Nov 30, 2017  -  The vacuum-powered soft robots are reported capable of lifting objects a thousand times their own weight.  There have been a number of soft robots inspired by the ancient art of paper folding – origami – recently, including polymer-based microgrippers and the safety-first Twister. Researchers from Harvard and MIT say that robots made of soft materials are often not as strong as their rigid counterparts. This thinking has led to the development of inexpensive artificial muscles that have been designed to give soft robots superpowers.

The artificial muscles have been developed by a team from Wyss Institute at Harvard University and MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), and use only air or water pressure to assist soft robots in lifting objects up to a thousand times their own weight. And they bend and flex in a less, well, robot-like fashion.

The muscle-like actuator is made up of an inner skeleton, which can be fashioned from a range of materials, including a metal coil or folded plastic, and is surrounded by air or liquid, before being sealed in a plastic or textile outer skin.

Muscle movement is triggered when a vacuum created inside the skin collapses around the skeleton, causing tension in the structure that results in movement. The type of movement is controlled purely by the shape of the skeleton, meaning that system processing and complex control algorithms may be surplus to requirements.

"One of the key aspects of these muscles is that they're programmable, in the sense that designing how the skeleton folds defines how the whole structure moves," explained Shuguang Li, Ph.D, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wyss Institute and MIT CSAIL. "You essentially get that motion for free, without the need for a control system."A single vacuum source drives this snake-like soft robot with gripper

The researchers have built a number of different soft robots to demonstrate the numerous capabilities and resilience of their creation. They report that the artificial muscles are both lightweight and very powerful, claiming that one 2.6-gram actuator is capable of lifting a 3-kilogram object.

They're cheap and quick to make too. An actuator can be put together using materials that cost less than a dollar in around 10 minutes. And to demonstrate the scalable nature of the development, the researchers have made artificial muscles as small as a few millimeters in size to a meter, without any dip in performance.

The team also considers its innovation to be safer for close contact assistive robotics than other soft robot systems in development.

"Vacuum-based muscles have a lower risk of rupture, failure, and damage, and they don't expand when they're operating, so you can integrate them into closer-fitting robots on the human body," said co-author of the paper Daniel Vogt, M.S.

Potential usage examples include surgical devices, exoskeletons, deep sea manipulators and even architecture that can change its shape or function when needed and large structures that can be sent into space to aid exploration. A water-soluble version has also been developed, opening the door to potential use for ingestible robots.

"Now that we have created actuators with properties similar to natural muscle, we can imagine building almost any robot for almost any task," said Rob Wood Ph.D, Founding Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute.

A paper detailing the research has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Article source Wyss Institute and New Atlas where a video can be viewed   ||  November 30, 2017   |||

Nov 30,  2017  -  A Japanese manufacturer has developed an odourless paint that can be peeled off surfaces, leaving behind no scratches or marks.  Called Belay, the paint was developed and manufactured by Washin Chemical Industry – a water-based-paint specialist in Japan.  The paint is simply applied with a brush, and gives a varnish-like sheen. Similar to plastic sheets currently on the market, it is designed to protect surfaces from scratches and stains.

But unlike the sheets, the paint can be applied to curved and uneven surfaces, and can be used on a wide range of materials including wood, metal, plastic resin, tile and stone.

"The paint can protect the surfaces of important items and areas such as commercial spaces at restaurants and hotels to household furniture," said the brand.

"Because it can easily be peeled off, if you're bothered by visible stains or scratches, it also reduces the burden of daily maintenance."

In addition to the clear gloss and matt finishes, which maintain the material's natural appearance, Belay has developed a collection of 10 peelable paint colours in collaboration with French designer Pierre Charpin.

The 10 hues, which include black and white, were inspired by colours that have been used in Charpin's previous design works.

Arranged into two collections each made up of six 30 millilitre bottles, the coloured paints can also be used on glass to create window murals.

The Belay brand was launched this week in Tokyo at the IFFT Interior Lifestyle Living trade show. A one-kilogram tin of paint costs 15,000 yen (approximately £100), while the colour collections cost 7,560 yen (£50).

The launch follows the introduction of eco-friendly graphene paint earlier this year by manufacturer Graphenstone. Reported to improve the thermal regulation of buildings, the paint is made from a pure lime base that has been combined with graphene – a recently engineered material hailed as the thinnest, strongest and most conductive ever developed.

| A Dezeen release ||  November 30, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  Oceania Aviation has achieved approval of a cargo pod system for the Bell 429, and it is looking to further expand its equipment range.  Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Oceania Aviation’s Part 145 manufacturing division, Airborne Systems, has worked with a private owner to gain New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA) approval for its Bell 429 Cargo Pod supplemental type certificate (STC).

