Innovation in action - July 2020

1. SPARKS
INNOVATION IN ACTION
JULY 2020

2. Action in uncertainty
is survival, innovation
is revival and growth
Eric Schaeffer
Senior Managing Director
Global Industrial Sector Lead
Accenture

3. Know more about the latest
announcements impacting
industry, from investments in
autonomous robotics to
advancements in remote
monitoring and innovations
that are fueling growth for the
industry.

4. 4
Bosch Sensortec has developed a system that can transform
ordinary spectacles into smart glasses. “Light Drive” uses a
combination of tiny electromechanical mirrors, optical elements
and sensors to generate bright, high resolution images directly
on the surface of the retina. Navigation routes, call and chat
notifications, memos, reminders and more can be delivered
clearly and discreetly, even in direct sunlight, via lightweight
hardware that is imperceptible to others.
Read full article
Tiny system makes
glasses smart

5. 5
Smart tyres
connect to 5G
Italian tyre company Pirelli has developed smart tyres that
detect and transfer road data via 5G. The Pirelli Cyber Tyre
is fitted with sensors that continuously monitor road
conditions for a safer drive. For instance, if the tyres detect
a risk of aquaplaning the car will automatically adapt to the
conditions and transmit a warning to nearby vehicles. In
the future, the tyres will keep the car updated on
everything from kilometres clocked to potential dangers,
while also sharing vital information with the infrastructure
network and other cars on the road.
kRead full article

6. The German industrial company Thyssenkrupp now uses
neural networks in the quality control and development of
new products. An example of this is for ball screws, which
are used for steering gears. After being changed, the
screws have to be rotated on a test stand to measure new
limits for the resulting vibration frequencies. The neural
network is capable of detecting these limits. All parts of the
frequency spectrum are analyzed and connections between
the properties of the components are identified in an effort
to improve production.
Artificial Intelligence
analyses components
Read full article

7. 7
Phantom AI raises
$22m in funding for
self-driving tech
The autonomous driving startup has now raised a total of $27m
to develop its vehicle-agnostic road safety platform. The Series a
funding round was led by Celeres Investments and joined by
Ford Motor Company and Korean telecommunications giant, KT
Corporation. Founded by former Tesla and Hyundai engineers,
Phantom AI’s mission is to democratise autonomous driving
safety technology. The funds will be used to accelerate product
development and scale operations in Europe and Asia, where
the startup is working with automakers and parts suppliers.
kRead full article

8. The Finnish firm’s new platform connects marine equipment
and systems to ensure 95% of errors can be fixed remotely.
The global Smart Support Centre provides a virtual engineer
service to Wartsila’s Voyage business customers, to aid in
the maintenance of ship handling solutions, simulation,
training systems and ship traffic control solutions. The
platform manages system health, updates software and flags
up any system deterioration, reducing the need for physical
engineer visits.
Wartsila launches fast
remote monitoring
Read full article

9. One of the world´s leading automation companies will
collaborate with MassRobotics’ community of startups and
scientists to build the next generation of manufacturing
robotics. The Boston-based MassRobotics innovation hub is a
non-profit, collaborative space where startups can learn and
grow. As a world leading expert in manufacturing applications
and automation technology, Festo Corporation plans to join
with the hub to explore, develop and ultimately commercialize
new autonomous manufacturing solutions.
Festo partners with
innovation hub
Read full article

10. 10
ZTR and Blackberry
create remote railcar
solutions
The locomotive technology and hardware experts have joined
forces to create an end-to-end remote monitoring solution for
railcars. The system will feature an easy to navigate online
dashboard where users can harness data on location-based
services, mileage, cargo capacity and more, to make better
decisions and drive efficiencies. ZTR has combined its leading
IoT rail technology with Blackberry’s expertise in security and
hardware to deliver a solution that has extended battery life
and the strength to operate in tough conditions, all while
delivering detailed insights.
kRead full article

11. Rise Robotics raises $3m
in funding to turn heavy
machinery electric
RISE Robotics, a leader in electric linear actuation solutions,
raised the investment in a funding round led by venture firm,
The Engine. The funds will help accelerate RISE Robotics’
transformation of the heavy machinery industry from diesel-
run hydraulics to electric. The company’s mechanical motion
technology makes the retrofitting of old hydraulics machinery
cost-effective, helping to dramatically reduce emissions in a
heavily polluting industry. The funds will support RISE
Robotics’ ongoing efforts to electrify a major forklift
manufacturer’s machinery.
kRead full article

12. Disclaimer: This document makes reference to names, marks, and domains/websites owned by third parties. All such
names, marks, and domains/websites are the property of their respective owners. No sponsorship, endorsement or
approval of this content by the owners of such materials is intended, expressed or implied.
• Tiny system makes glasses smart
Source: https://www.bosch-sensortec.com/news/smartglasses.html
• Smart tyres connect to 5G
Source: https://press.pirelli.com/pirelli-the-worlds-first-company-to-develop-tyres-that-interact-with-the-5g-network/
• Artificial Intelligence analyses components
Source: https://engineered.thyssenkrupp.com/en/this-is-newtk-artificial-neural-networks-for-quieter-steering-gears/
• Phantom AI raises $22m in funding for self-driving tech
Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/04/02/2010792/0/en/Phantom-AI-Raises-22-Million-in-Series-A-Funding-
to-Democratize-Advanced-Driver-Assistance-Systems-ADAS-for-all-Types-of-Vehicles.html
• Wartsila launches fast remote monitoring
Source: https://www.wartsila.com/usa/media/news/16-04-2020-wartsila-s-smart-support-centre-delivers-fast-remote-service-response-
2688324
• Festo partners with innovation hub
Source: https://www.automationmag.com/festo-partners-with-massrobotics-to-develop-automation-solutions/
• ZTR and Blackberry create remote railcar solutions
Source: https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/company/newsroom/press-releases/2020/ztr-blackberry-partner-to-revolutionize-the-rail-
industry
• Rise Robotics raises $3m in funding to turn heavy machinery electric
Source: https://riserobotics.squarespace.com/press/2020/4/10/rise-robotics-raises-3-million-in-additional-funding
References