people

Foxconn boss Terry Gou considers automating the entire population of Taiwan

Foxconn boss Terry Gou has confirmed that he is considering running for president in Taiwan’s general election next year, according to the South China Morning Post.

“I will decide in the next two days whether to run for president,” Gou told reporters at a seminar in Taipei earlier today. “I hardly slept last night thinking of the future of Taiwan and its security issues.”

He added that the 2020 presidential election will be “extremely critical in determining Taiwan’s future in the next 20 years in the political, defense and economic sectors”. [Read more…] about Foxconn boss Terry Gou considers automating the entire population of Taiwan

You could be seeing things that aren’t there: Google Glass finds new home in old industries

About four years ago, when Google first showed off its Glass product – a pair of hi-tech spectacles capable of running augmented reality apps – it was met with some scepticism, incredulity even.

Few people thought it would take off, as interesting as the idea was. Maybe people generally couldn’t see themselves walking around wearing glasses which could be seen as intrusive.

Theoretically, Google Glass could display images on pretty much everything and everyone you looked at while wearing them – and would people in your eyeline appreciate that? [Read more…] about You could be seeing things that aren’t there: Google Glass finds new home in old industries

BMW shows off its smart factory technologies at its plants worldwide

Collaborative robots, smart glasses, exoskeletons and innovative work gloves are among the tech being integrated at plants across the group’s worldwide operations

German automaker BMW has been providing a glimpse into the advanced manufacturing technologies at several of its factories – in Germany and the US.

The company says it has been harnessing the potential of innovative automation and flexible assistance systems in production.

In doing so, BMW says it has modernized the work environment and increased the efficiency of its workforce. [Read more…] about BMW shows off its smart factory technologies at its plants worldwide

Manufacturing in the USA: The same story told from many angles

Most stories have at least two sides, usually one negative and one positive, depending on your point of view or what aspect of the story you choose to highlight.

So, for example, if you read CNN you will see mentions of “record” levels of business, such as in the sectors of automaking and aerospace.

“US aircraft production is at a record high and well ahead of the rest of the world,” says CNN, adding that the auto industry is “within 7 per cent of record levels, making 12 million cars and trucks a year”. [Read more…] about Manufacturing in the USA: The same story told from many angles