In early 2017, engineering manager Russell Goulden was approached by a private owner who was unhappy about a recently purchased cargo basket. With the possibility of making changes to the H125 Series cargo pod for the Bell 429, Goulden knew this was a project he and his team could accomplish. Oceania Aviation’s streamlined cargo pod has a much lower drag penalty than wire mesh type of basket, and it keeps valuable property safe from the elements as well as being locked when the aircraft is parked.

Having successfully received NZCAA, TC and FAA approval for role equipment used on the H125 (AS350 and AS355) and MD500 Series helicopters, Goulden is well accustomed to the STC approval processes.

“We are always excited to increase our product range, but, more importantly, to increase operational capability of an aircraft. At the end of the day we provide operators with a solution to increase the capabilities of their aircraft which can transform into increased revenue and satisfaction,” said Goulden. “This makes our work very fulfilling. Working alongside operators to create a product that best suits their needs is exactly what we want to be doing.”

With adjustments to the current H125 Series cargo pod, Airborne Systems have created and received approval for a fully composite cargo pod designed for strength and lightness, becoming the epitome of externally mounted storage on the right side of the Bell 429 aircraft.

“We are now looking for expressions of interest to get our cargo pod approved for the Bell 407. In fact, we welcome expressions of interest to create role equipment for any helicopter type,” Goulden added.

Oceania Aviation’s cargo pods are currently utilized on AS350s and AS355s for heli-skiing, tourism, logging and utility operations in New Zealand, Canada and more recently in the United States. Having displayed the cargo pod at the annual HAC convention and trade show in Ottawa, Ontario, the reviews of the pod have been very positive.

According to Oceania Aviation, the new owner of the Bell 429 cargo pod was so impressed with the Airborne Systems working on a Bell 429 bike rack.

Goulden and his team are also in the process of achieving several modifications for the MD 902 helicopter including a seat shift kit, cargo hook mirrors, camera mounting systems and more.

| An Ociena Aviation release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  FANUC CORPORATION, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNC and factory automation has announced the production of its 500,000th robot.  “Automation and robotics are key drivers of manufacturing competitiveness,” said Mike Cicco, president & CEO, FANUC America. “More companies are using automation to overcome inefficiencies, lower costs, increase productivity, and gain market share. Having sold a half million robots is a key milestone for FANUC, and we’re looking forward to expanding our capabilities to keep pace with the growing demand for automation.”

In April, FANUC announced plans to build a new factory scheduled to open in August 2018. FANUC’s new factory will increase its robot capacity from 6,000 to 11,000 units per month.

“The backbone of FANUC’s success is our talented workforce – all automation professionals, including an expanding product development team based in Japan and the U.S.,” Cicco added. “In addition to highly qualified employees, we offer the most reliable automation products in the marketplace. Everyone at FANUC is very motivated and focused on designing the hardware and software that make our products easy to learn and use for all manufacturers, including the practical application of IIoT technologies.”

Recent examples of FANUC’s latest products include:

• The R-30iB Plus controller features a new iPendant with an enhanced screen resolution and processing capability. The user interface, iHMI, has an icon-based screen that provides a familiar and easy-to-use experience with intuitive guides for setup and programming. It also includes tutorials from the main home page that has a design common to FANUC CNCs, enabling easier use of robots.
• The FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive (FIELD) system which provides advanced analytics and deep learning capabilities for FANUC CNCs and robots, peripheral devices and sensors used in automation systems.
• Zero Down Time (iZDT), an application that runs on the FIELD system, is built on the four basic building blocks of factory automation: Mechanical Health, Process Health, Periodic Maintenance and System Health to prevent unplanned downtime. It allows monitoring of real-time production information from connected devices, so a customer can take corrective action before any downtime occurs. As FIELD system and iZDT grow in the marketplace, FANUC will be able to help more customers with intelligent condition-based maintenance reminders and help optimize the performance and life of their robots.
• MT-LINKi shop floor connectivity suite of software. MT-LINKi is a fully scalable, out-of-the-box machine tool monitoring solution that can monitor, collect and manage data from one to one thousand machines. MT-LINKi monitors and collects operation and production data using a PC and an Ethernet connection. The software is set up to automatically collect a variety of data, including alarm history, macro variables and signal history, servo/spindle motor currents and temperatures, battery and fan status, feed rate overrides and more.
• The new seven-axis R-1000iA/120F-7B robot has a payload of 120kg and a maximum reach of 2,230mm. The additional axis allows the robot’s J2 arm to fold into itself, making it shorter and able to operate in very tight workspaces.

