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Agilox applies artificial swarm intelligence to its warehouse robots and makes ‘substantial’ cost savings

June 17, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Agilox says its autonomous mobile robots are “substantially saving costs” by applying artificial swarm intelligence.

Swarm Intelligence and bio-inspired computing have attracted great interest in almost every area of science and engineering, including robotics, over the last two decades.

Being an innovative manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, Agilox directs most of its effort into developing one of the most unique robotic material handling features on the market – completely decentralized autonomy. [Read more…] about Agilox applies artificial swarm intelligence to its warehouse robots and makes ‘substantial’ cost savings

Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

June 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Retail giant Gap says it has improved its supply chain output by implementing robots supplied by Kindred. (See video below.)

The system Kindred has supplied uses industrial robotic arms originally manufactured by Fanuc integrated into a solution called “Sort”.

Gap says that it has been “faced with an unprecedented surge in e-commerce and an extreme workforce disruption” which persuaded it that “now is the time for artificial intelligence and robotics solutions to solve complex fulfillment problems”. [Read more…] about Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

Valens launches new chipset that enables 8 Gbps in-vehicle connectivity

June 4, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Valens, a developer of high-speed in-vehicle connectivity systems, has launched a new range of chipsets that enable speeds of up to 8 Gbps.

The company says the VA7000 family of automotive chipsets will deliver “ultra-high-speed connectivity” with the most resilient physical layer (PHY) for error-free links and high EMI immunity.

Valens adds that the VA7000 chipsets will be “the first in the industry” to implement the MIPI A-PHY SM standard for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems (ADS). [Read more…] about Valens launches new chipset that enables 8 Gbps in-vehicle connectivity

Fabric raises $110 million in new investment round backed by Kraft Heinz

February 26, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

On-demand fulfillment services startup Fabric has raised an additional investment to its Series B round from Evolv Ventures, the investment arm of Kraft Heinz, one of the largest global food and beverage companies in the world.

Led by a team of food, startup, and venture capital veterans, Evolv Ventures is focused on strategic investments in emerging technologies across the food value chain.

Their undisclosed additional investment to the $110 million-dollar round is a resounding vote of confidence from a leading food tech investor and the iconic food company. [Read more…] about Fabric raises $110 million in new investment round backed by Kraft Heinz

Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

November 29, 2019 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC.

The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a smaller space”, while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest smart factory applications.

Mitsubishi Electric launched its first range of micro controllers, the FX family of PLCs, over 35 years ago as part of the MELSEC-F series. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

Micrologistics startup Takeoff Technologies raises $25 million

September 18, 2019 by David Edwards

Takeoff Technologies has closed its Series C fundraising with an additional $25 million in investment for 5 percent of the company, with a valuation of $500 million, bringing the total funds raised to $86 million.

The Series C funding was led by Forrestal Capital. This funding is set to propel a rollout scale across North America, Europe and Australia.

Takeoff is at the forefront of microfulfillment as the first and only solution provider with several operating sites in partnership with major grocery retail chains. [Read more…] about Micrologistics startup Takeoff Technologies raises $25 million

Logic Supply launches ‘high-performance’ edge computing device

September 2, 2019 by David Edwards

Industrial and IoT computer hardware manufacturer Logic Supply has unveiled the Karbon 700 “high-performance rugged computer”.

Designed for reliability in challenging environments, Karbon 700 is intended for use as a data logger, NVR or edge device in heavy industrial, in-vehicle or remote installations in the manufacturing, physical security and energy management industries.

Murat Erdogan, Logic Supply VP of products, says: “The Edge continues to expand further out from the data center, placing increasingly challenging environmental demands on hardware. [Read more…] about Logic Supply launches ‘high-performance’ edge computing device

GM to invest additional $20 million in Texas plant

July 26, 2019 by Anna

General Motors is investing an additional $20 million at Arlington Assembly to upgrade plant conveyors in preparation for the launch of GM’s new SUVs.

GM has invested more than $1.4 billion in Arlington Assembly since 2015 to build a new paint shop and for body shop and general assembly area upgrades.

The new upgrades at Arlington are scheduled to be completed next year.

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

May 21, 2019 by Sam Francis

More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports.

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events

May 16, 2019 by Anna

Magna held two grand opening ceremonies last month in China, for new factories in Changsha and Shanghai.

The new plant in Changsha, a joint venture with GAC subsidiary GAC Component Co., Ltd. (GAC Component), began production of composite liftgates for a global automaker’s crossover vehicle in late 2018.

Last month, Magna’s plant in Shanghai started production on active aerodynamic grille shutters for an American brand producing multiple vehicle platforms for the China market.

[Read more…]