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Foxconn moving operations out of China

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Foxconn, one of the most well known Chinese manufacturing companies as a result of its status as main supplier for Apple, is moving significant parts of its operations outside of China.

The company, which according to TechSpot reported almost $800 million net profit for the quarter ending in June, has already moved an additional 5 percent of its operations to countries other than China, bring it up to 30 percent, compared with 25 percent last year.

China is still overwhelmingly the main base for Foxconn’s manufacturing operations, representing some 70 percent of its production capacity, but the company is scouting many locations abroad. [Read more…] about Foxconn moving operations out of China

Flylogix and Cambridge Consultants to use Iridium’s satellites for drone platform

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Flylogix and Cambridge Consultants have agreed a collaboration that will use Iridium’s satellite communications to safely control unmanned aerial vehicles from a central control hub.

This will enable Flylogix to move from local drone piloting at the airfield to centrally controlled operations, massively increasing the resilience of their services to offshore installations.

The Flylogix service reduces the cost, risk and environmental impact of gathering data from offshore exploration and production activities. [Read more…] about Flylogix and Cambridge Consultants to use Iridium’s satellites for drone platform

Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Autonomously driven forklifts, whether in distribution centers, manufacturing, or some hybrid, are much more cost-effective than manned forklifts for extremely repetitive processes.

They can be integrated into continuous round-the-clock operations covering several shifts. Self-controlling these trucks can coordinate perfectly in terms of routing and speed. This enables material flows to maintain optimal levels and the energy consumption is kept to a minimum.

The additional benefit reported by facilities managers includes substantially less damage to shelving, loads, pallets, and other trucks, as they navigate more accurately and safely than manned forklifts. [Read more…] about Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

InOrbit raises $2.6 million for its cloud robotics business

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InOrbit, a provider of cloud-based robot management software, has closed $2.6 million in seed round investment.

The funding was led by Animo Ventures, with participation by Yamaha Motor Ventures and Laboratory Silicon Valley, Kärcher New Venture and other key institutional and individual investors.

InOrbit’s software-as-a-service enables robotics companies and operators to develop, deploy and orchestrate autonomous robots at global scale. [Read more…] about InOrbit raises $2.6 million for its cloud robotics business

Geek+ powers remote operations and new deployments for Decathlon in China

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Geek+, an autonomous mobile robot manufacturer, has extended its co-operation with Decathlon, one of the world’s largest retailers of sporting goods.

Decathlon is present in over 50 countries with more than 1,600 stores globally and has been partnering with Geek+ on a successful two-year collaboration in its e-commerce and retail fulfillment centers in Shanghai.

Decathlon has now accelerated its automation program, with AMR deployments at two new sites in China. The installations were implemented remotely in under three months, following strict pandemic restrictions. [Read more…] about Geek+ powers remote operations and new deployments for Decathlon in China

Geek+ streamlines e-commerce supply chain company Winit’s warehouse operations

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Geek+, an autonomous mobile robot manufacturer, is providing smart logistics solutions for to Winit, an integrated supply chain solutions provider for cross-border e-commerce.

Winit serves e-commerce leaders like eBay, and Geek+ says its robots will enable enable more efficient and flexible operations at Winit’s fulfillment center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

With an inventory subject to a wide variety of products, massive SKUs, and a rapid increase in online sales, Winit has been looking for solutions that can streamline their warehouse operations, mitigate against management issues due to high turnover of warehouse workers, and enable flexible yet affordable scaling of operations. [Read more…] about Geek+ streamlines e-commerce supply chain company Winit’s warehouse operations

Fugro working with Australian Space Agency on new robotics control complex

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The Australian government’s newly formed Australian Space Agency (ASA) has partnered with Fugro to design, build and operate the Australian Space Automation, Artificial intelligence and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) in Western Australia.

Benefitting from additional funding support from the WA State Government, the new complex will support start-ups, small businesses and researchers in controlling robotics activities in space, including servicing satellites in orbit.

The ASA selected Fugro in Australia on the basis of their track record in cutting-edge remote operations and robotics control in harsh marine environments, which demonstrates their robust robotics control capability via satellite communications. [Read more…] about Fugro working with Australian Space Agency on new robotics control complex

ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

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ForwardX Robotics, a provider of artificial intelligence and robotics solutions, says it will now offer Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) options for its collaborative mobile robots.

Whilst also offering outright sale and renting options, the RaaS subscription-based model aims to encourage supply chain operations to invest in innovation by allowing them to upgrade their facilities without the large upfront investment usually associated with automation projects.

Paul Qian, VP of sales at ForwardX Robotics, says: “The pressure on supply chains to deliver is growing with every day that passes and we know how much of an impact our solutions can have on facilities and their processes. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

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Geek+ Robotics has launched a pair of disinfection robots in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company says the new robots are designed to help keep facilities free of any viruses and germs that may endanger health.

After the unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Geek+ says robots “can play a key role in ensuring safe and healthy work and living environments”.

The two robots the company have two disinfection methods. “Lavender” is armed with smart ultraviolet rays while “Jasmin” uses liquid agents to execute swift and automated sterilization. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’

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Critical Manufacturing has agreed a global consulting and services partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions.

Under the agreement, TCS will offer global consulting, project development and implementation support services around Critical Manufacturing’s Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for customers in the complex discrete industry, including the semiconductor, PCB manufacturing, medical device, aerospace and defense, and automotive segments.

Regu Ayyaswamy, global head, internet of things and engineering services, TCS, says: “TCS works with leading manufacturers globally, helping them scale up product innovation and pursue their growth and transformation initiatives. [Read more…] about Critical Manufacturing and Tata Consultancy Services partnership to develop ‘modern MES’