FANUC is also leading the effort to address the critical challenge caused by a shortage of skilled workers, and help change the perceptions of careers in manufacturing. Its Certified Education (CERT) program provides educators with a STEM-based curriculum centered on robotics and automation training. FANUC CERT automation training aligns with industry and national certifications to prepare students for high-tech careers in manufacturing.

|  About FANUC CORPORATION

FANUC CORPORATION, headquartered at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Japan, is the global leader and the most innovative manufacturer of Factory Automation, Robots and ROBOMACHINE’s in the world. With 259 offices in 45 countries, FANUC provides world-class customer service and support. Since its inception in 1972, FANUC has contributed to the automation of machine tools as a pioneer in the development of computer numerical control equipment. FANUC technology has been a leading force in a worldwide manufacturing revolution, which evolved from the automation of a single machine to the automation of entire production lines. For more information visit: http://www.fanuc.co.jp/eindex.htm.

|  About FANUC America Corporation

|  FANUC America Corporation is a subsidiary of FANUC CORPORATION in Japan, and provides industry-leading robotics, CNC systems, and factory automation. FANUC’s innovative technologies and proven expertise help manufacturers in the Americas maximize productivity, reliability and profitability.

|  FANUC embraces a culture of “Service First” which means that customer service is our highest priority. We are committed to supplying our customers with parts and support for the life of their FANUC products.

|  FANUC America is headquartered at 3900 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, and has facilities in: Atlanta; Boston; Charlotte; Chicago; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Houston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Montreal; Pine Brook, NJ; Pontiac, MI; San Francisco; Seattle; Toronto; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, and Manaus, Brazil; and Aguascalientes, Monterrey, and Queretaro, Mexico. For more information, please call: 888-FANUC-US (888-326-8287) or visit our website: www.fanucamerica.com. Also, connect with us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.

| A FANUC release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  Agrophotovoltaics - Agriculture and renewable energy have worked together for more than fifteen centuries, ever since ancient Persians began using windmills to pump water and grind grain. Today, in the Midwestern US, we see cornfields sharing acreage with megawatt-scale wind turbines that produce minimal shading effects on crops, significant power enhancements to the grid, and additional income for farmers. Researchers in Baden-Württemberg, a region in southern Germany, are looking for ways to increase sustainable energy production in an area where wind speeds are relatively slow, making solar the preferred electrical generating technology. But plants need sunlight just as much as photovoltaic panels do, so engineers are working on an elevated solar array that feeds both of society's energy needs: biological and technological.

|  Agrophotovoltaics: Edibles and EnergyIn a pilot project known as Agrophotovoltaics - Resource-Efficient Land Use (APV-RESOLA), engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems designed and constructed a 194 kilowatt elevated solar array over a one-third hectare section of cropland. An adjacent section of the farm remains unaltered to serve as a control. In a three-year study, researchers from the University of Hohemhein are assessing crop quality and yield in both the experimental and control fields. Farmers hope to generate appreciable electricity while maintaining crop production levels at the 80% level.

Continue to read the full article here on engineering.com  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  Political scientist Bryce Edwards calls on public servants, academics and journalists to form a coalition to fix the Official Information Act.  Calling all journalists, academics, public servants, political activists, and members of the public who believe in the need for government to be more open with its information. We need to form a coalition to fix the Official Information Act (OIA).

It’s time for everyone who believes in reforming the OIA processes to join together and campaign to make that actually happen. Such a coalition could guide the new government in making the necessary changes so that New Zealand is once again a world leader in open government, the way we were in 1982 when the extraordinary act was introduced.

The OIA itself may still be fit for purpose, but the wider official information system desperately needs review, especially in the way that the act is adhered to by government. At the moment, it often functions more as the Closed Government Act. See more from Sam Sachdeva earlier today on the Government's refusal to release a 38 page agreement signed when the coalition Government was formed.

Now is the perfect time to act. Whenever a new government is formed, it’s normally enthusiastic and idealistic about fixing problems in the system. And when it comes to problems with the OIA, the parties coming in from opposition are highly sensitive to its faults because they’ve been on the receiving end of governments keeping an overly-tight grip on information.

The parties making up the new coalition government have protested strongly against abuses of the OIA that occurred under National. So, hopefully they’ll want to prioritise some sort of review aimed at fixing the problems.

Clare Curran is the minister with responsibility for “Open Government”, as part of her role as Associate Minister for State Services. She has already committed her government to doing much better than the last government in terms of releasing information. But in a recent interview with the Otago Daily Times’ Eileen Goodwin, Curran wasn’t very clear about whether any reform of the OIA would be forthcoming.

Instead, journalists are now leading the way in calls for reform. Newsroom’s Shane Cowlishaw has recently explored all of these issues in his must-read article, The OIA is broken, can it be fixed? He says, “the spirit of this law has dissolved in an air of contempt that has spread, like a stain, from the top down”.

Cowlishaw reflects on his own experiences as a journalist, noting the growth of government department spin-doctors, and saying that the “ever-growing mighty wall of 'comms staff' has seemingly forgotten its obligation to the public in a desire to protect its Ministers from embarrassment."

"The effect on the OIA has been chilling. I started my first journalism job in 2008, the same year that the John-Key led National stormed to power. Since then I have witnessed the slow erosion of good-faith as more and more information is withheld, for more and more dubious reasons. By all accounts, this problem had begun escalating before 2008 under the previous Labour government, but it gathered steam under National.”

The window of opportunity on OIA reform is particularly narrow because, by its very nature, the Act is generally much more useful to opposition parties than governments. Even the most democratically-minded MPs, who come into government with a fresh memory of how damaging OIA abuse is to democracy, quickly find themselves less keen on a properly-observed OIA and more comfortable with the advantages that such abuse now affords them.

On becoming Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern announced “I also want this government to feel different, I want people to feel that it’s open, that it’s listening and that it’s going to bring kindness back.”

Researcher and journalist Max Rashbrooke pointed out “This sounds very promising. It is, though, the sort of thing that new leaders often say but which is much harder to sustain when they are under full attack from an Opposition searching for dirt, embarrassing official information act requests are landing, and so on.”

Matthew Hooton wrote in Friday’s NBR on the urgent need to encourage reforms right now: “Let us therefore give Ms Curran the benefit of the doubt and encourage her in her work. A functioning official information regime is absolutely essential to our democracy. For that reason, let us hope she also acts speedily in her work – and also because the Ms Curran facing re-election in 2020 will inevitably no longer have the same honourable attitude toward government transparency as the enthusiastic new minister we see in November 2017.”

The new government – as well as the opposition – need some constructive encouragement to take this key area of democracy very seriously and make sure it’s fit for purpose.

I’m keen to bring together participants, set up forums, and help establish a way for interested parties to come up with ideas about how to move ahead. At the very least, such a campaign could compile all the complaints and examples of how the OIA isn’t working, or is being thwarted and put everyone in touch who has an interest in OIA reform.

There’s a lot to consider. For example: Does the legislation need fixing, or just the way that the OIA is observed? Is there a need for a new Information Authority that would be responsible for overseeing the operation of the OIA, and teach government departments and the public how to use and adhere to it? Or is the Ombudsman’s Office best placed to carry out these functions? And is it resourced and empowered enough to fulfil such a role? Should there be stronger penalties for abuse of the OIA? Does the OIA need to be extended to Parliament, or at least to some of its agencies such as the Parliamentary Service?

The new coalition government has specifically made a commitment to “strengthen New Zealand’s democracy by increasing public participation, openness, and transparency around official information”. This wording is in the confidence and supply coalition agreement between Labour the Greens, and it could quite easily also be the stated focus of a new Campaign for Open Government.

If you’re interested, please get in touch. Contact me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

| A Newsroom release  ||  November 28,  2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -  Kuntai Machinery is a Chinese firm with its headquarters based in the Jiangsu province of China. The company is associated with the fabrication, engineering and supply of industrial grade cutting machines and laminating tool. They are a customer-centric organization and adhere to industrial standards to provide customers with high-end solutions.

Cutting, finishing and lamination is a part of a more extensive range of activities when it comes to the mass production industry. The lamination quality and the finishing of the cutting machines used in the sectors depend on the quality and grade of raw materials used to manufacture the hardware of the same. The machinery and industrial equipment market are flooded with both cheap and big-budget laminating machine that caters to all sectors of the industrial world. It should be kept in mind that the quality of finished products depends on the quality of the machinery and raw materials used to manufacture the same.

