Robotics and Automation
Intel | September 22, 2023
Red Hat and Intel collaborate to develop an industrial edge platform for enhanced industrial controls.
The platform aims to automate manual industrial automation tasks, reduce cybersecurity risks, and improve factory agility.
The partnership addresses the growing demand for smart manufacturing solutions.
Red Hat, in partnership with Intel, is introducing a new industrial edge platform aimed at modernizing industrial controls and enabling automation for manufacturing operations. The platform will be deployed in manufacturing plants and industrial facilities, providing real-time control and artificial intelligence/machine learning capabilities to enhance efficiency and security.
The industrial edge platform combines real-time shop floor control, AI/ML, and IT manageability. It facilitates the integration of IoT devices and sensors for improved automation and data insights. The platform aims to break down barriers between IT and OT, enabling collaboration and innovation in manufacturing. It addresses security concerns through advanced cybersecurity features and automated patching and updates.
According to a report by McKinsey, Smart manufacturing has the potential to create around $3.7 trillion by 2025, driving innovation, growth, and competitiveness across various sectors.
Manufacturers are seeking ways to modernize their operations and leverage IoT technologies to improve efficiency and innovation. The platform addresses the need for seamless integration of IT and OT technologies while enhancing security and scalability. Industry leaders like ABB, Schneider Electric, and Codesys are already working on implementing this new industrial edge platform.
Francis Chow, VP and GM of In-Vehicle Operating System and Edge at Red Hat, remarked,
“From transforming traditional IT infrastructures to helping software-defined vehicles deliver scalable digital solutions across industrial edge, Red Hat has a proven history in driving modernization across industries and but innovation.”
[Source: Help Net Security]
The collaborative effort between Red Hat and Intel introduces an innovative solution that will revolutionize manufacturing operations. By leveraging modern IT technologies and providing real-time data insights, the platform promises to enhance industrial control systems (ICS) for vendors, system integrators, and manufacturers. This includes automating system development and deployment, reducing cybersecurity risks, improving predictive maintenance, and co-locating various workloads while minimizing turnaround time.
VP in the network and edge group and GM of federal and industrial solutions at Intel Corporation, Christine Boles, stated,
“Bringing Red Hat’s expertise together in cloud-to-edge application platform delivery and Intel’s strength in edge to cloud compute platforms will deliver the software-defined capabilities and transformation to meet the flexible, resilient and reliable requirements of today’s manufacturing.”
[Source: Help Net Security]
This collaboration between Red Hat and Intel brings together their respective expertise in software and hardware to create an integrated solution that simplifies and improves industrial automation. The platform incorporates Intel's Edge Controls for Industrial and will be integrated with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Device Edge, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, and Red Hat OpenShift.
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Robotics and Automation
Business Wire | October 04, 2023
Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced it completed its acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous robotics, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial applications.
The acquisition includes Clearpath Robotics’ namesake research division, a leader in developing autonomous technology for the innovation market, and the industrial division OTTO Motors, which provides AMRs, the next frontier in industrial automation and transformation. Both divisions report to Rockwell’s Intelligent Devices operating segment.
“We are delighted to welcome the Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors teams to Rockwell,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation. “This acquisition marks a turning point for our customers around the world. Rockwell is simplifying and transforming the difficult yet critical function of material handling throughout the manufacturing plant with an end-to-end production logistics solution. Production logistics is key to optimizing operations across an entire facility and bringing the Connected Enterprise to life.”
OTTO Motors will be featured at Rockwell’s Automation Fair, the world’s premier industrial automation and digital transformation event, Nov. 6-9 in Boston, where customers will see first-hand the significant impact that AMRs will have on productivity and safety across operations.
According to Interact Analysis, the market for AMRs in manufacturing is expected to grow about 30% per year over the next five years, with an estimated market size of $6.2 billion by 2027. This acquisition is expected to contribute a percentage point to Rockwell’s fiscal year 2024 revenue growth.
“Not only do AMRs connect islands of automation; they are often one of the final major elements that help manufacturers achieve autonomous production logistics, enabling significant value creation for the manufacturer and their customers,” said Amar Mehta, EY Americas Strategy and Transactions Advanced Manufacturing Leader. “Rockwell is a leader in the key hardware, software, and services that are needed to integrate AMRs into a manufacturing plant. With this acquisition, Rockwell enhances its ability to take manufacturers on a full end-to-end digital transformation for their production environments."
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc., is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 28,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises.
OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation
OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation is a global leader in autonomous technology for material handling inside manufacturing and warehouse facilities. With over five million hours of production experience, OTTO autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are trusted in mission-critical operations for some of the world’s most recognized brands. OTTO Motors was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Robotics Companies of 2023.
Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation
Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation is a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, and provides hardware, software, and services to enable mobile robotics product deployment and operation. Clearpath works with over 500 of the world’s most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span mining, military, agriculture, aerospace, and academia. Clearpath was recognized as a Robotics Business Review’s RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2023 Winner.
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Manufacturing Technology
Hyve Solutions | September 25, 2023
The SMT lines focus on manufacturing secure root of trust cards, security modules, Trusted Platform devices, and main system boards
The expansion supports US strategic priority of domestic manufacturing for secure components
It enables Hyve Solutions to respond quickly to market and customer demands
Hyve Solutions Corporation, a leading supplier of hyperscale digital infrastructures and a wholly owned subsidiary of TD SYNNEX Corporation, has just announced the opening of new Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines that increase its production capabilities in the United States. These lines are part of Hyve Solutions Corporation's effort to expand its manufacturing capacity in the United States. This expansion strengthens Hyve's continuous commitment to providing clients with a secure supply chain by maximizing efficiency at the local level and reducing lead times.
The new SMT lines are equipped with advanced automated technologies and inspection processes to produce custom-built, high-quality motherboards in the US while reducing lead times for complex system boards. This investment in automation increases PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) capacity and reduces manufacturing cycle times.
President at Hyve Solutions, Steve Ichinaga, remarked,
“Expanding our in-country manufacturing capabilities underscores our commitment to better serve our customers. This investment leads to elevated production capacity and streamlined operations with a focus on secure supply chain, boosting our ability to respond quickly to changing market and customer demands.”
[Source: Business Wire]
The expansion of US manufacturing capabilities is significant for ensuring a secure supply chain, particularly for federal defense and intelligence agencies and companies that require high levels of supply chain security. Ensuring a secure supply chain for critical components is essential for public cloud providers and government agencies. Hyve Solutions' investment in US-based manufacturing with advanced automation technologies reinforces its commitment to secure supply chain practices.
Sarah Lin, VP of Supply Chain at Hyve Solutions, stated that the opening of the SMT operation boosts their Secure Supply Chain strategy. This investment in US-based automated lines tighten the supply chain, cut lead times, and provide best-in-class secure supply chain benefits to their customers.
The United States and its allies have made the production of secure root of trust (RoT) cards, security modules, and other Trusted Platform devices, including main system boards, a strategic priority. Assuring the security of the supply chain is essential for the public cloud and its users, especially Federal Defense and Intelligence agencies and businesses requiring a high and boosted level of supply chain security.
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