Technology Developments
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Windows 8 Inspires Computer Makers To Creativity
October 26, 2012 1:58 pm | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsCan't decide if you want a PC or tablet? Now you won't have to. With the release of Windows 8, computer makers are doing their best to blur the boundaries with an array of devices that mash keyboards and touch screens together in different ways.
A Look At The Motorcycle Of The Future
October 26, 2012 1:12 pm | by Time | Videos | CommentsThe C-1, built by Lit Motors, is meant to have the efficiency of a motorcycle with the protection of a car. It's a fully-enclosed, self-balancing motorcycle that has 220 miles-per-charge and goes from 0 MPH to 60 MPH in about six seconds. Have a look...
Scientist Being Sentenced In Utah For Trade Theft
October 26, 2012 10:32 am | by Paul Foy, Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal investigators say the 42-year-old chemist emailed a secret drug recipe from a Utah company to a brother-in-law in India. They say the relative planned to undercut prices charged by Logan-based Frontier Scientific Inc. for a rare organic chemical with applications ranging from prescription drugs to solar cells and batteries.
Developing The Workforce Of Tomorrow (Part 2)
October 26, 2012 8:12 am | by Patricia Riedl, Booz & Co.; Maria Ferrante, PMMI | Articles | CommentsFor many years, manufacturing has been characterized as a less than desirable career choice, so the Gen Ys look at manufacturing as a last resort — or not an option at all. Parents are under the impression that jobs are not stable, pay is low and the environment is dirty. But the reality is that today’s manufacturing jobs require a highly skilled workforce to operate and maintain high tech, highly automated equipment.
Gov't To Examine Technology For Automated Cars
October 23, 2012 2:27 pm | by Joan Lowy, Associated Press | News | CommentsDavid Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told an automotive gathering that automated vehicles are the next "evolutionary step" in safety technology. He said his agency has held extensive discussions with automakers and Google about what needs to happen before automated cars can be safely introduced to consumers.
Apple Reveals Smaller, Cheaper iPad Mini
October 23, 2012 2:24 pm | by Michael Liedtke, Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writers | News | CommentsApple is revealing a smaller, $329 version of its hit iPad tablet computer, with a screen that's about two-thirds the size of the full-size model. Apple starts taking orders for the new model on Friday Oct. 26 and will ship Nov. 2, said marketing chief Phil Schiller at an event in San Jose, Calif. It weighs 0.68 pounds, half as much as the full-size iPad, and is as thin as a pencil.
Scientists Making Fishy Robots For Naval Research
October 23, 2012 11:42 am | by Janet McConnaughey, Associated Press | News | CommentsAn eel undulating through coastal waters, powered by batteries and checking for mines. A jellyfish is actually a surveillance robot, powered by the atoms around it. Fins pick up intelligence while propelling a robot bluegill sunfish. The Office of Naval Research is supporting baby steps toward making those visions of the future a reality.
Do Androids Dream Of Handwriting Recognition?
October 23, 2012 11:28 am | by Katia Shabanova, Paragon Software Group | Blogs | CommentsEngineers and programmers have been trying for decades to teach computers and other electronics to recognize handwritten text. Only in the last few years have the world’s largest software companies made significant progress teaching smartphones and tablets to adequately recognize handwriting and translate it into typed text on the screen.
Nothing Run-Of-The-Mill For Tool And Instrument Manufacturer
October 22, 2012 8:12 am | by Edgecam | Articles | CommentsOperating in a “niche within a niche” is how the managing director of a tool maker and manufacturer of precision scientific instruments – some of which are currently operating in space, one-and-a-half-million kilometres away from Earth – describes his company.
Hybrid Vehicle Battery Creator Ovshinsky, 89, Dies
October 19, 2012 10:18 am | by Corey Williams, Associated Press | News | CommentsStan Ovshinsky, the self-taught inventor who developed the nickel-metal hydride battery used in the hybrid vehicle industry, has died at his home in suburban Detroit after a fight with cancer. He was 89. Ovshinsky, who ran Energy Conversion Devices, a car battery development company, also created a machine that produced 9-mile-long sheets of thin solar energy panels intended to bring cheaper, cleaner power to homes and businesses.
UK Court Sides With Samsung In Apple Suit
October 19, 2012 10:11 am | by Raphael Satter, Associated Press | News | CommentsBritain's Court of Appeal has backed a judgment that Samsung's Galaxy tablet computer is "not as cool" as Apple's iPad — and therefore doesn't infringe Apple's rights. The panel's upholding of the findings of by a lower court endorses the U.K. judgment which made headlines around the world when it was handed down in July. Judge Colin Birss had then gushed over Apple's design, while knocking back the company's case against its rival.
Cloud Does Not Automatically Guarantee Project Success
October 19, 2012 8:02 am | by Dylan Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source | Blogs | CommentsJust because you have chosen to go with a cloud solution or a SaaS application doesn’t mean you will have guaranteed project success. The risk of IT failure still exists. As a result, organizations must realize that cloud does not mitigate improper project management procedure.
