• The US International Trade Commission has launched an investigation after Fanuc Robotics America lodged a complaint, alleging that four companies - Behr Systems, Dürr of Germany, Motoman and Yaskawa Electric of Japan - have been importing electric robots and components into the US that infringe a Fanuc patent. A judge will hold a hearing to determine whether there has been a violation of section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act.

• Measurement Specialities Inc (MSI) has acquired certain assets of the industrial pressure sensing business of the UK`s Polaron Components, for £1.3m. In the year to November 2004, the products generated sales worth £1.06m. MSI was already manufacturing the foil strain gauge components for Polaron in China, and had a reciprocal distribution deal with Polaron.

• The Danfoss Group is donating three desalination systems to transform seawater into drinking water as part of the reconstruction efforts following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. The systems are going to India, Indonesia and Thailand. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the Danfoss company plane was used as a hospital plane.