IoT Deals and Partnerships: Mitsubishi, Flexxbotics, Telefónica and More

From Mitsubishi’s partnership with Visual Components for new digital manufacturing solutions to Vention and Flexxbotics’ collaboration on a new robotic work cell digitalization tool, here are some of the latest deals and partnerships from the world of IoT.

Mitsubishi, Visual Components Partner for Digital Manufacturing Tech

Mitsubishi is partnering with Visual Components, a 3D manufacturing simulation company, to develop and enhance digital manufacturing solutions including digital twins and robotics.

Together, the companies form the ME Industrial Simulation Software Corp. 

According to the companies, through their partnership they aim to bring Visual Components’ simulation expertise to Mitsubishi Electric’s 3D simulator, MELSOFT Gemini – a digital twin platform that streamlines industrial production.

Using Visual Components’ tech, the pair hopes to enhance MELSOFT Gemini’s capabilities, streamlining production processes and helping mitigate challenges from labor shortages, as well as meeting the continued industry demand for higher productivity and better product quality. 

“This joint venture will be able to maximize synergies by combining Visual Components’ superior 3D simulation software with Mitsubishi Electric’s manufacturing know-how,” said Mikko Urho, Visual Components’ CEO. “Through synergies, we will accelerate the realization of digital manufacturing and contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of our customers.

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“3D Simulation is essential for any digital twin platform aiming to optimize the entire manufacturing life cycle…This collaboration will empower manufacturers, system builders, and integrators to harness the full potential of digital manufacturing.”

Vention, Flexxbotics to Deliver Robotic Workcell Digitalization Tool

Flexxbotics and Vention, the company behind the cloud-based Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP), are partnering to create a combined offering for robotic work cell digitalization in “next-generation machining environments”. 

Under the collaboration, the companies will combine Flexxbotics’ advanced robot machine tending solution with Vention’s Manufacturing Automation Platform offering. 

Customers can use Vention's cloud-robotic tools and modular automation hardware to design tailored machine-tending robot cells, and Flexxbotics' machine-tending SaaS/hybrid solution for deployment and continuous operation to achieve “lights out” manufacturing. 

“Flexxbotics work cell digitalization is important to the success of the smart factory, turning conventional robotic machine tending into robot-driven manufacturing with autonomous process control,” according to the companies. “With Flexxbotics, the robots are connected and communicate directly with the CNC machinery and the inspection equipment in the work cell for closed-loop quality control of precision machined parts.”

"Vention's mission to democratize industrial automation addresses the manufacturing world's toughest challenges,” said Etienne Lacroix, CEO and co-founder of Vention. “With production reshoring, labor shortage and salary inflation, companies are looking for breakthrough solutions to automate their shop floor.  "Through this partnership, manufacturers now have access to a complete, turnkey offering, leveraging Vention's Manufacturing Automation Platform and Flexxbotics advanced machine tending solution, along with their knowledge and expertise in deploying complex workcells." 

Credit: Flexxbotics

Telefónica, Nova Labs launch Helium Mobile Hotspots in Mexico

Telefónica and Nova Labs have partnered to launch Helium Mobile Hotspots in Mexico. 

The solution, rolled out with select customers in Mexico City and Oaxaca, will extend Telefónica’s coverage and enable offloading of mobile data to the Helium Mobile Network to improve overall mobile coverage service for customers.

The solution is based on the OpenWifi standard developed by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), which enables select Movistar customers in Mexico to access the Helium Mobile Network using their Movistar SIM cards for authentication.

“Telefónica is exploring ways to expand coverage through innovative, lower-cost, cooperative-based solutions,” said José Juan Haro, Telefónica’s public affairs officer. “Our expectation, if successful, is to incorporate this into our portfolio of mobile networks in the different countries of the region”.

“Alongside Telefónica, Nova Labs has solved one of the main challenges for telecommunications and pioneered a solution that supports secure data offload that can be implemented globally,” said Amir Haleem, Nova Lab’s CEO. “This is a major advancement for the telco industry and will significantly reduce infrastructure cost while maintaining high-quality service”.

Credit: Telefónica

Netmore Group Acquires Senet, Expands Network into North America 

Netmore Group, a LoRaWAN network operator, has acquired Senet, marking its global expansion into North American markets.

This acquisition positions the combined entity as the leading platform for IoT B2B deployments at scale, with a particular focus on large-scale commercial markets, including utilities, energy, enterprise, and asset tracking/logistics.

Senet brings its portfolio of public and private network offerings and integrations with several terrestrial and satellite networks. Netmore said the combined company is positioned to deliver connectivity services, network infrastructure management, network and device monitoring and management, radio planning, maintenance, and customer support globally.

The combined company will start with over one million connected devices under direct management, with scope for expansion in the future.

“The acquisition of Senet is a very important step in Netmore’s expansion plan,” said Ove Anebygd, Netmore’s CEO. “After our build-out of LoRaWAN in Europe, now covering 11 countries, this expansion into the US is a pivotal part of our growth strategy and aligned with our commitment to the deployment of infrastructure needed to support global business automation and sustainability initiatives.”

OptConnect Acquires M2M DataGlobal

OptConnect, a wireless service provider, has acquired M2M DataGlobal, one of the largest IoT organizations in Latin America.

Combined, the companies create a scaled wireless connectivity platform with a global reach, capable of supporting customers across industries in North and South America.

The acquisition marks a significant expansion in global reach, dramatically increasing its ability to support global partnerships with ultra-reliable connectivity and support in more countries. 

“We are continuing to evolve as a company to meet and exceed the needs of our customers as they expand across the world,” said Chris Baird, OptConnect’s CEO. “Our unwavering commitment lies in being an innovative global provider of highly valued wireless connectivity solutions. This acquisition enables us to continue to deliver on our promise to support customers and ensure they derive the maximum benefits from their IoT initiatives.”

“Since our inception, we have been uniquely focused on our customers and providing specialized support for their needs as we constantly innovate,” said Elionae Silva, General Manager of M2M.

Meltio, One Off Robotics Collaborate to Develop ‘Breakthrough’ Robotic Additive Manufacturing Tool

Meltio, an additive manufacturing technology company, is partnering with One Off Robotics to create a “breakthrough, ready-to-use additive manufacturing work cell.” 

The robotic metal additive system, One Off Robotics Cell, is powered by Meltio’s Wire Laser Metal Deposition (W-LMD) technology and produces cost-effective, finely printed metal parts for applications in industries including automotive, aerospace, mining and utilities.

Its eight-axis system simplifies complex geometry printing and is configured to work with the Meltio Space robotic slicer, as well as other robotic additive software.

“Meltio’s main commitment with this new product offering…is to offer all types of industries the ability to manage the entire manufacturing process using our metal 3D printing technology,” said Alejandro Nieto, Meltio’s engine product manager. “This new hardware system allows the customer to receive a ready-to-use cell for robotic metal 3D printing, removing the integration process and long assembly lead times.”

Credit: Meltio