China has been supplying quality assured bronzing machine to the world leaders as well as the small-scale enterprises associated with the consumer goods industry for many years. Kuntai Machinery is one such enterprise that has been leading the pack and for good reasons. The company was founded in the year 1985 and for the past 32 years they have been regarded as one of the premier manufacturers of industrial machinery and equipment. The company recently launched their premium service for their high priority clients based both in the overseas and in China. The service binds them to provide customized machinery and equipment to their clients in a set timeline.

Kuntai Machinery heavily invested time and funds to strengthen their research and development wing along with their manufacturing unit. As one of the leaders in this category, the company strives to provide customized and innovative solutions to their clients both in the overseas and in China. The client base of the group consists of organizations associated with automotive upholstery, footwear industry, leather industry, textile industry, etc. The business policy of the firm binds them to adhere to customer-centric approach in their operations and services.

The manufacturing unit of the company is located in the Jiangsu province, Yancheng city of China. Skilled professionals head both the manufacturing unit and the R&D department. The R&D department team consists of technicians, engineers and designers who have years of experience in their respective sectors. Their clients respect the company for their customer-centric approach and prompt service in case a client is facing an issue. The company put in place a hotline backed by 30 professionals that are left open 24/7 for addressing incoming customer queries and complaints. They also provide onsite servicing, repair work and installation services to their clients for their cutting machine no matter where their plant is located in the world.

|  About Kuntai Machinery

Kuntai Machinery is a Chinese firm that is associated with the fabrication and supply of quality assured, industrial grade laminating machines and cutting tools. They are a global supplier and conduct their business operations through their official website. For further details, feel free to visit the URL mentioned above.

| A Kuntai machinery release  ||  November 28, 2017   |||

Nov 28, 2017  -Christchurch apps design company LWA Solutions is launching a world-first virtual reality pilot training app with the Ports of Auckland early next year. Maritime pilots people guide ships safely into harbours all around the world. As part of their job, they have to get on and off moving cargo ships by means of a rope ladder – a demanding and risky job. The LWA app uses virtual reality to safely simulate the experience maritime pilots go through when getting on and off ships. LWA chief executive Atta Elayyan showcased the virtual reality training solution at the recent New Zealand Maritime Pilot Association’s 30th anniversary annual conference in Christchurch and it received overwhelmingly positive feedback from pilots and trainers. “It’s a highly cost-effective training method, safely simulating highly variable conditions making it superior to current training methods,” Elayyan says. “We believe virtual reality training will become an industry standard in the very near future. It provides a risk-free way to prepare trainee pilots for the tasks they will need to undertake during their job and can also efficiently vet out those who may not be cut out for the role. “We understand there are no solutions like this anywhere in the world using virtual reality headsets. Our simulation is targeting the ‘embarkation training’, which is the physical process of safely maneuvering outside the pilot boat and climbing a nine metre ladder to board the ship, while both the pilot boat and ship are under way. “Some ports overseas use ship bridge simulators, which are very costly to set up or hire. We are using a highly cost-effective virtual reality training system which requires minimal physical space and is portable. We can see this disrupting bridge simulation in future.” LWA Solutions has also produced a special app for the Ports of Auckland which is significantly helping in the improve piloting of ships into the harbour. Their app is the first fully digital piloting application of its kind in Australasia. It has increased the efficiency and reduced potential human error by consolidating multiple processes into a single app highlighting ship schedules, tidal calculations and manouvre drawings. The Ports of Auckland has about 1500 shipping arrivals a year.

Ports of Auckland Senior Pilot John Barker says they we are always looking for ways to do more with less. “We use a crane and straddle simulator to train our crane and straddle drivers, a move which has improved our efficiency and saved $3 million dollars in training costs. “Our pilot app, developed with LWA Solutions, has made the master-pilot transfer safer and more efficient. Now we are introducing the virtual reality pilot training app, which aims to enhance safety by improving training for one of the most-risky manoeuvres in port operations. It is another step in our journey to becoming a world-class sustainable port.” Elayyan’s LWA team recently produced a cool app to help courier drivers in the Middle East, for multi-billion Dubai-based company Aramex. With 13,900 employees at 354 locations across 60 countries, Aramex is the largest logistics and transport services company in the Middle East. Last year, Aramex bought New Zealand courier firm Fastway, which has an annual turnover of $500 million. For further information contact LWA Solutions chief executive Atta Elayyan on 021 1453358 or Make Lemonade editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188

