針對查詢「產業趨勢」依日期排序顯示文章。依關聯性排序 顯示所有文章
針對查詢「產業趨勢」依日期排序顯示文章。依關聯性排序 顯示所有文章

2016年10月30日 星期日

機器人時代來了,所有物聯網裝置都將有人工智慧的核心 - 那些事件發生對人類影響是巨大的 ( The era of robots is coming, all devices will have the core of artificial intelligence )

機器人來了 這7種工作他們超拿手

Google involve in Robot industrial will make a big impact to human
機器人來了!功能設計更上一層樓,在一般家庭、辦公商務、醫療照護、陪伴療癒、教育娛樂、金融理財、賣場等各種生活場合,機器人提供多樣化服務,與人類更自然互動。

隨著人工智慧、環境與動作感測辨識、以及情感認知互動等技術大幅提升,機器人已更上一層樓,可以具有人型外觀、能人對話互動、甚至可從人類互動中學習增長智慧。

如今在一般家庭辦公商務醫療照護陪伴療癒教育娛樂金融理財、賣場等生活場合,我們開始可以看到機器人與人類互動、提供多樣化服務的身影。

例如話題持續延燒的日本軟銀( SoftBank )服務型機器人Pepper,預計最快 9 月下旬,就可以在台灣各大電信門市、銀行、賣場等場合,看到 Pepper 現身服務。

機器人也可以成為家庭生活的好幫手。例如日本豐田(TOYOTA)開發的 Human Support Robot 機器人,使用者可透過平板電腦觸控定點遙控,協助撿拾或吸取地上物品。此外,清潔機器人可以透過紅外線和光學感測,幫忙家庭掃地吸塵、清理地板。

當然,機器人也可以搖身一成為大廚,料理出一道道拿手好菜。

國外媒體報導,Moley Robotics 規劃最快 2017 年推出機器人廚房解決方案,家庭成員可以透過廚房的觸控螢幕,或是智慧型手機和平板電腦,指示廚房內的機器人手臂,操作料理的過程。

隨著人口高齡化和少子化趨勢,缺工問題接踵而來,銀行、醫院、百貨、餐飲業、汽車運輸業等服務業,正陸續引進機器人來取代人力,因此創造出新興商業模式。

例如日本本田(HONDA)的 All-new ASIMO 人型機器人,躍進到具備自主能力(autonomous)的新階段,可在辦公場合扮演商務接待的角色,也能和一般上班族自然互動。

而在金融科技(FinTech)浪潮下,數位化機器人可能逐步取代銀行分行的從業人員,化身數位理專,直接面對臨櫃一般民眾,提供理財資訊與建議,成為民眾金融理財的好幫手。

同時,機器人軟體也逐步滲透進入汽車運輸領域。例如本田和軟銀在 7 月下旬宣布合作,本田將軟銀 Pepper 機器人內建雲端人工智慧軟體,應用在汽車領域。未來汽車將變身成為超級電腦或是機器人,讓車輛在行駛過程中,可與駕駛和乘客對話。

在醫療照護層面,療癒機器人可以幫助醫護人員、照顧親戚和病患之間的互動,例如日本 RIKEN-TRI Collaboration 推出看護機器人 RIBA,可以抱起和放置病患,協助病患上下輪椅。

美國研究團隊也開發出智慧軟組織自動機器人(Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot),可進行比擬類外科醫生縫合動物器官軟組織的手術作業

機器人不只可以幫人類工作,還可以陪你深情伴唱

例如日本產業技術總合研究所(AIST)推出的擬真機器人 HRP-4C ,可以按照人類的頭髮、臉部五官、頸部、手足設計,顏面表情更可隨著外部環境條件變化。HRP-4C 更可以結合語音合成技術,模仿人類聲音唱出歌曲,肢體也可隨著歌曲同步變化生動。

被科技威脅的未來:人類沒有工作的那一天 - 值得閱讀深思

  一天,亨利福特帶汽車工人工會領導人參觀最新的自動化工廠,正為了自動化生產線不需要工人,洋洋得意。工人工會領導人回了亨利福特一句話,「你打算如何讓這些機器人買你的車呢?」

