UK engineering AI firm awarded over £10 million in funding
London-based Artificial Intelligence Engineering (AIE) software platform, Monolith AI has been awarded £8.5 million in a Series A funding round. The software uses the latest techniques in machine learning to help significantly improve the product development process. Including this latest funding round, the overall investment raised by the company is £10.6 million. The investment will […]
New car production in the UK drops by 37.6 per cent to reach 65 year low
A total of 53,438 new cars were built in July, with 8238 produced for the UK market and 45,205 shipped overseas, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). These figures represent a decline of 38.7 per cent for the UK market and a decline of 37.4 per cent for […]
Delivering digital transformation to boost to the Manufacturing Technology Centre
PTC, one of the world leaders in digital transformation, has signed an exciting new partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre that will help industry embrace the latest technologies. As part of the agreement, PTC will commit to providing the latest Augmented Reality, Industrial Internet of Things platforms, Product Lifecycle Management and CAD solutions to projects […]
UK manufacturers see worst stock shortages on record
UK manufacturers saw the worst stock shortages on record in August, while manufacturing output growth eased, according to a survey released by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI’s index for stock adequacy declined to -14 from -11 in July, coming at its weakest level since records began in 1977 and marking the third […]
Funding announced to help automotive industry toward net zero emissions
The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has announced that almost £92 million combined government and industry funding has been committed to four innovative projects, aiming to tackle range anxiety and find solutions to decarbonise commercial and heavy-duty transport. Together the four projects are estimated to prevent nearly 32 million tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to […]
Nearly all small British manufacturers have experienced difficulties with rising supply chain prices
96 per cent of small British manufacturers have said they are experiencing difficulties as a result of rising supply chain prices with more than half saying the issue is major, according to a survey conducted by Business support groups South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) and Manufacturing Growth Programme. Growth opportunities are also being affected […]
Flaw leaves 83 million IoT smart devices at risk of exposure
Security researchers have discovered a critical flaw that affects tens of millions of internet-of-things (IoT) devices, one that exposes live video and audio streams to eavesdropping threat actors and which could enable attackers to take over control of devices, including security webcams and connected baby monitors. The bug is in ThroughTek’s Kalay network, used in […]
SMEs are finding solutions to current UK material shortages
Construction SMEs are finding solutions to address material shortages, despite the widespread effect they have had on the industry over the past year, a survey has found. More than seven in 10 respondents to the survey, conducted by Travis Perkins PLC, said they were using one or more suppliers to cope with the widespread material […]
Wireless solutions for the smart factory
With the importance of wireless connectivity growing in the manufacturing industry, efficiency and productivity are reaching new heights. Elliot Robinson explores the impact this technology is having on the industry and the solutions that wired communication can offer manufacturers. Manufacturing is becoming a more intelligent, dynamic, and flexible industry thanks to wireless technologies that are […]
The Need for Speed
With the speed of development for the COVID-19 vaccine hailed from all quarters, Michael Nelson looks at the technologies that have been behind this success, and what it means for the future of the industry. The pharmaceutical industry has often found itself on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, with a 2019 poll […]
AI and robotics in the smart factories of the future
The smart factory is becoming a reality, as manufacturers take advantage of the latest in machine learning, big data, and robotics to achieve new levels of efficiency and competitiveness. Michael Nelson explores the ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are playing a key role in this transition. The manufacturing landscape is currently undergoing […]
266 million pound investment helps manufacturing industry
Over 1,340 jobs will be created and protected across the Humber region thanks to 266 million pounds of UK government and private sector investment. It will focus on developing the next-generation wind turbines, as the UK works to ensure more manufacturers help to grow and nurture a strong, world-class offshore wind manufacturing base in the […]
5G smart factories could provide billion pound boost to UK manufacturing industry
A report from Vodafone suggests that 5G smart factories could provide a 6.3 billion pound boost to UK-based manufacturing by 2030. It states that investment in 5G-powered manufacturing could have the biggest impact in the North West, North East, Midlands, and Wales. Three key areas where 5G can support economic growth in the manufacturing sector […]
University partners on digital manufacturing research centre thanks to government funding
The University of Strathclyde is to partner in two of five new digital manufacturing research centres receiving nearly 25 million pounds of UK government funding. The centres are being established to help supply chains become more productive and to drive the development of the latest digital manufacturing technologies. The funding has been awarded through the […]
Dealing with data at the edge
Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Bernhard Eschermann, CTO process automation, at ABB Automation to gain his insight into the role that edge computing will play in manufacturing’s future. Can you tell us the role that edge computing is currently playing in the manufacturing sector? The interesting thing is that with the advent of cloud computing, […]
Importance of APM integration success
Elliot Robinson assesses the ways that asset performance management can transform businesses through its integration, availability, and safety. With an estimated size of $14.4 billion, the global asset performance management (APM) market size is only expected to get bigger with a forecast compound annual growth rate of nine per cent, which is predicted to take […]
The Digital Backbone of Manufacturing
Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Paul Haimes, VP Europe technical sales at PTC about the evolving role that PLM has in the digital transformation How has the role of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) evolved to help organisations cope with the increasingly complex engineering challenges of developing new products? The main reason that PLM has had […]
Leveraging marginal gains to improve manufacturing performance
Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Dave Hughes, presales director UK at PTC, to discover how they are improving their customer’s performance by adopting a strategy that was made famous by the success of the British cycling team From elite sports to education and manufacturing to retail, people are discovering that one per cent certainly makes […]
3D printing transforms medical implants due to new biomaterial
MedTech company 4D Biomaterials, has developed a new biomaterial used for 3D printing medical implants which have picked up 1.6 million pounds in funding. The investment was led by DSW Ventures and backed by the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment […]
UK energy could save billions every year by using smart systems and flexibility
The UK government and Ofgem have announced plans for smart technologies that will help consumers cut their bills and boost energy efficiency, using this smart technology across the grid could create up to 24,000 UK jobs and boost exports. Plans could also reduce cost of managing the energy system by up to 10 billion pounds […]
2020 was the year of the frontline worker, where do we go from here?
