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US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

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The United States government is calling for goods made or exported to the US from Hong Kong to be relabelled “Made in China”, according to a report on the South China Morning Post. 

The measure, to be introduced by US President Donald Trump, does not appear to need Congressional approval or any kind of vote.

It will mean that Hong Kong companies exporting to the US will be required to pay the same kind of punitive tariffs currently placed on goods arriving in America from mainland China. [Read more…] about US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

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The Japanese government is planning to develop common standards for robots in workplaces such as offices, shops and other environments where they would be working with humans, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The country’s industry ministry will lead the initiative and will establish a public-private partnership under the working name Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The group will define common telecommunications standards as well as produce guidelines on creating object shapes that are easier for robots to grip, pick up, hold, move and so on. [Read more…] about Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

The Robots Are Here to Stay: How Automation is Affecting Global Business

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Robots are shaking up different aspects of the modern business world. Deloitte’s 3rd Annual Robotics Survey suggested that the implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) in organisations is in the rise.

Robotic Process Automation? What Is It?

Simply known simply as RPA, it is the use of robotics systems on computers or robots to support the processing of data, and thereby, making such data processing more effective.

RPA also comes with programs that prevent the need for human hands or humans to perform rule-based tasks that are mostly repetitive. Thus, RPA also leads to very time-efficient processes. [Read more…] about The Robots Are Here to Stay: How Automation is Affecting Global Business

US tightens restrictions on Huawei

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The US government has tightened its restrictions on doing business with Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier Huawei.

The US had already effectively banned American companies from providing a platform for Huawei, which led to the company being unable to put its products and services on the Android operating system used by the majority of smartphones around the world.

Although Android is an open-source operating system, Google, Samsung and many others have developed their own versions for their smartphones based on the original code and, therefore, can call it their own and prevent others connecting to it or using it. [Read more…] about US tightens restrictions on Huawei

US targets Chinese tech giants for bans and sales

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The United States is targeting a range of Chinese-owned tech giants for bans or sales in a bid to put pressure on its economic rival.

The administration of President Donald Trump appears to be conflating “national security” issues with economic measures which it believes are fair while others consider protectionist.

Trump has signed executive orders which may see the sale within 45 days of video-sharing app TikTok to Microsoft. Another app in the administration’s bad books is WeChat, according to the South China Morning Post. [Read more…] about US targets Chinese tech giants for bans and sales

Japanese startups develop concept batteries that last ‘10 times longer’

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Japanese startup companies are developing concept batteries that could last “10 times longer” than current technologies. 

One company, 3Dom, has demonstrated numerous ideas for next-generation batteries, mostly based on conventional lithium-ion systems.

Most recently, the company has developed next generation rechargeable batteries that can be used in vessels. [Read more…] about Japanese startups develop concept batteries that last ‘10 times longer’

40 North Ventures acquires 11 companies from GE Ventures

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40 North Ventures, an early-to-growth stage venture capital fund focused on technology investments in the industrial sector, has acquired investments in 11 companies from GE Ventures.

Although 40 North Ventures is not disclosing the value of this deal, the fund raised $200 million last year. This was in part utilized for the acquisition from GE Ventures, as well as four prior investments, according to a spokesperson.

The 11 new portfolio companies are aligned with 40 North Ventures’ focus on technology and business model innovation, adding to its growing portfolio of high-performance companies building the industrial future. [Read more…] about 40 North Ventures acquires 11 companies from GE Ventures

Volkswagen opens up its ‘Industrial Cloud’ to other manufacturing and technology companies

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Volkswagen, together with Amazon Web Services and integration partner Siemens, is opening up its Industrial Cloud to other manufacturing and technology companies.

New partner companies will be able to connect with Volkswagen plants and to contribute their own software applications for optimizing production processes to the Industrial Cloud.

VW says the opening up of the platform will help create “a rapidly growing range of industrial software applications for Volkswagen’s plants”. [Read more…] about Volkswagen opens up its ‘Industrial Cloud’ to other manufacturing and technology companies

Reshoring from China to US not a short-term solution

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Reshoring industrial operations from China to the US has not been as straightforward as it may have sounded at first, and companies looking to do so “face significant problems”, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

American companies, encouraged by the administration of President Donald Trump to relocate to the US, have found that there are numerous problems with reshoring.

One of the main issues relates to recruitment. The industrial sector – whether you’re talking about manufacturing, logistics, or other segments – has long had to contend with deep, structural problems in attracting workers. [Read more…] about Reshoring from China to US not a short-term solution

EU member states agree €750 billion post-pandemic recovery fund

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Member states of the European Union have agreed a €750 billion recovery fund in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has all but destroyed large parts of the economy in many countries.

The agreement was reached during a four-day summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium between the leaders of the 27 member nations.

Charles Michel, chairman of the summit, called the accord “a pivotal moment for Europe”, according to a report by Reuters. [Read more…] about EU member states agree €750 billion post-pandemic recovery fund