Robotics & Automation News

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When Automation Works Alongside Humans

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When we talk about automation, we often imagine a future in which everything we do will be almost entirely handled by machines. Cars will drive themselves. Management decisions will be handed over to an AI. Even the creative arts might one day be taken over by robots.

But for the time being, automation isn’t quite there. And so, some compromise between machine and human worker is needed. A synergy between the two has already yielded great results – just think about an autopilot guiding a plane for the majority of a flight, and human pilot intervening only for take-off and landing.

A more commonplace example of machine-assistance comes in the form of a spell-checker on a word-processing program. And these are getting more sophisticated. Apps like Grammarly and ProWritingAid not only identify grammatical or spelling errors; they now also identify more stylistic problems, and help us to make writing clearer and more concise, even when it isn’t technically wrong. [Read more…] about When Automation Works Alongside Humans

BMW provides insight into how it uses artificial intelligence in production

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise in automotive production. Since 2018, the BMW Group has been using various AI applications in series production.

One focus is automated image recognition: In these processes, artificial intelligence evaluates component images in ongoing production and compares them in milliseconds to hundreds of other images of the same sequence.

This way, the AI application determines deviations from the standard in real time and checks, for instance, whether all required parts have been mounted and whether they are mounted in the right place.

[Read more…] about BMW provides insight into how it uses artificial intelligence in production

Robert Bosch Venture Capital leads growth funding round in MegaRobo

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Robert Bosch Venture Capital, the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group, is leading a growth financing round in MegaRobo. 

The Chinese high-tech robotic company with over 100 employees is headquartered in Beijing and integrates cutting-edge machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide modular automation solutions for lab automation, smart retail and light industrial sectors.

“MegaRobo’s technology increases efficiency in production automation. Already today, robots from MegaRobo are used for special applications in the end-of-line production of household appliances at Bosch”, says RBVC managing director Dr Ingo Ramesohl.

[Read more…] about Robert Bosch Venture Capital leads growth funding round in MegaRobo

Samsung Electronics introduces high-speed NPU solution for AI deep learning

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Deep learning algorithms are a core element of artificial intelligence (AI) as they are the processes by which a computer is able to think and learn like a human being does.

A Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is a processor that is optimised for deep learning algorithm computation, designed to efficiently process thousands of these computations simultaneously.

Samsung Electronics last month announced its goal to strengthen its leadership in the global system semiconductor industry by 2030 through expanding its proprietary NPU technology development.

[Read more…] about Samsung Electronics introduces high-speed NPU solution for AI deep learning

BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

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Automotive giant BMW is providing an insight into its application of virtual and augmented reality in the company’s production system.

The company says the “fast and flexible” planning of new workstations in production is made possible by virtual reality and digitized 3D factory data.

It’s still a learning process but augmented reality technologies is making it possible to design training courses without any coding knowledge.

It also enables comparison between the camera image and CAD models for fast, straightforward quality checks of parts and vehicles. 

Full story below… 

[Read more…] about BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

AMP Robotics and Ryohshin partner on automation for construction recycling

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AMP Robotics, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and robotics for the recycling industry, and waste management technology company Ryohshin are to make and sell AI-driven industrial robotics for material recovery in the Japanese construction and demolition market.

The companies also announced the commercial launch of a high-performance construction and demolition robotic systems now available in Japan.

Ryohshin and AMP have co-developed a robotic system using the AMP Neuron AI platform to guide high-performance robots that recognise, sort, pick and process construction and demolition debris for recycling. The two robotic systems are called “AI-Benkei” and “AI-Musashi”.

[Read more…] about AMP Robotics and Ryohshin partner on automation for construction recycling

How AI Could Boost Business Customer Service

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From forecasts to spam filters, artificial intelligence has long been used to help companies across industries. Within recent years, it’s begun to play a key role in a major business area: customer service. 

Though it’s widely seen as a human-led sector, this form of tech could simplify a number of B2C tasks, likely boosting overall client experience as a result. In turn, this may very well improve brand reputation as well as profit turnover.

Let’s explore the main ways in which AI stands to enhance customer service within a business. [Read more…] about How AI Could Boost Business Customer Service

DJI uses Ubuntu in drone computer

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Ubuntu, the most popular Linux operating system for the Internet of Things, is now available on the Manifold 2, a high-performance embedded computer offered by drone manufacturer, DJI.

The Manifold 2 is designed to fit onto DJI’s drone platforms via the onboard SDK and enables developers to transform aerial platforms into truly smarter drones, performing complex computing tasks and advanced image processing, which in-turn creates rapid flexibility for enterprise usage.

As part of the offering, the Manifold 2 is planning to feature snaps. Snaps are containerised software packages, designed to work perfectly across cloud, desktop, and IoT devices – with this the first instance of the technology’s availability on drones.

[Read more…] about DJI uses Ubuntu in drone computer

Siemens partners with ExOne for industrial 3D printing and Industry 4.0 initiatives

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ExOne, a specialist provider of industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, has formed a partnership with engineering giant Siemens that the two companies say “will benefit industrial customers in the foundry, aerospace, automotive, energy and other markets”.

Siemens’ Digital Enterprise Portfolio of software and automation technology including MindSphere are fully implemented on the all-new S-Max Pro sand printer, which is said to be capable of achieving print speeds of up to 135 l/h (18 s/layer).

The S-Max Pro was launched at the 2019 GIFA International Foundry Trade Fair last week. [Read more…] about Siemens partners with ExOne for industrial 3D printing and Industry 4.0 initiatives

Christie’s auction house and Hyundai host art and artificial intelligence exhibition

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Prestigious auction house Christie’s recently hosted an art exhibition with a difference – the subject of this one was the impact of artificial intelligence on all aspects of the art world.

The 2019 Art+Tech Summit: The AI Revolution brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and artists for a series of lectures and panel discussions.

Produced in conjunction with Christie’s Education and presented by Hyundai, the summit facilitated lively conversation on emerging trends and predictions facing the future of our business and provided a platform for feedback and cultivating new ideas. [Read more…] about Christie’s auction house and Hyundai host art and artificial intelligence exhibition