Digital specialists, Intoware recently launched a whitepaper ‘The future of the frontline workforce is digital’. Intoware CEO Keith Tilley explains how to bring the frontline workforce into the digital workplace. During the pandemic, frontline industrial workers have been critical to maintaining our essential services, helping to keep the lights on at home and our supermarket […]
New cyber protection R&D centre and partner enablement office in Israel established
Acronis announced the opening of a new office in Herzliya, Israel with plans to invest around 80 million dollars into the country during the next five years. This new office will focus on conducting cybersecurity research and development, enabling the partners with local sales, marketing, technical, and educational support, as well as, recruiting and activating […]
Dampened Recovery Prospects For 2021
Adrian Lloyd, CEO and senior research director US, Interact Analysis reveals the latest manufacturing outlook from the company’s quarterly Manufacturing Industry Output Tracker (MIO). In the latest quarterly update of the Manufacturing Industry Output Tracker (MIO), Interact Analysis has adjusted its mid-term forecasts, focussing on four key factors which have recently come into play: vaccine […]
Alliance to accelerate digital transformation
AVEVA has formed a new alliance with Wood to accelerate digital transformation of industries such as power, energy, chemicals and mining with the launch of a new solution called Connected Build, a key part of their Digital Twin offering. Connected Build optimises project delivery while improving collaboration on new build projects and facilitating the digital […]
SME manufacturers are upskilling workers to create the teams of tomorrow through new programme
SME manufacturers, supported by Made Smarter in their drive to digitalise, are upskilling workers to create the teams of tomorrow. Brainboxes is among more than 1,200 businesses working with the Made Smarter Adoption programme in the North West to introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, and navigate the impact of […]
Sharpen decision making and open service ecosystem opportunities
Mari E. Haapala, digital lead at ABB Motion, explains how a pandemic-driven surge in the uptake of digital solutions will yield long-term benefits for industrial companies and redefine the service business ecosystem. With traditional service operations hampered by Covid related travel restrictions and social distancing demands, maintaining the reliability of critical equipment such as drives and motors […]
Combining products and solutions with innovation
Panasonic have announced the foundation of a new solutions-focused organization, Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH, to address the changing technology needs of European businesses. The organization will offer diverse B2B technology solutions, alongside an enhanced services capability, to help customers maintain their mission critical operations and organizations to transform their business operations. The new organization will […]
Report finds threat of cyber attacks growing at an alarming rate
A report from Nozomi Networks Labs found that cyber threats are growing at an alarming rate. Attacks are driven largely by the emergence of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) gangs that are cashing in on critical infrastructure organisations. Analysis of rising vulnerabilities found critical manufacturing was the most susceptible industry, while a deep dive into […]
Manufacturers increase cloud adoption of IT infrastructure
Nearly one in five IT directors in manufacturing say all their organisation’s IT infrastructure is based in the cloud today, while a further 38 per cent say their organisation have moved most of their IT infrastructure to the cloud. These are among the key findings of a recent survey commissioned by NiceLabel. The survey revealed […]
Software portfolio for digital transformation of automotive product design deployed
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced that DENSO corporation has selected their software portfolio for the technological foundation of their next generation model-based development (MBD). By using model-based simulations, they can resolve existing issues as well as investigate a broad range of design possibilities, early in the process and before physical models are built. This new […]
World’s biggest manufacturers lose almost a trillion dollars a year to machine failures
Large industrial facilities lose more than a day’s worth of production each month and hundreds of millions of dollars a year to machine failures, according to a report published by Senseye. The report shares findings from 72 major multinational industrial and manufacturing companies. It reveals that, on average, large plants lose 323 production hours a […]
British IT decision makers encourage shift to flash-based object storage
A survey revealed that most British IT decision makers believe the rapid emergence of transformational digital business initiatives such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation, and analytics is the driver behind increasing adoption of all-flash object storage. Scality announced the results of the survey, completed by IT decision makers across the UK, France […]
CTU threat intelligence boosts vulnerability response and detection
The integration of threat intelligence which will help to identify and eliminate the latest high risk vulnerabilities in enterprises has been announced by Secureworks. The threat intelligence feeds from their counter threat unit (CTU) into vulnerability detection and response (VDR). While threat actors use advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures to identify vulnerabilities, security teams are […]
One in five manufacturing workers will not commute again post pandemic
Almost one in five manufacturing workers do not intend to return to the office again post pandemic, largely due to ongoing concerns around infection control on public transport. As employees are embarking on their return to the workplace following the easing of restrictions, new research suggests that many commuters are reluctant to return to their […]
Cloud platform manages to both reduce costs and increase efficiency
