Washington, Nov 25 (AP) Amazon has introduced a handful of robots in its warehouses that the e-commerce giant says will improve efficiency and reduce employee injuries. Two robotic arms named Robin and Cardinal can lift packages that weigh up to 50 pounds. A third, called Sparrow, picks up items from bins and puts them in other containers. Proteus, an autonomous mobile robot that operates on the floor, can move carts around a warehouse. The bipedal, humanoid robot Digit is being tested to help move empty totes with its hands. And there's also Sequoia, a containerised storage system that can present totes to employees in a way that allows them to avoid stretching or squatting to grab inventory. Amazon says Robin is currently being used in dozens of warehouses. The others are in a testing stage or haven't been rolled out widely. But the company says it's already seeing benefits, such as reducing the time it takes to fulfil orders and helping employees avoid repetitive tasks. However, automation also carries drawbacks for workers, who would have to be retrained for new positions if the robots made their roles obsolete. In October, Amazon held an event at a Nashville, Tennessee, warehouse where the company had integrated some of the robots. The Associated Press spoke with Julie Mitchell, the director of Amazon's robotic sortation technologies, about where the company hopes to go from here. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Q: When you're working on robotics, how long does it typically take to roll out new technology? A: This journey that we've been on has taken a couple of years. Luckily for us, we've been at this for over a decade. So we have a lot of core technology that we can build on top of. We started these particular robots - Cardinal and Proteus - in this building in November 2022. We came in and began playing around with what it would look like to pack and move a production order. Less than two years later, we are at scale and shipping 70 per cent of the items in this building through that robotics system. Q: So, two years? A: We talk about “build, test and scale” and that's about a two-year cycle for us right now. Q: It's challenging to build robots that can physically grab products. How does Amazon work through that? A: As you can probably imagine, we have so many items, so it's an exceptional challenge. We rely on data and putting our first prototype in a real building, where we expose it to all the things we need it to do. Then we drive down all the reasons that it fails. We give it a lot of sample sizes in a very short period of time. For example, a couple of years ago, we launched our Robin robotics arm – a package manipulation robot – and we're at 3 billion picks. So the ability to launch into our network, rapidly collect data, scale and iterate has enabled us to go fast. The challenge itself can be boiled down to three simple things: you need to perceive the scene, plan your motion and then execute. Today, those are three different parts of our system. Artificial intelligence is going to help us change all of that, and it's going to be more outcome-driven, like asking it to pick up a bottle of water. We're on the verge, so that's why I'm personally excited to be here at the onset of generative AI and use it to dramatically improve the performance of our robotics. Q: How do you think about the impact of automation on Amazon's workforce as you're developing the technology? A: With the technology we've deployed here, we're creating new roles for individuals that can acquire new skills to fulfil those roles. And these new skills are not something that is too difficult to achieve. You don't need an engineering degree, Ph.D. or any really technical skills to support our robotics systems. We designed the systems so they're easy to service and train on the job to be a reliability maintenance engineer. We are working backwards from the idea that we want to employ more skilled labor. These opportunities are obviously higher paid than the entry level jobs in our buildings. And partnering with MIT has helped us understand what matters most to our team as we're deploying these technologies across our network. Q: Are you experiencing any challenges as you introduce these robots in your warehouses? A: Not in the adoption. We're integrating it. But these are complex systems and this is the real world, so things go wrong. For example, we had bad weather due to the storms in the Southeast. When I look at the robotics systems data, I can tell the weather is bad outside because that dramatically affects how the ship dock works. When trucks don't arrive on time or when they can't leave, you see bottlenecks in the building in strange ways. Containers build up, we have to put them in different places, and then humans need to recover them. So communication between what our robotics system is doing and what we need employees in the building to do to recover is important. It's a collaboration of automation and humans to deal with real-world problems. It's not a matter of having robotics take over but making it one system of humans and robotics working together to accomplish the goal of shipping the product. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI), and have secured new funding to increase semiconductor production in the United States. The are part of the CHIPS Incentives Program’s funding opportunity for commercial fabrication facilities, the Department of Commerce said Dec. 20. The companies previously signed non-binding preliminary memoranda of terms to secure the funding. Table of Contents US Awards Funding to Samsung According to the Commerce Department, Samsung, which was first to sign a preliminary memorandum of terms, will receive up to $4.74 billion in direct funding. The incentive supports Samsung’s pledge to invest over $37 billion in the coming years to create a comprehensive ecosystem that will include research and development facilities and logic fabricators. Samsung will also expand its current semiconductor facilities in Austin, Texas. , secretary of commerce, commented that the government’s recent investment in Samsung makes the United States the “only country on the planet that is home to all five leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers.” Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, SK Hynix and Micron also previously in the U.S. “Thanks to the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, we are unleashing the next generation of innovation, protecting our national security, and enhancing our global economic competitiveness,” Raimondo said. Amkor Receives CHIPS Investment Meanwhile, Amkor Technology was in support of the company’s approximately $2 billion investment in a new advanced packaging and test facility located in Peoria, Arizona. Amkor is the largest U.S.-based outsourced semiconductor assembly and test company. Its advanced packaging technology is critical to meeting the global demand for artificial intelligence chips. According to Raimondo, the U.S. investment in Amkor ensures access to leading-edge packaging technologies and reinforces the nation’s position as a global technology leader for years to come. She added that Amkor’s Arizona activity will support critical industries, such as AI and high-performance compute. TI to Build New Semiconductor Factories Texas Instruments was for the construction of three new state-of-the-art facilities in Texas and Utah. The company already pledged $18 billion through the end of the decade for the upcoming manufacturing sites. TI specializes in the production of mature-node chips, also called foundational chips, which are used in a wide range of electronic systems, including sensors, amplifiers and integrated circuits. Highlighting the importance of the government’s incentive award to TI, Raimondo explained that mature-node semiconductor shortage during the pandemic led to supply chain disruptions. “With this major investment in TI to expand U.S. capacity of these foundational semiconductors, we are strengthening our economic security, making our country safer, and creating thousands of jobs in Texas and Utah.” commented the official.
Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual
MADRID (AP) — Spanish King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve speech to remember the victims of the catastrophic Valencia flash floods , and urged the country to remain calm while addressing hot-button issues such as immigration and housing affordability. In a pre-recorded speech that usually reviews the year's most relevant issues, Felipe said Spain “must never forget the pain and sadness" the floods caused. The Oct. 29 floods killed more than 225 people in eastern Spain, damaging countless homes and leaving graveyards of cars piled on top of each other. In some towns, the heavy downpours that caused the floods dropped as much as a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. In early November, as Spaniards' shock at the wreckage turned into frustration, a political blame game began, directed especially at regional authorities who failed to send timely emergency alerts to cell phones on the day of the floods. The frustration of residents in hard-hit Paiporta near Valencia was on display when people tossed mud and shouted insults at the king and government officials in early November when they made their first visit to the town. “We have seen — and understood — the frustration, the pain, the impatience, the demands for greater and more effective coordination," Felipe said about how the disaster was managed. He also addressed the country's housing crunch and high rents, which have become a leading concern in the southern European country that is the eurozone's fourth-largest economy. Fast-rising rents are especially acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Felipe urged that “all the actors involved reflect” and "listen to each other” so that they facilitate bringing access to housing under “affordable conditions.” Spain's immigration debate should keep in mind the country's European partners and immigrants' countries of origin, Felipe said, warning that “the way in which we are able to address immigration ... will say a lot in the future about our principles and the quality of our democracy.” Felipe said Spain needed to remain calm in the public sphere, even in the face of a “sometimes thunderous” contest in its politics.Google names UK executive as president for Europe, Middle East and Africa
