Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

devices

SICK showcases new monitoring system for packaging operations

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SICK is showcasing a new monitoring system for packaging operations at Pack Expo.

The company describes it as “a revolutionary way to improve packaging processes”, and says it’s part of what it sees as a “smart moonitoring kit”.

Called “4.0 NOW Factory”, the sensor technology and dashboard represents how SICK can provide manufacturers greater visibility to their production processes, making it easier to implement improvements and new innovations. [Read more…] about SICK showcases new monitoring system for packaging operations

Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

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Omron has launched an updated ranges of optical sensors that the company says can better detect black, mirrored and transparent surfaces.

Omron Electronic Components Europe says the new series of optical sensors, also feature a longer detection distance.

Omron B5W sensors are particularly effective at identifying black, transparent, reflective and other hard to detect services, and the new range also features enhanced performance in this area. [Read more…] about Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

Smart homes to drive consumer robotics demand to 39 million shipments a year by 2024

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Smart homes are predicted to drive the demand for consumer robotics to 39 million shipments a year by 2024, according to analysis by ABI Research.

But a “disconnect between smart home and home robotics offerings has been a factor limiting home robotics adoption”. says ABI.

Pricing, availability, and consumer awareness have been factors too, but a new study finds that robot vendors increasingly see value in supporting the integration of their devices into smart home functionality. [Read more…] about Smart homes to drive consumer robotics demand to 39 million shipments a year by 2024

When Automation Works Alongside Humans

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When we talk about automation, we often imagine a future in which everything we do will be almost entirely handled by machines. Cars will drive themselves. Management decisions will be handed over to an AI. Even the creative arts might one day be taken over by robots.

But for the time being, automation isn’t quite there. And so, some compromise between machine and human worker is needed. A synergy between the two has already yielded great results – just think about an autopilot guiding a plane for the majority of a flight, and human pilot intervening only for take-off and landing.

A more commonplace example of machine-assistance comes in the form of a spell-checker on a word-processing program. And these are getting more sophisticated. Apps like Grammarly and ProWritingAid not only identify grammatical or spelling errors; they now also identify more stylistic problems, and help us to make writing clearer and more concise, even when it isn’t technically wrong. [Read more…] about When Automation Works Alongside Humans

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

Augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and smart glasses: ‘VIEW’ technology for the 2019 holiday season

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By Seth Patin, founder and CEO, LogistiVIEW

Warehouse workers can be faster, safer, and more accurate this holiday season.

LogistiVIEW’s “Visual Input Enabled Wearable” (VIEW) technology improves workforce productivity and job satisfaction by making processes hands free and eyes focused.

Intuitive voice and visual instructions make work easy and training rapid. These benefits can all be accomplished in time for the 2019 holiday season thanks to LogistiVIEW’s Connected Worker Platform. [Read more…] about Augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and smart glasses: ‘VIEW’ technology for the 2019 holiday season

Report: Annual edge AI processor shipments forecast to reach 1.5 billion units by 2023

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In its first forecast of Artificial Intelligence (AI) edge processors, market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that worldwide shipments of AI-optimised processors for edge systems will reach 340.1 million units in 2019, an increase of 170% over 2018.

By 2023, IDC expects the market will reach unit shipments of 1.5 billion and achieve a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 64.9%.

The emergence of AI is upending the microprocessor market.

[Read more…] about Report: Annual edge AI processor shipments forecast to reach 1.5 billion units by 2023

Arrow Electronics, Infineon and Arkessa partner on connectivity for IoT devices

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Arrow Electronics has announced a global agreement with Infineon and Arkessa that will further extend Arrow’s ability to support customers with cellular communications for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Security remains one of the top concerns for organisations for connected devices. Infineon provides the secured hardware controllers based on GSMA’s Embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) specification that underpin the new service.

Arkessa provides secured mobile data services with the ability to provision and manage IoT devices from the factory into the field.

[Read more…] about Arrow Electronics, Infineon and Arkessa partner on connectivity for IoT devices

CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

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CP Technologies, a provider of ruggedized computers, is claiming to have become the “first” rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration. 

The company’s president and CEO, Mike McCormack, gave Robotics and Automation News an interview some time before the latest development in which he explained that the company’s background in the military is useful for the industrial and commercial markets. (See video below.)

For over 20 years, CP Technologies – formerly Chassis Plans – has been designing and manufacturing computers, servers, LCD displays, storage arrays, and human interface devices to defense and industrial customers. [Read more…] about CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT

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Haltian has launched what it says is a 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT Greengrass edge computing capabilities.

Haltian says the new solution is an end-to-end smart factory service that reduces factory costs up to 90 percent, compared to traditional automation techniques, by providing a straightforward and secure asset and process digitalization for industrial enterprises.

This solution sees Haltian combine their Thingsee IoT platform and industry-grade retrofit sensors with AWS IoT Greengrass Edge Computing, and private LTE technology and paves the way for 5G. [Read more…] about Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT