Category Archives: Robotics

Fremont News-Messenger| USA TODAY Network

FREMONT One of Sandusky County's leading manufacturers is embarking on a multimillion dollar expansion project at its Fremont facility.

Motion Controls Roboticsexpects to create 18 full-time positions, generate$1.2 million in new annual payroll and retain $4.9 million in existing payroll as a result of the companys expansion project in Fremont, according to a news release last week from Gov. Mike DeWine's office.

The Ohio Department of Development announced last week the state's Tax Credit Authority (TCA) had approved assistance for seven projects, including the Motion Controls' expansion.

Collectively, the projects willcreate 660 new jobs and retain 3,333 jobs statewide and are expected to result in more than $39 million in new payroll and spur more than $51.8 million in investments across Ohio.

Motion Controls manufactures robotic case packing, robotic palletizing and machine tending; large-scale end-of-line robotic packaging and handling systems; vision-guided systems; robotic simulation; AVG systems; and intelligent robotic systems.

The TCA approved a 1.198%, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the Motion Controls project.

Motion Controls has more than 60 employees and generates approximately $20 million in annual gross sales.

Toledo-based Regional Growth Partnership, in a release, statedMotion Controls will invest more than $2 million to support increased automation technologies.

Scott Lang, president of Motion Controls, said demand for robotics will continue through at least 2030.

This expansion along with the discussion of building another facility close to our customers is all part of our 10-year plan, Lang said in a release.

The Fremont companyhas been experiencing steady growth, averaging more than 10% year over year.

The expansion project includes a 25,500 square-foot addition, with 1,300 square feet of internal office space. The company works in three large markets end of line packaging, omni channel fulfillment and general material handling.

The industries it serves includes food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and manufacturing.

JobsOhio, Regional Growth Partnership and the Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation worked collaboratively in moving this project forward.

The expansion project is expected to begin in 2023.

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Motion Controls Robotics ready to expand Fremont facility, add jobs - The News-Messenger

Gurugram, India, Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Increased Awareness of Digital Platforms: The pandemic has given a significant push to online shopping, leading to witness a grand rise in the introduction and up-gradation of digital and technology across various sectors, especially e-commerce and the online shopping sector with safe home deliveries. This has led wide awareness among people to shop online while they stay at home owing to the large number of internet users, owning smart phones and their presence on social media. Due to e-tailing, theres greater consumer trust to shop online also Increasing Smartphone access to rural Bakalas will fuel the grocery market.

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Availability of multiple product choices and benefits: Availability of numerous choices in terms of brands, discount offers, reduced delivery time, personalization, and cash on delivery, digital payment infrastructure and easy returns will act as a major factors for development of the online B2B grocery market in KSA. Due to e-tailing, theres greater consumer trust to shop online. Moreover, increasing smartphone access to rural Bakalas is expected will fuel the grocery market. Increasing availability of both branded and local products will drive retailers to shop at online B2B grocery portals.

Technological Advancements in the KSA Online B2B Grocery Market: Robotics and drone delivery are going to revolutionize the online B2B grocery market by implementing robotic and drone delivery, companies like Sary and Retailo can provide more cost-effective solutions and drive the online grocery market. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning make it possible for the customer to have automated, personalized shopping experiences. AI is continuously collecting data and recommending the grocery products to the customers.

The report titled KSA Online B2B Grocery Market Outlook to 2026F Driven by Increasing Number of Smartphone Users and Changing Shopping Habits of Bakalas in the Region Due to Convenience and Online Experience provides a comprehensive analysis of the Online B2B grocery market in Saudi Arabia. The report also covers FMCG market, B2C Grocery Market, B2C online grocery market, B2C offline grocery market and B2C grocery market size by regions and overview and genesis of the industry, market size in terms of number of orders, region wise trends, customer analysis on the basis of type of Bakalas and market potential, major growth drivers, tech disruptions and innovations in the Online B2B grocery market. The report finally concludes with competitive landscape including competition scenario, cross comparison, and company profiles of major players including list of services they offer, credit facilities and their plan to procure, business cycle and operating model in Online B2B grocery market in Saudi Arabia. Macroeconomic factors impacting the industry and analyst recommendations are also included in the report.

