Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Computing

Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials

by

Fujitsu and Riken say their the joint development of the successor to the K supercomputer – one of the fastest in the world – is complete and is beginning trials.

The so-called “post-K” is a supercomputer that the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has chosen as a successor to the K computer, is moving forward, with the goal of beginning full operations around 2021.

Fujitsu has now completed the prototype central processing unit chip that will serve as the core of post-K, commencing functionality field trials.  [Read more…] about Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials

Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

by

Mitsubishi Electric Automation says it is making it easy for small- to medium-sized factories to realise the benefits of an Andon system, with the introduction of iQ Monozukuri Andon.

The simple, cost-effective Andon package allows visualisation of production sites using Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT2000 graphic operation terminal and a web browser.

iQ Monozukuri Andon offers pre-engineered project data and software to quickly and easily implement and operate an Andon system, claims the firm.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

UMC takes 100 per cent ownership of Fujitsu’s semiconductor business unit

by

United Microelectronics Corporation has agreed to acquire all of the shares of Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor, a 300mm wafer foundry joint venture between both companies.

United Microelectronics Corporation is said to be the first semiconductor company established in Taiwan back in 1980.

In addition to the 15.9 per cent of MIFS shares currently owned by UMC, Fujitsu Semiconductor will transfer the remaining 84.1 per cent of its shares in MIFS to UMC, making MIFS a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Taiwan-based foundry.  [Read more…] about UMC takes 100 per cent ownership of Fujitsu’s semiconductor business unit

Lenovo ‘largest supplier’ of components to world’s fastest supercomputers

by

Lenovo says it is now the world’s largest supplier of supercomputing parts to the Top500, which refer to a list of 500 of the world’s most powerful supercomputers. 

Lenovo Data Center Group was recognised as the leading supplier at the recent International Supercomputing Conference, in Frankfurt, as measured by the number of systems ranked on the Top500 list.

No fewer than 117 of the 500 most powerful supercomputers included in the Top500 are Lenovo installations, meaning nearly one out of every four systems (23.4 percent) on the prestigious list is a Lenovo solution.  [Read more…] about Lenovo ‘largest supplier’ of components to world’s fastest supercomputers

Daimler selects Xilinx chips to drive AI-based automotive applications

by

Chipmaker Xilinx and auto giant Daimler are collaborating to develop an in-car system using Xilinx technology for artificial intelligence processing in automotive applications.

Powered by a Xilinx automotive platform consisting of system-on-a-chip devices and AI acceleration software, the scalable solution will deliver high performance, low latency and best power efficiency for embedded AI in automotive applications today.

Xilinx says it has a strong pedigree in automotive. For more than 12 years the company has shipped over 40 million cumulative automotive units to automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.  [Read more…] about Daimler selects Xilinx chips to drive AI-based automotive applications

Opinion: The automated road to supercomputing and the quantum world

by

This month’s issue of Sensor Readings magazine – which you can find soon on this website and on Issuu.com – features an article about the recent Automatica event, held every two years in Munich, Germany. 

It’s probably the largest exhibition in the world built around the industrial automation industry.

The main themes or trends Automatica is highlighting this year appear to be collaborative robots, industrial internet, digitalisation, and new telecommunications networks, such as 5G.  [Read more…] about Opinion: The automated road to supercomputing and the quantum world

Only a quarter of businesses currently able to attract recruits with right skills, says Epicor

by

Modern enterprise resource planning software, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence could plug emerging industry skills gap and help businesses get fit for digital transformation

With over half the industry’s workforce aged over 35, and a third aged over 40, businesses in manufacturing, lumber, distribution, and retail are facing a dangerous skills gap on their factory floors, if they fail to recruit new talent before too long.

This is one of the findings of the latest research from Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth.

Only a quarter (23%) of businesses agreed they find it easy to attract the right talent, with the right industry knowledge, suggesting they might soon hit crisis point.  [Read more…] about Only a quarter of businesses currently able to attract recruits with right skills, says Epicor

ABB launches new digital robot controller OmniCore

by

ABB has launched a new robot controller called “OmniCore”, which it describes as introducing a new era of “digital robot control” to increase flexibility, reliability and performance.

The new OmniCore robot controller family offers the broadest motion control options, more tailored solutions for the connected “Factory of the Future”, a current ABB theme.

The OmniCore is one the first offerings in ABB’s new era of “flexible, intelligent and tailored solutions”, and the company says it provides high-performance applications and seamless digitalization on the factory floor.  [Read more…] about ABB launches new digital robot controller OmniCore

Advantech aims for revenues of €350 million in Europe by 2025

by

Industrial computer maker Advantech has outlined its European growth strategy as it enters its next phase of IoT development.

One of the company’s main targets is the generation of revenues of €350 million across Europe by 2025.

Advantech is accelerating the establishment of branch locations throughout the region, to “better leverage its 25 years of local industry experience”, says the company.  [Read more…] about Advantech aims for revenues of €350 million in Europe by 2025

Ardenna and HUVRdata partners on industrial asset inspection solution

by

Ardenna and HUVRdata, who announced a collaboration in April to integrate their respective capabilities into one platform, now have a fully automated defect detection, reporting and analytics solution for the energy sector.

This enhanced platform unites Ardenna’s AI-based automated defect detection software with HUVR’s Automation and Enterprise Industrial Asset Management Reporting and Analytic toolset to provide customers with a solution for industrial asset inspections.

HUVRdata’s platform offers the storage of inspection data from disparate sources in a database, customer-defined inspection checklists and report formats, diagnostic analytics, and business system integrations. The integration of Ardenna’s software automates the defect detection process and automated defect labelling.

[Read more…] about Ardenna and HUVRdata partners on industrial asset inspection solution