Google Buying Up Robot Companies, Planning World Domination?

Boston Dynamics is an engineering company that has designed mobile research robots for the Pentagon that can run faster than 40 mph. Big Dog is a company that  makes a four-legged robot that can climb hills and travel easily through snow. Schaft is an award-winning Japanese robot design firm has built a robot that walks … Read more

Amazon Testing Its Own “Last Mile” Delivery Service

Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, has relied on delivery services such as United Parcel Service and the US Postal Service to get its millions of packages to its customers … until now. The web-based retailing giant is not testing its own network of “last mile” delivery services in San Francisco and plans to launch … Read more

Top Ten List: Tire Inflation Safety Cages

Commercial tires with tubeless and multi-piece limbs are prone to explosion during inflation, making the simple act of changing tires a potentially life-threatening activity. Tire inflation safety cages are designed to protect workers changing commercial tires from injury should the tire explode while being inflated, but only when used safely. Here are the Top Ten … Read more

Wyoming State-Owned Liquor Distributor Installs Voice-Activated Picking System

A new 145,000 square foot distribution center operated by the state of Wyoming’s Department of  Revenue Liquor Division features a voice recognition system that allows workers to use voice-activated controls to speed up the picking process and dramatically cut fulfillment times. The facility, located in Cheyenne, allows workers to use smart phones to communicate with … Read more

Lighting Strategies to Reduce Utility Costs

About $200 billion is spent globally for illuminating work spaces, homes and businesses, about half of which comes from commercial buildings. Yet much of that energy is wasted. Lights are left on when they aren’t needed, areas are bathed in too much light. By employing effective lighting strategies to use only the light you need … Read more

Intermodal Volume Grows During First Quarter Despite Weather

Even though many parts of the US experienced the worst winter weather in decades, first quarter intermodal volumes grew during the first quarter of 2014, Logistics Management reported. Total intermodal volume movements were up 2.6% compared to Q1 2013, reaching 3,777,454, according to a report released by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). The … Read more

New DNV Shackles and Sub-Assemblies Introduced for Offshore Rigs

A New York materials handling company has introduced a new line of DNV-approved shackles and  sub-assemblies to be used by the offshore oil and gas industries. Columbus McKinnon — the Amherst, New York, based manufacturer of hoist, cranes and other heavy duty materials handling equipment — announced in a news release that it has expanded … Read more

New $302 Billion Transportation Bill to Be Considered by Congress

Congress is expected to consider a new $302 billion transportation bill that was submitted by US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. The mammoth, four-year bill was dubbed GROW AMERICA, an acronym for “Generating Renewal, Opportunity and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and  Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America.” It is being submitted ahead of the … Read more

Retailers Hope for Quick Resolution of West Coast Port Worker Contract

The National Retail Federation has called for negotiators on both sides of pending West Coast dock workers’ contract talks to reach an agreement as quickly as possible, but the leader of a national agriculture trade group said he’s preparing for the worst. The contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the coalition of … Read more