Key Segments Covered:-Online B2B Grocery Market By Product Category:

By Mode of Sales:

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By Point of Sales:

By GMV and By Number of Orders:

By Number of Orders Per Region:

Bakala Retailer Customer Analysis: Type of Bakalas:

Key Target Audience:-

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Time Period Captured in the Report:-

Companies Covered:-Major B2B Online Grocery Companies

Key Topics Covered in the Report:-

For more information on the research report, refer to below link:-

KSA Online B2B Grocery Market

Related Reports:-Indonesia Online Grocery Market Outlook To 2026 Driven By Changing Shopping Habits Of Consumers And Regional Expansion Of Local & International Players In The Archipalego

Gaps in offline grocery shopping such as inconvenience of commute, long payment queues and cost of impulse buying led to the introduction of e-grocery in Indonesia. Indonesia online grocery market is currently positioned at a growth stage, and increasing at a staggering double-digit growth rate during the period 2016 and 2021P. Covid-19 Pandemic acted as a catalyst to the Indonesias E-grocery markets growth. The number of companies offering e-grocery services in Indonesia has increased over the years. Moreover, high penetration of internet, growing working population and rising number of single families has led to the growth of e-grocery services in the country. On the other hand, companies have also expanded their product portfolios from food & beverages to household supplies, baby food, fresh food, fish & meat and other product categories.

Vietnam Online Grocery Market Outlook To 2026 - Market Driven By Increasing Smartphone Penetration, Changing Shopping Habits Of Consumers And Regional Expansion Of The Online Grocery Players

Gaps in offline grocery shopping such as inconvenience of commute, long payment queues and cost of impulse buying led to the introduction of the e-grocery delivery in Vietnam. Population aged between 25 and 44, is considered an influential customer base for online grocery shopping. The industry is currently positioned in a growth stage registering a double-digit CAGR between 2016 and 2021P. High internet penetration, rising working population and increasing number of single families has led to the growth of e-grocery services in Vietnam. Companies have expanded their product portfolios from food & beverages to household supplies, fresh food, fish & meat and other product categories.

India Online Grocery Market Outlook to FY2027F- Driven by changing consumer needs and preferences with availability of supplies and reliability of delivery of the products

Indias online grocery battle has been heating up fueled by the pandemic-related surge in the demand, offline retailers growing Omni channel presence, and the arrival of big players in market. The market has grown at an increasing growth rate over the period FY2017-FY2022, supported by the increase in continuous growth of population in the country along with growing internet penetration and rising use of e-platforms. Indian consumers have been evolving dynamically in their quest for convenience, health, and value with the pandemic that forced everyone to stay home further accelerated these trends along with the changing needs and preferences of consumers. Factors such as boom of digital literacy, ease of usage, wide availability of branded products, economic value with price comparison across brands, offers & deals, express delivery driving the Online Grocery Market in India. The convenience and increasingly personalized experiences offered by online grocery platforms have long been appealing to consumers which is surging the demand for e-Groceries.

UAE Online Grocery Delivery Market Outlook to 2025- Driven by Increasing Working Population, Introduction of Express Delivery and Regional Expansion

Gaps in offline grocery shopping such as the inconvenience of commute, long payment queues, and cost of impulse buying led to the introduction of e-grocery delivery in the UAE. Population aged between 25 and 44, is considered an influential customer base for online grocery shopping. The industry is currently positioned in a growth stage registering a double-digit growth rate close to 31% between 2016 and 2019. High internet penetration, rising working population, and an increasing number of single families have led to the growth of e-grocery services in the UAE. The number of companies offering grocery delivery services in the UAE has increased over the years. Companies have expanded their product portfolios from food & beverages to household supplies, baby food, fresh food, fish & meat, and other product categories.

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Adoption of robotics, drone delivery, technologies for real time tracking and multiple product choices and benefits will drive the online B2B grocery...

South Korean automotive giants Hyundai and Kia have agreed a partnership to develop robotic technology for space exploration.

The two companies say they are now expanding their vision beyond the bounds of Earth and into space are specifically concentrating on robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Hyundai and Kia recently signed joint research agreements with six Korean research institutes and formed a consultative body to develop mobility solutions to explore the surface of the moon. This follows Koreas successful launch of a domestically produced rocket in June.

