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Fictiv raises $35 million to expand its digital manufacturing ecosystem

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As the pace of digital transformation in manufacturing continues to accelerate, Fictiv has raised $35 million in new funding led by 40 North Ventures to “aggressively expand” Fictiv’s digital manufacturing ecosystem.

Honeywell, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Adit Ventures, and M20 also participated, along with previous investors including Accel, G2VP, and Bill Gates, bringing Fictiv’s total investment to $92 million.

The Series D investment will be used to advance its proven cloud-based platform technology and invest in its supply chain operations and network infrastructure. [Read more…] about Fictiv raises $35 million to expand its digital manufacturing ecosystem

Intralogistics market forecast to grow at 15 percent a year

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The global intralogistics market is expected to surge at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to FactMR.com., which would provide more opportunities for automated guided vehicle and autonomous mobile robot suppliers. 

The market burgeoned at a spritely rate of 14.3 percent over the last five years owing to transcendent demand for increased productivity and efficiency across industries, globally.

Moreover, commencement of industry 4.0 has comprehensively compelled industry verticals to go digital with their supply chain networks. [Read more…] about Intralogistics market forecast to grow at 15 percent a year

Rockwell Automation and OSIsoft extend digital data partnership

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Rockwell Automation has extended its 15-year partnership with industrial data platform provider OSIsoft to “ensure continued” value for industrial manufacturing customers by enabling informed, data-driven decisions.

OSIsoft’s PI System is the market-leading operations data management platform for industrial organizations meeting next-generation demands for efficiency, reliability, security, sustainability, and resilience.

The agreement reinforces the companies’ joint commitment to drive outcome-based digital transformation solutions for customers across essential industries, including energy, mining, oil and gas, utilities, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and more. [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation and OSIsoft extend digital data partnership

Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

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Manufacturers must unlock supply chain visibility to rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic, WMG and Blue Yonder are warning.

The pandemic has disrupted supply and demand in many ways, from factory and border closures to swings in consumer needs, and those without supply chain visibility have been struggling to adapt and keep up.

Digital supply chain technologies perform a vital role across all stages of manufacturing, from sourcing materials and quality control to warehouses and shipping. [Read more…] about Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

New Mitsubishi website offers advice on digital manufacturing investments

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Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled a new-look website which offers advice on digital manufacturing investments.

The industrial giant, which is also one of the world’s largest robot makers, says Industry 4.0 and digital processes are “indispensable for future manufacturing growth”.

It says that, while many companies understand the importance of automation, they sometimes struggle to make it a reality. They need a strong partner with the know-how to guide them. [Read more…] about New Mitsubishi website offers advice on digital manufacturing investments

Ava says its telepresence robot ‘revolutionizing real estate industry’s digital capabilities’

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Ava Robotics says its telepresence robot is “revolutionizing real estate industry’s digital capabilities”. (See video below.)

In response to the severe limitations created by Covid-19 lockdowns, Ava Robotics, a leader in creating intelligent robots for the workplace, partnered with Austrian real estate company SIGNA and Cisco partner FRINK Advanced Services to create a fully digital, remote sales experience powered by Ava’s telepresence robots.

Ava Telepresence assists realtors and clients in remote, contactless home tours that allow the customer to have more control and better access to viewing a property and interacting with a sales agent. [Read more…] about Ava says its telepresence robot ‘revolutionizing real estate industry’s digital capabilities’

Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

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Siemens, IBM and Red Hat have launched a new collaboration that will use a hybrid cloud designed to deliver an open, flexible and more secure solution for manufacturers and plant operators to “drive real-time value from operational data”.

In one month, a single manufacturing site can generate more than 2,200 terabytes of data according to a report by IBM – yet most data goes unanalyzed.

Through the joint initiative, Siemens Digital Industries Software will apply IBM’s open hybrid cloud approach, built on Red Hat OpenShift, to extend the deployment flexibility of MindSphere, the industrial internet of things as a service solution from Siemens. [Read more…] about Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

VW partners with Microsoft to build computing platform for autonomous vehicles

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Volkswagen says it is further strengthening its capabilities in the development of autonomous or highly automated driving (AD) solutions with a new partnership with Microsoft.

The Group’s software company Car.Software Organisation will collaborate with Microsoft to build a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform (ADP) on Microsoft Azure and leverage its compute and data capabilities to deliver automated driving experiences even faster at global scale.

With ADP running on Azure, Car.Software Organisation will increase the efficiency of the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and AD functions for passenger cars across Volkswagen Group brands. [Read more…] about VW partners with Microsoft to build computing platform for autonomous vehicles

Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

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Ahold Delhaize is expanding its micro-fulfillment capabilities as part of its omnichannel supply chain using warehouse automation technology from Swisslog and AutoStore.

Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, is the parent company for Ahold Delhaize’s US companies, including its local brands, which comprise:

  • Food Lion;
  • Giant Food;
  • The Giant Company;
  • Hannaford and Stop & Shop;
  • Retail Business Services, a US support services company providing services to the brands; and
  • Peapod Digital Labs, its digital, e-commerce and commercial engine.

When considered together, the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest grocery retail group in the nation, operating more than 2,000 stores and distribution centers across more than 20 states and serving millions of customers each week through a wide variety of store formats with thousands of food and non-food items. [Read more…] about Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit to Spotlight Digital Transformation, Microelectronics Industry Innovation and Growth

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Global industry executives from all seven SEMI regions will gather online for the inaugural SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit, February 15-19, 2021, for keynotes on the power of technology to unite the world and insights on how the microelectronics industry can shape the digital future.

The virtual event will connect industry leaders and stakeholders across the entire electronics design and manufacturing value chain for the latest developments, trends and innovations in key areas of industry growth including smart mobility, smart medtech, and MEMS and sensors. Registration is open.

Semiconductors are revolutionizing the way people work and live by driving innovation across smart technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and quantum computing and industries such as transportation and healthcare. [Read more…] about SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit to Spotlight Digital Transformation, Microelectronics Industry Innovation and Growth