Mergers, acquisitions and partnerships Dematic acquired by KION Group $2.1 billion deal creates a unique combination of traditional and automated materials handling solutions. Honeywell to acquire Intelligrated for $1.5 billion Deal marks the second acquisition of a leading systems integration firm in the past two weeks. JDA announces $570 million equity investment from Blackstone and New Mountain Capital Investment to support research and development, including SaaS-based supply chain and omni-channel retail solutions. FORTE and Power Automation Systems rebranded under Swisslog WDS Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions acquired Forte in April 2015 and PAS in April 2016. KION brand Egemin Automation…
The global industrial robotics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2013 to 2020, reaching a market size of $41.17 billion in 2020, according to new research published by Allied Market Research. The market was valued at $26.78 billion in 2012. According to the report, rapid growth in automation demands, coupled with reduction of duties on refurbished goods in Asia Pacific region has fueled the growth of this market. Industrial robotics are expected to be used in alternative application areas in growing markets. Key markets include electronics, which is still growing at an increasing rate and…
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced its annual A3 Business Forum, a leading networking event for robotics, vision, imaging, motion control and motors professionals. Scheduled for January 18-20, 2017 at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the event will host more than 525 global automation executives. Keynotes for the conference feature experts such as ITR Economics analyst Alan Beaulieu sharing the global 2017 economic outlook, and sales intelligence thought leader Sam Richter. A3 also hosts technical breakout sessions at the event, featuring industry experts from Amazon, Microsoft, and other leading vendors and analysts.…
A new IDC Manufacturing Insights report suggests manufacturers who do not embrace digitization will struggle to succeed in coming years. “IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Manufacturing 2017 Predictions” provides manufacturers with the top 10 predictions and underlying drivers expected to impact manufacturers’ IT investments in 2017 and beyond. Key themes woven into the predictions for 2017 include the need for digital transformation, new ways of innovating, more integrated IT and operations, business security, and rethinking the future of work. Kimberly Knickle, research vice president for IDC, said in a recent interview that manufacturers’ preparedness varies. “We definitely see a set of manufacturer…
Business Insider’s scoop on Amazon creating an Uber for Trucking app isn’t a surprise. LogTech venture capital investments have been growing rapidly these past years, as recently reported by CB Insights. What’s more, Alibaba founder Jack Ma announced earlier this year that the Chinese giant would invest nearly $16 billion dollars in logistics over the 5 to 8 years, while a Chinese logistics provider in which it invested $256 million dollars is contemplating an IPO. To top it off, Uber’s own Uber for Trucking app was soft launched just weeks ago. The takeaway is clear - companies that have focused…
Amazon is pushing forward with its plans for a drone delivery fleet. Today it announced that it’s begun deliveries to two customers in the UK, and will be expanding that to dozens, possibly hundreds, in the coming months. The service is restricted to small items for now, focusing on delivering packages up to five pounds in 30 minutes or less. On December 7th, 2016, Prime Air delivered its first order - an Amazon Fire TV and bag of popcorn - using a highly automated drone. According to a press release, it took 13 minutes from customer click to package delivery…
Last week, Apple wrote a letter to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration telling it that “new entrants” to the auto industry should get the same rights as the established companies in the industry, reports VentureBeat. In the letter, Apple admits to its interest in “machine learning and automation” as it pertains to transportation. Apple uses machine learning to make its products and services smarter, more intuitive, and more personal. The company is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation. Apple points…
Effective January 4, 2017 FORTE and PAS will come together to join Swisslog under a single brand name and corporate structure. Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions Americas will continue to be headquartered in Newport News, Va., and will now have a Midwest office at the former FORTE headquarters in Mason, Ohio, and a West Coast office at the former PAS headquarters in Salida, Calif. Swisslog acquired FORTE Industries in April, 2015 and has operated the company as a separate business unit focused on consulting, systems integration and warehouse execution software for companies primarily in the e-commerce and multi-channel retail segments.…
BMW has been working hard to reduce emissions in all steps of the manufacturing process of a car, not only in the final product. For example, for the BMW i models, the Leipzig plant uses renewable energy almost entirely throughout the production process. However, today the Germans announced that yet another step in this direction has been made, launching the first fleet of autonomous transport robots in everyday operation. Autonomous driving seems to be the next big thing in the auto industry but while it will certainly be helpful on the road, it can also help out in the manufacturing…
Auto manufacturers are big proponents of 3D printing, but so far they have mostly used the technology for prototyping or reducing costs in tool and dye making. That could be set to change if a new partnership between Divergent 3D and automaker PSA Group achieves its goals. In September, PSA Group (which manufacturers the DS, Peugeot and Citroën brands) signed a strategic partnership letter of intent to work with Divergent 3D on metal printing projects. According to the company, PSA Group intends to improve manufacturing efficiency using 3D printing. “We are very impressed by the promising new opportunities in Divergent…
Peloton Technology, a connected and automated vehicle technology company dedicated to improving the safety and efficiency of freight transportation, has announced its participation in the Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Autonomous On-Road Vehicles (NEXTCAR) program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The project will apply next-generation truck platooning technology and concepts for smart, cloud-connected powertrains to achieve 20 percent fuel savings for tractor-trailers. Led by Purdue University, Peloton’s NEXTCAR project team also includes Cummins, Peterbilt Motors Company, ZF TRW, the University of Arizona and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Contributions from partners…