Yong Wha Kim, executive vice president, and head of R&D Planning & Coordination Centre of Hyundai Motor and Kia, says: We have taken the first step towards transforming our vision for robotics and the concept of Metamobility into reality.

We will expand the scope of human movement experience beyond traditional means of transport and beyond the bounds of Earth to further contribute to the progress of humankind and help create a better future.

The signing ceremony held in Korea was attended by Chung Kook Park, President and Head of R&D Division of Hyundai Motor and Kia as well as top officials from the six research institutes:

With collaboration expected to start as early as August, the consultative body will define the concept of lunar exploration mobility and major core technologies while developing and reviewing specific strategies and implementation measures to operate on the moon. Hyundai Motor and Kia will support the consultative body with their smart mobility technologies.

Under the multilateral research agreement, the participants from the private and government sectors will integrate their knowledge and capabilities to significantly advance their existing technologies and engineer new solutions for moon exploration mobility. Expertise will be brought across numerous areas, including exploration equipment, software for mobility operation and remote communication functionality.

With no air, extreme temperatures and countless craters and coatings of lunar dust composed of sharp and abrasive particles, the moons surface is an exceptionally harsh environment.

While it poses significant challenges to the development of surface exploration mobility, it also provides the ultimate proving ground and will deliver invaluable lessons for Hyundai and Kia to further accelerate the delivery of smart and sustainable mobility solutions on earth.

Hyundai and Kia have formed an internal consultative body with key personnel for the development and operation of lunar surface mobility. Resources will be brought to bear from Hyundai and Kias Robotics Lab in charge of robot development.

Hyundai and Kia will also collaborate on software and hardware design and interpretation, space environment response technology, and special equipment for conducting lunar exploration missions.

The multilateral agreement to develop mobility for exploring the moons surface represents a seminal moment in the history of Hyundai Motor and Kia that expands their vision for future mobility, including Robotics and AAM, to areas beyond the Earth.

Hyundai and Kia also expect to secure proprietary technologies for future mobility businesses in the process of the new lunar exploration mobility robotics development.

In January, Hyundai Motor announced its robotics vision of Metamobilty to help overcome the limitations of movement at CES 2022, which featured a video of Boston Dynamics robot, named Spot, exploring outer space.

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Hyundai and Kia to develops mobile robots for space exploration - Robotics and Automation News

AAEON, a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial IoT and Edge AI solutions, has partnered with Cogniteam to develop ready-to-build robotic hardware that leverages Cogniteams Nimbus software, the leading drag and drop robotics operating system.

Companies who recognize a new market demand can immediately choose the AAEON system, device, or hardware thats right for them and know that it is fully supported with the Nimbus no-code integration. This means companies can quickly develop and deploy advanced GPS, light, and other sensors using field-tested software solutions.

Today, developing and deploying a robot is time and resource intensive. From the time a decision is made to build the robot, until it is actually deployed can often take years. By the time it is used for its initial purpose, the technology risks already being out of date. In response, AAEON partnered with Cogniteam to develop hardware systems that come with various foundational capabilities- all of which are pre-integrated with Nimbus. Without this key advantage, operators lack cloud-connected capabilities, which allow for over the air updates, monitoring, insights, and operational insights.

AAEON offers a wide range of hardware systems based on the NVIDIA Jetson line of SoCs for compatibility with Cogniteams Nimbus software. This line of embedded box PCs features the Jetson Nano (BOXER-8220AI Series) with a great cost-to-performance ratio, the Jetson Xavier NX (BOXER-8250AI Series) with flexible I/O features, the Jetson AGX Xavier (BOXER-8240AI Series) for enhanced AI performance, and the newest Jetson AGX Orin (BOXER-8600AI Series) for server class AI performance at the edge.

Since its launch, Cogniteams Nimbus has improved integration and widespread adoption of ROS and NVIDIA Jetson software packages. Developers pick from a catalog of algorithms, AI, process control, spatial recognition, and more. The robot can then be tested in a simulated environment to understand how the robot will handle various scenarios before it ever leaves the production floor.

We are honored to have AAEON offer parts that are Nimbus enabled, allowing rapid uptime by syncing with a virtual environment, said Yehuda Elmaliah, Co-founder and CEO of Cogniteam. In a few clicks, developers benefit from a system thats already familiar with AAEONs hardware specifications and abilities.Developers can choose off the shelf parts and significantly cut development time.

