Lidar versus visual processing for automated driving
Lidar, or laser-based radar, is a key enabling technology for most auto makers’ self-driving cars. Lidar is good at identifying objects far down the road and determining speed. Unlike traditional…
Fast-food industry accelerates use of automation as wages go higher
I have written about this trend on many occasions for several years: Source: Former McDonald’s CEO warns $15 minimum wage directly contributing to fast-food industry’s automation push | Fox Business…
Steak ‘n Shake ending table and order service, replacing with self serve kiosks
As far back as 2016, I wrote that many restaurants, especially fast food, would replace wait staff with self service kiosks and app-based ordering as a way to save on…
CBS flags its own marketing material on Youtube as a copyright violation – heh!
When Youtube originally announced they would auto-detect music copyright violations, I noted that they could not tell the difference between a licensed use and an unlicensed use. CBS just managed…
This is how you solve the medical mask shortage
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHP) – The Hershey Company announced Friday that it is committing $1 million to acquire, install and staff a new manufacturing line dedicated to producing face masks.…
Transportation: #Drone delivery of consumer packages is mostly hype but does have some specific good use cases
Most of the widely hyped drone delivery scenarios are not economically realistic and probably will not happen any time soon. But there are some targeted applications that should make sense…
Business: Electric vehicles require less labor to assemble
Less labor potentially means higher profits, creating an incentive for manufacturers to switch more production to EVs.
Automation: McDonald’s fast food plows ahead with more automation
McDonald's installing more automation, both to reduce labor costs and to trick consumers into purchasing more than they were planning to purchase.
Automated espresso kiosks coming to SFO Airport
Vending machines are so 20th century. Robotic food kiosks, in this case, latte making espresso stands, are coming to San Francisco International Airport.
Self driving cars have trouble with unpredictable pedestrians and cyclists
Automated cars are having trouble dealing with the unpredictable behavior of pedestrians and cyclists. Some researchers think we need better pedestrians and propose improved training for ... walking. Won't be…
Survey says Americans want a Federal agency to regulate all aspects of robotics
Younger Americans are more open to the idea of creating a federal agency to oversee robotics than older Americans. Source: What Americans think about a new federal agency to oversee…
Miso scores $10 million to bring its hamburger-flipping robot to more restaurants
One of many companies working to automate the restaurant business and reduce labor and benefits costs: Pasadena-based hardware startup Miso Robotics just got a big vote of confidence from investors,…
Within 20 years, a majority of today’s jobs may be automated
Study finds that 2 in 3 jobs in Las Vegas may be automated by 2035. That’s just the headline. The real story is that 50% or more of jobs in…
Major demographic change could lead to more robotics, automation because fewer workers available
This discussion by Charles Schwab & Co highlights that the ratio of workers to non-workers is dropping and may reach 1 to 1 in another 20 years in many parts…
Increasing minimum wage leading to more automation
If workers can keep their jobs, they’ll enjoy higher wages. But rising labor costs are pushing employers toward robots. Source: California’s $15 minimum wage may mean more automated jobs |…