這段對話可能是虛擬的,但是卻預示了科技長期快速發展下,工資、生產力、 消費力架構的社會經濟結構,已經被推到了巨變的引爆點。

過去,機器是提高勞工生產力的工具,今天,機器就是勞工,取代的不只是低技能的工作。

  電腦成為「有思考能力」的機器,能決策 、會學習、甚至有好奇心,加上大數據與雲端運算,需要依賴電腦資訊工作的白領階層終將被機器、軟體所吞噬。這些專業化、例行性與可預測的工作,包括律師、藥劑師、醫師、分析師、IT技術人員、甚至公司主管等都將一一被取代。

  機器佔據工作機會,但機器人只生產、不消費,將使薪資成長停滯、所得更集中在少數富有者身上,大量的消費者最終因缺乏足夠的所得與購買力,使得社會失去消費動能,終將威脅到經濟成長。

不同於一般科技人或趨勢家,作者馬丁‧福特(Martin Ford)是成功創業家,長期觀察軟體發展、從獨特的科技對社會的影響角度切入,引證大量資料,率先詳盡研究機器智能和機器人科技可能帶來的衝擊,分析出因科技而生的七大致命的經濟趨勢。

  不管我們願不願意,機器接管工作的腳步只會加快,熟悉的生活都將終結,我們勢必要重新思考經濟運作,才能因應科技強大的顛覆破壞力。

    當機器人已經不是想像中的笨重機器手臂,現在的機器人會共享知識、靈巧度可與人類匹敵、3D視覺也難不倒它們。機器大軍即將突破人類就業安全網,農業、製造業、服務業、零售業等提供最多就業機會的產業為了生存而紛紛轉型自動化。我們創造工作的速度,遠跟不上工作消失的速度。

  機器人將成為不吃飯、不逛街、不消費的超級勞動力,而失去工作的人們將成為失能的消費者;當中產階級不再握有消費能力,經濟成長將無限期停滯,最終走向經濟學家無法從過往經驗預見的全面經濟崩壞。

  大數據、自然語言科技、機器自學、基因編程演算法,讓人工智慧走出科幻電影,成為現代生活真實的一部分,人類引以為傲的技能與專業,即將面臨嚴峻挑戰。


Google 20 日宣布收購提供聊天機器人開發工具的新創 API.AI,透過 API.AI,開發者可輕鬆打造同時支援文字和語音辨識的對話式介面(Conversational UI)。

API.AI 可支援 15 種語言

API.AI 的 API 透過語音辨識、意圖辨識和上下文語境理解等技術,讓電腦理解人類語言並轉換為行動,協助開發者打造類似 Siri 的對話式智慧助理,可用於聊天機器人、App、智慧家電等。

Google 指出,目前已有超過 6 萬名開發者使用 API.AI,其中包含 Slack、Facebook Messenger 和 Kik 等通訊軟體。API.AI 目前可支援英文、中文、法文、德文和西班牙文等 15 種語言和方言,而 API.AI 自家的聊天機器人助理 Assistant 已擁有超過 2 千萬名使用者。

Facebook 和 Google 的語音辨識大戰

在此之前,Google 已有豐富的自然語言處理相關經驗,並於今年開放自家語音辨識工具 Google Natural Language API 供開發者免費使用。

此外,Google 也推出類似亞馬遜 Alexa、蘋果 Siri 的智慧語音助理 Google Assistant,並整合進旗下即時通訊軟體 Allo,可提示回覆訊息、協助訂餐廳等功能,而收購 API.AI 後,可讓 Google 更容易轉換人類語言、理解這些文字背後的意圖。

除了 Google,Facebook 同樣也在其通訊軟體加強語音辨識功能,除於 2015 年收購語音辨識新創 WIT.AI,也測試將 Facebook Messenger 的語音內容轉換為文字,讓接收者可直接閱讀。Facebook 旗下 WhatsApp 則是在 iOS 10 中與 Siri 整合,可以直接用語音指示 WhatsApp 撥電話或傳訊息。

語音辨識 + 藍牙耳機 = 語音時代來臨

有了語音辨識技術,未來智慧型手機可以辦到的事,可能都不再需要打開手機便可完成。

知名科技趨勢分析師瑪麗米克(Mary Meeker)在報告中指出,語音時代即將來臨。她說明,「語音是最有效率的運算輸入形式」,此外,語音介面也可以更容易預測我們談話背後的意圖,讓我們不用再從首頁開始瀏覽,而是直接進入想要的功能。

從蘋果推出無線耳機 AirPods 也可看見此趨勢,AirPods 內建免持麥克風,讓使用者可隨時輕鬆召喚 Siri。可想見,未來和智慧助理的溝通管道,可能將逐漸從手機轉移至耳機,或許我們就不用再花這麼多時間盯著手機螢幕了!