Manufacturer’s power is enhanced through the use of the InfinityQS enact platform, recent analysis from Frost and Sullivan has shown. As a cloud based platform, it manages to address the requirements of users across an organisation, including shop floor operators, site quality management personnel, and corporate quality management personnel, leading to increased efficiency, reduced costs, […]
Virtual platform turns inventors’ ideas to reality in half the time and cost
A new industrial design and engineering virtual platform for inventors to turn ideas for products into functional prototypes has been launched. The first of its kind platform unites inventors with designers and engineers from around the world to create a product prototype at a fraction of the time of traditional, offline prototyping methods and at […]
Service businesses are being failed by ERP’s
Although they may deliver great financial data, mainstream enterprise resource planning (ERP) software have limitations which impacts an employee’s ability to deliver the service the customer expects. Most ERP’s were designed for manufacturers and focus on finance, not service. The service staff are left struggling with day to day operations knowing that decision makers will […]
Study reveals practical solution to global food security crisis
Nanotech and artificial intelligence (AI) could be vital in the process of ‘precision agriculture’, which lets farmers respond in real time to changes in crop growth, a new study reveals. Issues such as climate change, competing demands on land for production of biofuels and declining soil quality have made it increasingly difficult to feed the […]
Risk of data theft from ransomware attacks is growing
A new report highlights the growing risk of downtime and sensitive data theft from ransomware attacks aimed at industrial facilities. “Industrial Control Systems are incredibly challenging to secure, leaving plenty of gaps in protection that threat actors are exploiting with growing determination,” Ryan Flores, senior manager of threat research for Trend Micro, said. “Given the […]
Manufacturers look to boost operations with digital transformation initiatives
There has been a growth in the number of manufacturers looking to enhance their manufacturing operations by leveraging digital transformation, despite a challenging year for the industry, which has seen many put their strategic agendas on hold while they contend with unprecedented operational challenges, as well as market volatility and economic uncertainty. Over half of […]
Standardised micro data centres advances edge computing
A new micro data centre enables end users to move data centre operations to the edge, bringing computing power close to critical equipment to solve data latency and bandwidth issues. The EcoStruxure micro data centre architectures developed by Schneider Electric are standardised on Stratus Edge Computing platforms that are accelerating the move of traditional data centre […]
New programme helps SI’s develop edge computing competencies
Edge computing is a fundamental industry technology that delivers high value and fast payback, and represents a tremendous opportunity for system integrators (SI’s) to support end users, a programme has been developed to enable SI’s to develop edge computing competencies and deployment expertise. The programme, developed by Stratus Industries, offers training, certification, and accreditation, which […]
Innovations that can prevent image data leakage awarded patents
Data shows that at least 20 per cent of traffic moving among enterprise web and cloud applications today are images which are ripe for data exfiltration. Newly issued patents, announced from the US Patent and Trademark Office, are designed to protect data within image formats including JPG, PNG, and GIF. These inventions support organisations tackling […]
New study shows that process optimisation is key to success
Digital transformation has become more of a priority for manufacturers across Europe, organisations have recognised the importance of using technology to improve time to market, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and are now accelerating their efforts, research indicates. Among the top five pressures to improve operations were increased pace of innovation/changing business models (34 per cent), […]
Mobile attack threat continues to worry businesses
More than half of global businesses admitted that it is not possible to be prepared for all of the tactics and strategies used by attackers targeting mobile devices. For its report ‘Menlo Security Mobile Risk 2021 Report’, Menlo Security surveyed more than 600 information technology (IT) decision makers across the UK, US, and Australia, including […]
Accelerating data sharing and collaboration in scientific research
Efficient, rapid data management and analysis are critical to finding effective health care solutions aimed at improving patient outcomes. A new alliance between the American Heart Association’s Precision Medicine Platform and Hitachi Vantara, the digital infrastructure, data management, and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd, will make the Association’s Precision Medicine Platform even more accessible […]
AI powered speech technology with true emotional depth
UK-based startup, Sonantic, has launched the first AI powered speech technology with true emotional depth, conveying complex human emotions from fear and sadness to joy and surprise. The breakthrough advancement revolutionises audio engineering capabilities for gaming and film studios, culminating in hyper-realistic, emotionally expressive and controllable artificial voices. Building upon the existing framework of text-to-speech, Sonantic’s […]
Realising the digital transformation in the process industries
At the Achema Pulse live digital event, Siemens will be demonstrating how the combination of the real and the digital worlds empowers industrial companies to act in a versatile and sustainable manner. Companies in the process industry are facing urgent and rapidly changing challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic in particular has transformed demand patterns and global […]
Why is intelligent automation so important?
