In order to meet the challenges of rising labor costs and an aging population, companies around the world are seeking innovative solutions to optimize resources and remain competitive, making automation more important than ever. In response to the rapid development of the robotics market, Advantech has launched the AFE-R series of products for AMR robot applications: AFE-R360 and AFE-R770. This series of products targets the challenges of robotic applications and provides a full range of solutions from sensor verification, anti-interference, high reliability and integrated AI. For most AMRs, vision sensors are critical because they enable the robot to avoid collisions with obstacles and adapt to environmental changes during operation. The AFE-R360 supports up to 8 MIPI-CSI lanes for low-latency camera input, and is also equipped with 3 LAN ports and 3 USB-C ports for LiDAR, ToF, and depth cameras. In addition, with a custom-designed camera I/O card, the AFE-R360 can accommodate up to 4 MIPI-CSI or 4 GMSL cameras at the same time. These camera sensors enable AMR users to utilize real images and AI training models for object detection, facilitating "autonomous" object recognition and on-site reactions, rather than just "automatically" avoiding objects through distance sensors. Developing MIPI-CSI drivers is challenging, so Advantech worked with camera suppliers e-Con, Innodisk, and D3 to develop camera drivers on Intel platforms. Through communication and cooperation between the two parties, Advantech successfully adapted MIPI-CSI and GMSL cameras and included all related toolkits in the software package.
As early as 2012, Inovance Technology established a research and development center in Milan, Italy. The Milan research and development center mainly develops the underlying algorithms of servo systems, which greatly improves the performance of Inovance servo products, helps Inovance servo achieve a market share of 28.2%, becomes the No. 1 brand in China, and also allows Inovance Technology to better understand the needs of customers in the Italian and European markets. The full range of Inovance products on display this time mainly include: IR-R series six-joint robots, IR-S series SCARA robots, MD520 high-performance vector inverters, MD800 standard multi-machine drive inverters, MD810 high-performance multi-machine drive inverters, IS810 medium and high-power multi-transmission servo drives, SV670/SV680 high-performance servo drives, AM600 general-purpose medium-sized PLCs, Easy full-scenario compact small PLCs, GL20 series blade expansion modules, IT7000 touch screens and other products, helping European and global customers with industrial digital upgrades and intelligent transformation.
Recently, Fortune released the "2024 China ESG Influence List". This year is the third consecutive year that Fortune has compiled this list, and for the first time, it is open to foreign companies in China. As one of the world's leading companies in industrial automation, information technology and digital transformation, Rockwell Automation has become one of the first 31 foreign companies on the list. The editorial department of Fortune said that the companies on the list have made outstanding efforts to improve the environment, protect employees, and support the community, and have crossed economic cycles with sustained and inclusive growth and won the respect of the market. In 2023, Rockwell launched the Rockii Net-Zero solution and Rockii ESG strategic solution in China, and established the Rockii ESG Alliance to help customers complete the low-carbon transformation of the entire life cycle by providing carbon inventory, carbon footprint, carbon management system, and zero-carbon planning.
Recently, Emerson announced its second quarter results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 20241, and updated its full-year forecast for fiscal year 2024. Emerson also announced that it will distribute a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.525 per common share to shareholders of record on May 17, 2024, with the payment date being June 10, 2024. Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Results Summary Basic orders 2 decreased by 1% year-on-year Net sales in the second quarter were approximately US$4.376 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17%, of which underlying sales 3 increased by 8% Adjusted EBITA was US$41.139 billion, with a profit margin of 26%, a year-on-year increase of 140 basis points. Adjusted earnings per share were $51.36, a year-over-year increase of 25% Operating cash flow was US$757 million, a year-on-year increase of 32% Free cash flow was US$675 million, a year-on-year increase of 32% Emerson continued to maintain excellent operational execution in the second quarter, with underlying sales growth, profit growth, operating leverage and earnings all exceeding our expectations in the second quarter. Low-digit underlying order rate growth was in line with baseline expectations for the first half of fiscal 2024, supported by demand in process and hybrid end markets. Continued focus on operational execution instills confidence in our fiscal 2024 expectations. Our second quarter results, particularly our gross margin performance, demonstrate the strength of our transformed product portfolio and Emerson Management Systems. We have the ability to continue to provide differentiated solutions to our customers and continue to create value for our shareholders.
