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4 Technology Upgrades That Can Scale Up Your Manufacturing Business In 2020

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There’s no doubt that technology plays a vital role in the world we live in, and the impact it makes on the evolution of the manufacturing industry is no exception. Once seen as the blue-collar industry, things have instantly changed in manufacturing due to technological advancements.

In addition to making it more interesting in terms of innovation, technology has demonstrated more efficient and quicker ways of operating, making it vital for the whole manufacturing process of countless industries.

Nowadays, the opportunities and challenges that new and upgraded technologies provide are a big part of the day-to-day operations of nearly all manufacturers around the world. [Read more…] about 4 Technology Upgrades That Can Scale Up Your Manufacturing Business In 2020

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

DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

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DHL Supply Chain has launched what it describes as a new “plug and play” robotics platform in collaboration with Microsoft, and artificial intelligence driven digital fulfillment provider Blue Yonder.

The robotics platform significantly reduces integration time and programming efforts to on-board new automation devices into warehouse facilities, while giving DHL customers more flexibility in selecting suitable robotics systems according to their individual business needs.

The solution leverages Microsoft Azure IoT and cloud platform services. [Read more…] about DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

Arrow Electronics and Exor launch IoT edge platform for smart factories

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Arrow Electronics has collaborated with Exor Embedded to create gigaSOM gS01, a full production design and an additional development kit featuring a high-performance, energy-efficient system on module (SOM) for IoT edge deployments.

The SOM combines the power and efficiency of the Intel Atom E3900 processor series with the flexibility of an Intel Cyclone 10 GX FPGA, connected with a high-bandwidth dual-lane PCIe interface to create a unified high-performing engine.

gigaSOM gS01 is a combined X86 CPU and Intel high-speed FPGA design on a single system on module. [Read more…] about Arrow Electronics and Exor launch IoT edge platform for smart factories

NXP expands partnership with Microsoft Azure RTOS

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NXP Semiconductors has expanded its partnership with Microsoft to bring Microsoft Azure real-time operating system (RTOS) to a broader range of processing solutions from its EdgeVerse portfolio.

The collaborative efforts will give NXP’s developer community using MCUXpresso Software and Tools seamless access to the capabilities of Azure RTOS, including fully integrated middleware and tools for file management, graphical user interface, security, networking, and wired/wireless connectivity.

Currently, Azure RTOS support is available for many of NXP’s low-power, secure 32-bit LPC and i.MX RT crossover microcontrollers (MCUs). [Read more…] about NXP expands partnership with Microsoft Azure RTOS

Open Manufacturing Platform expands with new industrial giants joining

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The Open Manufacturing Platform has expanded, with new steering committee members and new working groups established.

OMP is an alliance founded in 2019 to help manufacturing companies accelerate innovation at scale through cross-industry collaboration, knowledge and data sharing as well as access to new technologies.

The OMP was founded under the umbrella of the Joint Development Foundation, which is part of the Linux Foundation. [Read more…] about Open Manufacturing Platform expands with new industrial giants joining

Pallet Alliance expands IoT-enabled wooden pallet tracking capability

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Pallet Alliance, a developer of pallet management programs for multi-site manufacturing companies, has added the LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN connectivity protocol to its internet of things-enabled IntelliPallet platform.

Pallet Aliiance describes the protocol as “efficient, flexible, and economical”, and says its IntelliPallet platform is the industry’s first supply chain managed service to be integrated into wooden pallets.

The new capability is the result of Pallet Alliance’s collaboration with Semtech, a supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, and Viaanix, an IoT integration firm. [Read more…] about Pallet Alliance expands IoT-enabled wooden pallet tracking capability

NXP becomes lead partner for Arm Ethos U-55 machine learning accelerators

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NXP Semiconductors has agreed a lead partnership role with Arm for Ethos-U55 microNPU (Neural Processing Unit), a machine learning accelerator targeted at resource-constrained industrial and IoT edge devices.

As an industry-leading innovator of microcontrollers (MCUs), NXP intends to implement Ethos U-55 in its Cortex-M based microcontrollers, crossover MCUs and real-time sub-systems in applications processors.

The expansion builds on the company’s growing ML offerings including the recently announced i.MX 8M Plus applications processors with a dedicated NPU. [Read more…] about NXP becomes lead partner for Arm Ethos U-55 machine learning accelerators

BICS powers first intelligent exoskeleton with global connectivity

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BICS, a global communications enabler, is providing global internet-of-things connectivity and asset management for a pioneering exoskeleton developed by German Bionic.

The Cray X is the first connected asset from the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) provider and marks the first instance of a European manufacturer developing, producing and deploying smart exoskeletons for use in industrial production.

Designed to support and enhance the wearer’s movements, German Bionic’s Cray X reduces the risk of accidents and excessive strain for employees in sectors that involve repetitive but unpredictable heavy lifting. [Read more…] about BICS powers first intelligent exoskeleton with global connectivity

Siemens’ MindSphere wins plaudit as industrial IoT platform

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MindSphere, the industrial internet of things platform from Siemens, has been named a leader in its market by an independent research firm.

MindSphere can be described as an industrial technology “ecosystem”, which now integrates software from SAS, AWS, Microsoft, Alibaba and Arrow Electronics.

Siemens says the IIoT has the potential to significantly improve global productivity and growth, with Accenture estimating that this latest wave of digital innovation will accelerate the reinvention of sectors that account for almost two-thirds of world output and add $14.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030. [Read more…] about Siemens’ MindSphere wins plaudit as industrial IoT platform