Market trends and business perspectives
Electronics company Sharp has sent 36 tiny humanoid robots to a hotel in Osaka, Japan to help guests with various information requirements.
The Henn na Hotel Kansai Airport took delivery of the three dozen communication robots called “RoBoHoN”.
Each room has a seating type “RoBoHoN lite”, which provides information on hotel facilities and guest rooms. [Read more…] about Sharp sends 36 tiny humanoid robots to Japanese hotel to help guests
RightHand Robotics has installed a multi-robot picking solution PalTac, which is said to be Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.
The US company has also established a new corporate entity in Japan, RightHand Robotics GK.
The subsidiary will enable RightHand to better serve the fast-growing demand for robotic piece-picking in Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac
Nidec, a Japanese electric motor manufacturer, says demand for its speed reducers has grown seven-fold.
The increase in orders has led the company to invest an additional $36 million in new equipment at its factory – operated by subsidiary Nidec-Shimpo – to produce more of the component.
Speed reducers are a core part in robots, and are used to control robotic limbs and give them power. [Read more…] about Nidec says demand for robot parts has grown by seven times
The government of Slovenia has decided to back Yaskawa’s investment in the country with €5.6 million of public money.
Yaskawa is building a factory in the country and plans to invest a total of €25 million in the European nation of just over 2 million people.
Prime Minister Miro Cerar said at the time: ““I am very pleased that our efforts paid off and that the renowned Japanese company of Yaskawa Electric decided to invest in Slovenia.”
The Yaskawa investment is forecast to create more than 170 new jobs and the industrial giant is regarded as the “most important Japanese company” with assets in the country by the Slovenian government.
Japanese communications giant SoftBank is to acquire ARM Holdings for £24.3 billion, according to a report on the Financial Times website.
SoftBank has been on something of a spending spree in recent years and is looking to raise its profile in markets outside of Asia, where it is already well-known.
The company is particularly interested in computer technology –including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation — and the proposed takeover of ARM would seem to fit into this plan. [Read more…] about SoftBank to buy ARM
