Another component of the “Big Data” conversation is what “big” really means. In the early days of the PLC an I/O map of 1024 inputs and 1024 outputs was considered “big”. Not so much these days. Adding 12 or 16 bit analog values to the mix of data was really taxing. As control system technology […]
Household Robot Buddy Looks for $100k via Crowdfunding
Indiegogo campaign joins those who want to put a robot in every home.
Haneda Airport to start using 3 types of robots
Cyberdyne, the inventor of the HAL exoskeleton, is expanding their product line and Japan’s Haneda Airport is their first customer. Three different types of robots will be put to work at the airport: Industrial-grade floor cleaners will roam and clean carpets and floors along the corridors of the airport. A waist-based mini-exoskeleton (shown in the top photo) for…
ABB Robots To Help Changan Ford Be Responsive
Changan Ford has bought $52 million worth of ABB robots for its new factory, which will be able to manufacture multiple vehicle models.
Robotic bricklayers gear up for construction demand
Fastbrick Robotics hopes to get $3 million to develop and commercialize its Hadrian bricklaying robot, while Construction Robotics’ SAM is already on sites in the U.S.
Pepper robots to roll out at 1,000 per month
SoftBank announced that their little Pepper robot will be available for sale beginning August 1st at the rate of 1,000 per month after selling out their first 1,000 Peppers in one online minute in June. Priced at $1,611 for the robot plus $200 per month for the online service and maintenance contract, and only available…
Florida Drone Law Clarifies Surveillance, Clouds Privacy and Free Speech
Amendments to the Freedom From Unwarranted Surveillance Act allow exceptions for business but may encourage lawsuits.
Not So Big Data
“Big Data” is all the buzz in Information Technology circles and business editorials. Generally the discussion is around how we will ever be able to make meaningful use of all the vast, undefined data that is being created. It’s all hype. Software vendors want to add urgency to the adoption of computer systems that manage business […]
Elon Musk Donates Millions to Protect Humans from Artificial Intelligence
The Future of Life Institute will use $7 million in donations to help keep artificial intelligence beneficial to humans.
Drone vs. Lifeguard Race: Who Will Save Swimmer Faster?
Who will win in a race to get to a distressed swimmer: a drone or a human lifeguard? You’ll be surprised by the results.
China calls for “industrial robot revolution”
Xi Jinping, China’s President, last year called for an “industrial robot revolution.” Since then there have been policies giving value added tax refunds and subsidies to companies making robots, and robot user companies can qualify for tax breaks. The Financial Times reported that analysts are forecasting the payback period for industrial robots with a life cycle…
Watch: Drone Helps Rescue 2 Boys from Raging River
Officials in Auburn, Maine used a drone to deliver a life jacket and safety line to two boys who were stranded on a rock in the middle of the raging Little Androscoggin River.
Here’s What it’s Like Driving Behind a Google Self-Driving Car
Watch a Google self-driving car safely navigate the streets of Mountain View, Calif.