根據路透社的報導,日本最大的汽車製造商豐田 (TOYOTA) 宣佈,他們發明創造出了一種機器人孩童,這種機器人不但能夠做路途嚮導,且能夠安慰和寬解那些沒有孩子的女性。據了解,豐田公司計劃將在下一年開始銷售這種「機械寶寶」。

路透社的報導指出,這種長約 10 公分的機器人名為 Kirobo Mini ,內部裝有攝影鏡頭,麥克風和藍牙系統,同時可以連接智慧型手機。豐田公司的研發部門表示,他能夠辨識人的情緒,並能夠做出反應。 例如;當擁有者跟 Kirobo Mini 一起坐到車上,在過程中一旦車輛緊急刹車, Kirobo Mini 的機器人能夠喊出「噢」的反應,並開始談話,目的是提醒可能疲憊的駕駛,在開車時不會睡著。而在車輛平安到目的地之後,Kirobo Mini 還會誇獎自己的主人。

除了在車上陪伴駕駛者之外,Kirobo Mini 這種機器人最非比尋常的一點,就是在於它能該安慰那些沒有子女的日本婦女。根據豐田公司表示,這種機器人能夠緩解日本因低出生率,而對婦女所造成的心理性負面後果。豐田公司的總研發師指出,Kirobo Mini 的底盤很像是一般兒童的腳,能夠表現搖晃動作,模仿那些平衡能力還未發育完全而必須要坐著的孩子們

過去,豐田也曾經研發一系列舊版本的 Kirobo 機器人,這些舊版本的機器人曾經在國際太空站中工作了 18 個月之久,為的就是陪伴太空站內的太空人,並且提供心理支持的作用。至於,新款的 Kirobo Mini 未來在日本的建議售價將為 400 美元(約為新台幣12,550元)。

餐飲服務、製造業逾五成工作已可交給機器人代勞

華爾街日報 12 日報導,根據麥肯錫公司(McKinsey & Co.)發布的報告,餐飲服務業工作是最有可能被科技所取代的,73% 的工作內容可以利用現有的自動化科技來完成。這份報告顯示,包括包裝物品、生產線焊接等可預測、重複性任務也可透過現有機器人技術加以取代。這些可自動化任務約佔美國總工時的五分之一,若就特定製造業而言,佔比將會更高。麥肯錫預估高達 59% 的製造業活動都可由機器人代勞,90% 的焊接、切割工作都可自動化。

當然,可以自動化並不意味著機器人大軍馬上就會取代人類、特別是那些勞力供給充裕的產業。這份報告發現,必須利用專業技術來做出決策、規劃以及創意的工作較難被機器人取代,醫療業從業人員目前也不用擔心會被搶走飯碗。

麥肯錫報告顯示,零售、運輸業 51% 的工作時數可被自動化,金融與保險業為 43%,藝術、娛樂與休閒為 41%。另一方面,教育服務業可被自動化的比率僅有 27%。

麥肯錫指出,如果有一天機器人的自然語言理解能力跟一般人類一樣,金融與保險業工時可自動化比率將從 43% 跳升至 66%。

趨勢分析
  • 從大數據、語音辨識技術、影像辨識技術、自然語言科技、機器自學、基因編程演算法、機器手臂、機器人走路街道辨識,那些事件發生對人類影響是巨大的,再度說出機器人時代來了,人類無法抵擋機器人時代的來臨。
  • 若 Google、Facebook、Apple、Intel 將機器人科技整合了電腦,在合理價位下一個是機器人又是電腦的科技將普及人類社會,讓企業效率更高,讓電腦與娛樂、教學、搜尋及建議之機器人電腦產生下一代革命。
  • 機器人及人工智慧趨勢將超越穿戴裝置成為普及之科技產品。



2016年10月25日 星期二

台積電與 Intel 競爭白熱化開始,也形成ARM 與 Intel 競爭白熱化 (From TSMC Competition With INTEL In Technology And Business To ARM Competition With INTEL)

