Machine customers — how non-human stakeholders will change our everyday work
A few years from now, will a company’s most important customer actually be a machine rather than a person? Although that might sound like science fiction right now, it could soon become reality thanks to continuous technological advancements. Machine customers, also known as custobots (customer robots), are algorithms that independently manage solutions and perform services. […]
Human-robot collaborations pave the way for SME 4.0
It’s time to turn our attention to SMEs and the skilled labour sector! For several years now, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of human-robot collaboration (HRC) in German SMEs. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) predicts that in future it will not only be large companies such as those operating in […]
Smart factories with development boards
When the Raspberry Pi Foundation launched the first development board, the Raspberry Pi B, in 2012, the primary goal was to provide students with cost-effective hardware for their own projects. This idea was such a success that more than 40 million Raspberry Pi boards have been sold to date. The growing popularity of development boards, […]
Everything in one box: smart control cabinets for greater industrial efficiency
Rapidly improving new technologies and continual innovation in industrial automation are posing new challenges in control cabinet design. This begs the question: How can companies future-proof the design of their control cabinets to meet the requirements of modern technology? Tobias Thelemann, Product Manager for Mechanical Components and Electrical Installation at reichelt elektronik, defines the strategies […]
AI in network management
Automated security and compliance, dynamic resource allocation, intelligent capacity management and network performance optimisation are just some of the benefits of using artificial intelligence in network management. All of these factors enable companies to increase efficiency and quality of service while reducing costs, giving them a competitive advantage in the market. However, implementing AI in […]
Important aspects relating to network security when selecting Industry 4.0 solutions
Improving efficiency and identifying potential savings are just some of the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, when operating systems are connected to a network via the IoT, controls can be maintained by monitoring and collecting data from the system and analysing the saved data, which can significantly improve productivity. However, the […]
The Quantum Minimalists
How does a highly complex physical laboratory setup become a marketable product? The secret lies in reduction, says Dr Robert Staacke, whose startup focuses on optical quantum sensors: Strip things down until only the essentials remain, and use minimal functions that will fit inside a practical housing—instead of overloaded optical tables—and can be understood without […]
Using digital twins to create a smart supply chain
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, process or process system. It is based on real-time data and enables in-depth analysis and predictions. In the context of logistics, a digital twin is a virtual representation of a real supply chain. Using a digital twin makes it possible to carry out comprehensive, […]
Intelligent building networking of public educational institutions
Secure network access and reliable data transmission are particularly vital when it comes to educational institutions. An infrastructure tailored to everyday learning supports all usage scenarios, such as individual research, video conferencing and teamwork via digital platforms. The integration and management of stationary and mobile end devices—some of which come from the private sector and […]
Better control of precise movements
Motor solutions that are faster, more accurate and more energy-efficient help with the understanding of machines and devices. This has a positive effect on their quality and longevity and has the potential to reduce their ecological footprint. Operating costs and therefore the unit costs of the manufactured products are also reduced. Fast, precise movements play […]
