Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Industry

Kerlink and Tata Communications launch partnership to expand LoRaWAN network deployments

by

Kerlink, a specialist in solutions dedicated to the internet of things, and Tata Communications Transformation Services (TCTS), have formed a partnership to promote and deploy LoRaWAN IoT networks globally.

The partnership was announced at the LoRa Alliance three-day All Members Meeting in Berlin. LoRaWAN stands for long-range wide area network.

Kerlink and TCTS will demonstrate to telecom carriers, start-up IoT connectivity providers, cities and large multinationals how LoRa technology is one of the most responsive and reliable protocols for IoT connectivity. [Read more…] about Kerlink and Tata Communications launch partnership to expand LoRaWAN network deployments

JMP Solutions earns new control system integration certification

by

JMP Solutions, industrial technology partner to Fortune 1000 companies, has earned CSIA Certified status in the Control System Integrators Association “Best Practices and Benchmarks” certification program.

This marks the 13th year JMP has held this coveted certification with CSIA, after receiving its initial certification in 2006. JMP is one of only 83 companies in the world that is CSIA certified.

JMP Solutions earned the certification following a successful audit administered by an independent consulting firm that assessed its performance against client-centric criteria in a wide range of business, project management, and system development categories. [Read more…] about JMP Solutions earns new control system integration certification

Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power acquires EnergyOr

by

Plug Power, a provider of hydrogen engines and fueling solutions enabling e-mobility, has acquired EnergyOr. 

The transaction involves technology, assets, and personnel, but the financial terms have not been disclosed.

EnergyOr is based in Montreal, Canada, and is the leader in advanced lightweight and compact PEM (proton-exchange membrane) hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) systems for robotics, small scale material handling and aerospace applications. [Read more…] about Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power acquires EnergyOr

Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

by

Six innovative companies have been nominated for the grand prize at the microtechnology trade show EPHJ, the leading showcase for watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors.

The jury of experts of the 2019 EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Fair has selected six highly innovative projects for the Exhibitors’ Grand Prix to be voted on by the exhibitors to select and announce the winner at the show, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18-21 June.

Levitation of machines, the green properties of supercritical CO2, machine learning algorithms, new hope for the 16 million people suffering from retinal vein occlusion, a machine that is mightier than a spark and a new fine-layer treatment process are just a few of the spectacular innovations proposed by the six nominees for the 2019 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix selected by the Jury for the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show. [Read more…] about Six innovative companies nominated for grand prize at microtechnology trade show

JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

by

JMP Solutions has acquired Calgary-based Hi-Def Controls, enhancing their presence in Western Canada while benefitting from additional competencies specifically in the oil and gas, water and wastewater, and power systems industry segments.

The two organizations say they are “a natural fit” not only due to their focused industry alignment, but most notably, their common customer-centric philosophy, which revolves around supporting their clients throughout the lifetime of their systems, not just for the length of the project; a culture which truly sets them apart from the bulk of the System Integrator market.

Scott Shawyer, JMP president and CEO, says: “We are very happy that the Hi-Def team has decided to join us at JMP. Their capabilities are world class and allow us to ensure our customers have effective strategies in place for managing and optimizing their systems, information and technologies. [Read more…] about JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies

by

Three companies awarded total of $250 million to develop lunar technology

NASA has selected three commercial Moon landing service providers that will deliver science and technology payloads under Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) as part of the Artemis program.

Each commercial lander will carry NASA-provided payloads that will conduct science investigations and demonstrate advanced technologies on the lunar surface, paving the way for NASA astronauts to land on the lunar surface by 2024.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator, says: “Our selection of these US commercial landing service providers represents America’s return to the Moon’s surface for the first time in decades, and it’s a huge step forward for our Artemis lunar exploration plans. [Read more…] about NASA selects first three companies for commercial moon landing technologies

Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

by

After recently increasing the percentage of tariffs and applying them to a broader range of Chinese imports, US President Donald Trump has now imposed new tariffs on imports from Mexico. 

The proposed 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports is yet to be made official, but Trump’s announcement has already caused concern across a range of sectors.

Trump said today on Twitter: “On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied, at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.” [Read more…] about Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

Industrial Internet Consortium launches series of challenges

by

The Industrial Internet Consortium has launched a series of “IoT Challenges” aimed at solving real problems and advancing the validation of industrial internet applications and solutions.

The current Challenges are co-organized with the Trusted IoT Alliance.

In an interview with Robotics and Automation News, Dr Richard Soley, executive director of the IIC, provides an overview and some insights into what the IIC is and what it does. (See video below.)

In these Challenges, architects and solution providers will compete to design industrial internet solutions that address high-profile, real-world problems. [Read more…] about Industrial Internet Consortium launches series of challenges

Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT

by

Haltian has launched what it says is a 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT Greengrass edge computing capabilities.

Haltian says the new solution is an end-to-end smart factory service that reduces factory costs up to 90 percent, compared to traditional automation techniques, by providing a straightforward and secure asset and process digitalization for industrial enterprises.

This solution sees Haltian combine their Thingsee IoT platform and industry-grade retrofit sensors with AWS IoT Greengrass Edge Computing, and private LTE technology and paves the way for 5G. [Read more…] about Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT

MHI Machine Tool produces commercial metal 3D Printer using laser beams

by

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co., Ltd. has commercialised a metal 3D printer applying laser-based metal additive manufacturing technology.

The first unit was delivered in March to the Industrial Research Centre of Shiga Prefecture, in Ritto, Japan.

The commercial model is capable of laminating diverse metal materials at high speed, through use of a proprietary Directed Energy Deposition (DED) method in which metal powder material is continuously fed by nozzles to the laser fusing point.

[Read more…] about MHI Machine Tool produces commercial metal 3D Printer using laser beams