Artificial intelligence, cloud manufacturing, cyber-physical systems, and smart sensors among technologies that will drive factories of the future

https://sanamuniquetechnology.blogspot.com/2018/03/artificial-intelligence-cloud.html

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 1, 2018 /CNW

Frost & Sullivan's analysis, Industrial IoT Driving Manufacturing Innovations, reveals the most impactful technologies that are transforming factories into a smarter environment through the whole platform of connectivity. With cyber-physical system advancements transforming the manufacturing sector, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will create a high impact in the near future. The whole concept is advancing in terms of functionalities and user-friendly software solutions, enabling multiple applications to serve the rapidly changing demands of end users in diverse industries.

"The ability of IIoT to provide real-time data and perform monitoring and tracking functionalities will lead to smart factories of the future that are fully connected, eco-friendly, and driven by improved productivity and efficiency. IIoT establishes a strong connectivity between the operational and digital platforms," explained Ranjana Lakshmi, TechVision Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Highlights of this analysis include:

• Key technologies and influencing trends include: hybrid sensors, predictive analytics, wearables, digital twin, mass customization, 3D printing, edge computing, collaborative robots, asset monitoring, smart grids, and natural processing language;
• Both batch production and mass customization of products are achievable by adopting the concept of IoT, advanced technologies and solutions;
• High investment is evident for companies focusing in developing data monitoring systems, security and smart equipment's;
• Implementation challenges includes: device footprint, need for increased security, and lack of awareness;
• Standardization of communication networks has been gaining importance. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are key technology platforms in IIoT and enabling technologies include: sensor fusion and analytics;
• Some of the companies disrupting the market include 3D Signals, Denodo Technologies, Pivotal, Stanley Black & Decker.

"Self-powered sensors, collaborative infrastructures and other advanced IoT technologies are all going to play a significant role in driving the concept of connected, smart factories of the future," said Lakshmi. "Manufacturers must have an awareness of these new technologies and seek ways to incorporate them into their systems to increase the company's productivity, competitiveness, and future likelihood of success."

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Saving lives with SENEKA, a sensor network with mobile robots for disaster management

https://sanamuniquetechnology.blogspot.com/2018/03/saving-lives-with-seneka-sensor-network.html

Photo: Mobile robot system Quanjo - Task: Deployment of sensor probes. © Photo Fraunhofer

Five Fraunhofer institutes from different disciplines have teamed up for the Beyond Tomorrow project SENEKA – a sensor network with mobile robots for disaster management. The aim is to create a reliable and flexible system for saving human lives in an emergency, using sensors, communication technology elements and robots.As a conclusion to the project, the research teams met on a training site at the German Federal Office of Civil Protection in Ahrweiler (AKNZ) at the end of 2014 to demonstrate how SENEKA could be deployed in emergency situations.

Entire districts may be devastated after a catastrophe, rendering existing maps practically useless for rescue operations. In many places, rescue workers have to find completely new routes. SENEKA offers a solution by taking autonomous ground and aerial robots and combining them with various wireless networked sensors to securely transmit current data to the rescue team.

The system is capable of combining information from various sources and creates an up-to-date map of the region: the software combines aerial images with 3D views of the destroyed areas on the ground, and recreates them in visual form in the mobile control station. Thanks to the resulting real-time overview, the rescue workers can quickly identify sources of damage and dangerous areas, assess the degree of destruction and target the search for survivors more effectively.

Best Price sensor probes

As part of SENEKA, the researchers also developed autonomous sensor probes that provide additional detail about the situation. In this way, Best Price sensor probes are dropped from aerial robots; from there, they find their own way into hard-to-reach spots in the rubble. They have chemical sensors for detecting gas and also feature an SOS button. Because the sensors can be located using the SENEKA radio network, victims trapped by debris who have drawn attention to themselves with the SOS button can be found by rescuers more quickly.

The SENEKA team is certain that getting humans and robots to work together will save more lives in the future.

Source: Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation