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economic

Opinion: Exploring the correlation between robotics utilisation and economic growth

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Here at RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, we often wonder about the relationship between a nation’s reported economic growth and its utilisation of robotics and automation systems. We have a hunch that the more automated machines a country integrates into its economy, the more growth it experiences. We can’t say we prove this hunch in this article, but we think most readers will agree that it is an important correlation that deserves some investigation.

Economic growth sounds like a concept that’s easy to understand, but we don’t think it’s as straightforward as it seems. Each nation and region has its own way of calculating what is called “economic growth”, and there are countless gears turning to drive nations’ economies forward.

Among these, automation – robotics being a sub-set of automation – has emerged as one of the most powerful engines for transforming many previously small economies into global payers. Over the past few decades, while being derided for using cheap labour to gain an advantage – which undoubtedly has happened, countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have surfed the automation wave to reach remarkable economic heights. [Read more…] about Opinion: Exploring the correlation between robotics utilisation and economic growth

How Robotics is Revolutionizing Agriculture

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Farmers across the world are currently faced with some significant challenges, including labor shortages, an increased demand for food, and the need for sustainable solutions.

To address these numerous challenges, farmers are turning to advanced technologies to make their farms more efficient.

As a result, agriculture is undergoing a profound transformation as robotics and automation reshape traditional farming. These technologies are not only optimizing resource usage but also making a smaller impact on the environment. [Read more…] about How Robotics is Revolutionizing Agriculture

4 Solutions to Economic and Social Impacts of Traffic Congestion

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Traffic congestion presents several significant challenges. Beyond causing frustration, prolonged gridlocks reduce people’s productive work hours and disrupts supply chains, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased costs for businesses.

To alleviate these issues, policymakers and leaders in the transportation sector are actively exploring innovative solutions to optimise traffic flow. Here are some of them. [Read more…] about 4 Solutions to Economic and Social Impacts of Traffic Congestion

The Economic Impact of Internet Shutdowns: A Global Perspective

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Internet shutdowns, where governments intentionally disrupt internet access, are becoming increasingly common around the world. These shutdowns can have major economic consequences, both locally and globally.  [Read more…] about The Economic Impact of Internet Shutdowns: A Global Perspective

mHUB investing $50 million to build ‘largest independent manufacturing center in America’

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Historic 80,000 sq ft facility in Chicago Near West Side Opportunity Zone will expand to make mHUB the ‘largest independent manufacturing center in US’

Manufacturing and “hardtech” innovation center, mHUB, is investing $50 million in the acquisition and build-out of a historic manufacturing facility within Chicago’s Kinzie Industrial Corridor on the city’s Near West Side.

The building is located within a designated Opportunity Zone and planned manufacturing district on a 2-acre site that will increase mHUB’s prototyping and testing facilities and office and convening spaces to become the largest independent manufacturing innovation center in the country.

Launched in 2017, mHUB has supported over 500+ startups and 200 manufacturers from all over the world that have created 5,000+ jobs and generated over $2.6 billion of economic activity. [Read more…] about mHUB investing $50 million to build ‘largest independent manufacturing center in America’

Hannover Messe: Connectivity and climate neutrality

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The list of challenges facing industry is long: climate change, energy shortages, disrupted supply chains and a shortage of skilled labor. The solution to these challenges lies in the targeted use of technology.

At the same time, governments need to get their economic policy right. Hannover Messe 2023 covers not only technologies for connected, climate-neutral industry, but also provides a forum for a global policy discussion among industry, government, science and social representatives.

Dr Jochen Köckler, chairman of the Deutsche Messe group of companies, says: “Carbon-neutral production, artificial intelligence, hydrogen technologies, energy management and Industrie 4.0 – those are the overarching themes of Hannover Messe 2023. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe: Connectivity and climate neutrality

Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Michigan and Ontario are collaborating on a “first-of-its kind technology initiative” involving unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones.

This effort involves studying the feasibility of a commercial drone skyway in three proposed areas, including an international connection between Michigan and Ontario, southeast Michigan, and any other suitable location in the state.

Through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC), the State of Michigan, with support from the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), will explore whether small drones can be flown beyond the line of sight of a pilot and be used in operations like just-in-time delivery, medical transport, or other small-scale deployment of UAS. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario

Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

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Wikifactory, an online collaboration platform for physical product design and development, has completed a “total upgrade” that it says will enable users the ability to make anything with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection.

Wikifactory says its new Collaborative CAD Tool with in-built chat will “transform the way products are made”, enabling designers, engineers, manufacturers and enterprise to collaborate remotely on virtually any CAD model, from concept through to finished prototype.

The new Collaborative CAD Tool allows product developers of all skill levels in virtually any industry to explore, review and discuss 3D models in over 30 file formats in real-time. [Read more…] about Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

Sudden increase in air pollution threatens economic recovery, says report

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There has been a sudden increase in air pollution which is threatening economic recovery in many countries, according to a new report by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

The environmental research organization estimates that “health damage from air pollution” has cost between 0.4 percent and 6 percent of annual GDP in the world’s leading cities in the first half of 2020.

By “health damage” CREA means such things as absence from work as a result of respiratory problems such as asthma, a particularly pertinent point at a time when a respiratory disease called coronavirus has ravaged the entire world’s population and caused untold economic damage. [Read more…] about Sudden increase in air pollution threatens economic recovery, says report

Japanese government urged to establish industrial espionage unit

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The Japanese government is being urged to establish an industrial espionage unit to try and stop spies stealing secrets relating to advanced technologies being developed by successful companies in the country. 

According to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website, the Liberal Democratic Party, led by current Japanese President Shinzō Abe, is formulating a list of recommendations aimed at preventing industrial espionage against Japanese companies.

As quoted by Nikkei, Akira Amari, one of the LDP’s leading members, says: “The need for intelligence capabilities is broadening beyond sensitive military-related information to a wide range of private-sector data.” [Read more…] about Japanese government urged to establish industrial espionage unit