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The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

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By Matt Rivera, marketing and business expansion advisor for Asian markets in China

The spread of coronavirus has undoubtedly shifted the entire global economy. Businesses of almost every sector needed to rapidly react and navigate the challenges presented by the virus to quickly overcome them and move forward.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to surge in Italy, Germany, Spain and nearly all over the world. Businesses in major global cities such as Rome and New York have been gravely affected by this unfortunate turn of events.

Companies are scrambling to mobilize responses, but the unpredictable nature of the virus, coupled with the obvious under-preparedness by business executives and government leaders, these responses have brought little to no success. [Read more…] about The impact of coronavirus on e-commerce with China

Softing Industrial Automation joins Endress+Hauser’s IIoT network

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Softing Industrial Automation has joined the “Open Integration” network set up by Endress+Hauser, which says its partner program is gaining importance through its IIoT solutions.

Endress says people in the industry often ask, “How can field instruments and components be easily integrated into automation systems?”

The answer to this question is becoming increasingly important as industrial production digitalization progresses, says the company. [Read more…] about Softing Industrial Automation joins Endress+Hauser’s IIoT network

MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

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MassRobotics has agreed a strategic partnership with private equity company Thomas H. Lee Partners.

The partnership aims to bring together their extensive market knowledge, expertise, and networks to advance the scaling of automation-related businesses across robotics and artificial intelligence startups.

Based in the Boston area, MassRobotics is one of the first and largest robotics startups escalator in the world. [Read more…] about MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has created a “Startup Engagement Program” through its sponsorship of MassRobotics.

MassRobotics, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an independent, non-profit organization that aims to assist startups and existing technology organizations by providing them the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.

Through the Startup Engagement Program, Mitsubishi Electric Automation is looking to develop proof of concepts and potential investment opportunities. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

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HERE Technologies says Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have completed their joint acquisition of a 30 per cent ownership stake in the company, after receiving regulatory approvals.

HERE welcomes Mitsubishi and NTT as strategic investors. The two companies have co-invested in HERE via their recently established, jointly owned holding company COCO Tech Holding in the Netherlands.

As a result, HERE now has nine direct and indirect shareholders: Audi, Bosch, BMW Group, Continental, Intel Capital, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, NTT and Pioneer.​ [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

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PlanetM, the State of Michigan’s mobility initiative, is awarding a round of its technology activation grant program to companies addressing the challenges presented by the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

Five companies received more than $280,000 in funding to aid in the development and deployment of solutions that address the mobility challenges Covid-19 presents in Michigan.

The five companies are:

  1. GHSP;
  2. Gatik;
  3. Penske Vehicle Services;
  4. RCO Engineering; and
  5. Pratt Miller.

The mobility challenges include contactless automated delivery within the statewide retail supply chain, disinfecting technologies in West Michigan and barriers to protect transit workers in Detroit. [Read more…] about Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

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Modern tech conglomerate Amazon – whose interests range from online shopping, through computing devices such as the Kindle and Amazon Echo, to cloud computing and even space exploration – is in advanced talks to acquire self-driving startup Zoox, according to a report on the Financial Times website. 

It’s not the first time Amazon has shown interest in the automotive sector. The company was the lead investor in Aurora Innovation’s $530 million funding round last year.

Aurora is seen as a rival to Waymo, the driverless car company set up by Google, another tech giant. [Read more…] about Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

The Future for Contactless Delivery

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By D. A. Rupprecht

The future for contactless product delivery is already here, and a pandemic seems to already be moving this trend forward.

It just needs companies to implement and customers to accept the new delivery and tracking methods, along with other innovations, that will make this so.

When this happens, we may one day look back and quietly thank the lowly coronavirus for catapulting us into a brighter future. [Read more…] about The Future for Contactless Delivery

Peachtree Corners launches ‘world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters’ as part of styling itself as a smart city

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Peachtree Corners, a tiny city in the state of Georgia, USA, is launching what it believes is the “world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters” as part of styling itself out as a smart city.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is on a mission to solve many of the technology issues facing cities and municipalities around the country. For many, the term “smart city” is an unclear concept.

For Peachtree Corners, Georgia, it’s about empowering the latest in emerging technologies to solve real-world problems. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners launches ‘world’s first fleet of self-driving e-scooters’ as part of styling itself as a smart city

How AI is Changing the Insurance Sector

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Whether you own a business or drive a car, insurance is important to protect your investments and prevent you from sinking in the event of a serious and costly accident or act of malice.

People need to address risk, so they turn to insurance carriers that offer the best premiums for their needs.

To do so, these carriers will have to improve their processes so they can better service their clients. [Read more…] about How AI is Changing the Insurance Sector