Robotics & Automation News

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investments

SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

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SoftBank, the Japanese telecommunications giant which has in the past few years become a huge force in the robotics market, is set to halt production of Pepper, the humanoid robot, according to a report by Reuters. 

The news agency cites sources and documents to say that “production of the humanoid Pepper… was stopped last year”, adding that “it would be costly to restart production”.

Pepper was being manufactured by Foxconn, famous for being Apple’s main manufacturer. [Read more…] about SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has acquired Peak-Ryzex from Keystone Capital and Optical Phusion from its founders, two leading providers of automatic identification, data capture and factory automation solutions.

The companies will be merged and led by Peak-Ryzex CEO Juliann Larimer, CFO Michele Adams and Optical Phusion president Tony Rivers. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The combination will yield significant technological and operational synergies as well as deliver enhanced cross-selling opportunities to a broad set of clients ranging from small and medium sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies – all seeking supply-chain logistical support. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

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

GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

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American auto giant General Motors to invest $800 million to convert one of its existing facilities into Canada’s first large-scale commercial electric vehicle manufacturing plant.

Subject to ratification of a tentative 2021 agreement reached with Unifor and confirmation of government support, GM plans to bring production of its recently announced BrightDrop electric light commercial vehicle, the EV600, to its CAMI manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario (main picture, courtesy 3BL Media).

The nearly $800 million (1 billion Canadian dollar) investment will support GM’s timing to deliver BrightDrop EV600 in late 2021. The investment will enable GM to convert CAMI into Canada’s first large-scale electric delivery vehicles manufacturing plant. [Read more…] about GM to invest $800 million to convert existing facility into Canada’s first large-scale commercial EV plant

Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

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Brain Corp, a developer of artificial intelligence systems for the robotics industry, has raised $36 million in Series D funding to “help meet the growing demand for autonomous mobile robots”.

The company says the growth is being generated by retail, healthcare, airports, education and other industries now on the front lines of the coronavirus health crisis.

The round was led by returning investor SoftBank Vision Fund 1, and includes new investors ClearBridge Investments, and Satwik Ventures, and an additional investment from Qualcomm Ventures. [Read more…] about Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant

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General Motors has announced the second major expansion of its full-size pickup production capacity this year: a $150 million investment at Flint Assembly to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.

This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand.

GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the Flint Assembly since 2013, enabling an increase in the truck plant’s production capacity of the all-new Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups by about 40,000 vehicles annually, including more crew cab models and diesels. [Read more…] about GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant

Samsung Electronics to invest $115 billion in logic chip businesses by 2030

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Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, will invest KRW 133 trillion (US$115 billion) by 2030 to strengthen its competitiveness in System LSI and Foundry businesses.

The investment plan is expected to help the company to reach its goal of becoming the world leader in not only memory semiconductors but also logic chips by 2030.

The company also plans to create 15,000 jobs in R&D and production to bolster its technological prowess.

[Read more…] about Samsung Electronics to invest $115 billion in logic chip businesses by 2030

Investment funds linked to robotics and AI raise hundreds of millions of dollars in January

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Exchange-traded funds which concentrate on robotics and artificial intelligence investments have raised a total of $870 million in January alone. 

This is according to a report on CNBC, which says one fund – called the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Thematic ETF, or BOTZ for short – attracted $650 million from investors in January.

There’s still one more day of January to go, but meanwhile, Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF – or ROBO – has taken in almost $220 million.  [Read more…] about Investment funds linked to robotics and AI raise hundreds of millions of dollars in January

AI and robotics stocks outperforming other shares on markets

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Artificial intelligence and robotics stocks are performing better than many other investments on the stock market, according to a report on CNBC. 

The website says robotics and AI stocks are “crushing” the old economy and is up by 30 per cent compared with under 10 per cent for other stocks.

In particular, the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) and the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index (ROBO) have done well.  [Read more…] about AI and robotics stocks outperforming other shares on markets

Trump policy on China: Playing hardball

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

Donald Trump’s recent appointment of Peter Navarro to head his newly formed White House National Trade Council has sparked controversy.

Navarro is known for his hawkish views on China and many believe that, by appointing him, the US president-elect is signalling that he will play hardball with China on trade when he takes office.

Navarro has written a number of books and filmed a documentary in which he criticised China for unfair trade practices, especially with the US. He has called China “a cheat”, “brutal” and “amoral”.

Instead of launching a trade war, collaboration is the way to go.  [Read more…] about Trump policy on China: Playing hardball

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