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Automation and the Fashion Industry: A Quiet Revolution

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Many believe that we have recently entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is characterized by new modes of design, production and marketing. Being one of the world’s largest and most innovative industries, fashion is at the center stage of this shake-up.

This is not surprising, since fashion is big business. In the UK, for example, the fashion industry is valued at £26 billion, making it the country’s biggest creative industry.

From algorithms that detect what we will be wearing next season to targeted pricing, here are just a few ways automation technology is transforming the fashion industry. [Read more…] about Automation and the Fashion Industry: A Quiet Revolution

SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

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SICK drives innovation with the new W4F miniature photoelectric sensor for intelligent object detection in tight installation spaces for proximity applications

SICK is launching the latest generation of its miniature photoelectric sensors, the W4F. A new ASIC platform delivers numerous performance advantages to this product family.

For example, these sensors can detect jet black, highly reflective, flat, or transparent objects with the utmost reliability. The W4F can also provide distance information, such as the height of objects and, as a result, identify process errors.

Initial users have confirmed that the photoelectric sensors have the best ambient light and sunlight suppression on the market as well as maximum immunity to all known sources of optical interference.  [Read more…] about SICK launches new miniature photoelectric sensor

New S&P Analysis: Stressed semiconductor industry needs water, gets liberal sprinkling of state support

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By Christopher Rogers, senior researcher, Panjiva, part of S&P Global

The global semiconductor industry is in the midst of a period of upheaval driven by both short- and long-term factors.

The most obvious has been the imbalance in supply versus demand shown by shortages in the automotive industry, as discussed in Panjiva’s research of May 18, resulting in higher prices.

There are also emergent challenges from water shortages in Taiwan – which accounted for 14.4 percent of global exports in 2019 – that are causing power shortages and potential semiconductor fabrication facility closures, according to Nikkei Asia. [Read more…] about New S&P Analysis: Stressed semiconductor industry needs water, gets liberal sprinkling of state support

AutoStore sells 600 robotic systems for warehouses

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DSV, a large-scale Danish transport and logistics company, is expanding its position in the third-party logistics market through the use of AutoStore technology.

Implemented by Element Logic, the system uses AutoStore robotics and Element Logic’s proprietary software to provide a leading solution for e-commerce players.

The solution is being implemented in nine countries and represents AutoStore’s 600th system implementation. [Read more…] about AutoStore sells 600 robotic systems for warehouses

TSMC’s chairman: Real reasons for the global chip shortage

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Republished from AutoTech.News

In terms of severity the automotive industry was among the early victims who experienced the adverse effect of the global chip shortage.

It led to disrupted supply chains, subsequent halted auto production and loss of income for auto manufacturers.

Initially Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Ford were the first carmakers who reported to stopped auto production in early January of 2021 caused by the chip shortage. [Read more…] about TSMC’s chairman: Real reasons for the global chip shortage

Collaborative robotics market set to grow to $8 billion by 2030

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Despite the challenges facing the wider manufacturing industry during the coronavirus pandemic, collaborative robots continue to attract attention and investment, due to their ease of use, redeployability, and convenience to end-users who struggle to afford more traditional forms of automation.

According to a new report from global tech market advisory firm ABI Research, the cobot market is set to grow substantially over the coming decade.

The market had a global valuation of $475 million in 2020, which will expand to $600 million in 2021 and $8 billion in 2030, with a projected annual growth of 32.5 percent. [Read more…] about Collaborative robotics market set to grow to $8 billion by 2030

Upward Farms launches first organic vertical farm in the US Northeast

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Upward Farms, an aquaponics vertical farming company, has opened its new headquarters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.

The innovative new facility – which is Upward Farms’ first – utilizes the company’s next generation technology in both commercial production and research and development.

The operation, powered by breakthrough end-to-end automation, is USDA Certified Organic, making Upward Farms the first and only Certified Organic vertical farm in the Northeast region. [Read more…] about Upward Farms launches first organic vertical farm in the US Northeast

Toyota ‘accelerating’ its autonomous vehicle plans with Lyft’s Level 5 acquisition

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Toyota is accelerating its autonomous vehicle plans through its acquisition of Lyft’s Level 5, according to research company GlobalData. 

Toyota Motor’s tech investment arm, Woven Planet Holdings, has agreed to acquire shared mobility giant Lyft’s self-driving vehicle division Level 5 for $550 million.

In response to the news, Bakar Sadik Agwan, senior automotive consulting analyst at GlobalData, offers her analysis. [Read more…] about Toyota ‘accelerating’ its autonomous vehicle plans with Lyft’s Level 5 acquisition

Continental to increase investment into developing autonomous mobility systems

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Continental is planning to increase its investment into developing autonomous mobility systems from €200 million to €250 million this year.

The company, which is mainly known as a manufacturer of tyres and related technologies, says it will create a separate business unit for autonomous mobility in 2022.

The reason for the additional funds in the area is because of the trends in the industry. [Read more…] about Continental to increase investment into developing autonomous mobility systems

Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series

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Nachi-Fujikoshi is expanding its lineup of compact industrial robots with the launch of the new “EC06” and the “MZ12H”. 

The Japanese robot-making giant says that the need for automation by robots is expanding in the field of manufacturing with the aim of eliminating labor shortages and improving productivity.

This need has emerged against the backdrop of the worldwide declining birthrate and aging population, the shrinking working population and soaring labor costs. [Read more…] about Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series