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy called on the people of Telangana to celebrate ‘Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu’ from December 1 to 10. Moreover, he will also unveil the Telangana Thalli statue in the Secretariat premises on December 9 and statehood activists, intellectuals, and others excelled in various fields will be invited to the celebrations, he said. The Congress government had drawn flak earlier for attempting to change Telangana’s state emblem, which the party said should reflect more democratic aspirations of the people. The existing one has the Kakatiya Toranam, and the Charminar inside it. Revanth Reddy also directed officials to make arrangements for the celebrations in the Secretariat area, Tank Bund and Necklace Road for three days to “spread the Telangana glory”, said a statement from the chief minister’s office (CMO). “Various stalls will be set up to create an exhibition-like atmosphere. Musical shows, air shows and eye-catching drone shows will also be organized for three days along with cultural programs to showcase Telangana culture and art forms,” it added. In a press release from his office, the Telangana chief minister said he will also organise a victory rally with unemployed youth in Peddapalli districts on December 4. “Arrangements will be made to handover appointment letters to 9,000 selected candidates through various recruitments, including Group 4, at the venue,” it added. For the ‘Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu’, the Telangana chief minister ordered the officials to make arrangements on a grand scale for the celebrations. The Congress government will explain its achievements in the first year after it won the elections, and will also unveil plans for future programs during the celebrations, stated the chief minister. The Telangana chief minister also congratulated officials for conducting the Mahila Shakti Sangham meeting successfully in Warangal on November 19. He further instructed authorities to make necessary arrangements for the farmers’ conference to be organized in Mahabubnagar on November 30. “The officials have been asked to organise awareness programs from November 28, two days before the Farmers conference, and also set up exhibition stalls at the venue,” said the statement. Revanth Reddy also suggested that department-wise programs be taken up from December 1. “A plan is being prepared for various development programs including foundation stone laying and inaugural ceremonies during the week long celebrations,” said the statement from his officePolice officials have been asked to take appropriate measures to avoid traffic problems in the city during the celebrations in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9. Police are advised to divert vehicles on Secretariat, Necklace Road and Tank Bund road for the smooth conduct of celebrations.
Racist attacks against migrants have come in the wake of the deadly Christmas market attack in Magdeburg. Observers warn of Germany's extreme-right scene mobilizing over the incident. The motive of Talib A.*, the perpetrator of the deadly Christmas Market attack in Magdeburg , is still unclear. What has been confirmed is that he is a Saudi citizen and is in custody. Nonetheless, shortly after the attack, the extreme-right scene in Germany began to antagonize migrants. "I have never experienced such a hostile and threatening environment," said a student studying automotive engineering in Magdeburg, the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt . Salam, a violence prevention center in Saxony-Anhalt, gave a similar account. The association has observed a significant increase in incidents against people seen as foreigners by right-wing extremists. According to Salam, "perceived migrants are branded as 'terrorists,' 'criminals' and 'lowlifes,' some are pushed around and spat at." Threats have gone so far that migrant communities have warned each other in WhatsApp groups and on Facebook against going out in public. That the perpetrator of the Magdeburg attack is suspected of being an Islamophobe and a right-wing extremist is a paradox, Hans Goldenbaum, a radicalization expert at Salam, told German broadcaster MDR . "It shows the power of this right extreme discourse and how sealed off he is from reality." Magdeburg attack puts pressure on German security services To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nationwide mobilization of right-wing extremists Since the Christmas market attack, extreme-right and neo-Nazi parties, associations and individuals have mobilized across Germany. They demand the mass deportation of migrants from the country. Hundreds of neo-Nazis gathered at an extreme-right rally in Magdeburg on Sunday, two days after the attack. The demonstration saw attacks on journalists. On Monday night, participants at a rally held by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) chanted, "Deport! Deport" Deport!" One of the speakers at a rally on Sunday was Thorsten Heise. The militant neo-Nazi has several previous convictions. He once tried to run over a refugee with his car. Videos of the rally show Heise calling on the demonstrators to infiltrate associations, fire departments and authorities. Journalists and observers reported that participants in the rally shouted "Wake up Germany," a phrase used during Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler . Its usage is a punishable offense in Germany. Politicization of the attack has already begun David Begrich, a right-wing extremism expert from the association Miteinander in Magdeburg, expects a broader politicization of the Christmas market attack . The AfD political party has organized large demonstrations in Magdeburg. Begrich strongly criticized the demonstrations, saying that the focus after the attack should remain on the five victims and the 200 others wounded. "I am witnessing great bewilderment and shock in Magdeburg," he told DW. "This attack has deeply wounded the city. That also applies to me personally: my wife was one of those injured." Begrich said he