is gradually being digitised, or digitalised. It’s increasingly about how well you know

Nowadays, it’s increasingly about how well you know software. Having said that, making things remains the fundamental activity, of course.  [Read more…] about Software in manufacturing: A list of the most well known

General Electric deepening its interest in the software business

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General Electric claims it was the first company to have launched an industrial internet of things platform when it released Predix last year.

The company’s software business unit, GE Digital, has been generating revenues of more than $4 billion a year, and looks like it’s strongly influencing the future direction of the overall business.

Another of the big ideas at GE is the “Brilliant Factory” concept, which is essentially the digitalisation of anything and everything that can be digitised in a manufacturing or industrial process.  [Read more…] about General Electric deepening its interest in the software business

Range against the machine: Exclusive interview with Garry Kasparov

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With so many people voicing their fears about a future world in which artificial intelligence not only influences our day-to-day activities, but also makes life-or-death decisions in security and defence scenarios, there is arguably no one more qualified to comment on the issue of man versus machine than Garry Kasparov. 

For younger readers who may not know who Kasparov is, he is probably the most celebrated and most controversial chess grandmaster there has ever been.

Back in the days when the Cold War as at its height, and the then USSR and the US were constantly on the verge of wiping humanity from the face of the Earth, Kasparov took on the very icon of American power, IBM, and what was at the time its most powerful supercomputer, Deep Blue. It was the first time such tests were conducted in such an internationally high-profile way.  [Read more…] about Range against the machine: Exclusive interview with Garry Kasparov

Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

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Emerson has launched what it claims is the industry’s first controller designed for automation versatility and industrial internet of things-enabled operations.

The Emerson DeltaV PK Controller simplifies capital projects and prepares organisations for the operational benefits of IIoT, says the company.

Emerson says the DeltaV PK Controller makes the advanced automation of its DeltaV distributed control system available to fast-growth industries traditionally less reliant on large-scale automation.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

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BMW is to integrated Amazon’s Alexa artificial intelligence into its in-car systems.

Amazon Alexa will be available in BMW and Mini vehicles starting in mid-2018.

Users can ask Alexa in-car to get directions, call a business, play music or Audible content, control your smart home, check the news, and so on – without downloading a separate app.  [Read more…] about BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

Dassault Systèmes launches SolidWorks 2018

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Dassault Systèmes has launched the latest version of its SolidWorks 3D design and engineering application. 

The company says SolidWorks 2018 features an integrated, end-to-end solution for the design to manufacturing process that enables businesses of any size to rethink their approach to how parts and products are made and quickly bring innovative ideas to market in today’s experience economy.

Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience platform, which is probably a product lifecycle platform, SolidWorks 2018 is said to support a business’ complete design through manufacturing strategy with solutions that simplify the interactions between disciplines across the product development workflow.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes launches SolidWorks 2018