From 1 to 5 April, an anticipated 6,500 companies from 75 nations will be exhibiting at the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology.

The autonomous robot contributes to the continuous improvement of work safety in Vrchlabí and helps to minimise work risks. It recognises people crossing its path as well as other vehicles and stationary obstacles.

The recent Water 2020 report published by the regulator Ofwat encourages sludge trading markets between operators in order to move sludge from a company where it is expensive to treat, to one that is cheaper. Ofwat modelling suggests that if its proposed changes are implemented, around 30 percent of all sludge could move between different water companies.

No modern business is completely safe from cyber threats, even if their system does not have a high level of network connectivity. So, what can industrial companies do to protect themselves?

As digitalisation, Big Data and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) take their course, the classical linear manufacturing model is changing: Complex, integrated networks are developing that aim to achieve higher productivity with lower resource consumption.

It seems a long time ago now since various malware attacks on the operational layer changed the security landscape and highlighted vulnerabilities in the de-facto automation architecture. However, as we move along the road towards Smart Manufacturing with a view to improving efficiency, productivity and reliability of supply using the principles of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the subject of cyber-security is becoming arguably even more important.

To assist manufacturers, Omron has launched its i-Automation programme, which is intended to provide manufacturers with a consistent, reliable way of ensuring they can meet both consumer demands and the changing needs of industry.