Moving the burden of integration from individual organizations to a centralized platform gives robot operators valuable analytics, fleet management capabilities, OTA updates, remote control features, and more. This integration allows anyone to access todays most advanced capabilities using pre-integrated AAEON components, said Owen Wei, Marketing and BD Manager at AAEON. Adding a cloud layer to a robots design keeps it up to date with continuous communication to the home base.

Integration demands will only increase as edge-devices begin carrying greater processing power and more advanced capabilities. Robots and components that are designed for cloud connectivity integrations benefit from a longer life, thanks to the ability for features to be added over time. Outfitting robots with tools for modern activities allows them to remain in the field longer without risk of becoming obsolete.

Source:https://www.aaeon.com/

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AAEON and Cogniteams Partnership Prove Modern Robotics is All About Integrations - AZoRobotics

A group of sixth through eighth grade students experienced the joy and frustration that comes with building something during a robotics camp held at Oklahoma State University this week. In the process, they used STEM science, technology, engineering and math principles and learned how they can be applied in the real world.

They also got a tour of Roll 2 Roll Technologies, a sensor manufacturer located in the business incubator near Meridian Technology Center thats a spin-off of research from OSUs Web Handling Research Center.

For their main project, the 36 campers worked in teams to create their own wheeled robots from different types of kits. They also had the chance to get hands-on with other parts of the process, soldering the electronic circuit board that controls the robot and writing the code that tells it what to do.

They finished their three-day camp Thursday with a demonstration of their creations as they attempted to navigate a maze.

A team of OSU robotics campers looks on in frustration as the robot they built stops short of its goal, even after they made adjustments. But camp instructors said trial and error is part of the process.

As it turned out, some couldnt do much. But thats all part of the process too, the OSU engineering students who serve as camp instructors said. It really came down to not having enough time to perfect the code in a three-day camp.

It (coding) is a lot of trial and error, instructor Daniel Everheart said.

At the end of the day, just getting them to move proved to be a challenge. Camper Dane Vollmer celebrated by thrusting his fists in the air after finally getting it to travel a short distance.

OSU robotics camp instructor Daniel Bernardy times a robot created by a team of campers as it moves through a maze the instructors built as a testing ground.

He said the camp was fun and he would like to do something with robotics again, but it was sad when his robot didnt move the way it was supposed to.

Instructor Blake Jones said they could have done more if the camp had lasted longer than three days. The campers had access to infrared sensors that help the robot navigate, similar to the way a robotic vacuum cleaner navigates the layout of your house. Unfortunately, they didnt have time to use them.

Camper Chloe Smith said it was a good experience because she loves engineering and robotics. She also enjoyed getting to solder a circuit board.

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OSU STEM camp gives kids hands-on experience with robotics and coding - Enid News & Eagle

634AI, the developers of Maestro, an artificial intelligence-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to install 200 autonomous mobile robots, powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsus 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AIs Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsus intra logistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AIs Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AIs AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years.

634AI, part of the SixAI group, says it is helping to bring advanced technology and responsible AI into traditional industries. SixAI products are designed to improve productivity and better serve people around the world.

Established by Israeli entrepreneur Ran Poliakine, the company solves manufacturing and distribution shortcomings by providing solutions that raise productivity and lowers costs.

SixAI introduces technology integration in legacy industries and acquires companies in both local and international markets, mainly in the fields of AI, robotics, green energy, cyber and fintech. SixAI has a strategic partnership with the Japanese corporation Musashi Seimitsu.

Maestro is 634AIs proprietary AI-powered centralized control tower that enables effective and harmonized indoor operations. Maestro offers a constant visual mapping of the entire floor, ensuring hazards and obstacles are recognized and prevented.

Alongside 634AIs AMRs, Maestro can track raw material movements, provide productivity and utilization data of forklifts as well as provide safety alerts for forklift drivers, and even navigate the movement of heterogeneous AMR fleets.

With Maestro, Musashi Seimitsu plans to have a more automated intra logistics operation and better coordinated activity, where man-driven forklifts, employees, and robots can operate in sync and with greater safety.

