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Omron, NTT, and Nokia partner to test 5G networks at manufacturing sites

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Omron, NTT Docomo, and Nokia have agreed to jointly conduct trials utilizing the fifth-generation mobile communications system in factories and other manufacturing sites.

Through these trials, the three companies will jointly evaluate the usefulness and possibilities of 5G’s high-speed, large-capacity, low-latency, and simultaneous multiple connections with the aim of solving the challenges facing the manufacturing industry and developing communications technology required in manufacturing sites of the future.

In the manufacturing industry, the demand for wireless communications is increasing as efforts aimed at improving productivity through the use of IoT data make progress in dealing with various issues, such as a shortage of skilled workers and high-mix low-volume production. [Read more…] about Omron, NTT, and Nokia partner to test 5G networks at manufacturing sites

Autonomous vehicles simulator Applied Intuition raises $40 million in funding

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Applied Intuition, a provider of a simulation platform for autonomous vehicle development, has raised $40 million in Series B financing.

The funding round was led by General Catalyst with participation from Kleiner Perkins, M12 (Microsoft), Sozo Ventures, and La Famiglia.

Previous investors, Andreessen Horowitz, Lux Capital, and Floodgate, also participated in this round. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles simulator Applied Intuition raises $40 million in funding

Robot end-effector market forecast to grow to $6.5 billion by 2025

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The global market for robot end-effectors is forecast to grow to $6.5 billion by 2025, according to research done by Global Market Insights.

The revenue of Robot End-Effector Market crossed $2.5 billion in the year 2018 and is predicted to grow to $6.5 billion by 2025, growing at 14 percent between the years 2019 and 2025.

The advent of industry 4.0 in manufacturing industry which includes the inclusion of technological trends such as cloud robotics, automation, cyber-physical systems, big data, and IoT is driving the demand for advanced end-effectors. [Read more…] about Robot end-effector market forecast to grow to $6.5 billion by 2025

Global industry ‘in midst of major change’ because of ‘megatrends’

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Hannover Messe 2020 will coincide with a period of rapid technological change and political and economic uncertainty, according to its organisers.

Sporting its 2020-season lead theme of “Industrial Transformation” and featuring some 6,000 exhibitors, the world’s top trade show for industrial technology will shine a light on the opportunities arising from new technologies, changing buyer behavior and a growing awareness of climate protection.

Experts at Deutsche Messe, one of the world’s largest industrial trade show companies and the owner of Hannover Messe, the global industrial sector is “in the midst of a period of major change”, driven primarily by the “megatrends” of digitization, individualization and climate protection.

At the same time, it is grappling with some very challenging economic and political fundamentals.

Dr Jochen Köckler, chairman of Deutsche Messe, says: “The world is embarking on a period of change, the likes of which we haven’t seen for a long time. [Read more…] about Global industry ‘in midst of major change’ because of ‘megatrends’

Airbus partners with Chinese aviation industry on final assembly

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Airbus has partnered with a Chinese aviation company on the final stages of its aircraft assembly.

The new deal brings the value of the European aerospace giant’s co-operation agreements in China to approximately $1 billion.

Airbus says the measure reaffirms its commitment to its long-term strategic partnership with China’s aviation industry. The new agreement is with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and is designed to deepen industrial cooperation on Airbus single-aisle production. [Read more…] about Airbus partners with Chinese aviation industry on final assembly

How the Energy Industry Can Help Us Towards a Greener Future

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Generating energy is vitally important to our survival as a species, but it is also one of the biggest contributors to our carbon footprint.

Fortunately, the industry is starting to wake up to these challenges and has a potentially huge role to play in securing our environmental future.

Renewable Sources of Energy

One of the most important steps that the energy sector is taking to reduce its environmental impact is the transition towards renewable sources of energy. [Read more…] about How the Energy Industry Can Help Us Towards a Greener Future

Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

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One of Germany’s leading metal-working events, EMO, has opened today amid news of greater investment in the sector, as well as a greater emphasis on “smart” technologies – which usually refers to higher levels of automation and digitalisation. 

Organisers claim EMO to be “the world’s leading metalworking trade fair”, and had a line-up of prominent figures for the launch, including:

  • Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure;
  • Lower Saxony’s First Minister Stephan Weil;
  • Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom Adel Al-Saleh;
  • Cecimo President Dr Roland Feichtl; and
  • EMO General Commissioner Carl Martin Welcker.

EMO lasts for six days, and is located in the northern German city of Hannover. [Read more…] about Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

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

House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

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House built using robots and 3D printing technologies claimed to be a first

ETH university in Zurich, in partnership with industrial companies, has built what is claimed to be “the world’s first” inhabited house to be digitally planned and digitally built with the help of robots and 3D printers. (See video below.)

Called the “DFAB House” (main picture), the construction is part of a project that involves the Empa materials science and technology project and Eawag, an aquatic research company. [Read more…] about House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

Expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto

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An expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto at the end of this month with a focus on the technologies driving the future of Canada’s manufacturing sector. 

Top-notch speaker on the roster include industry innovators Jim Balsillie, Jean Charest and Ric Fulop.

CMTS is said to be Canada’s leading industry event and is held at the International Centre Toronto, from September 30 to October 3. This year, organisers say it will be bigger in both size and scope. [Read more…] about Expanded Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show returns to Toronto