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Zeiss launches new electron microscope

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Zeiss, which claims most of the world’s microchips are manufactured using its optical technologies, has launched the new generation of its scanning electron microscope system.

The company says the new instruments in the Zeiss EVO product family feature various improvements in terms of usability, image quality and seamless integration into multimodal work processes.

With the variety of options available, the Zeiss EVO family of devices can be precisely tailored to life science, materials science or routine industrial quality assurance requirements.  [Read more…] about Zeiss launches new electron microscope

Calian’s systems engineering division wins contract from DCT Delta

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Calian’s systems engineering division has been awarded a contract by DCT Delta.

Under the contract, Calian will design and develop a cable network DocSis 3.0/3.1 Remote PHY hardware module for DCT Delta’s family of industry-leading hybrid fiber coax-based fibre node products.

While the contract is not financially material to Calian, it represents a key win in the evolution of its communication products business.  [Read more…] about Calian’s systems engineering division wins contract from DCT Delta

Dassault Systèmes strengthens systems engineering software with No Magic acquisition

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Dassault Systèmes has reached an agreement to acquire its partner No Magic, a provider of model-based systems engineering and architecture modeling for software, and system of systems.

No Magic is headquartered in Allen, Texas and has offices in Lithuania and Thailand.

The acquisition of No Magic strengthens Dassault Systèmes’ industry solution experiences based on the 3DExperience platform by generalizing systems engineering for developing the “Internet of Experiences” – the smart and autonomous experiences that are digitally connecting products, nature and life in the physical world.  [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes strengthens systems engineering software with No Magic acquisition

Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

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The concept of smart manufacturing is to play a central role at this year’s China Industrial Industry Fair.

Smart manufacturing is a term used to mean any manufacturing system which uses advanced technologies – such as robotics, automation and network connectivity.

Other related terms are Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing, and lights-out manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Smart manufacturing to play central role at China International Industry Fair

Wal-Mart using robots to wander around the shelves and scan products

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Wal-Mart has hired a number of robots to wander around the aisles of its stores and check if products are in stock and displayed correctly. 

The company is said to be rolling out the robot shopkeeping assistant at 50 locations around the US, according to a report on ArkansasOnline.com.

The robots themselves are from a company called Bossa Nova Robotics, which we previously reported had developed an automated planogram compliance system in partnership with software developer Digimarc.  [Read more…] about Wal-Mart using robots to wander around the shelves and scan products

UPS using automation to move more parcels with same number of people, says boss

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The chief executive of logistics giant UPS says the company is using automation technologies to move a greater number of parcels with the same number of people. 

In comments to Yahoo Finance, UPS CEO David Abney says: “Last year we hired about the same number of people and we’re doing it this year with an extra 5 per cent of packages and it is because of automation.” 

The company’s busiest periods are the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holidays, and Cyber Week, which is a week after that.  [Read more…] about UPS using automation to move more parcels with same number of people, says boss

Volvo testing driverless refuse collection trucks

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Volvo Trucks is currently testing and researching how automated vehicles can contribute to safer, more efficient refuse handling and create a better working environment for drivers. 

The company is partnering with Swedish waste management company Renova on the project. 

The automated systems being tested are in principle the same as those fitted to the autonomous Volvo truck operating in the Kristineberg Mine in northern Sweden since autumn last year.  [Read more…] about Volvo testing driverless refuse collection trucks

Mercedes demonstrates driverless snow-clearing trucks at Frankfurt Airport

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Mercedes has demonstrated a driverless snow-clearing truck, called Arocs, at Frankfurt Airport. The world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer says the vehicle is the result of specific customer requirements.

Daimler, parent company of Mercedes, says it the demonstration, which involved four trucks, is an “unprecedented test” which shows another potential solution for the future use of automated commercial vehicles.

Following the successful demonstration of the innovative Highway Pilot and Highway Pilot Connect systems, the latter making truck platooning possible, the company says the self-driving, snow-clearing truck presentation is “another development step forward” on the road to the fully connected and autonomous commercial vehicle.  [Read more…] about Mercedes demonstrates driverless snow-clearing trucks at Frankfurt Airport

Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters ‘new era in connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’

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Citic becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to host Points of Presence along the ‘One Belt, One Road’ route

Citic Telecom International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citic Telecom International, today announced that after Citic Telecom CPC completed its acquisition of Linx Telecommunication, the merged company is to be named Citic Telecom CPC Europe.

Citic says it marks a new era for the company as it becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to own Points of Presence (POPs) across a multitude of countries along the ‘Digital Silk Road’.

Stephen Ho (main picture), CEO of Citic Telecom CPC, who presented the new developments at a press conference in London, says the company is “accelerating internationalization and digitalization”.  [Read more…] about Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters ‘new era in connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’

Kindred AI launches warehouse robots already in use by ‘major retailers’

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A company called Kindred AI has launched a new range of warehouse robotics systems powered by artificial intelligence. 

In one system, Kindred appears to be using a Fanuc robot, and in another, an arm that looks like it’s from Universal Robots.

The company, which says it is building “human-like intelligence in machines”, says “major global retailers” have started pilot programs integrating Kindred Sort, the company’s first commercial offering, in their existing fulfillment centers.

Kindred also says it has raised $28 million in Series B funding led by Tencent, bringing the total amount raised to $44 million. Previous investors Eclipse Ventures and First Round Capital participated in the new round.  [Read more…] about Kindred AI launches warehouse robots already in use by ‘major retailers’