Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

cloud

Traditional telco services hamstring WAN agility. Is cloud-based SD-WAN the solution?

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In a recent survey, industry insiders predicted over 80 percent of workloads will run in a public, private, or hybrid cloud by 2020.

This shift towards cloud computing is one of the key drivers of SD-WAN overtaking traditional telco services like MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) as the go-to WAN connectivity solution for enterprises.

However, enterprises also care about reliability and managed services, areas where SD-WAN solutions that only offer overlay functionality come up short. [Read more…] about Traditional telco services hamstring WAN agility. Is cloud-based SD-WAN the solution?

Salesforce launches ‘Manufacturing Cloud’ to help align sales with operations

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Salesforce has launched a new service called “Manufacturing Cloud”, which the company says enables companies to align their sales activities with their manufacturing operations.

Salesforce is one of the world’s leading customer relations management platforms, and the company says its new industry offering allows manufacturers to strategically plan to meet customer commitments and better react to market changes.

Salesforce has collaborated with major manufacturing and sales companies through the product pilot program, including Kawasaki Motors, Hitachi Chemical, CF Industries, Mipox, Gelita and more. [Read more…] about Salesforce launches ‘Manufacturing Cloud’ to help align sales with operations

CloudMinds to supply 14,000 cleaning robots to two clients

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CloudMinds Technology says it has been contracted to provide 10,000 intelligent cleaning robots to Jin Yu Ao Environmental Technology for government schools, large entertainment venues, national research institutes, office buildings and residential units.

CloudMinds will also deliver up to 3,700 various types of cloud service robots to Zhongtai Min’an Security Services Group to “enhance property management operations”.

CloudMinds Technology specialises in cloud artificial intelligence architecture that “makes robots and businesses smarter”. [Read more…] about CloudMinds to supply 14,000 cleaning robots to two clients

Denso focuses on connected technology at new Seattle innovation lab

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Denso Corporation, the world’s second largest mobility supplier, has celebrated the grand opening of its Seattle Innovation Lab, which will strengthen the company’s development of connected technologies and advance its Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform.

The lab supports Denso’s recent expansion into software-based solutions to complement its hardware expertise, bolsters its North American R&D strategy and helps bring to life its long-term plan aimed at creating new value for future mobility.

It also furthers Denso’s exploration of new business domains, like MaaS, to propel its technology development and contribute to better, safer and more sustainable transportation solutions.

[Read more…] about Denso focuses on connected technology at new Seattle innovation lab

Freedom Robotics receives $6.6 million in seed funding

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Freedom Robotics, which provides cloud and on-device software for monitoring, control and management of robots and robotic fleets, has closed a $6.6m seed round.

The funding was led by Initialized Capital, with Toyota AI Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Andrew Miklas from S28 Capital, and James Lindenbaum, alongside existing investors Green Cow Ventur­e Capital, Justin Kan, Josh Buckley, Kevin Mahaffey, and Arianna Simpson.

Freedom Robotics creates tools and infrastructure that all robotics companies require but are not core to their product or value creation.

[Read more…] about Freedom Robotics receives $6.6 million in seed funding

Warehouse automation company Fetch Robotics raises $46 million in latest funding round

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Fetch Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation technologies, has raised $46 million in its Series C round of funding.

The round was led by Fort Ross Ventures, with additional participation from CEAS Investments, Redwood Technologies, TransLink Capital and Zebra Ventures.

All existing investors – O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Softbank Capital and Sway Ventures – also participated in this round. [Read more…] about Warehouse automation company Fetch Robotics raises $46 million in latest funding round

Sony Semiconductor Solutions acquires network virtualisation firm Mido Holdings

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Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation  has acquired the network virtualisation technology developer Mido Holdings Ltd. Consequently, Mido Holdings has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Semiconductor Solutions.

Virtualisation technologies include virtual network technology, which uses software to reconfigure networks without altering the physical infrastructure of communication devices such as routers and switches, and technologies that virtually integrate and control multiple servers and storage devices.

These technologies are used to build cloud computing systems and other such highly flexible systems.

[Read more…] about Sony Semiconductor Solutions acquires network virtualisation firm Mido Holdings

NXP and Microsoft demonstrate edge-to-cloud machine learning solution for predictive maintenance

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NXP Semiconductors has agreed a collaboration with Microsoft to bring artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for anomaly detection to Azure internet of things users.

By combining complementary strengths – NXP’s offline machine learning capability and embedded processing with Microsoft’s cloud expertise – the two companies jointly demonstrates a new Anomaly Detection Solution for Azure IoT at Microsoft Build in Seattle recently.

The solution consists of a small form factor, low power system-on-module powered by NXP’s i.MX RT106C Crossover Processors, a full suite of sensors, and an associated Anomaly Detection Toolbox.

[Read more…] about NXP and Microsoft demonstrate edge-to-cloud machine learning solution for predictive maintenance

Festo looks to AI to make automation more profitable

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Festo is looking to implement artificial intelligence systems to make automation even more productive and efficient.

The company says it currently offers intelligent component and process monitoring. But Festo intends to further increase the productivity of its customers by means of self-learning machines.

The company is relying here on AI at three network levels:

  • on edge;
  • on premises; and
  • in the cloud.

In addition to the complex services that can be offered in a cloud, Festo sees great potential in simple real-time data analysis by means of AI – either directly on the field component (AI on edge) or in the control of either the system or a production plant (AI on premises).

[Read more…] about Festo looks to AI to make automation more profitable

Canonical releases new version of Ubuntu operating system

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Canonical has launched a new version of the Ubuntu computer operating system, which is increasingly popular in industrial devices and networks.

The company says the updated version, Ubuntu 19.04, provides the necessary tools for open infrastructure applications, includes a developer desktop, internet of things functionality, and cloud to edge software distribution.

Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical, says: “The open-source-first on Ubuntu movement in telco, finance, and media has spread to other sectors.

“From the public cloud to the private data center to the edge appliance or cluster, open source has become the reference for efficiency and innovation.

“Ubuntu 19.04 includes the leading projects to underpin that transition, and the developer tooling to accelerate the applications for those domains.”