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Ocious Technology to provide Australia with autonomous boats to watch out for refugees at sea

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A startup company called Ocious Technology is to provide Australia with autonomous boats to watch out for refugees at sea. 

The company was awarded $5.5 million a couple of months ago by the Australian government’s Department of Defence to continue developing its autonomous unmanned surface vessels.

Following on from that, Ocious is to launch a total of five of its “Bluebottle” small autonomous vessels by next year. [Read more…] about Ocious Technology to provide Australia with autonomous boats to watch out for refugees at sea

40 North Ventures acquires 11 companies from GE Ventures

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40 North Ventures, an early-to-growth stage venture capital fund focused on technology investments in the industrial sector, has acquired investments in 11 companies from GE Ventures.

Although 40 North Ventures is not disclosing the value of this deal, the fund raised $200 million last year. This was in part utilized for the acquisition from GE Ventures, as well as four prior investments, according to a spokesperson.

The 11 new portfolio companies are aligned with 40 North Ventures’ focus on technology and business model innovation, adding to its growing portfolio of high-performance companies building the industrial future. [Read more…] about 40 North Ventures acquires 11 companies from GE Ventures

Opinion: A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation is happening in China

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By Gao Feng Advisory

A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation appears to be taking place in China. There are a number of forces driving this catalysis in automation technologies. 

Firstly, the Chinese government and its policies are playing a central role. This will be particularly reflected in the unprecedented spending on “new infrastructure” as a response to the pandemic.

Secondly, the technologies and related-industries targeted by the government’s new infrastructure agenda are critical components. [Read more…] about Opinion: A coronavirus-induced acceleration of robotics and automation is happening in China

IDS says its new cameras capture ‘sharp images even with varying object distances’

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Imaging Development Systems says its new cameras capture “sharp images even with varying object distances”.

The company has extended the selection of its automatically focusable board-level cameras.

Their practical autofocus function enables uEye LE AF industrial cameras to deliver “perfectly focused images even with frequently changing object distances”, says IDS. [Read more…] about IDS says its new cameras capture ‘sharp images even with varying object distances’

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Web Design

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The web design industry is constantly changing as technology matures and involves. Whether it’s changing styles, new best practices, or the implementation of innovative technology, we’ve seen the Internet evolve over the last few decades.

Major developments like accessible high-speed internet have led to enhanced experiences for most users. We’ve also seen multimedia content and HTML5 become the new standards.

But things are starting to change for web design, and a new type of technology is slowly emerging as the future of this industry. [Read more…] about Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Web Design

The Future of Marketing Automation: Main Email Trends 2020

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By Iuliia Nesterenko

If you’re not involved in email marketing professionally, it may seem that this industry has stopped its progress long ago.

You open your inbox, open any email, and see the same picture: familiar layout, images, text, buttons.

Yes, the design and color palette differ; there are some new elements like CSS-animation or toggle switches. But in general, this is a good old email you received five years ago. Or is it? [Read more…] about The Future of Marketing Automation: Main Email Trends 2020

igus unveils virtual trade show booth

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igus, a supplier of components, has unveiled a “virtual trade show booth” to provide some assistance to industry people who are “still bummed out about trade shows being cancelled”. 

The virtual stand is interactive, as you might expect, and features a range of components for many industries, including robotics, material handling, agriculture and many more.

igus says the aim of the stand was to showcase its “new, innovative plastic products for low-cost automation”. [Read more…] about igus unveils virtual trade show booth

More than half of US companies are ‘planning to increase automation investments due to Covid-19’

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More than half of US companies are increasingly open to invest in automation to survive changing market conditions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent study by Honeywell Intelligrated.

The 2020 Honeywell Intelligrated Automation Investment Study reveals that the e-commerce (66 percent); grocery, food and beverage (59 percent); and logistics (55 percent) industries are most willing to invest more in automation.

Chris Feuell, chief marketing officer at Honeywell Intelligrated, says: “The global pandemic caused a sudden and seismic shift in the global supply chain driving distribution centers to embrace remote operations and social distancing work processes. [Read more…] about More than half of US companies are ‘planning to increase automation investments due to Covid-19’

What does the term ‘productivity’ actually mean in economics?

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Here at Robotics and Automation News, we’ve often wondered what factors determine the productivity of a nation or industry, market or economy. There is a reason for this that has to with our website’s editorial subject matter and possibly our survival as a business.

In other words, we would like to expand our editorial coverage, and we would like to monetise. Our website has millions of readers, a significant proportion of whom are business people, so we have a marketable audience.

So far, we have mostly carried niche industrial news. Now, we want to add to that broader, global industry-wide and indeed world economy-wide, perspectives that may affect their growth and success. [Read more…] about What does the term ‘productivity’ actually mean in economics?

FLIR Systems launches new sensor for drones and robots

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FLIR Systems has launched something called “FLIR Hadron”, which the company describes as the industry’s first dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers.

Designed to help reduce development costs and improve time-to-market, the lightweight, low power, and compact form factor includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the FLIR Boson 320×240 resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-hertz framerate.

Paul Clayton, general manager, components business at FLIR, says: “With the introduction of Hadron, FLIR Systems is leading the way in offering low-cost, dual sensor integration across a variety of industries from commercial drones to industrial imaging systems. [Read more…] about FLIR Systems launches new sensor for drones and robots