| An LWA Solutions release with MakeLemonade  ||  November 28, 2017   |||

Nov 27, 2017 - Primary sector and manufacturing employees may find themselves with some interesting new colleagues in the next few years as researchers develop robots that can be trained to work alongside people in factories and the great outdoors.  A two-year, $2m project funded by the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge Board is examining how next-generation robots can work with humans in a safe and flexible manner.  Researchers will focus on developing robots to work in small-scale manufacturing and unforgiving outdoor environments. Such technology could become a global specialty of New Zealand robotics businesses, with great export opportunities and long-term solutions for the country’s economic needs. The interdisciplinary research programme involves robotics experts from Lincoln Agritech and Scion, as well as researchers and PhD students from the universities of Auckland, Canterbury, Massey, Otago, Victoria and Waikato. The programme is laying the groundwork for follow-up projects over the next few years that will focus on making New Zealand a competitive country for the production and use of robots in small-scale, flexible manufacturing businesses and challenging environments such as those found in agriculture and forestry. “We will advance the science required for a new generation of industrial robotic solutions,” says Lincoln Agritech Group Manager in Precision Agriculture, Dr Armin Werner. “These robots can provide enormous benefits to the primary and manufacturing sectors. Both industries require fast adaptation to different products and markets, and constant responsiveness to changing outdoor environments. “The robots can assist with complex tasks such as pruning tree or vine crops, safely felling trees on steep slopes or assembling small batches of appliances on demand.” To develop the technology, researchers will investigate how sensors and artificial intelligence can allow robots to perceive and understand their surroundings, flexibly handle new situations through learning or training by humans or other robots, and work in challenging environments. All the while, the robots will work collaboratively with humans, behaving safely around both people and animals. “The robots will be adaptable and create new solutions for the often small-scale and highly flexible production environment in New Zealand and many other comparable regions in the world,” says Dr Werner. “The targeted innovation represents a major shift from the notion of isolated robots solving single tasks.” The technology is expected to help the country’s industries thrive globally and create an international hub for innovative robotics development. To ensure industry-informed science project coordinators Dr Werner, Associate Professor Will Browne of Victoria University of Wellington, and Associate Professor Johan Potgieter of Massey University will work closely with an industry advisory group that includes robot manufacturers, food and manufacturing industries, Māori businesses and Government funding agencies.

| A Lincoln University release  ||  November 27, 2017   |||

Nov 24, 2017  -  Artificial intelligence, machine learning and smart data are major themes at next year’s MobileTECH 2018. This is one of New Zealand’s largest agritech events and will see technology leaders from throughout the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors gather in Rotorua in late March.  The pace of change within the primary sector is continuing to be driven by advances in new digital technologies. While New Zealand has been a world leader in traditional farming systems, it is critical for the sector to maintain and grow productivity through the smart adoption of these new innovations.

“MobileTECH 2018 will continue to be a platform for change and showcase where the industry is headed,” said Ken Wilson, MobileTECH’s programme manager.

“The 2018 programme will feature over 35 speakers covering disruptive topics like the integration of machine learning in health and safety systems, blockchain for secure agricultural transactions and key learnings from the successful rollout of the Internet of Things (IoT) to farms throughout New Zealand.”

Thundermaps uses machine learning algorithms and big data to redefine health and safety in rural locations. OSPRI now use Thundermaps to protect their contractors working on farms. The system tracks millions of data points to ensure, via a mobile app, that the contractor receives relevant real-time hazard warnings no matter how remote the location. Both companies will be presenting at MobileTECH.

Blockchain is set to become the future for payment and supply-chain systems. Australian-based company, AgriDigital, will be on-hand to discuss what this means for the primary industry. AgriDigital delivered the world’s first live settlement of a physical commodity using blockchain technology. The pilot project saw the sale and successful delivery of 23 metric tonnes of wheat to a beef farm in NSW using the blockchain system.

The Internet of Things has moved from being an exciting upcoming technology to one that is delivering real benefits to early adopters throughout the industry. A number of speakers, including network provider Spark Ventures, agritech company ReGen and King Country farmer Lachlan Chapman, will focus on the real-world application of IoTs.

“The MobileTECH 2018 programme will open with the big technology trends and discuss how we can improve investment and collaboration within the agritech community,” said Mr Wilson. “Day two gets hands-on, highlighting practical case studies on the adoption and use of these innovations by primary sector businesses up and down the country.”

MobileTECH 2018 will be running on 27-28 March 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Further details can be found on the event website, www.mobiletech.events..

| A MobileTECH release  ||  November 24,  2017   |||