Technology Developments
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Judge Gives Major Break In GM Theft Case
May 2, 2013 2:13 pm | by Ed White, Associated Press | News | CommentsA former General Motors engineer convicted of stealing thousands of pages of hybrid technology was sentenced Wednesday to just a year and a day in prison, far below the punishment sought by the government in a case that involved her husband and an alleged scheme to take the trade secrets to China.
If Cars Could Talk, Accidents Might be Avoidable
May 2, 2013 1:36 pm | by Ted | Videos | CommentsWhen we drive, we get into a glass bubble, lock the doors and press the accelerator, relying on our eyes to guide us -- even though we can only see the few cars ahead of and behind us. But what if cars could share data with each other about their position and velocity, and use predictive models to calculate the safest routes for everyone on the road? Jennifer Healey imagines a world without accidents.
Care-O-Bot, The Future Of Home Help For Seniors
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Reuters | Videos | CommentsScientists at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart have unveiled a third generation robot prototype, designed to assist the elderly in their homes. The 'Care-o-bot 3' is equipped to detect, grasp and carry ordinary household objects on command, and bring a measure of independence to the aged and infirm.
The Death Of Innovation, The End Of Growth
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsThe U.S. economy has been expanding wildly for two centuries. Are we witnessing the end of growth? Economist Robert Gordon lays out 4 reasons U.S. growth may be slowing, detailing factors like epidemic debt and growing inequality, which could move the U.S. into a period of stasis we can't innovate our way out of. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Erik Brynjolfsson.
The Key To Growth? Race With The Machines
May 2, 2013 9:11 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsAs machines take on more jobs, many find themselves out of work or with raises indefinitely postponed. Is this the end of growth? No, says Erik Brynjolfsson -- it’s simply the growing pains of a radically reorganized economy. A riveting case for why big innovations are ahead of us … if we think of computers as our teammates. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Robert Gordon.
The Next Killer Manufacturing Technology App
May 1, 2013 11:57 am | by IMTSTV | Videos | CommentsToday, there is an extensive amount of data produced relative to the manufacturing process. However, this data is typically “trapped” in equipment used in the production of products or the operation of the facilities or it is recorded on paper where it cannot be easily analyzed. The purpose of MTConnect is to “unlock” this data and provide it in a format that can be used by software applications.
NE Lawmakers Debate Approaches To Wind Energy
April 30, 2013 1:42 pm | by Grant Schulte, Associated Press | News | CommentsLawmakers have advanced a bill intended to attract more wind-energy companies to Nebraska as long as residents receive some of the benefits. The measure would make it easier for renewable energy firms to qualify for sales-tax exemptions under an existing state program — the Rural Community-Based Energy Development Act — that was created to encourage wind-energy projects.
Ford To Enter Myanmar With Showroom By August
April 30, 2013 10:09 am | by Erika Kinetz, Associated Press | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. announced its entry into Myanmar on Tuesday, saying it plans to open the nation's first sales and service showroom for new vehicles by August. Myanmar's vehicle market has been stunted by decades of international sanctions and strict import controls put in place by the military junta that ruled for nearly 50 years, handing out import licenses to a few favored tycoons.
Scan Before You Replace
April 30, 2013 8:05 am | by Brian Lambert, The Garland Company, Inc. | Articles | CommentsThankfully, rather than simply doing a quick visual assessment of the roof and deciding it needs to be replaced, today’s roofing professionals can rely on several different non-destructive moisture tests to help make solid recommendations based on unbiased scientific information. The decision of when to repair, restore or replace a large commercial roof often involves a million dollars or more.
Wooden Solar Cells Shine Light On Cleaner Power
April 29, 2013 2:11 pm | by Reuters | Videos | CommentsResearchers at Georgia Tech University have developed an organic solar cell made of wood. The biodegradable, transparent films are designed to replace the layers of glass or plastic found in conventional solar cells, heralding the possible development of solar panels that are 100 percent recyclable. Reuters' Ben Gruber reports.
Boeing: New Battery System Ensures 787 Safety
April 29, 2013 10:15 am | by Yuriko Nagano, Associated Press | News | CommentsBoeing Co.'s chief engineer for the 787 Dreamliner said Saturday that changes to the lithium-ion battery system are fully sufficient to ensure the aircraft's safety, although the company has been unable to find the cause of the original battery failures earlier this year that led to groundings of the plane worldwide since mid-January.
GM Wants Tough Punishment In Hybrid Secrets Theft
April 26, 2013 5:02 pm | by Ed White, Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors Co. wants a long prison sentence next week for a former employee and her husband who were convicted of stealing hybrid vehicle technology for potential use by competitors in China. Trade secrets were found on at least seven computers owned by ex-GM engineer Shanshan Du and Yu Qin, according to prosecutors.
