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New AppHarvest funding round brings total to $150 million

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Indoor farming startup AppHarvest has raised $28 million in its latest funding round, bringing the total to $150 million.

As Bloomberg reports, AppHarvest is building “the world’s largest greenhouse” in Morehead, Kentucky in the US.

AppHarvest uses similar indoor farming techniques to those used by so-called “vertical farming” companies in that it can irrigate its crops using 90 percent less water than traditional farming techniques. [Read more…] about New AppHarvest funding round brings total to $150 million

Omron launches AI vision system which ‘captures defects with human-like sensitivity’

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Omron has launched its new “FH Series Vision System” with the industry’s first defect detection AI technology that identifies defects without learning samples.

The company says the artificial intelligence-based technology “captures defects with human-like sensitivity”.

It claims the system reproduces human sensibility and the techniques of skilled inspectors, reliably detects defects that were once difficult to capture, automating human vision-based visual inspection. [Read more…] about Omron launches AI vision system which ‘captures defects with human-like sensitivity’

Smart building automation and the future of property development in cities

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As cities continue to grow and evolve, with more people than ever wanting to live and work from within them, so to do the tactics used to house and control this city growth, without being detrimental to the quality of life or the environment.

Here are some of the ways that buildings are modernising and evolving in 2020 and beyond into the new decade, followed by some general information on the property companies involved in these sorts of developments, and then a deeper dive on home automation from a consumer level.

  • Smarter build techniques – Perhaps one of the immediately noticeable differences in modern property developments is that they have new materials, strategies and techniques, allowing them to be as efficient, sleek and affordable as possible, with technology interweaved for the future.
  • Automation in the “smart building” – The smart building is one that, again, is interweaved with overall technology from the beginning, that can be remotely controlled and accessed, perhaps even in tandem with multiple different apartment clusters or even buildings of the same type.

This is incredible for energy efficiency, like heating, lighting, and more can all be controlled by a remote operator, as and when required. [Read more…] about Smart building automation and the future of property development in cities

Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

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Breakthrough could mean parts for discontinued models become more widely available for customers

Nissan has developed a new way to use robots to make car parts out of sheet steel, a breakthrough that could make replacement parts for discontinued models more widely available for customers.

Nissan hopes to commercialize the proprietary technique, known as dual-sided dieless forming. The technique involves two synchronized robots working from opposite sides of a steel sheet, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.

Thanks to its flexible production, short lead times and minimal upfront costs, the new technique could make it commercially viable to produce and sell a wide variety of after-service and replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes. [Read more…] about Nissan teaches robots to make replacement parts for old cars

Control Techniques enhances Unidrive M drives

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General Purpose drives - nidec

Control Techniques has enhanced its range of Unidrive M general purpose variable speed drives.

The range, launched earlier this month, now offers much improved setup and installation methods, says the company.

Parameter settings on the drives are more accessible; users will now find information relating to each parameter on the front of the unit, while the keypad has been laid out in a way that makes setup easy.  [Read more…] about Control Techniques enhances Unidrive M drives

AI knew Trump would win

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Artificial intelligence systems can predict election results better than traditional pollsters, according to a report on em360tech.com. 

Artificial intelligence systems predicted a win for Donald Trump, of the Republican Party, over Hillary Clinton, of the Democrats, in the US presidential elections held yesterday.

Most traditional opinion pollsters rely on directly asking people about their voting intentions and behaviour.  [Read more…] about AI knew Trump would win

Control Techniques launches ‘high power’ modular drives for industrial internet

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control techniques Unidrive M700

Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation business, has extended its range of high power modular drives.

Both its Unidrive M and Powerdrive F300 variable speed drive ranges are now available in the larger frame size 11, providing a flexible method of building compact, reliable high-power solutions.

Paralleled together, Unidrive M can control asynchronous and permanent magnet motors in systems up to 2.8 MW (4,200 hp), according to the company. The new frame 11 is a 250 kW (400 hp) module that allows system builders to create high power solutions with the smallest number of components, keeping both footprint and costs to a minimum.  [Read more…] about Control Techniques launches ‘high power’ modular drives for industrial internet

Orthopedic surgical robots to carry out joint replacement with precision

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robotic surgery

Various advanced tools and techniques have been implemented by orthopedic surgeons over the past decade to improve patient outcomes.

These tools and techniques help them in improving patient outcomes and offer comfort to patients during treatment. The orthopedic surgery robots use the 3D imaging technology and computer navigation techniques to improve ability of surgeons to place implants with precise alignment.

Many studies have shown that these techniques are safer and more effective as compared to traditional surgical techniques. [Read more…] about Orthopedic surgical robots to carry out joint replacement with precision