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Google unveils cloud robotics initiative

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Google Cloud has unveiled what it describes as a “Cloud Robotics” service with a view to a commercial launch next year. The search giant says the initiative represents “a new approach to intelligent automation”.

Google says its Cloud Robotics platform will cover “foundational needs”, including “secure and robust connectivity between robots and the cloud”.

The management of digital assets can also be done with Kubernetes, which is described as “an open-source container-orchestration system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications”.  [Read more…] about Google unveils cloud robotics initiative

Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

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Sony Corporation has claimed to have achieved the fastest deep learning speeds in the world by utilising its deep learning development framework “Core Library: Neural Network Libraries” in addition to the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure (ABCI).

ABCI is a computing infrastructure for AI processing constructed and operated by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

Deep learning is a method of machine learning which uses neural networks modelled after the human brain. By harnessing deep learning, image and sound recognition capabilities have seen rapid growth in recent years, even outperforming humans in certain domains.

[Read more…] about Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

Robotic Process Automation: How ‘software robots’ are finding their niche

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A simple introduction to a complex subject

At Robotics and Automation News, we like real robots, ones that you can see and touch, that are preferably made of metal. However, we might have been remiss in not talking about another kind, the “software robot” that sits inside your computer, watches what you are doing, and learns how to do it for you.

Software developers automate tasks by analysing them in detail, and writing programmes that carry out the task step by step, and then writing something called an Application Programming Interface (API) to link the task into an organisation’s computer system.

The drawbacks here are the usual – some tasks don’t justify the cost of designing a special software system, yet nonetheless many hours of laborious manual inputting needs doing. It is here that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and software robots are coming into their own.  [Read more…] about Robotic Process Automation: How ‘software robots’ are finding their niche

Webcast: Interview with Ricardo Tellez, CEO, TheConstructSim

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In this presentation and interview, Ricardo Tellez, CEO of TheConstructSim, introduces a new system for creating and sharing ROS projects, which the company has developed. (See video below.)

Called “ROSjects”, the method is said to simplify the process of sharing code for robot simulation.

TheConstructSim is believed to be the only online, browser-based robot simulation application in the world, and is currently used by robot enthusiasts and large, established robot companies alike.  [Read more…] about Webcast: Interview with Ricardo Tellez, CEO, TheConstructSim

SPS IPC Drives 2018: Softing showcases solutions for digital data exchange

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Softing Industrial Data Networks is showcasing products and solutions for digital data exchange and OPC UA development at this year’s SPS IPC Drives.

Softing Industrial’s Data Networks business unit will present solutions for network management, digital communication in process automation, and OPC UA development on embedded systems.

Reliable and stable data exchange for network management and diagnostics
The trade fair highlight for Plant Asset Management and network monitoring is TH Link Profibus.  [Read more…] about SPS IPC Drives 2018: Softing showcases solutions for digital data exchange

SAP strengthens ERP software for manufacturing

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SAP says it has strengthened its enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing and other sectors.

The software giant says it is delivering on its “promise to help customers become intelligent enterprises, especially within the manufacturing and professional services industries”.

SAP says its S/4HANA Cloud has already “made great strides” in integrating intelligent capabilities and is now taking “an even bigger step forward with the November release”.  [Read more…] about SAP strengthens ERP software for manufacturing

Silicon wafer shipments set new quarterly record

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Worldwide silicon wafer area shipments increased during the third quarter 2018, surpassing record second quarter 2018 area shipments to set another all-time high, according to the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Total silicon wafer area shipments reached 3,255 million square inches during the most recent quarter, a 3.0 percent rise from the 3,164 million square inches shipped during the previous quarter.

New quarterly total area shipments clocked in 8.6 percent higher than third quarter 2017 shipments.  [Read more…] about Silicon wafer shipments set new quarterly record

The growth of robotic process automation in life sciences and pharma

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In partnership with Intelligent Automation in Life Science

Robotic process automation, sometimes called “intelligent automation”, simply put, refers to the use of software to perform routine or repetitive tasks. 

An overly simple example might be setting up an auto-response on your email account for when you’re not around to answer a sender’s email yourself.

But that really is a gross over-simplification compared to what RPA can do. In theory, any task currently completed by a human could be done with RPA.  [Read more…] about The growth of robotic process automation in life sciences and pharma

Harman opens new automotive software development facility in Poland

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Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has opened a new office facility in Łódź, Poland to accommodate its “growing talent” in automotive software development in the country.

Harman says its new office offers “an open, collaborative, and superior work environment” for the company’s current and future staff.

It adds that the facility has several progressive design elements that will enhance employee collaboration across teams.  [Read more…] about Harman opens new automotive software development facility in Poland

Infineon launches ‘easy-to-use high power motor driver’ for industrial and consumer applications

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Infineon Technologies is launching the IFX007T NovalithIC motor driver. The company says it is an “easy-to-use, high-power motor driver” for industrial and consumer applications.

The IFX007T smart half-bridge provides an easy and efficient way to drive brushed and brushless motors, integrating a p-channel high-side MOSFET, an n-channel low-side MOSFET and a driver IC into one package.

Along with a microcontroller and power supply, no other devices are necessary to drive a motor.  [Read more…] about Infineon launches ‘easy-to-use high power motor driver’ for industrial and consumer applications