Musashi Seimitsus global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Japan, Germany, US, Canada, India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Isaku Takeshi, managing executive officer of Musashi Seimitsu, says: We have been heavily investing in automation and AI capabilities over the past few years, with a vision to create a more humane workplace where people no longer carry out tedious, repetitive, unrewarding tasks.

We believe 634AIs distinct approach for industrial floor management and control allows, for the first time, people and machines to effectively work side by side in a much safer environment. We look forward to a fruitful deployment across our global manufacturing sites.

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634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide - Robotics and Automation News

There are new courses being offered at Fort Payne Middle School and Fort Payne High School for the 2022-2023 school year. The Times-Journal has been showcasing these courses so the community can be informed about the opportunities available to our students. This week, we will look at the visual and media arts/drama courses at Fort Payne Middle School, taught by Amy Smith, as well as the new STEAM/Robotics courses at Fort Payne Middle School, taught by Regan McClung.

s part of Fort Payne City Schools commitment to preparing students to succeed in a challenging world tomorrow, the Board of Education and Superintendent recently funded a refurbished state-of-the-art STEAM Lab at Fort Payne Middle School and is providing a full-time instructor of STEAM Robotics and Computer Science at FPMS in 2022-2023.

This commitment to the future growth of our community includes three new STEAM Robotics and Computer Science course offerings this Fall.

STEAM represents a project-based learning initiative that integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into one classroom for a comprehensive approach to each students education.

STEAM Robotics courses help to better prepare students for STEAM careers and build not only technical skills, but the problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation experience students need to be successful in life and even create a better world for all of us.

The changing speed of technology and challenges facing our world make STEAM robotics and computer science education an important and critical need for our students. Seventh and eighth-grade students will have the option of taking a STEAM Robotics elective course for one nine weeks period this year.

Sixth graders applied for this course in the spring, and those applicants will take this one-semester course for their daily elective. The STEAM Robotics elective will be a fundamentals sampler course that includes friendly competition, as teams of students engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering - developing their mechanical engineering skills and coding skills with a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.

The course will blend online and unplugged non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts, and digital citizenship.

Next, seventh and eighth graders may sign up to take Computer Science Discoveries, which is a full-year introductory computer science survey course.

The course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. Students are empowered to create authentic artifacts and engage with CS as a medium for creativity, communication, problem-solving, and fun. This full-year course is in place of morning electives.

Finally, seventh and eighth graders who took Computer Science Discoveries last year may sign up to take Computer Science and Society, a full-year course designed to enhance middle school students knowledge of computer science and how it affects society.

The course includes Computing Innovations, App Development with a Purpose, Ethics and Cybersecurity, and Micro:bit Projects. This full-year course is in place of morning electives.

All of these course offerings bring the newest language of creativity to the students: CODING!

STEAM Robotics and Computer Science empower students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem-solving, and fun!

Regan McClung is a 4th-8th grade STEAM robotics and computer science teacher at Fort Payne Middle School.

Fine Arts at Fort Payne Middle School is a new program that began in January 2022.

Currently, all students, grades 6-8, are being serviced in a visual arts class where they learn art history, elements and principles of art, and artistic vocabulary.

The students create visual works of art based on the topic of instruction for that week.

This school year, we hope to grow the program to include beginner and intermediate-level classes in both visual arts and media arts. The media arts course would consist of graphic design, presentation design, and video production.

FPMS is also offering a new drama class for 7th and 8th-grade students where they explore different genres and historical works while also learning the fundamentals of performing to an audience. The students also gain experience in elements of set design, costume design, performance makeup, and stage lighting for productions. This school year, we hope to be able to present a full-scale production to our community.

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STEAM Robotics and Fine Arts offered at FPMS - Times-Journal

This alliance will help Boreal Technologies continue to offer the most up-to-date technology to end customers in Boreal Technologies' region of influence.

Boreal Technologies announced today a business partner agreement with Yaskawa Motoman, a world leader in industrial ARM Robots for robotic solutions, as a key step to continue growth and expansion in Latin America.

Yaskawa Motoman Robotics includes in its proposal full compatibility with OnRobot's wide range of accessories for robotic solutions and has developed specific applications for various vertical markets such as Logistics, manufacturing, and production.

Yaskawa Motoman Robotics is a leader in industrial robot technologies, dedicated to improving the working world of industries and their people through technology applications (robotics), offering a variety of solutions of different types of loads and complexities.

