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Apple patents sensor to enable cars to communicate with each other

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Apple has updated one of its patents which outlines the design of a sensor which would enable cars to communicate with each other, according to a report on CNBC. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the company is developing autonomous systems, but did not say whether it would build a car of its own.

The new sensor could be integrated into Apple’s in-car information and entertainment console, CarPlay, which is already in some new cars on the market.  [Read more…] about Apple patents sensor to enable cars to communicate with each other

Upverter upgrades its printed circuit board design application

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Upverter has upgraded its cloud-based printed circuit board design application and included an enhanced version of its so-called “Concierge”. 

The PCB market is growing worldwide as more people take to designing and building their own machines using open-source hardware components.

Upverter, which was launched several years ago, has added something it calls “EE Concierge”, or Electrical Engineering Concierge Service, which essentially helps you to use the company’s application.  [Read more…] about Upverter upgrades its printed circuit board design application

Nidec to acquire SV Probe in sign that electronics manufacturing is heating up

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Industrial technology company Nidec is to acquire SV Probe, which manufactures what are called “probe cards” and testing equipment for semiconductors. 

The deal would give Nidec subsidiary Nidec-Read 100 per cent of SV Probe’s shares.

Nidec-Read’s main business is the development, manufacturing and sales of inspection equipment for semiconductor package substrates and printed circuit boards, as well as inspection fixture.  [Read more…] about Nidec to acquire SV Probe in sign that electronics manufacturing is heating up

Industrial robotics market projected to reach more than $70 billion by 2023

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The industrial robotics market is forecast to reach beyond $70 billion by 2023, according to a new report. 

The main drivers for the industrial robotics market are increasing investments for automation in various industries and the growing demand from small and medium-scale enterprises in developing countries.  [Read more…] about Industrial robotics market projected to reach more than $70 billion by 2023

Vertical farms in urban areas ready to grow after harvesting tons of seed money

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Even if you’ve never heard the term before, you probably understand what “vertical farming” is. 

Unlike some buzz phrases, it sounds like what it means – farms built upwards, inside a building on multiple levels, unlike traditional farms, which occupy large, flat, single-level fields, covering thousands of acres of earth if done on an industrial scale.

The concept of vertical farms has been around a long time, but perhaps only now is the technology available to sustain the sector commercially.  [Read more…] about Vertical farms in urban areas ready to grow after harvesting tons of seed money

A3 reports record growth of robotics and automation sales in North America

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The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has revealed the results of its latest research on robotics and automation trends, sales, and growth.

As expected, many records were set in the areas of robotics, machine vision, motion control and motor technology for the first half of 2017, says A3.  [Read more…] about A3 reports record growth of robotics and automation sales in North America

Minimum wage increases lead to more robotics and automation, says new report

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Minimum wage increases lead to more investment in robotics and automation systems, according to a new study.

The report, People Versus Machines: The Impact of Minimum Wages on Automatable Jobs, analysed the US Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey data from 1980 to 2015.

The paper was published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, and authored by Grace Lordan and David Neumark.  [Read more…] about Minimum wage increases lead to more robotics and automation, says new report

Robotics investment fund claims 40 per cent returns in one year

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A robotics investment fund claims it has seen returns of almost 40 per cent since it was established a year ago, according to a report on Business Insider. 

Botz is a Nadaq-listed exchange-traded fund, which has holdings in a variety of companies in the robotics and artificial intelligence sectors.

ETFs are like shares in a collection of different companies – usually in a particular sector such as robotics and AI – and they are sold as though they were shares in one company.  [Read more…] about Robotics investment fund claims 40 per cent returns in one year

Mouser Electronics to distribute Robotis components

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Mouser Electronics has reached a global agreement with Robotis to distribute the company’s components, which include a range of controllers, servo motors, industrial actuators, and open-source development boards. 

The Robotis portfolio is now available from Mouser Electronics, although it’s not clear whether complete versions of the company’s humanoid robots and its TurtleBot will be sold through Mouser.

Robotis’ OpenCM9.04 open-source controllers run on an STMicroelectronics STM32 F1 microcontroller with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 core.  [Read more…] about Mouser Electronics to distribute Robotis components

WesTec returns to Los Angeles with a focus on the future of manufacturing technology and the workforce

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WesTec returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center September 12-14. 

WesTec is a manufacturing forum presenting the latest in advanced manufacturing technology including precision machining, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, software and digital technologies, advanced materials, tooling and more.

Produced by SME and the Association For Manufacturing Technology, WesTec will showcase and provide hands-on interaction with the latest cutting-edge technologies, global industry leaders addressing the hottest topics and major manufacturing companies bringing their best products, technology and services.  [Read more…] about WesTec returns to Los Angeles with a focus on the future of manufacturing technology and the workforce