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Going ‘smart’ helps factories make 12 per cent gains, says new report

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Implementing smart technologies has enabled factories make gains of up to 12 percent, according to an authoritative new report by Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

The areas in which the gains were achieved include: manufacturing output – an important US economic indicator; and factory utilization; and labor productivity.

Looking ahead, smart factory initiatives could lead manufacturers to experience labor productivity increases of 4 percent, which represents a three-fold improvement over the past decade’s average annual growth rate of 0.7 percent (2007-2018). [Read more…] about Going ‘smart’ helps factories make 12 per cent gains, says new report

US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

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Manufacturing output in the US has reached an “all-time high”, signaling the industry’s strength, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

For the past two years, manufacturers have been setting new records when it comes to manufacturing output, and through the first quarter of 2019, the industry has continued to reach new heights.

Four out of five manufacturers remain positive about their company’s outlook, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ latest Outlook Survey, and new Bureau of Economic Analysis data find that manufacturers’ level of output hit an all-time high once again. [Read more…] about US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

Locus Robotics raises $26 million in new investment

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Supply chain automation startup Locus Robotics has raised $26 million in Series C funding.

The company says it will use the proceeds to scale production of its revolutionary multi-bot solution for warehouse fulfillment, as well as for expansion of its sales and marketing efforts, both in North America, and internationally.

Participants in the round include Zebra Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Zebra Technologies, and Scale Venture Partners, which led the Company’s Series B round in 2017. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises $26 million in new investment

Chinese e-commerce giant starts delivering orders using robots

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jd robot

One of China’s largest online shopping companies has started to deliver goods to its customers using robots, according to a report in QZ.com. 

The four-wheeled autonomous vehicle (pictured above) is about the size of a washing machine and was developed by Jingdong, or JD.com as it’s also known in China.

And although the robot was used for the first time earlier this week, JD’s chairman, Liu Qiangdong, says the company could completely roboticise its entire logistics process within a few years.

The company already uses small autonomous vehicles in its logistics warehouses to move goods around (pictured below).  [Read more…] about Chinese e-commerce giant starts delivering orders using robots

Robotics technology for picking farm produce

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By Nandini Kranti 

The use of robotics technology in industrial systems is quite common, but in the agricultural sector, robotics and automation technology still retains a novelty and fascination, and is still to make a widespread impact on labor-intensive tasks.

The discussion on man versus machine has come too far. Artificial intelligence was the key addition that tipped scales in favor of the latter. Precise and iterative line functions in industrial processes are handled by well-programmed robots.

Material handling is seldom an issue in this setup since a great deal of customization goes into each design in the pre-installation phase.  [Read more…] about Robotics technology for picking farm produce