Automation, Controls and Technology News

In order to aid engineers in operating remotely, Eaton Vehicle Group is using Industry 4.0 technology. Eaton Vehicle Group recently announced that they will be using AR, robotics, and 3D holo systems as part of a flurry of changes that the company says will enable operations to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for their varied power solutions, Eaton is known today as a world leader in automotive and electrical industries.  Making a huge impact in global markets, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the number of employees working remotely. In many work areas, the combination of a reliable internet...

Omron's new HD-1500 autonomous mobile bot   Omron has launched a new addition to their robotics portfolio. Expanding the company's options for autonomous transport, the HD-1500 is capable of transporting objects weighing up to 1500kg. The new robot is designed to fill manufacturers' need for the automation of materials handling processes. The social distancing behaviors necessitated by the COVID-19 epidemic further highlights the need to automate processes that would previously have been accomplished manually, an issue that the HD-1500 is poised to address.     Mobile robots like Omron's new offering can aid manufacturers in maintaining speed and flexibility in...

"The Hyve," Simens' new autonomous modular robotics platform, is set to transform manufacturing as we know it. With the Hyve system expected to deploy to multiple cosmetics facilities by the end of 2020, Siemens describes the innovation as standing "head-and-shoulders above the competition" by helping to speed up chemical balance testing in shampoo. While the UK lags behind other European countries in industrial robotics adoption, Applied Scientific Technologies, a manufacturer based in Middlesborough, sees a huge potential for collaborative robotics in the cosmetics industry. "The speed of design, development and deployment into this market could not have been possible without...

Explore the history of communication systems. Digital communication is of the utmost importance to industrial facilities - all safety and production systems rely on access to reliable, real life data. Read on for an overview of how digital protocols have evolved over the last few decades!   In the early days, control systems used simple switches to activate motors, relays and other devices. As processing and production systems became increasingly complex, the need for advanced communication became clear.    What is a digital communication system?   Wires and connectors between devices are the primary components of a communication system -...

Home Automation Alfawise Magnetic (mikhail62 / Shutterstock.com) A growing consumer market, products in this sector are often described as "smart home" technology. Devices like Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo, and Google Home (among others) are used to connect to a variety of other "smart home" systems, automating doorbells, lighting, and other home necessities. As this sector grows, automated ironing systems, wardrobes, and other innovations are aiding consumers in automating household chores.  In addition to stationary home automation technology, home robotics are another burgeoning sector. While robotic vacuum cleaners have been on the market for over 15 years, other types of cleaning...