Intel危險?蘋果A10太強、對手無法比、媲美電腦CPU

蘋果iPhone 7採用台積電(2330)代工的「A10 Fusion」處理器,備受尊崇的晶片研究機構Linley Group分析這款晶片,直呼A10太強大,把對手打到落花流水,表現甚至優於部分電腦CPU。

巴倫(Barronˋs)21日報導,Linley Group主管Linley Gwennap報告指出,蘋果砸錢研發客製化CPU成果豐碩,iPhone 7性能優於其他旗艦機,甚至超越部分低階電腦。iPhone 7搭載A10 Fusion處理器,為蘋果首款採取big.LITTLE大小核的四核心晶片,內含兩顆高效能核心「Hurricane」,表現比前代高出35%;另兩顆核心「Zephyr」則更為省電。Hurricane和Zephyr都是蘋果的客製化核心。

Gwennap指出,Hurricane徹底擊垮對手。他引用Geekbench評比,A10處理器的單核跑分,遠勝三星電子Exynos 8890、高通驍龍820、華為麒麟955。儘管三星和華為在多核跑分表現出色,Gwennap說,多餘核心對應用程式沒有幫助,一般只需一或兩顆核心就能運作。

A10表現驚人是因為蘋果本錢雄厚,晶片比別家更大。處理器的晶粒(die)區域要價高昂,Hurricane卻大量使用,Hurricane面積為4.18平方公厘,尺寸約為其他廠商高階處理器的兩倍。蘋果不賣晶片賣手機,在晶粒多花個幾美元不打緊,只要能提高整體表現,讓產品更熱賣即可。
Gwennap稱,蘋果新CPU表現甚至優於英特爾(Intel)的x86核心,A10表現和英特爾Skylake的Core核心幾乎不相上下,差別在於英特爾Core核心用於電腦,不像A10一樣,有電池續航力的限制。這對英特爾是一大警訊,他說,蘋果CPU追上英特爾,實際上,Hurricane能輕鬆支援MacBook Air筆電等。當前蘋果筆電使用的英特爾晶片,速度比A10更慢。

目前蘋果iPhone、iPad使用自家處理器,但是筆電MacBook和個人電腦Mac仍然搭載英特爾CPU,外界老早盛傳,未來英特爾晶片可能會從蘋果產品全面淘汰,遭蘋果晶片取而代之

知名跑分軟體安兔兔(AnTuTu)1日發表9月前十大手機性能榜單,在9月1-30日期間蒐集超過2,000條單一機型數據後發現,iPhone 7 Plus的平均跑分成績高達172,644分、奪下冠軍,而iPhone 7的跑分也有170,124分,分數居次,把Android旗艦機遠遠拋在腦後。
蘋果(Apple)次代iPad Pro系列傳出將在明年春天出貨、且將搭載由台積電(2330)供應的A10X晶片,而最新傳出A10X晶片性能強大,單核跑分比前代A9X高出4成、且也比iPhone 7使用的A10晶片高出2成

日本網站taisy0、iPhone Mania 5日轉述荷蘭媒體TechTastic的報導指出,根據從可靠的消息人士取得的資料顯示,蘋果預計搭載在次代iPad Pro系列的「A10X」晶片GeekBench單核跑分達4,236、多核跑分達6,588。

The iPhone 7’s A10 Fusion Chip Is Faster Than The MacBook Air 

The majority of the iPhone 7’s improvements are under the hood, thanks to its new A10 Fusion chipset which makes it a quad-core phone versus the iPhone 6s which was still a dual-core setup. As we have seen on the AnTuTu benchmarks, this has unsurprisingly resulted in very high scores which has blown past the competition.

However it seems that’s not all. As noted by John Gruber (via MacRumors), the iPhone 7’s performance on Geekbench has revealed some very impressive single and multi-core scores which not only has outdone competing phones, but even Apple’s own products like the MacBook Air laptops.

Now there’s this perception that maybe because it is smaller and because it can’t do certain things that smartphones aren’t as powerful as laptops, and to a certain degree that is true for some models. However according to Gruber, he notes that the iPhone 7 has pretty much outdone every single MacBook Air Apple has ever released in both single and multi-core performance, save for the 2015 MacBook Air with an Intel Core i7 which only narrowly edges it out.

A follow-up tweet by Matt Mariska also revealed that the iPhone 7 managed to beat the $6,500 model of the 2013 MacBook Pro in single-thread performance. While obviously the iPhone won’t be replacing laptops anytime soon, it does go to show how far along Apple has come in the development of its A-series of ARM chipsets. Who knows, at this rate those rumors of an ARM-based Mac could come true, and it could be very well justified.

