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SAP launches new cloud-based manufacturing solution

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sap manufacturing execution

Software giant SAP has launched its new Manufacturing Execution application on its Hana Enterprise Cloud, which the company says is a “fully scalable and secure private cloud service”.

SAP says the new software helps manufacturers “embrace Industry 4.0 automation” and process high volumes of data from sensors and devices from the Internet of Things in a real-time cloud delivery environment that can simplify implementation and improve time to value at lower cost.

SAP Manufacturing Execution in the cloud helps manufacturers connect, monitor and tightly control operations, says the company, adding that it facilitates Industry 4.0 strategies by “integrating with business and manufacturing processes to enable efficient, high-quality production on the shop floor”.  [Read more…] about SAP launches new cloud-based manufacturing solution

IoT Tech Expo Global 2017 lines up keynote speakers

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iot tech expo global 2017

The IoT Tech Expo Global conference has announced keynote speakers for the upcoming global event in London 2017. 

Taking place on January 23-24th at the Olympia venue, the event will feature keynote speakers from the likes of Shell, Rolls-Royce, SSE, Maersk, Thyssenkrupp, Sky, Nest, Ford, Heathrow Airport and more.

The two-day event will cover a range of industries from manufacturing to healthcare, transportation to government, logistics to retail, with a total of 7 conference tracks covering the entire Internet of Things ecosystem.  [Read more…] about IoT Tech Expo Global 2017 lines up keynote speakers

Industry 4.0: Comau signs deal with EII to develop predictive maintenance solutions

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comau

Companies plan to jointly develop hardware and software solutions for the proactive maintenance of machines

Engineering Ingegneria Informatica and robot-maker Comau have signed a global cooperation agreement to develop and market solutions for predictive maintenance based on modular hardware and software and designed to acquire and analyze field data – through the internet of things, and big data analytics. 

The companies say these solutions are targeted at the manufacturing industry and in particular, and companies operating in the automotive, industrial manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and white goods sectors, and conform to the Industry 4.0 paradigm.

From a technical point of view, the solutions developed by the two partner companies seek to predict the potential occurrence of malfunctions or a full stop of the machines, and to intercept negative trends in production process quality, or predictive maintenance system.  [Read more…] about Industry 4.0: Comau signs deal with EII to develop predictive maintenance solutions

BMW to start research with IBM Watson artificial intelligence system

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Auto giant to locate research team at IBM’s Munich Watson IoT HQ, as computing colossus explores conversational interfaces in BMW i8 hybrid sports cars

IBM has entered into a new collaboration with the BMW Group, through which the companies will work together to explore the role of Watson cognitive computing in personalizing the driving experience and creating more intuitive driver support systems for cars of the future.

As part of the agreement, the BMW Group will collocate a team of researchers at IBM’s global headquarters for Watson Internet of Things (IoT) in Munich, Germany and the companies will work together explore how to improve intelligent assistant functions for drivers.

IBM recently pledged to invest $200 million to make its new Munich center one of the world’s most advanced facilities for collaborative innovation as part of a global investment of $3 billion to bring Watson cognitive computing to the Internet of Things.  [Read more…] about BMW to start research with IBM Watson artificial intelligence system

Minority Report style highly personalised advertising moves one step closer

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Cloudian, a provider of hybrid cloud object storage systems, has launched a system which recognises cars and displays advertising appropriate to the vehicle, and possibly its owner.

Cloudian says its HyperStore technology-enabled roadside digital advertising project in Tokyo has transitioned from a proof-of-concept to production use.

Spearheaded by Cloudian, Dentsu, and Intel, the project employs artificial intelligence-based vehicle recognition using HyperStore’s object storage and deep learning capabilities to present relevant display ads to drivers based on vehicle make and model.  [Read more…] about Minority Report style highly personalised advertising moves one step closer

Bewildered by BYOD? Confused by cloud? Here’s a simple introduction

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palm treo 300

Cloud-based automation software can make BYOD a secure and practical option for businesses. This kind of capability offers a tempting possibility for many businesses, as Howard Williams, marketing director of digital engagement specialist Parker Software, explains 

It might seem like they’ve been around forever, but smartphones have only been ubiquitous for the past five years. 

Before that, devices such as Handspring’s innovative Palm Treo series (pictured above)  were too far ahead of their time to take off.

The same rings true for bring your own device (BYOD), a concept that has existed for years but is only now able to be securely realised.  [Read more…] about Bewildered by BYOD? Confused by cloud? Here’s a simple introduction

Endurance Robots launches open source chatbot platform

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formitchev selfiebot chatbot
George Formitchev, CEO of Endurance Robots, demonstrates the company’s new chatbot platform

Endurance Robots has developed an open source platform to enable developers to build their own chatbots. 

CEO George Formitchev says the system is capable of facilitating the development of something like Jibo, Alexa, or Siri – some of the more well known chatbots on the market.

He adds that the SelfieBot Endurance ChatBot allows you to create your own personal assistant to “answer your emails and to communicate with you and on your behalf”.

Formitchev says the applications of the system could be “to help you learn a foreign language and to be a key addition in your everyday life”.

Endurance has a wide range of robotic solutions, including lasers for industrial applications, and like its chatbot most of it is open source and instructions on how to get started are on the company’s website.

Chatbot market racing towards $1 billion, says report

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robot assistant
Picture: Matthew Hurst

The market for chatbots is on course to reach $1 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Transparency Market Research. 

Advances in high-end artificial intelligence development is allowing companies to attain a far greater consumer pool than before, says Transparency.

Facebook, Google, and Microsoft were the “clear winners” in the global chabot market in 2015, adds the company.  [Read more…] about Chatbot market racing towards $1 billion, says report

Maxim Integrated launches new PLC development platform

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Maxim says its new platform transforms traditional manufacturing processes with real-time intelligence, adaptive manufacturing, and distributed control

Maxim Integrated has launched a new Pocket IO programmable logic controller development platform which its says can significantly increase manufacturing productivity.

The company says the platform provides customers with the ability to achieve the smallest form factor and highest power efficiency for next-generation PLC designs.

Lost productivity is a common concern for Industry 4.0 designers challenged with keeping a manufacturing line running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  [Read more…] about Maxim Integrated launches new PLC development platform

DataRobot surpass 110 million predictive models

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datarobot

DataRobot customers have surpassed 110 million predictive models using enterprise machine learning platform

Machine learning and data science startup, DataRobot, says its customers have developed more than 110 million models using the SaaS version of the DataRobot automated machine learning platform.

The company says it serves as validation of the company’s mission to “bring automated machine learning to every corner of the enterprise” and made the announcement at the Strata + Hadoop World session, Data Science for Executives, delivered by DataRobot CEO and co-founder, Jeremy Achin.

Enterprises across every industry are embracing machine learning to remain competitive in today’s data-driven world. By allowing more professionals across an organization to use advanced algorithms to derive insights from data, machine learning is helping to alleviate issues caused by a critical shortage of data scientists. [Read more…] about DataRobot surpass 110 million predictive models