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Orange launches ‘Live Booster’ programme to accelerate adoption of cellular connectivity for object makers

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Orange has launched a solution to make the development of internet of things technologies faster and easier. 

Orange says its solution includes a range of modules with integrated pre-paid connectivity, available through a single distributor to simplify path to market for object makers.

Orange will partner with EBV Elektronik to supply what it says is the market’s first internet of things module with integrated cellular connectivity.  [Read more…] about Orange launches ‘Live Booster’ programme to accelerate adoption of cellular connectivity for object makers

Itron buys Silver Spring Networks for close to a billion dollars

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Energy technology company Itron is to acquire industrial internet of things company Silver Spring Networks for more than $800 million.

The two companies have signed a definitive agreement for Itron to acquire all outstanding shares of Silver Spring for $16.25 per share in cash.

The transaction is valued at approximately $830 million, net of $118 million of Silver Spring’s cash.  [Read more…] about Itron buys Silver Spring Networks for close to a billion dollars

Government incentives driving growth of Malaysian automation and control systems market, says report

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Government incentives and adoption of new technologies are driving the growth of the Malaysian automation and control systems market, according to a new report.

The Malaysian automation and control systems market, one of the biggest for suppliers, is stable and growing, says the study by Frost & Sullivan, which projects the market to be worth more than $409 million in the next four years.

Government incentives to aid manufacturing and infrastructure spend, as well as an established end-user base of sophisticated automation systems, are driving growth in the region.  [Read more…] about Government incentives driving growth of Malaysian automation and control systems market, says report

ThyssenKrupp claims ‘breakthrough’ in digital transformation and connecting machinery ​

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ThyssenKrupp says it has achieved a breakthrough in the area of digital transformation and connecting machinery ​in industry.

ThyssenKrupp says it has reached a “milestone” for the digital transformation of industry and connecting the machinery of its materials services division through a new digital platform.

The company’s new internet of things platform is call Toii, or toii, as the company prefers to write it.  [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp claims ‘breakthrough’ in digital transformation and connecting machinery ​

A giant company built on tiny components: Interview with Bosch industrial internet boss

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In this interview, Stefan Hartung, a senior member of the board at Bosch, talks extensively about the industrial internet, detailing some of the components and devices the company uses to give old machines a new lease of life, and provides some insight into the company’s plans going forward

Bosch is as relevant in today’s computerised world as it was after the end of the first industrial age, and the company’s main concern now is keeping it that way. 

Its relevance comes from making the power tools and household appliances most readers will be familiar with, and also from its development of ideas and technologies which are likely to shape a future which many of us haven’t even thought about yet.

Nowadays, all the talk is of Industry 4.0, an umbrella term to describe a range of technologies which have at their centre two tiny components: sensors and chips – both of which are Bosch’s essential stock in trade.

And if you want someone to blame for the Industry 4.0 phrase, look no further than Bosch, because it was part of the working group of German industrial giants which coined the term in 2011.  [Read more…] about A giant company built on tiny components: Interview with Bosch industrial internet boss

Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple

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Bosch – one of the world’s largest industrial companies, producing a wide variety of engineered products, from automotive components to home appliances – has reported increased sales for the year 2016. 

In a press conference last week to launch the German giant’s annual report, Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner listed the key figures:

  • sales rose from €70.6 billion in 2015 to €73.1 billion last year; and
  • earnings before tax in 2016 reached a total of €4.3 billion.

Sales in all business segments and geographical regions had increased, added Denner.

As positive as the figures may seem, Denner said the company was nonetheless undergoing “profound transformation”, partly brought about by a range of new technologies which are changing the global industrial landscape, and because diesel engines may be phased out.  [Read more…] about Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple

Honeywell partners Aereon for oil and gas IIoT

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Honeywell and Aereon say they will collaborate on solutions to help industrial customers boost the safety, efficiency and reliability of their operations by leveraging Honeywell’s Industrial Internet of Things ecosystem.

“For years, manufacturers and producers have looked for ways to solve operational problems that were believed to be unsolvable – such as unplanned downtime, underperforming assets and inefficient supply chains,” said Andrew Hird, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Process Solutions’ Digital Transformation business.

“With the capabilities of the IIoT, we can find new ways to solve those problems. A key part is the creation of an industrial ecosystem that leverages the depth of knowledge and experience of a range of equipment and service providers such as Aereon.”  [Read more…] about Honeywell partners Aereon for oil and gas IIoT

Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

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Yamaha Motor says its internet of things automation system enables integrated control of multiple robot products with one controller

Yamaha has developed a new Advanced Robotics Automation platform – essentially an internet of things system for connecting machines together. 

This integrated control robot system enables building advanced automated production lines at low cost, in short time frames, and provides a “remarkable increase in compatibility with IoT”, says Yamaha.

The company adds that the newly-developed integrated controller delivers comprehensive coordination and synchronous control of an entire automated system, including transport of pieces, handling, image recognition, and control of peripheral devices.  [Read more…] about Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

Industrial Internet Consortium agrees security framework for robotics and automation systems connectivity

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Industry association says new standard is a comprehensive approach to protect the industrial internet

The Industrial Internet Consortium, the public-private organization formed to accelerate adoption of the industrial internet of things, has published its Industrial Internet Security Framework, a common security framework that addresses security issues in IIoT systems.

The organizations says IISF emphasizes the importance of five IIoT characteristics – safety, reliability, resilience, security and privacy – that help define “trustworthiness” in IIoT systems. The IISF also defines risk, assessments, threats, metrics and performance indicators to help business managers protect their organizations.

IIoT security cannot be considered in isolation, says IIC. It comprises a complex set of industrial processes and applications as well as significant safety and reliability requirements.  [Read more…] about Industrial Internet Consortium agrees security framework for robotics and automation systems connectivity

Honeywell launches industrial internet of things service to ‘improve plant performance’

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Honeywell says its new cloud-based IIoT service helps increase plant utilization and performance and avoid production interruptions

Honeywell UOP has launched a new software-based service designed to allow refiners and petrochemical and gas processing plants to improve performance. 

Honeywell UOP’s new Connected Performance Services (CPS) business leverages the Industrial Internet of Things to tap Honeywell’s deep process knowledge, design expertise, and understanding of catalysis with next-generation software platforms from Honeywell Process Solutions, the leading provider of software-based solutions for the process industries.

Zak Alzein, vice president for CPS, says: “This cloud-enabled service makes plants smarter and more responsive.

“Problems that caused plants to be less efficient or less productive and that went undetected for weeks or months now can be resolved quickly and proactively, and decisions that used to take days now can be made in hours. For many plants, the avoidance of downtime and suboptimal performance, and better agility, can be worth millions of dollars per year.”  [Read more…] about Honeywell launches industrial internet of things service to ‘improve plant performance’