European researchers develop energy-efficient machine vision inspired by human eyesight and the brain
Drawing inspiration from human eyesight, a European research project led by VTT has developed machine vision mimicking the cooperation of the eye and nervous system, implemented as edge-computing circuits. Edge computing means processing data where it is generated and where the results of computing are needed. This enables, for instance, […]
Could a ‘grey swan’ event bring down the AI revolution?
Cameron Shackwell, Sessional Academic, School of Information Systems, Queensland University of Technology The term “black swan” refers to a shocking event on nobody’s radar until it actually happens. This has become a byword in risk analysis since a book called The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb was published in 2007. A frequently cited […]
Top tips for securing the investment your manufacturing business needs to grow
-Andrew Mamonitis, Vice President – APAC, Manufacturing Division, ECI Software Solutions It pays to optimise your processes and practices before expanding or bringing an external investor on board. Despite challenging conditions, manufacturing businesses are looking for ways to grow their share of the domestic market and pursue potentially lucrative […]
Research shows CPG leaders are investing in AI and talent to stay competitive
Rockwell Automation Report finds CPG Industry prioritising innovation over cost cutting Rockwell Automation has announced the results of the 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Edition. The findings highlight how manufacturers are placing greater importance on innovation, workforce development, and long-term growth strategies. The CPG […]
Hands free tool changes for smarter machining
Peter Pettersson, Sandvik Coromant Imagine a factory where the lights are off, not because no one is home, but because automated systems are working around the clock to keep production lines running with minimal human intervention. These futuristic setups are quickly becoming a reality, with touchless tool changes at the […]
Beneq launches Transform XP – Redefining atomic control in ALD
Second-generation platform delivers advanced control, in-cycle annealing, and high-throughput performance for Wide Bandgap power and RF device manufacturing Beneq introduces the Beneq Transform XP, a second-generation ALD platform developed to meet the performance demands of Wide Bandgap (WBG) power and RF device technology development and manufacturing. Building on the proven […]
Jobs and the future of work
How to build the skills needed for the age of AI AI is changing how we work and what skills workers need to thrive in a world of intelligent machines and cognitive computing. Only a sliver of education initiatives are devoted to AI and these are not yet integrated into […]
Agents for growth: Turning AI promise into impact
As CEOs and CMOs ask where AI is moving from hype to real results, frontrunners demonstrate that tighter human–AI collaboration and sharper governance is required. A global retailer sees demand for a top product surge in one region while inventory piles up in another. Within seconds, a team of AI agents […]
Using AI to enable scalable, autonomous operations
By Troy Mahr, director – Kalypso. Kalypso – acquired by Rockwell Automation in 2020 – is a diverse team of consultants, innovators, strategists, data scientists and technologists. What we consistently hear from industry leaders is the need for real-time visibility across their global operations, which is key to ensuring their operations […]
Piecing together the puzzle of future solar cell materials
Formamidinium lead iodide is considered one of the best-performing materials in the halide perovskite group, since it has promising properties for future solar cell technologies. New findings from Chalmers can now shed light on its structure; this is crucial if we are to engineer and control the material. Global electricity […]
Emerson’s next-generation of industrial PCs for AI-enabled automation
New PACSystems IPCs combine latest generation of industrial-rated processors with optimised cooling and pre-loaded software to simplify advanced computing and integration. Emerson has the PACSystems IPC 6010, IPC 7010, and IPC 8010 industrial computing platforms. This new line expands Emerson’s family of high-performance industrial personal computer (IPC) models for demanding […]
Supercharging battery manufacturing in Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened the $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) to support and grow battery manufacturing in Australia. BBI will provide clean energy manufacturing opportunities for Australia’s workforce and allow Australia to leverage its expertise in battery energy storage. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said batteries […]
From riverbeds to flood zones: new sonar tech puts Australia on the map
An Australian designed and built sonar sensor capable of operating in shallow water and coastal environments has been developed by Macquarie and University of Wollongong researchers. The Smart sonar and accessible hydrography project has progressed the local manufacturing of state-of-the-art transducers for high-sensitivity sonar systems, proving Australia need not rely so heavily on international suppliers. High-sensitivity sonar systems are vital for water managers, dam operators, mining sites, and environmental monitoring, enabling the mapping of riverbeds, tracking of sediment movement, and surveillance of underwater vegetation such as seagrass. The new transducer shows strong promise for surveying flooded and storm-damaged areas, and coastal environments. The project, supported by the NSW Smart Sensing Network’s Grand Challenge Fund, was led by Senior Lecturer in Macquarie University’s School of Computing, Dr Matthew Roberts. He contributed advanced signal processing and data analytics, enabling the sonar transducer to generate detailed maps and measurements of underwater environments in real time. “This project proves that Australia can develop underwater sonar technology from start to finish,” Dr Roberts said. “It’s not just about the hardware—it’s about the full capability, from ceramic design to field deployment, that allows us to build systems tailored to Australian needs.” At the heart of the system is a ceramic transducer—sometimes called a “ceramic puck”—which converts electrical energy into underwater sound waves. The piezoelectric ceramic material, developed by the University of Wollongong, is typically used in medical ultrasound and has now been adapted for underwater applications in Australia. Distinguished Professor Shujun Zhang from the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials at the University of Wollongong is the co-investigator on the project. “This high-sensitivity transducer was built on a foundation of advanced, domestically fabricated piezoelectric ceramics, crucial for operating in complex shallow waters,” Professor Zhang said. “The project also strengthens vital sovereign capability by training the next generation of Australian material researchers in cutting-edge transducer design.” […]