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WinSystems launches ultra-small single board computer

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Embedded computer firm WinSystems has launched its tiniest-yet industrial SBC based on the Intel® Atom™ E3800 processor family.

The  ITX-F-3800 measures  3.31 inches by 2.17 inches (84 mm by 55 mm), but incorporates what it claims is an extraordinary amount of embedded computing performance and versatility.

Leveraging the compact size of the Femto-ITX form factor, this single board computer includes Ethernet, USB channels, a serial port, video and more to support design needs.

[Read more…] about WinSystems launches ultra-small single board computer

STMicroelectronics launches advanced image sensors for automotive safety systems

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Semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics has unveiled two new automotive global shutter image sensors, the VG5661 and VG5761, featured for driver monitoring.

Both were demonstrated with automotive software innovator Jungo’s driver-monitoring solution CoDriver, at the recent AutoSens Imaging conference and at Electronica 2018.

These advanced image sensors enhance monitoring of vehicle occupants by capturing the scene as illuminated from the camera, eliminating unpredictable external effects such as sunlight or street lighting.  [Read more…] about STMicroelectronics launches advanced image sensors for automotive safety systems

H20.ai to expand its driverless AI system in partnership with Tech Mahindra

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H2O.ai, an open source developer of artificial intelligence systems, says its inaugural global systems integrator partner, Tech Mahindra, will expand H2O.ai’s global reach.

Across industries and around the world, customers are undergoing an AI transformation that is changing the way businesses operate, compete and delight customers.

Along with H2O.ai, Tech Mahindra is able to reach more customers and solve their unique challenges with the automatic machine learning platform, H2O Driverless AI.  [Read more…] about H20.ai to expand its driverless AI system in partnership with Tech Mahindra

Siemens showcases sector-specific solutions and future technologies for Industry 4.0

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Siemens presented a range of sector-specific solutions and future technologies to enable the digital transformation of today’s discrete and process industries at the recent SPS IPC Drives event.

The central focus was on new products, solutions and services from the company’s Digital Enterprise portfolio designed to enable the merger between the physical and digital worlds to boost the flexibility, efficiency, quality, security and speed of their operations. To

get to grips with the rising complexity of production processes and leverage the many associated benefits, Siemens is continuously expanding and strengthening its portfolio with the integration of groundbreaking future technologies, from artificial intelligence to edge computing.  [Read more…] about Siemens showcases sector-specific solutions and future technologies for Industry 4.0

Worldwide semiconductor equipment sales drop to $15.8 billion in third quarter of 2018

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Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment fell to $15.8 billion in the third quarter of 2018, according to new data from SEMI.

SEMI is the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing supply chain.

In its latest report, the organization found that third quarter 2018 worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment billings dropped 5 percent from the previous quarter to $15.8 billion, but are 11 percent higher than the same quarter a year ago.  [Read more…] about Worldwide semiconductor equipment sales drop to $15.8 billion in third quarter of 2018

Webcast: Artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector

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In this interview, Humera Malik, founder and CEO of Canvass Analytics, provides an insight into her company.

Canvass Analytics is a startup backed by Google Ventures, among others. A data analytics company, it specialises in helping large manufacturers apply artificial intelligence to their operations.

Malik provides an overview of the industrial market from her point of view, as well as insights into the adoption rate of this new way of streamlining processes to make them more efficient and productive.  [Read more…] about Webcast: Artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector

Google unveils cloud robotics initiative

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Google Cloud has unveiled what it describes as a “Cloud Robotics” service with a view to a commercial launch next year. The search giant says the initiative represents “a new approach to intelligent automation”.

Google says its Cloud Robotics platform will cover “foundational needs”, including “secure and robust connectivity between robots and the cloud”.

The management of digital assets can also be done with Kubernetes, which is described as “an open-source container-orchestration system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications”.  [Read more…] about Google unveils cloud robotics initiative

Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

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Sony Corporation has claimed to have achieved the fastest deep learning speeds in the world by utilising its deep learning development framework “Core Library: Neural Network Libraries” in addition to the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure (ABCI).

ABCI is a computing infrastructure for AI processing constructed and operated by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

Deep learning is a method of machine learning which uses neural networks modelled after the human brain. By harnessing deep learning, image and sound recognition capabilities have seen rapid growth in recent years, even outperforming humans in certain domains.

[Read more…] about Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

Robotic Process Automation: How ‘software robots’ are finding their niche

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A simple introduction to a complex subject

At Robotics and Automation News, we like real robots, ones that you can see and touch, that are preferably made of metal. However, we might have been remiss in not talking about another kind, the “software robot” that sits inside your computer, watches what you are doing, and learns how to do it for you.

Software developers automate tasks by analysing them in detail, and writing programmes that carry out the task step by step, and then writing something called an Application Programming Interface (API) to link the task into an organisation’s computer system.

The drawbacks here are the usual – some tasks don’t justify the cost of designing a special software system, yet nonetheless many hours of laborious manual inputting needs doing. It is here that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and software robots are coming into their own.  [Read more…] about Robotic Process Automation: How ‘software robots’ are finding their niche

Webcast: Interview with Ricardo Tellez, CEO, TheConstructSim

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In this presentation and interview, Ricardo Tellez, CEO of TheConstructSim, introduces a new system for creating and sharing ROS projects, which the company has developed. (See video below.)

Called “ROSjects”, the method is said to simplify the process of sharing code for robot simulation.

TheConstructSim is believed to be the only online, browser-based robot simulation application in the world, and is currently used by robot enthusiasts and large, established robot companies alike.  [Read more…] about Webcast: Interview with Ricardo Tellez, CEO, TheConstructSim