Technology Developments
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Evolving Robot Safety Standards
November 8, 2012 4:18 pm | by Eric Esson, National Sales & Marketing Manager, Frommelt Safety Products | Articles | CommentsSeveral aspects of industrial safety standards are changing and require constant monitoring and a bit of common sense to keep current. Technological advances and alternative guarding methods are being devised every day, and companies should be doing everything within their power to eliminate the opportunity. A great place to start is by conducting thorough Risk Assessments and referencing current standards and regulations.
Manufacturing Digital Revolution: Exit Clipboard, Enter iPad
November 8, 2012 3:50 pm | by Matthew Littlefield. President, LNS Research | Articles | CommentsSince users are driving demand and manufacturing software vendors continue to invest in stronger solutions, the market is expanding in terms of cross-functionality, user-friendliness, SaaS offerings, and interoperability. This time will be looked upon in history as a rapid expansion of business processing power.
Business On The Move, And Across The Globe
November 7, 2012 5:19 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsFor many of us, mobility is not some massive undertaking, full of risk and implementation time, rather an opportunity to fire off a few time-sensitive emails from the airport or view the inventory levels in our warehouse when a customer asks us about delivery timelines. It's about visibility, efficiency, and actionable business transactions — and it's time we shine our light on the benefits rather than just the expenses.
Experts Raise Concerns Over Superhuman Workplace
November 7, 2012 2:20 pm | by Raphael Satter, Associated Press | News | CommentsPerformance-boosting drugs, powered prostheses and wearable computers are coming to an office near you — but experts warned in a new report Wednesday that too little thought has been given to the implications of a superhuman workplace. Academics from Britain's leading institutions say attention needs to be focused on the consequences of technology which may one day allow — or compel — humans to work better, longer and harder.
Jobs Dwindle During Green Power Debate
November 5, 2012 10:21 am | by Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press | News | CommentsRomney and Obama prominently collided during the campaign over the fate of the tax credit. Romney has called for its expiration, while Obama supports its renewal. Amid the gridlock, Vestas has closed offices and laid off hundreds of U.S. workers. Wind businesses from South Carolina to Washington state also have cut jobs.
China Launches WTO Case Against EU Solar Subsidies
November 5, 2012 10:17 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsChina has filed a World Trade Organization case challenging subsidies provided by some European Union members to help promote the solar panel industry, adding to a flurry of trade disputes that Beijing is locked in with Europe and the United States.
Photos Show Second China Stealth Fighter Prototype
November 2, 2012 2:28 pm | by Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press | News | CommentsChina has test flown a second model of a prototype stealth fighter, aviation experts said Thursday, in a sign of its aircraft industry's growing sophistication. Photos posted to the Internet Thursday showed the radar-avoiding aircraft airborne near the northeastern city of Shenyang with its landing gear still down.
New Elantra: Fuel-Sipping In Luxury
October 31, 2012 2:09 pm | by Ann M. Job, For The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe new-for-2013 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback is a stylish, fuel-sipping, nimble car with surprisingly quiet interior and luxury touches that include a huge panoramic sunroof and a sliding center armrest. Despite the name, though, this new Hyundai is not that much of a GT, or Grand Tourer, in performance.
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.
