Where Innovation Meets Imagination
Nidec is set to enter the robotics market, according to a report on Nikkei.
Nidec is probably the world’s largest supplier of motors and drives, used in computer hard drives and all sorts of other devices. But it has so far, avoided entering the industrial robotics market in a big way.
Now, however, Nidec has reportedly “added robots to its core products along with electric vehicle motors”. [Read more…] about Nidec to enter robotics market
The Japanese government is being urged to establish an industrial espionage unit to try and stop spies stealing secrets relating to advanced technologies being developed by successful companies in the country.
According to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website, the Liberal Democratic Party, led by current Japanese President Shinzō Abe, is formulating a list of recommendations aimed at preventing industrial espionage against Japanese companies.
As quoted by Nikkei, Akira Amari, one of the LDP’s leading members, says: “The need for intelligence capabilities is broadening beyond sensitive military-related information to a wide range of private-sector data.” [Read more…] about Japanese government urged to establish industrial espionage unit
The progress made by a relatively new Chinese chipmaker, called ChangXin Memory Technologies, could help ease the pain caused by increasingly wide-ranging US restrictions against China’s tech companies.
US President Donald Trump has already effectively banned Huawei from doing business in the country, which has led to American companies to shun the Chinese telecommunications and smartphones giant. And in the latest move, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has introduced new rules prohibiting non-US companies from selling any chips made using American technology to Huawei “without a special license”.
Huawei has found it difficult to source chips and other components for its equipment, for which, in turn, the company has found fewer buyers. [Read more…] about New Chinese chipmaker’s progress could ease pain of US restrictions
The Japanese government is planning to develop common standards for robots in workplaces such as offices, shops and other environments where they would be working with humans, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
The country’s industry ministry will lead the initiative and will establish a public-private partnership under the working name Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
The group will define common telecommunications standards as well as produce guidelines on creating object shapes that are easier for robots to grip, pick up, hold, move and so on. [Read more…] about Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces
Russia and China are building a “financial alliance” and look set to “ditch” the dollar, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website.
The financial news website reports that the US dollar’s share of trade between Russia and China “fell below 50 percent for the first time on record” in the first quarter of 2020.
The source of the statistic is Russia’s Central Bank and Federal Customs Service, which published figures showing that a relatively low 46 percent of trade transactions between China and Russia were conducted or completed in US dollars. [Read more…] about Russia and China ‘ditch’ dollar and increase use of euro
Japanese startup companies are developing concept batteries that could last “10 times longer” than current technologies.
One company, 3Dom, has demonstrated numerous ideas for next-generation batteries, mostly based on conventional lithium-ion systems.
Most recently, the company has developed next generation rechargeable batteries that can be used in vessels. [Read more…] about Japanese startups develop concept batteries that last ‘10 times longer’
The Obayashi Corporation, one of the five largest construction companies in Japan, is building a giant dam with robots, according to a report on the Nikkei Asian Review website.
The dam project is located in the Mie Prefecture, in the south-east corner of Japan’s main island, and Obayashi will be testing a variety of robotic and automation technologies in its construction.
In fact, according to Nikkei, almost every stage of the construction of the concrete dam will involve some sort of automation technology. [Read more…] about Japanese construction giant to build massive dam almost entirely with robots
Super Micro Computer, one of the world’s largest server manufacturers, has decided to avoid using components manufactured in China, according to a report on Nikkei.
Nikkei reports that Super Micro has instructed its suppliers to move production out of China.
Super Micro says the move is a consequence of the trade dispute between the US and China, in which security concerns raised by the US have also affected other Chinese companies such as Huawei.
[Read more…] about Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade warHonda is reportedly ending its development work on the iconic Asimo robot, which has become one of the most recognisable humanoids in the world.
According to various reports in the media, starting with the original article on the Nikkei website, Honda has stopped development of Asimo.
Nikkei does not quote anyone from Honda but reports that the team behind Asimo are being redirected towards the development of technologies in sectors such as healthcare and self-driving vehicles. [Read more…] about Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot
Chinese companies bought 80 per cent more industrial robots in the period from July to September 2017 than they did in the same period last year.
This is according to the Japan Robot Association, which released a range of statistics which suggest that Chinese manufacturers of smartphones and other electronics products are turning to Japanese companies for their automation requirements.
JRA has yet to release the full report for the period, but Nikkei reports that the association’s members shipped robots valued at a total of $1.72 billion. [Read more…] about Chinese companies bought 80 per cent more robots from Japan this year, says report
