ASCO Power Technologies is offering an immersive experience of its industry-leading power source management solutions. Visitors can learn more about critical power and connect with ASCO Power experts. Power availability enables facilities and organizations to mitigate interruptions, provide service, and maintain operations. With the rise of outages and demand for sustainability, critical power solutions can help facilities meet objectives. ASCO Power Technologies is demonstrating its current line of source management products, along with new releases such as the Schneider Electric TransferPacT at the Hannover Messe 2023, Hall 11, C46, April 17–21, 2023.

At the virtual Hannover Messe in Germany in April, Bosch Group (parent of Bosch Rexroth) celebrated "10 years of Industry 4.0" with new products, a review of its own experience with "connected factories" since 2012, and a preview of its pilot implementation of a new "universal AI solution for manufacturing" in its own plants. Developed by the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence, the new AI-based system reportedly "detects anomalies and malfunctions in the manufacturing process at an early stage, reliably reduces reject parts, and improves product quality." The AI solutions uses Bosch Connected Industry's proven Nexeed manufacturing execution system (MES) to automatically collect, process and analyze data from a variety of sources in near real time. Sensor data from machines and cameras serves as the basis for detecting fluctuations in a wide range of manufacturing processes, based on patterns learned from prior data. Nexeed Industry 4.0 software "translates" and visualizes the data, and the AI system offers recommendations for action to plant personnel--or could take direct corrective action in certain cases. The main tools in this process are custom-configured dashboards that present relevant data to human managers and operators.

The magic wand of blockchain technology has touched our lives in multiple ways over the last decade. It has made cryptocurrency traders out of ordinary investors who would even shy away from the traditional stock markets. It has provided us with an easy way of transferring money across borders, without the interference of banks. On a larger scale, blockchain has provided enterprises with a trustless and tamper-proof apparatus for tracking assets, verifying identity, settling contracts, and so much more. New industries based on asset tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) have been created on the strength of blockchain technology.

The magic wand of blockchain technology has touched our lives in multiple ways over the last decade. It has made cryptocurrency traders out of ordinary investors who would even shy away from the traditional stock markets. It has provided us with an easy way of transferring money across borders, without the interference of banks. On a larger scale, blockchain has provided enterprises with a trustless and tamper-proof apparatus for tracking assets, verifying identity, settling contracts, and so much more. New industries based on asset tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) have been created on the strength of blockchain technology.

From 24 – 28 April, four ECHORD experiments will present their work at Hannover Messe, the world's biggest trade show. You can see the latest advances in EU-funded robotics technology development in Hall 17, stand C70, and get the chance to develop your own ideas with their on-site competition. CoCoMaps, Collaborative Cognitive Maps, uses an expanded version of the existing Cognitive Map Architecture implemented on Honda's ASIMO robot in an environment with more complex tasks than already attempted. This will allow the robot to interact in more complex ways, in particular, to simultaneously interact with another robot and more than one person at a time. Thus, the project aims for a group of 2 robots and 2 humans enabling social interactions that can coexist with the robots' attention to – and completion of – practical tasks in the workplace.

Science fiction writers describe them as intelligent robots. Industry 4.0 advocates call them autonomous cyber-physical systems. The former often depict them in the worst possible light, as part of their nightmarish visions and dystopian horror stories. From Arthur C. Clarke's HAL to James Cameron's T-800, these AI-powered mechanical monsters have a tendency to use their supernatural strength and intelligence to outwit, outrun and outgun humans. On the other hand, the tech sector tends to view them as the catalyst to exponential productivity growth–the key to automation utopia.

Overall it was an inspiring week with many deep engaging conversations. Visitors to the Microsoft area were excited to see customer success stories from us and our partners and learned about the details of the Azure services that were used to build them. Hannover Messe this year featured many smart technologies and digital transformation breakthroughs tailored to the world of manufacturing and we look forward to being back next year with even more exciting updates to share.