Technology And The Digital Revolution
April 26, 2013 5:02 pm | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsThe story of Silicon Valley Silicon Alley is a tale of two digital cities competing for national dominance. Google's Jared Cohen and New York City's Chief Digital Officer Rachel Hunt join the NOW panel to talk about the age of American innovation.
Robot Swarms Seen As Guardians Against Future Threats
April 25, 2013 9:09 am | by Reuters | Videos | CommentsResearchers at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta are programming robots to work together. The scientists believe that in the future, robotic swarms could play an important role in assessing threats at high profile events like the Boston Marathon where two deadly bombs went off last week. Reuters' Ben Gruber has more.
A Mini Robot, Powered By Your Phone
April 25, 2013 9:06 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsYour smartphone may feel like a friend—but a true friend would give you a smile once in a while. At TED2013, Keller Rinaudo demos Romo, the smartphone-powered mini robot who can motor along with you on a walk, slide you a cup of coffee across the table, and react to you with programmable expressions.
Need To Repair A NASA Spacecraft? 3D Print It
April 25, 2013 9:04 am | by CNET | Videos | CommentsEngineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center have begun experimenting with 3D printers for some spacecraft design. CNET's Sumi Das visits one of its newly open workshops, which is filled with state of the art equipment.
What's Next For Apple?
April 25, 2013 8:00 am | by CNN Money | Videos | CommentsIt's certainly one of the most talked about stocks, so what is it going to take to turn Apple's profits around? Apple's profits fell 18 percent to $9.5 billion in the second quarter. As profit margins decrease on iPads and iPhones, pressure increases on Apple to enter a new product category.
Rugged Computers Enable True Workforce Mobility
April 24, 2013 10:35 am | by Dale Kyle, CEO of Handheld US | Articles | CommentsWirelessness alone doesn't make for truly usable mobile devices — just ask the professionals who’ve dropped cell phones into water, vibrated tablets to death on their dashboards, or watched PDA screens shatter as they hit the ground. To continue to drive true workforce mobility, data devices need to be compact, connectable, quick and able to withstand whatever they encounter — whether that’s a river, a sandstorm or a warehouse floor.
U.S. To Seek Limits On Car Touchscreens
April 23, 2013 2:16 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsU.S. traffic safety regulators are expected to propose stronger measures to keep drivers from being distracted by in-car touchscreens. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator David Strickland have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon to address distracted driving.
4Sight Signs Strategic Technology Agreement With Panama Government
April 23, 2013 11:36 am | by 4Sight Technologies | News | CommentsThrough an agreement with The National Authority for Government Innovation, 4Sight will help the Government of Panama continue its mission to achieve technological excellence by improving interoperability of systems, optimizing processes, advancing quality control and continuous improvement, and facilitating Business Intelligence.
Practical Advice For Virtualizing Your Manufacturing Applications
April 23, 2013 8:05 am | by Frank Hill, Director of Manufacturing Business Development, Stratus Technologies | Articles | CommentsAs manufacturers continue to increase plant automation, virtualization is gaining traction as a way to control costs, increase efficiencies, and drive better long-term planning. Virtualization, the practice of using a software layer to let one physical computing server run multiple applications on virtual machines, enables manufacturers to maximize their return on hardware investments while conserving real estate on the plant floor.
How Wearable Technology Is Transforming Facilities
April 23, 2013 8:00 am | by Mark Wheeler, Director of Supply Chain Solutions - North America, Motorola Solutions | Articles | CommentsMobile devices are necessary tools to increase the efficiency and productivity of workers across many industries and markets, including the warehouse. But wearable, voice-directed and multimodal mobile technologies are helping to transform the warehouse environment at an even faster pace than standard mobile tools in other markets.
Clear Automation Received Sales Award From FANUC Robotics
April 22, 2013 4:37 pm | by Clear Automation | News | CommentsClear Automation, a leading engineering integrator of robotic and machine vision systems, today announced it has received FANUC Robotics' award for Outstanding Sales Growth for 2012.Clear Automation has been an Authorized System Integrator of FANUC robots for 5 years.
Investors Who Stood By Boeing Reap Reward
April 22, 2013 2:17 pm | by Joshua Freed, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsInvestors who stood by Boeing during its 787 crisis have been rewarded. Some investors bailed out, spooked by the latest snag with a plane considered to be a key to Boeing's future. Others were confident that Boeing Co. would quickly fix the battery problem and raved about its long-term prospects.
Silicon Valley Has Nothing On Manufacturing
April 22, 2013 8:05 am | by David Mantey, Executive Editor, Product Design & Development | Blogs | CommentsManufacturing floors don’t have Lego stations and pool tables – and yes, OSHA may take issue with throwing empty cans from the mini bar into the same bin as the scrap metal from the lathe, but that doesn’t mean that the industry has any fewer engineers flocking to it.