thinks no one should politicize the attack as long as there are victims in the hospital: "The fate of the victims must be the main focus. The reappraisal comes afterward. Communities do not want any politicization." Despite all the fake news, speculation and attempts at politicizing the deadly attack on social media, Begrich sees his city as truly affected, "The city is coming together." *Editor's note: DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and urges us to refrain from revealing the full names of alleged criminals. This article was originally published in German.Publication offers recommendations for lawmakers and policymakers to tackle challenges facing older New Yorkers – the state's fastest-growing population NEW YORK , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Providing enough funding to ensure older New Yorkers can receive vital in-home services, allowing importation from Canada of less expensive prescription drugs and strengthening protections against financial fraud are just some of the over 90 recommendations AARP New York includes in its newly released "AARP NY State Blueprint For Action," the state organization's publication updated for 2025 to help public officials tackle important issues facing New York residents age 50 years and older. "All New York State elected officials and policymakers must understand the issues faced by our neighbors who are 50-plus, and this insightful roadmap provides the blueprint to do just that," said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel . "New Yorkers 50-plus helped build our state and make it great. They face many challenges, including ageism, a lack of affordable housing, the rising costs of medications, and more. Through thoughtful solutions to these issues, we can help older New Yorkers thrive as they age in the communities they love." The state's older adult population is growing rapidly. Residents age 50 and older now number 7 million – more than a third of New York State's population – and more than 4.5 million New Yorkers are 60 or older. According to a 2023 report from the Center for an Urban Future, New York State's 65-and-over population grew by 31% since 2011, with the 65-plus segment accounting for nearly one-fifth – 18% – of the state's population. Older adults are the driving force in New York's economy, cultural life, and volunteer base. They also represent the largest voter turnout bloc. AARP has collaborated with this increasingly diverse population to address priorities to make New York better for residents of all backgrounds. Drawing on research and analysis, including a series of briefs about substantial challenges faced by older New Yorkers, AARP is providing this blueprint so New York leaders can use it as a roadmap to ensure New Yorkers 50-plus continue to enhance the Empire State. The report calls on the Governor and Legislature to develop clear plans to make the state more age-friendly and tackle the challenges faced most by New Yorkers 50-plus, including a lack of affordable housing, workplace age discrimination, gaps in access to technology, food insecurity, inadequate coordination of services among government agencies, inaccessible public transportation, hazardous streets, social isolation, caregiving shortfalls and insufficiencies in home-based care. Recommendations in the blueprint include: Increase funding for home- and community-based services administered through the State Office for the Aging to eliminate statewide waiting lists for home-delivered meals, transportation to doctor's appointments, personal care and other essential services that allow older New Yorkers to remain in their homes; Stand up for nursing home residents by increasing funding for New York's federally-required independent nursing home oversight agency, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP); Fight skyrocketing prescription drug costs by allowing the safe and legal importation of FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada through legislation that would bring relief to the thousands of older New Yorkers who struggle every day to afford their medications; Combat financial exploitation of older New Yorkers by passing legislation enabling banks and the securities industry to place a hold on a transaction if a scam is suspected. Incentivize more New Yorkers to earn their way out of poverty through work by removing the Earned Income Tax Credit age cap so the fast-growing number of working New Yorkers 65-plus can qualify - and increase the credit from 30% to 40% of the federal credit; Fight ageism by increasing education about age discrimination for employers and increase funding for the New York State Division of Human Rights to investigate ageism in the workplace; Promote the construction of new housing built according to the principles of universal design with stepless entryways, wider doorways, and grab bars in bathrooms to allow individuals to age in place; Commit to following Complete Streets guidelines, which make it easy for younger and older residents alike to cross intersections; walk to shops, jobs, and schools; bicycle to work; and move actively with assistive devices. "AARP NY State Blueprint For Action" is available online at aarp.org/NYSActionPlan. Follow us on X: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org , www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media. SOURCE AARP New YorkMedical Fluid Bags Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032)
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