( Note: Mac Air CPU is 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 [Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz] with 3MB shared L3 cache with 4GB onboard memory, but iPhone 7 is only 4 core ARM cotex A10 core with much less power consumption than Intel Core i5 )

A closer look at the ARM Cortex-A72

The Cortex-A72 was announced back in February, promising another boost to performance and substantial energy savings to boot. At ARM’s TechDay 2015 in London this week, we were fortunate enough to be given some deeper insight into the inner workings of ARM’s latest application processor.

Although the base-line architecture is very similar to the Cortex-A57, the A72 is much more than typical revision. A team of some 65 to 70 engineers have gone back through the design, optimizing almost every logical block for power efficiency, helping the processor to sustain maximum frequencies during heavy workloads, and focused on squeezing the design into a smaller area, to keep costs down.

Architecturally, the Cortex-A72 features a new branch-predictor, increases the effective decode and dispatch bandwidths, and has had changes made to the execution units, to name just a few alterations. ARMs new branch predictor reduces misprediction with a new algorithm and can suppress superfluous branch predictor accesses, which helps to reduce wasted energy. The rebuild offers up to 20 percent improvements to prediction over the A57.

The design still features a 3-wide decode, but the dispatch unit has gone from 3- to 5-wide, to more effectively break operations down into further micro-ops which help keep the 8-wide issue machine well fed. The execution stage sees the introduction of next-gen floating-point SIMD units with a
variety of latency reductions, multiple zero-cycle forwarding datapaths to reduce wasted cycles, and substantial bandwidth increases in the two integer units. The load and store units have a more sophisticated combined L1/L2 data prefetcher, offering a bandwidth improvement of 30 percent. All of which, among other changes, is designed to help reduce power consumption and to improve performance in certain areas over the A57.

In terms of what this means for silicon designers and end users, the Cortex-A72 is still a high-end processor, but it will utilize energy more efficiently.  In other words, the CPU will be able to do more within the limited power budgets available on mobile and should result in cooler devices as well. Even at 28nm, the Cortex-A72 boasts up to a 50 percent energy reduction when compared with the Cortex-A15 and a 20 percent saving compared with the A57, at the same clock speeds. Milliwatts per core have dropped from the A57, to around 700mW at 2.5GHz. The design takes up 10 percent less area than the A57, which will also help save on costs.

ARM is also increasingly focused on its POP IP, you’ll see quite a few references to TMSC’s 16nm FinFET Plus manufacturing node in the examples. As well as substantial energy savings, ARM reckons that the A72 will be able to sustain 2.5GHz clocks on the new 16nm process, whilst keeping within the limited smartphone power budget. It’s the additional power efficiency and resulting lower heat profile that will really help the A72 achieve higher clock speeds than a 16nm A57.

趨勢分析

2016年10月9日 星期日

3D列印技術將至應用成長期,各產業應用將產生革命 ( 3D printing technology will reach high growth on application, the industry will revolutionize by this )

IDC:2020年3D列印市場規模將成長至354億美元

2016年3D列印市場將達159億美元,2020年成長至354億美元。儘管3D印表機、耗材將佔市場大宗,但電腦輔助設計在今後5年快速成長,預估成長可望達現今的3倍之多。各產業應用中,汽車設計、航太、國防、醫材等均有成長。

研究機構IDC最新全球3D列印市場支出追蹤半年報指出,2016年相關市場支出將達159億美元(約合新台幣4977億元),並以24.1%的年複合成長率增加,2020年將達到354億美元(約合新台幣1.11兆元)。

IDC表示,儘管3D印表機與相關耗材將占去市場大半,但3D列印相關軟體服務成長卻更為強勁。電腦輔助設計(CAD)軟體預計在5年後規模將達現今的3倍之多,隨需零件列印服務的成長速度也相去不遠。

3D列印市場最大的應用領域,將以汽車相關設計領域中的快速原型機列印為最,2016年將達40億美元規模,其次則是航太國防零部件列印,規模達24億美元,而牙材列印亦成長不錯。

若以產業別來看,由於原型機與零部件列印的應用案例最多,因此離散製造業自然成為3D列印最大客戶,在2016年佔市場總支出的56%。IDC表示,隨著製造業減少生產週期與控制原型機製造成本等誘因,3D列印在未來數年仍將快速成長,推出3D列印產品的公司也將會顯著增加。


