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Arrow Electronics, Infineon and Arkessa partner on connectivity for IoT devices

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Arrow Electronics has announced a global agreement with Infineon and Arkessa that will further extend Arrow’s ability to support customers with cellular communications for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Security remains one of the top concerns for organisations for connected devices. Infineon provides the secured hardware controllers based on GSMA’s Embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) specification that underpin the new service.

Arkessa provides secured mobile data services with the ability to provision and manage IoT devices from the factory into the field.

[Read more…] about Arrow Electronics, Infineon and Arkessa partner on connectivity for IoT devices

Industrial Internet Consortium launches series of challenges

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The Industrial Internet Consortium has launched a series of “IoT Challenges” aimed at solving real problems and advancing the validation of industrial internet applications and solutions.

The current Challenges are co-organized with the Trusted IoT Alliance.

In an interview with Robotics and Automation News, Dr Richard Soley, executive director of the IIC, provides an overview and some insights into what the IIC is and what it does. (See video below.)

In these Challenges, architects and solution providers will compete to design industrial internet solutions that address high-profile, real-world problems. [Read more…] about Industrial Internet Consortium launches series of challenges

Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT

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Haltian has launched what it says is a 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT Greengrass edge computing capabilities.

Haltian says the new solution is an end-to-end smart factory service that reduces factory costs up to 90 percent, compared to traditional automation techniques, by providing a straightforward and secure asset and process digitalization for industrial enterprises.

This solution sees Haltian combine their Thingsee IoT platform and industry-grade retrofit sensors with AWS IoT Greengrass Edge Computing, and private LTE technology and paves the way for 5G. [Read more…] about Haltian launches 5G-ready smart factory solution with AWS IoT

ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

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Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

Exoskeleton market projected to grow to $6 billion

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The current robotics limelight tends to focus on the ability of new innovations to automate tasks, but a less publicized development is taking place whereby passive exoskeletons have been slowly deployed and adopted to help augment the capability of human workers.

Exoskeleton popularization through passive suits will provide a base for increased resources for powered suits, which will eventually provide significant augmentative capability to the industrial workforce.

By 2028, global Exoskeleton revenues will reach $5 billion with hundreds of thousands of active exoskeletons being deployed, according to ABI Research. The research consultancy’s findings are on its report, Exoskeletons for Industrial Use Cases.

[Read more…] about Exoskeleton market projected to grow to $6 billion

NXP and Microsoft demonstrate edge-to-cloud machine learning solution for predictive maintenance

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NXP Semiconductors has agreed a collaboration with Microsoft to bring artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for anomaly detection to Azure internet of things users.

By combining complementary strengths – NXP’s offline machine learning capability and embedded processing with Microsoft’s cloud expertise – the two companies jointly demonstrates a new Anomaly Detection Solution for Azure IoT at Microsoft Build in Seattle recently.

The solution consists of a small form factor, low power system-on-module powered by NXP’s i.MX RT106C Crossover Processors, a full suite of sensors, and an associated Anomaly Detection Toolbox.

[Read more…] about NXP and Microsoft demonstrate edge-to-cloud machine learning solution for predictive maintenance

IBM to develop an AI IoT solution for ageing infrastructure

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IBM has announced a collaboration with Sund & Bælt — which owns and operates some of the largest infrastructure in the world — to assist in development of an AI-powered IoT solution to help prolong the lifespan of ageing bridges, tunnels, highways, and railways.

The new industry solution, IBM Maximo for Civil Infrastructure, further extends the IBM Maximo portfolio while providing deep industry and task-specific functionality to help organisations manage, monitor and administer their infrastructure assets.

Organisations struggle with ageing facilities, the difficulty of physical inspections and high cost of continued maintenance. 

[Read more…] about IBM to develop an AI IoT solution for ageing infrastructure

Mitsubishi Electric hosts its first ‘e-F@ctory Alliance’ in Singapore

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Mitsubishi Electric Asia’s Factory Automation Division partners with emerging industrial internet of things innovators in first e-F@ctory Alliance in Singapore

Mitsubishi Electric Asia, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a manufacturer of electric and electronic equipment, is collaborating with partners and experts to form the first strategic partnership in Singapore, e-F@ctory Alliance.

The alliance is intended to help companies embark on a journey towards developing the internet of things and digital transformation.

Hosted by the Factory Automation division of Mitsubishi Electric Asia, the Alliance saw more than 20 companies present at the inaugural ceremony held at Shangri-La Hotel this afternoon, including Advantech, Hitachi Asia, Oracle and Sato Asia Pacific, among others. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric hosts its first ‘e-F@ctory Alliance’ in Singapore

Could an IoT security domino effect derail robotics before it ever goes mainstream?

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By Eric Jensen, head of IoT product management at Canonical

2019 will be a big year for robotics, as we begin to see the expansion of automation technologies into new markets.

But with IoT security still a weak spot, one major attack within robotics could have a domino effect on the entire industry.

Add to this the verticals that robots are beginning to infiltrate – healthcare and agriculture for example – and the threat becomes immediate and very real.  [Read more…] about Could an IoT security domino effect derail robotics before it ever goes mainstream?

Volkswagen and Microsoft announce strategic digital partnership

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Entering into a strategic partnership, Volkswagen and Microsoft Corp. will collaborate to develop the ‘Volkswagen Automotive Cloud’, one of the largest dedicated automotive industry clouds for all future Volkswagen digital services and mobility offerings.

The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG approved the conclusion of an agreement to this effect between Volkswagen and Microsoft on September 28, 2018.

With Microsoft as its strategic partner, the company is taking a decisive step in its digital transformation into a mobility provider with a fully connected vehicle fleet and the digital ecosystem “Volkswagen We”.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen and Microsoft announce strategic digital partnership