CC Remains A Distinctive Volkswagen
October 17, 2012 2:29 pm | by Ann M. Job, For The Associated Press | News | CommentsVolkswagen's upscale CC compact sedan is nicely put together with a coupe silhouette, pretty lines, a taut, refined ride, well-crafted interior and for 2013, seats for five. In response to dealer and customer feedback, VW removed the two rear bucket seats, with console between, and replaced them with a padded and sculpted bench seat that has a resting spot and seat belt for a middle passenger.
Nissan Shows Off Safety Features, Electronic Steering
October 17, 2012 10:27 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsElectronically managed steering that completely bypasses the mechanical link of a clutch is among the new safety technology from Japanese automaker Nissan. Other vehicles are smart enough to park themselves. And some swerve automatically to avoid pedestrians.
VA Manufacturing Research Center Gets New Member
October 17, 2012 10:24 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAn advanced manufacturing research center in Virginia's Prince George County is getting a new partner. Officials say Hermle Machine Company has joined the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing as an industry member. The German company makes milling machines for use in medical, aircraft, automotive and other industries.
3 Simple Complexities Of Data Protection
October 17, 2012 8:39 am | by Dennis Wenk, Symantec | Articles | CommentsData is the foundation of information; information leads to knowledge and knowledge is power. There is little disagreement that data has value. In fact, digital data seems to be the new world currency. So protecting valuable data assets is a central concern for business continuity management.
Maruti Suzuki Launches New Small Car In India
October 16, 2012 10:23 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMaruti Suzuki India Ltd., the Indian arm of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp., launched a new model Tuesday of its small car Alto 800 for the Indian market ahead of the festival season. With a fresh look, the new model is roomier, 15 percent more fuel-efficient and better geared for city conditions, the firm's managing director, Shinzo Nakanishi, told a press conference.
Rugged Vs. Consumer: How To Select The Right Mobile Solution
October 16, 2012 8:38 am | by Mike Wills, VP of North America, Psion | Articles | CommentsNot all mobile devices are created equal. Manufacturing organizations use handheld computers for a wide variety of applications such as material management, supply chain, quality control, asset tracking and communications. However, there is sometimes uncertainty surrounding whether to deploy consumer or rugged devices.
Amphibious Vehicle To Go On Sale Soon In U.S.
October 15, 2012 10:06 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsAmphibious vehicles could soon be zooming out of James Bond's garage — or pond — and into American homes. The Quadski — a one-person all-terrain vehicle that doubles as a personal watercraft — is being billed by its makers as the first high-speed, commercially available amphibious vehicle.
Reports: Smaller iPad To Soon Be Revealed
October 15, 2012 10:02 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsApple Inc. is set to reveal a smaller, cheaper version of the iPad at an event on Oct. 23, according to several reports published Friday. The reports from Bloomberg News, Reuters and the AllThingsD blog are based on unnamed sources "familiar with the plans."
C-Max Hybrid: A Ford Challenges Prius
October 10, 2012 2:28 pm | by Ann M. Job, For The Associated Press | News | CommentsFord's newest gasoline-electric vehicle, the C-Max Hybrid, is so roomy, stylish and smart, it's likely to attract buyers before they see the noteworthy 47 miles-per-gallon fuel rating on the window sticker. New for 2013, the five-passenger, five-door C-Max Hybrid hatchback has a federal government fuel economy rating of 47/47 mpg city/highway.
Will The Right Brain Rule The Future?
October 9, 2012 4:08 pm | by Mike Collins, Author, Saving American Manufacturing | Blogs | CommentsFor many decades we have been in an information age dominated by engineers, computer scientists, programmers, and other left brain thinkers. In Daniel Pink’s book A Whole New Mind, he makes the case that we are in transition from an information age to a conceptual age, and from L-directed thinking to R-directed thinking.
Let There Be Light
October 9, 2012 3:48 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsLighting: one of the basic components of the modern industrial landscape, and a component so basic that manufacturers often ignore it. But with the emergence of LEDs, solar, and new technologies – such as remote phosphor technology – this landscape is changing, says Terry Bair, vice president, industrial vertical, Acuity brands: “The emergence of LEDs has greatly impacted the industrial landscape.”
Workforce Trends 2012: Creating Qualified Jobseekers
October 9, 2012 8:52 am | by Fluke | Articles | CommentsThe outlook for technical jobs has turned positive. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013, growth in HVAC and electrical jobs will grow at two to three times the average growth forecasted and industrial plant technician jobs will grow at the average rate of 11 percent.
IMTS 2012 Brings Tools & Technology to Chicago
October 8, 2012 3:47 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsRanked among the largest trade shows in the world, total registration for the six-day 2012 event was 100,200. “The energy level was at an all-time high,” says Peter Eelman, IMTS Vice President – Exhibitions and Communications. “The most exciting take-away from IMTS 2012 is what it says about the prospects for manufacturing over the next year."