在今年 3 月份的時候,惠普提出要解決 3D 印表機的兩個令人詬病的問題,一是列印速度慢,看著就像等冰融化一樣,第二精度低、品質差。

如今惠普帶來了憋了許久的新技術 Multi Jet Fusion,宣稱可以有十倍的速度提升,且精度更高,列印的顏色比任何一台競爭對手的產品都準,而且要準很多。惠普丟出狠話,打算為整個產業帶來革命,他們這項技術初期應用於企業級客戶,未來不排除也推出消費級產品。

HP 還展示了一個影片,列印出的一個掛鉤可以掛起一輛車,這個掛鉤列印用時不到 30 分鐘,重量 113g,可掛起 4.5 噸重的物體。影片中的車重量 1.1 噸,看起來掛鉤毫不費力,在硬度上令人驚嘆,這有望在製造業受到青睞。

惠普還展示了實機,但是要等到 2016 年才上市。在不久前,惠普宣佈拆分成 HP Enterprise 和 HP Inc. 兩家獨立的上市公司。前者專注於企業級的 IT 解決方案、基礎設施以及軟體和雲端服務。後者將包括惠普傳統的兩大硬體業務,PC 和列印。分拆將在 2015 年 10 月底前完成。

在印表機市場,惠普有著近半數的市場,是產業第一大廠,在商用和消費領域有著很強的口碑。藉助這些口碑和企業客戶關係,推廣 3D 印表機應該不是難事。現在主要看企業的需求,目前較為成熟的市場是工業設計、結構設計以及教育市場,部分製造業也有 3D 印表機的應用。



HP wants to drive the "next industrial revolution" and spark a change in the way products are manufactured with its new 3D printers.

The company's first 3D printers will ship later this year, said Cathie Lesjak, chief financial officer for HP, speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference this week.

HP first announced 3D printers in 2014, and is now preparing for the big launch. HP is looking to hire materials experts, mechanical engineers, managers and sales people for its push into 3D printing.
HP has a rich history in printing and is entering a 3D printing market that, over the past 20-plus years, has been marred by support and technology problems. HP wants to make 3D printing quicker, cheaper and faster for businesses.

3D printing PCB
"We're really not terribly interested in consumer 3D [printing], we're interested in commercial," Lesjak said.

The technology offers several advantages for businesses. Instead of using multiple machines to make a product, businesses will be able to use a single 3D printer to make parts, Lesjak said.

Companies will be able to cut manufacturing costs by making products in-house. With the ability to print parts when needed, companies don't have to worry about holding excess inventory, she said.

The HP printer will support advanced inks and materials. It will also use design rules and precision production methods typically applied to integrated circuit manufacturing.

HP's 3D printing technology has its basis in the company's PageWide commercial printing technology. PageWide uses special inks for faster document printing, and will likely expand to include new ink and material for 3D printing.

The excitement around 3D printing peaked in 2014, but has since died down. The stock prices of companies like Stratasys - which owns MakerBot - and 3D Systems have plummeted as those companies focused on the consumer market. That recent history is one reason why HP wants to focus exclusively on the commercial market, Lesjak said.

GE buys two 3D printing companies at $1.4 billion

A Swedish and a German company join the fold to make industrial components. On Tuesday, General Electric announced that it would spend $1.4 billion (~£1 billion) to acquire two European 3D printing companies—Arcam AB from Sweden and SLM Solutions Group from Germany. According to the Associated Press, GE spent $1.5 billion (~£1.1 billion) on 3D printing investments since 2010, meaning the acquisitions will double what the company has invested in the last five years.

In a press release, GE noted that Arcam “invented the electron beam melting machine for metal-based additive manufacturing and also produces advanced metal powders.” SLM Solutions, on the other hand, “produces laser machines for metal-based additive manufacturing.” Both companies have histories of doing business in the aerospace and healthcare industries, and SLM Solutions also has customers in the energy and automotive industries.
3D printing parts for GE

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, GE’s CEO of Aviation David Joyce said that GE’s jet engine business has been the primary outlet for so-called additive manufacturing at the company, but it plans to use 3D printing more frequently in its power turbine and medical equipment businesses.

