initiative

Support for Universal Basic Income growing as economies look to recover from coronavirus devastation

May 26, 2020 by Sam Francis 2 Comments

A couple of years ago, RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com published a story about Finland introducing a “Universal Basic Income” for a small number of its citizens as an experiment.

The Finnish government’s idea was that it would study the possibility of using UBI as a way to offset the unemployment caused by automation.

Although it was well worth reporting, we were somewhat flippant about UBI, suggesting it was a communist idea that would never take off. Finland, of course, was within the sphere of influence of the old Communist or Eastern Bloc, and the now-gone USSR. [Read more…] about Support for Universal Basic Income growing as economies look to recover from coronavirus devastation

iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

January 6, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

iRobot, a maker of consumer robots – most famously a robotic vacuum cleaner, has officially commenced production in Malaysia ahead of schedule.

Working with Jabil Inc, a manufacturing solutions provider based in St Petersburg, Florida, iRobot has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into Malaysia as part of its strategic supply chain diversification initiative.

Jabil has served as one of iRobot’s trusted manufacturing and supply chain partners in China since 2010. [Read more…] about iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

Traxens joins French ‘Smart Port in Med’ initiative to facilitate digital transition of Port of Marseille Fos

July 5, 2019 by David Edwards

Traxens, a company providing data and services for the supply chain industry, is joining the French Smart Port in Med initiative as an associate partner. Traxens is the only IoT company supporting the association.

The project was officially launched in October 2018 as part of First Smart Port Challenges by the port authority of Marseille Fos, the Marseille Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Aix-Marseille University, with the aim of supporting the digital transformation of the Port of Marseille Fos.

Key strategic objectives include the economic and environmental improvement of the port and its ecosystem, the creation of new job opportunities, the strengthening of the relationship between the port and the local community, and positioning the Port of Marseille Fos as an innovative digital port in the Mediterranean. [Read more…] about Traxens joins French ‘Smart Port in Med’ initiative to facilitate digital transition of Port of Marseille Fos

China says its Belt & Road initiative is a way out of the global economic slump

June 19, 2017 by Mai Tao

China is planning to create what looks like will be the largest, longest and most complex logistics network in history – at a cost to itself of almost $1 trillion.

The so-called Belt & Road Initiative will virtually encircle China, most of Asia and much of Europe, and will mostly consist of interconnected roads, but will also include sea lanes and railways, and possibly some airways.

In total, it will connect approximately 60 countries, and cost anything between $4 trillion and $8 trillion. And the timescale is anyone’s guess.

The northern parts of the Belt & Road network will include the revival of the ancient Silk Road, which connected China to Persia and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and India, Indonesia and Arabia via sea lanes to the south. [Read more…] about China says its Belt & Road initiative is a way out of the global economic slump

Manufacturing in the USA: The same story told from many angles

October 21, 2016 by David Edwards

Most stories have at least two sides, usually one negative and one positive, depending on your point of view or what aspect of the story you choose to highlight.

So, for example, if you read CNN you will see mentions of “record” levels of business, such as in the sectors of automaking and aerospace.

“US aircraft production is at a record high and well ahead of the rest of the world,” says CNN, adding that the auto industry is “within 7 per cent of record levels, making 12 million cars and trucks a year”. [Read more…] about Manufacturing in the USA: The same story told from many angles