Yaskawa Motoman offers a wide range of palletizing robots and cobots that tackle simple to complex palletizing jobs with easy-to-integrate 2D and 3D vision systems, specialized software and tools.

About Yaskawa Motoman:Founded in 1989, Yaskawa Motoman is a leading industrial robotics company in the Americas. With more than 500,000 Motoman industrial robots, 18 million servos and 30 million variable frequency drives installed worldwide, Yaskawa offers automation products and solutions for virtually every industry and robotic application; including arc welding, assembly, coating, batching, material handling, material cutting, material removal, packaging, palletizing, and spot welding.More information about Yaskawa at : http://www.motoman.com

About Boreal Technologies:Founded in 2003, Boreal Technologies is a leading automation company in Latin America, with more than 130 employees, presence in major countries and direct operacion in Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico. Boreal offers integration with major solutions of Robots for Logistics and ecommerce, as well as long term experience in the field of warehouse automation thru standard tools as mobile computing, RFID, etc. More information about Boreal at : http://www.borealtech.com

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Boreal Technologies announced today a business partner agreement with Yaskawa Motoman | RoboticsTomorrow - Robotics Tomorrow

Robotics major Addverb Technologies creates robots that are primarily employed for activities that are difficult, dangerous, expensive, monotonous, or time-consuming for humans. Tapan Pattnayak, Director System Architecture, Addverb Technologies in an interview shared that the traditional manufacturing techniques that required hours to complete a task are expected to be replaced by 3D printing

Can you tell us how to create resilient supply chains, operate safe and agile factories as well as unlock innovation and new services at the same time?

The ability to adapt to rapid change distinguishes between manufacturers who merely survive and those who thrive. As rising costs, supply chain issues, skills gaps, and other challenges worsen, manufacturers must turn to intelligent cloud and intelligent edge solutions to build smart, agile factories.

IoT, in combination with edge computing, AI, and machine learning, is assisting manufacturers in improving performance and anticipating shifts through actionable intelligence and real-time visibility. In fact, 91 percent of manufacturers have already adopted IoT, citing increased operational efficiency as the primary benefit. However, as they connect all these devices, manufacturers prioritize security, with 62 percent concerned about protecting their edge-to-cloud solutions. More agile factories help manufacturers ensure business continuity and resilience, drive safe and secure production with consistent quality and yield, and optimize resource utilization with Industrial IoT and AI.

Industry research reveals that 40% of Asian manufacturers will adopt an API-led integration strategy to link applications on a single platform to improve agility and visibility across organizations by 2023. How are you preparing for this?

We aim to achieve its mission of empowering every person and organization to achieve more by assisting customers and partners in the creation of a more resilient and sustainable future. With technology and digital capabilities, we are powering the manufacturing industrys digital transformation, unlocking new efficiencies and future-proofing business. We are taking care of the system side and software integration in our fleet management system to make that end user level every design should be modular. However, at the technical and R&D level, we ensure that all system integration and modular design is done through API.

Given the accelerated penetration of Industry 4.0 across the Indian manufacturing landscape, how are you looking at intelligent, integrated cloud, and edge capabilities platforms to deliver the highest value.

As the manufacturing industry faces significant challenges, it is vital to assess the readiness of industrial businesses for Industry 4.0. Disruptive concepts like the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, and cloud-based manufacturing pose these issues. The smart factory is a manufacturing environment in which production and logistical systems self-organize without human involvement. Employees assist businesses in achieving their digital transformation goals. And preparedness in this dimension can be measured by analyzing an employees present abilities and ability to learn new skills, as employees are the ones who are most affected by changes in technology in the workplace, which has a direct impact on their working environment.

The Future of Make in India stressed the importance of process transformation in enhancing the digital readiness of Indian manufacturers. Do you agree or not?

The Indian manufacturing industry is beginning to investigate new technological breakthroughs such as data and analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and three-dimensional (3D) printing to drive change for the betterment of their companies. The Government of India (GoI) has also recognized the untapped potential of Indias manufacturing capability and has set a lofty goal of boosting the manufacturing sectors contribution to GDP.