“GE said it expected to purchase about 1,000 new 3-D printing machines over the next decade,” the WSJ notes. “By bringing the two firms in-house, GE says it could cut costs by $3 billion to $5 billion across the company, since the technology could reduce design and material costs.” Eventually, GE could potentially become a supplier of industrial 3D printing machines and materials with these acquisitions.
3D printing is favored in certain kinds of industrial production—it can be used to create parts that are much lighter than molded or cast parts. At the same time, it can also take longer for a 3D printer to make parts than a more traditional process would take, meaning that many companies employ 3D printing at a prototyping stage but dispense with it for production-ready items. GE has said it hopes to make 3D printing faster by at least two to three times over the next few years, according to the WSJ.

趨勢分析

  • 由於3D列印技術大幅進步,3D列印技術將至應用成長期,各產業應用將產生革命;
  • 研究機構IDC最新全球3D列印市場支出追蹤半年報指出,2016年相關市場支出將達159億美元(約合新台幣4977億元),並以24.1%的年複合成長率增加,2020年將達到354億美元(約合新台幣1.11兆元)。
  • 對台灣產業影響很大,因為台灣小量多樣產業產值是超過 3000億以上,台灣需抓住這機會產生新的業產創新與成長,如3D列印機器人、客製3D列印產品等等。

2016年10月6日 星期四

2016年全球最佳的健身追踪器:Fitbit、Garmin、Misfit ,,, ( How to understand wearable growth ? from fitness tracker )

Best fitness trackers 2016: Fitbit, Garmin, Misfit and more

Best fitness tracker

Our Garmin Vivosmart HR+ review broke the record for an all-time high score for fitness trackers and for good reason: it's all singing, all dancing and packed with tech, although that still might not make it the perfect choice for everyone.

The Vivosmart HR+ offers a great mix of activity, heart rate and GPS tracking, which makes it a no-brainer for those thinking about a Fitbit, but non-plussed by the idea of taking a phone along for a run.

While the band is still a little chunky for some and the screen is nowhere near as attractive as the Blaze, it offers up around a week of battery life, is devilishly good when it comes to notifications and it's water resistant to about 50m – although the lack of a swimming mode is a bitter disappointment.

Run stats are a little light – if you want more than pace, distance or basic HR data then you'll need to head into proper GPS running watch territory.

( Garmin Vivosmart HR+ 是全世界最佳的健身追踪器,它提供 GPS、心跳監視、睡眠追踪、記步器等功能 )
Feature check: Steps, sleep monitoring, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, GPS.

Best general fitness tracker

Fitbit raised the bar with the Charge 2, in spite of the device falling slightly short of its own expectations. As well the usual steps and sleep tracking – all logged within Fitbit's superb app – the Charge 2 tracks heart rate continuously, monitors resting heart rate and now rates VO2 Max, a scientific gauge of fitness. New breathing training to combat stress adds to a stellar line-up of wellness features – so why isn't it topping the table?

Teething issues with screen responsiveness, a fiddly interface and flaky heart rate tracking during very intense workouts make for an experience that falls short for the more active user. It will accurately track runs, but you need to take your phone out with you.

However, if general wellbeing is more important to you than getting sweaty at the gym, the Charge 2 is one of the strongest devices on the market.

( Fitbit Charge 2 是全世界最流行的健身追踪器,它提供 心跳監視、睡眠追踪、記步器、呼吸訓練、最高血氧測試等功能 )
Feature check: Steps, sleep monitoring, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, breathing training, VO2 Max.

Best for sleep tracking

We talked and Jawbone listened. After receiving mediocre reviews for the Jawbone UP3, the San Francisco company went live with new firmware addressing a number of the key concerns – and automatic sleep tracking is now on offer. That's great news because the UP3 is incredibly in-depth when it comes to tracking your zzzz's. By monitoring a user's bpm, respiration rate, body temperature and galvanic skin response, it can give you your REM, light and deep sleep stats.
( Jawbone UP3 是全世界最流行的健身睡眠追踪器,它提供 心跳監視、睡眠追踪、記步器等功能 )
Feature check: Heart rate (resting and passive), steps, sleep.

趨勢預估

  • 健身追踪器將是 IOT 成長最快產品,將會結合各種健康訊息感測器成為個人健康追踪的主要產品。
  • 它的 Apps 及 web 也將成為 Health social network 的另一種結合營養、健康、運動、瘦身、健康廚藝生意模式。