The nature of automation means that new technologies and ideas are frequently developed and invented. One of the latest concepts is “intelligent automation”. This is the combination of multiple process automation technologies together into a single platform or solution. Those process automation technologies include low-code, robotic process automation (RPA), built-in workflow, integration platforms and intelligent business […]
Streamline creation of 3D CAD-based work instructions
PTC have announced the release of the new Vuforia Instruct out-of-the-box offering from the Vuforia Enterprise Augmented Reality (AR) Suite. The Software as a Service (SaaS)-based offering, available on the PTC Atlas platform, empowers original equipment manufacturers to extend the value of the digital thread all the way to their front-line workers. With Vuforia Instruct, […]
The future of frontline workforce is digital
Despite making up the majority of the industrial workforce, frontline workers have been left behind when it comes to harnessing digitalisation benefits. A new free white paper ‘The future of the frontline workforce is digital‘ from Intoware and RealWear explains how digital work instructions combined with assisted reality headsets can unlock productivity success. You will […]
First industrial 5G router available
The Scalance MUM856-1 – the first industrial 5G router from Siemens – is available now. The device connects local industrial applications to public 5G, 4G (LTE), and 3G (UMTS) mobile wireless networks. The router can be used to remotely monitor and service plants, machines, control elements, and other industrial devices via a public 5G network […]
PixelPaint wins prestigious IERA Award
ABB’s PixelPaint robotic non-overspray technology for the automotive industry has won this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology. Launched in 2020, PixelPaint uses inkjet head technology to directly apply high resolution two-tone or individualized designs to a car body in a […]
The post-covid industry landscape
Market intelligence company Interact Analysis has published the latest quarterly update of its Manufacturing Industry Output Tracker (MIO). The report announces the inclusion of data from three key new regions – Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam; and predicts a slower-than-previously-expected global recovery from the pandemic. Good performances by the US, South Korea and China are offset […]
Increase in device encryption over the past year
Apricorn, the leading manufacturer of software-free, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB drives has announced findings of its annual survey exploring the implementation of encryption technology within organisations. The survey highlighted that a third of organisations have seen an increase in encryption across all mobile and removeable devices in the past year. Additionally, 31 per cent noted […]
Leading academics call on manufacturers to put storytelling at the heart of servitization
UK manufacturers can increase their chances of implementing new business models through servitization if storytelling is at the heart of their strategy. That’s according to Aston Business School, whose free SME Partnership programme has now worked with over 300 businesses on developing and communicating their service offer. The programme has been running since 2012, helping […]
Warehouse automation services market to double by 2025
In a new report on the warehouse automation service market, research company Interact Analysis has revealed that soaring growth in the warehouse automation equipment market is causing parallel growth in the market for service contracts – worth $4.3bn in 2020 and projected to grow to $8.7bn by 2025. Interact Analysis’s research predicts that the global […]
Advancing construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building
ABB Robotics is driving automation in the construction industry with new robotic automation solutions to address key challenges, including the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly housing and to reduce the environmental impact of construction, amidst a labour and skills shortage. Robotic automation offers huge potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and manufacturing flexibility throughout […]
Digital Twin factory agreement creates new dawn for architecture and infrastructure
Thousands of global smart city and infrastructure build back better projects can now be enabled by a Digital Twin Factory alliance between three companies. Digital Twins – highly detailed virtual 3D models driven by massed data – have already been hailed as key to an expansive new age of sustainable and efficient architecture, planning, and […]
Artistic collaboration blending humans and technology
Universal Robots has collaborated with The Koppel Project and Dr Merritt Moore to curate an interactive exhibition that took place between 29th April – 15th May 2021. The London exhibition was called “Loading…” and explored the dynamic intersections between humanity and technology; the spaces between dreaming and data, code and catharsis. The collaboration featured the […]