The evolution of technologies stress that the future will be personalization at scale through smart factories. Earlier, factories were very fixated in terms of what products they are going to supply, but with changing demand factories can now rely on additive manufacturing or 3D printing to rapidly respond. Can you share how you use robotics and modernize your facilities?

In todays environment, 3D printing, and robotics are not so dissimilar. One of the Robotics applications is 3D printing, which automates the most arduous and repetitive processes while also reducing costs and speeding up turnaround time. Simultaneously, 3D printing allows for the rapid production of a wide range of robots and their components. Traditional manufacturing techniques that required hours to complete a task are expected to be replaced by 3D printing. The advancement of 3D printing has allowed it to permeate industries such as automobiles, aircraft, and medicine, among others. Manufacturing is beginning to spread and penetrate many industries as it gets more digital and agile. Robotics is one area where advances in additive manufacturing can have a significant impact on industry growth. Addverb creates robots that are primarily employed for activities that are difficult, dangerous, expensive, monotonous, or time-consuming for humans. We have already demonstrated in Addverb that we can develop world-class robots, and as a result, people are taking notice, and we are intending to provide the greatest robots.

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Robotics is one area where advances in additive manufacturing can have a significant impact on industry growth - Express Computer

Amazon's Astro home robot

Amazon

Electronics companies have for years paraded around flashy, futuristic prototypes of consumer robots. They've pointed to a not-too-distant future where people will have roaming robot helpers around their home that can do the dishes or even act as a personal masseuse. So far, few of those predictions have panned out, and they largely remain the stuff of science fiction.

Last week, at Amazon's re:MARS technology conference in Las Vegas, the e-commerce giant and other technology companies in attendance showed off the latest in robotics.

I noticed there weren't bold marketing proclamations of "robot butlers" or "AI dogs" as I walked the show floor. The robots were designed to look more practical, and many of the devices could only do a few simple tasks.

Take Amazon's Astro robot, for example. The company last September unveiled the long-rumored home robot, which costs $1,000 for invitation-only shoppers. It will cost $1,500 once it launches publicly at a date yet to be announced. At re:MARS, Astro greeted visitors of a mock smart home tricked out with an array of internet-connected devices.

At roughly two feet tall, Astro appears similar to a tablet on wheels. It can follow you around the house and play music, or carry drinks in a cup holder built into the device. Astro has a camera perched on top of a periscope that can rise up high enough to keep an eye on your home while you're away. It can dance to disco in your kitchen.

Beyond those features, Astro's most basic functions aren't too different from those offered by other, cheaper Amazon-branded devices with its Alexa digital assistant. For example, it can deliver reminders, set alarms, make a video call or play a YouTube video, similar to an Echo Show smart display.

And even though Astro is billed as a household robot, it can't follow you to every room, that is if you have a place with interior stairs, because it can't go up and down them. It also doesn't have hands, so it can't retrieve items.

"The technology to safely go up and down stairs at consumer robot price points is beyond the state of the art," Ken Washington, Amazon's vice president of software engineering for consumer robotics, told reporters last week. "So it's something we're looking into. Can we do that at a lower price point? Are there technologies that allow us to solve that problem inexpensively, safely and reliably? Today it's not within the state of the art, but it doesn't mean it won't be one day."

In an interview, Washington made clear that this isn't the final version of Astro, nor is it the company's last robot. Amazon is also considering opening up Astro to third-party developers and allowing them to build new skills, said Washington, who joined the company last June after serving as Ford's chief technology officer.

Doing so could potentially fast-track the process of making Astro smarter and more useful.

"We know part of the scaling algorithm has to be engaging others, just like we did with Alexa," Washington said. "That's something we're thinking very hard about."

Astro's home security, entertainment and remote tools for caring for elderly family members have been popular features among early users. Amazon says it was most surprised to find that users want more features that let Astro interact with their pets.

"One customer tried to enroll their cat in visual ID [Astro's facial recognition feature], which didn't work," Washington said. "Now we're wondering, should we enroll cats in visual ID?"

Amazon does know a thing or two about robots: It launched Amazon Robotics and focused on automating aspects of its warehouse operations a decade ago when Kiva Systems was acquired for $775 million.

In the years since, it has expanded beyond industrial robotics, launching a consumer robotics division within Lab126, its secretive hardware unit.

