Page 4
www.us-tech.com
Tech-Op-ed February, 2018 SOUNDING OFF
By Michael Skinner, Editor
Not the Matrix: The Emerging Cyber-Physical Landscape
We are on the verge of assembling an entire cyber-physical environment, de- signed to blend seamlessly with our devices, homes and vehicles. While algo- rithm-creating titans, such as Google and Facebook, progress toward general artificial intelligence (AI), a host of other technologies have cropped up. All of these incredible developments will require faster wireless communication, much higher bandwidths and more distributed computing. Next-generation mobile network 5G, which is being developed by Sam-
W
sung, Intel, Nokia, and others, promises to enable the massive data transfer necessary for applications like driverless automobiles and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Besides improving coverage over 4G, 5G will offer data rates of 100 megabits per second for metropolitan areas and tens of megabits per sec- ond for tens of thousands of simultaneous users. While chipmakers have been preparing for this new standard for the past couple of years, we can expect to see the first implementations in the U.S. by Verizon and AT&T later this year. Even with this sort of communications network in place, we will begin to
rely more heavily on edge computing — sending data processing to the edges of a network, where it is most needed. With edge computing networks, data no longer has to be trafficked through a central server, as with cloud computing, and can be spread over a huge area. With edge computing, devices can trans- mit data more efficiently, in smaller volumes, with lower latency, and with higher security. Small packets of data are easier to screen for viruses, which can be detected early, before the data is moved further on toward the net- work’s core. With millions of computing devices distributed throughout a smart city,
for example, keeping track of them and each of their individual processes seems nearly impossible. Using blockchain technology, the underlying digital ledger system for cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, all of these devices can auto- matically record and verify each other’s actions, keeping the entire history vis- ible and completely secure from tampering. Combining blockchain with the IoT could enable traffic control across an entire city, optimizing the flow of au- tomated vehicles. With all of this complicated computing infrastructure in place, the only
thing missing is a way to control it easily. Interfacing with our devices is fi- nally shifting from typing and tapping to speaking. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are already in our homes and phones, and third-party developers are scrambling to include voice control in millions of new devices. These digi- tal assistants can control our home entertainment systems, answer questions about schedules and weather, look up information on the Internet and relay it, make calls and purchases, and all kinds of other things. Short of mind con- trol, what is easier than speaking to the device to let it know what we want? Last year, analytics firm Flurry released a report showing that U.S. con-
sumers spend up to five hours per day on mobile devices. This number has grown at an astonishing rate over the last decade. This rise in screen time is likely to continue as long as no other technology supplants the smartphone. However, the time is ripe for another shot at consumer heads-up displays (HUDs), even with the spectacular controversy in 2013-2014 around the Google Glass. Smash hit mobile game Pokémon Go blew the brakes off a now billion-dollar augmented reality (AR) entertainment industry. Apart from the smartphone, AR offers another, more integrated ap-
proach to digitally interacting with the physical world. With a set of stylish AR glasses, the phone can stay in the pocket and all the information we want will be in front of our eyes at any time. This makes it easy to stock virtual in- ventory in stores, dress mannequins and change them with a hand gesture, translate the language of signage, and customize interactive advertising expe- riences to each individual viewer. For manufacturing, Google is now offering its Glass Enterprise Edition, which provides hands-free information to work- ers as they perform complex assembly tasks. All of this technology is ushering in a new era of efficiency and conven-
ience, but is not without its challenges. Cybersecurity and privacy will be front and center. Regulations at all levels, from localities to the federal gov- ernment, will need to be hashed out. In the end, consumers themselves will ultimately determine the pace of adoption. r
hich comes first, greater speed, more storage, or greater connectivity? Do you really want your refrigerator to order your groceries? How comfortable are you about getting into a car with no steering wheel?
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
By Jacob Fattal Publisher
U.S. Manufacturing is Alive and Well
pense of employees and heavy-handed environmental regulations. Still, the U.S. is one of the best places to do business, with a wealth of advanced tech- nology available and strong intellectual property (IP) protection. The number of jobs is changing, certainly, with less unskilled labor re-
I
quired in many industries. However, according to Joel Kotkin, professor of ur- ban studies at Chapman University in California, 52 of the country’s 70 largest metropolitan regions have seen growth in industrial employment since 2011. A report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that manu- facturing generates $1.40 for each dollar put in. This is much larger than the multiplier for business services, information, retail, or finance. In fact, due to the accessibility of advanced technology and the security
of IP, manufacturing executives expect that by 2020, the U.S. will once again be the most competitive manufacturing economy in the world. The decline of actual manufacturing employment can be seen as a natural process that has affected many other industries, such as agriculture. As things become easier to do, or are changed by better information technology and automation, they frequently require fewer people. As we begin 2018, many of the trade shows in our industry focus heavi-
ly on automation and ever-greater efficiencies in production and material han- dling. February 6 to 8 we will be covering ATX/MD&M West in Anaheim, a broad-sweeping look at developments in everything from PCB production and standalone robotics to packaging and plastics. After that, we gear up for IPC APEX in San Diego, one of the most concentrated and influential electronics manufacturing exhibitions every year. The lowering costs of automation, as well as software services that allow
factories and production lines to run more efficiently, are offering high-mix, low-volume manufacturers a chance to gain a competitive edge. The dynamic electronics industry is tied closely to the pace of innovation.
As new ideas and devices are created, manufacturers must be able to meet de- mand. Since the U.S. is the world’s cap- ital of tech innovation, the country’s manufacturers are well-positioned to get in on the ground floor of some truly incredible products. r
n 2010, the U.S. dropped into second place as the world’s largest manufac- turer, with China taking the lead. Many complaints have been hurled at U.S. policy toward manufacturing over the last few years, such as the ex-
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116