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FarmWise launches autonomous weeding robot

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San Francisco-based startup FarmWise has started production of its first generation of autonomous weeding robots after successful tests in 2018 and has already secured bookings for 2019.

The company says the robot can help farmers reduce their reliance on chemical weedkillers. (See video below.)

FarmWise says that farmers today are facing the need to use fewer chemical inputs to match current consumer expectations and preserve the integrity of our soil.  [Read more…] about FarmWise launches autonomous weeding robot

Omron to launch ‘industry’s first’ 2D dimensioning and visual inspection machine

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Omron has launched what it says “the automation industry’s first VT-M121: 2D dimension and visual inspection machine”, which performs simultaneously dimension and visual inspection to detect scratches and cracks on products.

VT-M121 demonstrates the feasible full inspection to meet the required quality standard of the automotive industry in full cooperation with SIIX Corporation that is the nation’s largest provider of EMS and works to improve the production quality of electronics components and to increase their reliability.

Instead of the inspection process of the sampling inspection by operators, VT-M121 enables full inspection automatically in the production line and contributes to achieving “zero defects” in automotive electronics which are required to have high quality and high reliability.  [Read more…] about Omron to launch ‘industry’s first’ 2D dimensioning and visual inspection machine

Naver Labs to showcase robotics and artificial intelligence technologies at CES

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Naver Labs is planning the global debut and demonstrations of the artificial intelligence, robotics, computer-aided vision, mapping and other core technologies of its “breakthrough xDM platform” at CES and the Pepcom Digital Experience.

Naver Labs, which is part of Naver Corporation, is inviting CES attendees to see the future of location-based services and information at the Pepcom Digital Experience today at the Mirage Hotel, and at its CES Tech East Booth: LVCC, Central Plaza – CP-14, between January 8th and 11th.  [Read more…] about Naver Labs to showcase robotics and artificial intelligence technologies at CES

Investments in digital engineering expected to grow

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Investments in digital engineering are expected to account for 37 percent of the engineering research and design (ER&D) market by 2023, according to a report by Zinnov.

Global corporate engineering and R&D spend is in excess of $1.2 trillion in 2018
Z1000 organizations account for $812 billion of the global R&D spend.

Digital engineering spend is estimated at $293 billion and accounts for 24 percent of overall global corporate engineering spend.  [Read more…] about Investments in digital engineering expected to grow

Scania and Rio Tinto trialling autonomous truck in Western Australian mine

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Truckmaker Scania and mining giant Rio Tinto are trialling an autonomous truck in a Western Australian mine. (See video below.)

The first phase of the trial started in August 2018 and involves a Scania XT 8×4 autonomous tipper truck working separately from Dampier’s active operations.

During this initial stage, a safety driver rides in the vehicle to observe the truck’s performance and, if necessary, intervenes. In subsequent phases, additional autonomous Scania trucks will be added to develop vehicle-to-vehicle awareness and intelligent fleet supervisory controls. [Read more…] about Scania and Rio Tinto trialling autonomous truck in Western Australian mine

Industrial automation market to reach $352 billion by 2024, says report

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The market for industrial automation products and services is forecast to reach $352 billion by 2024, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

According to the study, the global industrial automation market is projected to rise at 6.6 percent a year over the forecast period between 2016 and 2024.

Expanding at this rate, the market valuation is projected to exceed $352 billion by the end of 2024. In 2015, the market valuation was $182.64 billion.  [Read more…] about Industrial automation market to reach $352 billion by 2024, says report

Industrial Internet Consortium combines with OpenFog Consortium

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The Industrial Internet Consortium and the OpenFog Consortium have agreed in principle to combine the two largest and most influential international consortia in Industrial IoT, fog and edge computing.

The move will bring OpenFog members into the IIC organization at a time when their complementary areas of technology are emerging in the mainstream.

The combined memberships will continue to drive the momentum of the Industrial Internet including the development and promotion of industry guidance and best practices for fog and edge computing. The organizations expect the details to be finalized in early 2019.  [Read more…] about Industrial Internet Consortium combines with OpenFog Consortium

Sick Sensors partners with Canadian university to develop advanced manufacturing knowledge

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Humber College and Sick Sensors are entering into a three-year partnership agreement designed to build awareness of new industry automation sensor solutions and Industry 4.0 ready sensor technologies.

Sick will provide sensor technologies and services worth $765,000, new training opportunities for Humber students and dedicated support through new scholarships called the “Sick Canada Leadership & Vision Awards”.

Sick is now a founding member of Humber’s Advanced Manufacturing Skills Consortium, a group comprised of industry partners working with the college to train students and employees of Canadian companies within the new Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation. [Read more…] about Sick Sensors partners with Canadian university to develop advanced manufacturing knowledge

Siemens becomes ‘world’s first’ to gain new TÜV SÜD certification

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Siemens is the world’s first company to gain TÜV SÜD certification for the secure system integration of process automation and drive solutions in compliance with the international IEC 62443-2-4 standards.

The integration projects, verified on the basis of two standard solutions in the oil & gas processing industry and in a waste incineration plant, have been certified in conformity with IEC 62443-2-4 and -3-3 and were implemented using the Simatic PCS 7 process control system.

The projects involved process automation, drive solutions and comprehensive security measures and functions designed to deliver secure plant operation. [Read more…] about Siemens becomes ‘world’s first’ to gain new TÜV SÜD certification

Webcast: Kalray unveils new AI processor technology for autonomous vehicles

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In this presentation and interview, Stéphane Cordova, VP of embedded technology at Kalray, provides an insight into the company’s artificial intelligence computing systems for autonomous cars, as well as Kalray itself. (See video below.)

Kalray recently unveiled its new neural network platform, which it calls “KaNN”, saying it enables “high-performance machine learning” applications for a variety of sectors including automotive, one of the areas in which it specialises.

KaNN and Kalray’s new AI processor, called the “Massively Parallel Processor Array”, or MPPA, also have potential applications in areas such as intelligent storage servers, data centers, robotics, drones, and others.  [Read more…] about Webcast: Kalray unveils new AI processor technology for autonomous vehicles