Struggling robotic systems maker Automatix Inc of Billerica, Massachusetts is trying a completely new tack with its latest product, with the promise that IBM may no longer have the best low-cost tune for the factory floor with its Industrial versions of the Personal Computer. The company has taken Apple Macintosh II boards – that’s the one that uses the standard NuBus, and created the 68020-based AI 90. The hard hat Mac is designed for use as a cell controller, intelligent shop floor terminal, test stand controller, industrial personal computer, data analyser, laboratory instrument controller, data collector and for production monitoring and data acquisition. Automatix believes that the Macintosh user interface will overcome the natural antipathy of shopfloor workers to computers. As well as all Mac II software, the AI 90 provides optional support Unix, and for MS-DOS with co-processor. The standard AI 90 is priced at $8,500 in single quantities and volume discounts are offered.
AUTOMATIX UNVEILS HARD-HAT VERSION OF THE MACINTOSH II
