Industrial Robotics, Drones, Automation, Geospatial & AI
December 3, 2024: Issue 123
Hold on to your welding torches—industrial robotics is getting a turbocharged makeover! Siemens' Tech Trends 2030: The Next Era of Industrial Robotics report dives into a world where over four million robots are not just assembling widgets but teaming up with humans, adapting on the fly, and even running virtual rehearsals. From cobots to AI-powered factory wizards, the future of manufacturing looks part sci-fi, part game-changer, and 100% fascinating.
What’s Inside:
🤖 The Next Era of Industrial Robotics
🧹 Utilities Want to Use AI. Messy Data is Holding Them Back
⛏️ Robots & AI: Mining's Safety, Efficiency, and Longevity Boosters
💸 Drone Cleaning for Utilities Takes Off: Revenue Soars
🦾 World's Largest Wind Farm? Robots Are on the Job!
🔥 Energy Robotics Wins Hottest Seed Startup of the Year
What if there were a robot that doesn’t just weld metal but also hands you your tools while humming along to Eye of the Tiger? Okay, we’re not quite there, but Siemens’ latest report, Tech Trends 2030: The Next Era of Industrial Robotics, reveals we’re getting closer.
From cobots (your new workplace BFFs) to AI that makes traditional robots look like yesterday’s fax machine, this week’s article breaks down how industrial robotics are transforming manufacturing, logistics, and maybe even your snack breaks.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
Robots that actually collaborate with humans
AI-powered innovations that make production lines as adaptable as your Netflix recommendations
How the industrial metaverse is turning sci-fi into shop floor reality
But that’s just scratching the surface. The article dives deep into what the future holds for industrial robotics and how businesses can prepare for smarter, faster, more connected manufacturing.
✏️📅 Save the date for the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, June 10-12, 2025! It's the place where North American robotics leaders will gather in 2025 to discuss the current deployments, and see what's next for industrial robotics. Get involved today!
WHAT'S UP
Power Struggle 2.0: Utilities want to use AI. Messy data is holding them back. Utility data is often collected in silos to support individual functions, preventing organizations from creating a holistic picture of grid performance and developing granular insights into meter data that can help predict future demand. Utilities that leverage advanced analytics in their asset management strategies could unlock 10% to 20% in operational savings while improving the reliability and performance of their networks.
Mine the Future: Gecko Robotics CEO and co-founder Jake Loosararian spoke to Mining Technology about the benefits of deploying robots and AI for predictive maintenance at mine sites, following a deal with Freeport.
WHAT'S NEXT
PLP, a leader in innovative infrastructure solutions for electric power systems, has introduced the RAPTOR CLAMP Drone Kit, marking a major step forward in the use of drones for overhead power line maintenance.
Duke Robotics Corp. announced initial revenue generation from its agreement with the Israel Electric Corp. Per the agreement, the company provides high-voltage insular washing services with its IC Drone.
High Performance Robotics(HPR) has been driving down the cost of subsea inspection, intervention and repair with its growing fleet of micro remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The company is now making its mark in offshore wind by supporting the delivery of Dogger Bank, which will power six million homes.
Drone Nerdsannounced the addition of the Deepthink S8 low-light camera to its lineup of innovative drone technologies. Built for critical nighttime operations, the Deepthink S8 pushes the limits of aerial imaging, offering superior performance in ultra-low-light environments across various industries.
WHAT'S THE DEAL
Energy Robotics won Hottest Seed Startup of the Year at The Europas—Europe's premier awards celebrating groundbreaking tech startups.
WHAT ELSE
Robo-Umps Step Up to Bat When MLB Takes AI to Spring Training
(Image Credit: Fox Sports
Major League Baseball will test robot umpires as part of a challenge system during spring training at 13 ballparks hosting 19 teams, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026.
MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019 but is still working on the shape of the strike zone.
An agreement for big league use would have to be reached with the Major League Baseball Umpires Association, whose collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1.
"I would be interested in having it in ‘26," baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday after an owners' meeting. "We do have a collective bargaining obligation there. That's obviously a term and condition of employment. We're going to have to work through that issue, as well."
Manfred said the spring training experiment will have to be evaluated before MLB determines how to move forward.
"There's two sides to that test," he said. "It's what the clubs think about it and also what do the players think about it? And we're going to have to sort through both of those." Learn more! --> (h/t Fox Sports)