The division has been growing, and last month opened a new consumer robotics center in Bangalore, India, where Washington said Amazon plans to hire dozens of software engineers to work on Astro. Amazon tested Astro in real and mock homes in Chennai, a city located on the country's east coast, he added.

The Astro team is working on making it more natural for users to hold a conversation with the device, which primarily communicates with chirps and a pair of circles on the screen that are meant to resemble eyes.

"Today, interaction with Astro is very transactional," Washington said. "When you talk to your partner, or your spouse, or your kids, or your friend, you don't say, 'Bob, what's the weather?' You just don't talk that way. So we're thinking about ways to make it more natural to have a dialogue with Astro."

Embodied, an AI startup backed by the Alexa Fund, Amazon's venture capital arm, is also trying to make talking to robots more natural, but it may have an easier time doing so given its target customer.

It has been selling Moxie, a squat, friendly AI robot "companion," since 2020. In a conversation at re:MARS, Caitlyn Clabaugh, a robot-learning scientist at Embodied, said Moxie is meant for kids between 5 and 10 years old and is designed to help teach them social and emotional skills.

"There's a huge market for robot companionship, and kids are so adaptable to new technology," Clabaugh said, adding that Embodied has been surprised by how naturally children have taken to conversing with the robot.

Moxie is priced at $1,000 and can't move around. But it can gesture by moving its arms. An LCD screen is built into Moxie's head, which is backlit by an internal projector that gives the device an expressive, cartoonish face.

Another robot on display at re:MARS was Labrador Retriever, a cube-shaped device on wheels that more closely resembles a coffee table than Rosey from "The Jetsons." It has no humanoid features, like mechanical arms or legs, but it can fetch items around your home.

The Labrador Retriever uses an accordion-like system for lifting up and down, while an automatic retrieval feature enables it to pick up trays of items that are on a flat, open surface like a countertop or table.

Labrador Systems has developed a robot designed to assist people with chronic diseases, by lifting and transporting heavy objects around the home.

Labrador Systems

Labrador Systems, which is backed by Amazon's Alexa Fund and co-founded by Mike Dooley, a former vice president at Roomba maker iRobot, developed the device to assist people with chronic illness or diseases that may restrict their range of motion. The Labrador Retriever can help make household chores easier, by carrying laundry or other heavy objects, say, and it can deliver meals.

Labrador Systems also is testing the device in senior living homes, which Dooley said in an interview is "apt timing" given the nationwide labor shortage. Dooley was adamant that the robot isn't meant to replace workers, rather is designed to relieve them of some tedious tasks, giving them more time to interact with residents.

Machines are increasingly working alongside humans in Amazon's warehouses. The company last week debuted two new devices, Proteus and Cardinal, that will join the roughly 520,000 robots already in its fulfillment and sorting centers.

Amazon says Proteus is its "first fully autonomous mobile robot." Traditionally, Amazon has kept its industrial robots cordoned off in restricted areas of its warehouses where they don't interact with employees. The company said it believes Proteus can safely incorporate robots in the same physical space as people.

Proteus and Cardinal, a robotic arm, are aimed at reducing some of warehouse workers' most strenuous tasks, like moving heavy objects and repetitive turning and twisting motions. This is especially critical for Amazon, which has faced a steady drumbeat of criticism over its labor record and employee injury rates.

Amazon warehouse workers in the U.S. suffered serious injuries at twice the rate of rival companies in 2021, according to a recent study by a coalition of labor unions, based on data submitted to federal safety regulators.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has pushed back on this data and defended the company's safety record. Amazon also has pledged to make safety and employee satisfaction a greater priority within the company, vowing to be "Earth's Best Employer."

Amazon Robotics head Tye Brady said last week that automation is a key part of increasing safety, although that prospect has been debated. An investigation by the Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting found the company's warehouses with robots have higher injury rates than facilities without automation.

On stage at re:MARS, Brady described how Amazon is using robots to get packages prepped and ready to ship out, but he asserted the job can't be done without people.

"It is a symphony of people and machines working together to do this," Brady said. "We index highly on safety in order to do that job, but you can't do one without the other. We could not achieve what we've done throughout the pandemic without having the right blend of automation and our amazing employees on [the] front line."

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Amazon wants us to believe the robots are coming but most people won't find them useful - CNBC