
Japan launches $6.3B push to capture 30% of global physical AI robotics market
Japan is committing roughly $6.3 billion to accelerate AI‑powered robotics, targeting a 30% share of the global physical AI market by 2040. The initiative responds to a 14‑year population decline and a shrinking workforce, positioning robots as essential for factories, warehouses and critical infrastructure.
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By the numbers: BlackRock acquires 5% stake in Samsung Heavy Industries
Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen warned that Australia must secure bipartisan, decade‑long policy support to develop a domestic wind turbine parts supply chain. He emphasized that stable, year‑on‑year demand of two to three gigawatts is essential for manufacturers to commit to local factories. While the Albanese government has opened consultations for tower production, past policy reversals have already forced the closure of the country’s last tower maker, Keppel Prince. Andersen says Vestas remains interested, but future Coalition attitudes could jeopardize any new investment.

#Technology #Thread #Semiconductor #Manufacturing #Copilot The Semiconductor Copilot For Semi: 1/ - The Semiconductor Industry Is Becoming Increasingly Complex. - From Design To Manufacturing, Engineers Must Navigate Massive Volumes Of Data, Tools, And Decisions Across The Entire Silicon Lifecycle. The Question Is: How...

All American Marine has begun constructing a 78‑foot by 26.7‑foot aluminum catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The ship uses Teknicraft’s hydrofoil‑assisted hull, twin 803 hp CAT C18 Tier 3 diesel engines, and a modular laboratory layout....

Avondale Global Gateway (AGG) has been named an inaugural recipient of Louisiana Economic Development’s FastSites investment, earmarked for a major rail‑capacity expansion. Since acquiring the former Avondale Shipyard, AGG’s parent T. Parker Host has turned the 275‑acre site into a...

Australian Made has rolled out the “Made Right Here” campaign to showcase domestic manufacturing across the nation. Launched in January at Capral Aluminium’s Smithfield plant, the initiative features the green‑and‑gold kangaroo logo in animated scenes covering sectors from construction to...
Theta Gold Mines has secured a manufacturing contract with NMS Africa for a three‑stage crushing and screening plant for its TGME gold project in South Africa. The long‑lead equipment will be fabricated and delivered within 125 days, with commissioning targeted...
European paper industry group CEPI says the continent’s recycling infrastructure is ready to underpin a ‘Made in Europe’ policy that ties bio‑based materials to industrial competitiveness. With an 87 percent recycling rate for paper packaging and sustainably managed forests, the EU...
Manufacturers are confronting a new talent crisis as 61 % of current workers say they are contemplating leaving the industry, according to a Criteria survey of over 2,500 respondents. The sentiment mirrors a broader labor trend, with more than half of...

Loop Hydrometallurgy, an Australian start‑up spun out of Macquarie University, unveiled the Halion Loop – a salt‑water leaching system that extracts copper directly at the mine site. The process claims up to 70% lower power consumption and an 80% reduction...

Asian refiners are increasingly routing U.S. Gulf Coast crude through the Panama Canal as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran disrupts Middle‑East supplies. Medium‑sized Aframax and partially‑loaded Suezmax vessels have been booked for shipments to South Korea and Japan, the first...
Techman Robot unveiled the TM Xplore I, a wheeled‑base humanoid, at Nvidia's GTC 2026, showcasing Physical AI that can see, think, and act. The robot runs on Nvidia's Jetson Thor edge module and employs a Vision‑Language‑Action model for real‑time perception,...

Hazer Group has signed a non‑binding memorandum of understanding and graphite offtake letter of intent with Green Steel WA Collie Pty Ltd for up to 85,000 tonnes of graphite over ten years. The graphite will be used as a recarburiser...

Exxelia has published a technical white paper that pits the ESCC 3201 qualification framework against MIL‑STD‑981 for space‑grade magnetic components. Using its own chip inductors, low‑profile inductors and common‑mode chokes as reference, the guide maps where the two standards align, where...
Cosco Shipping warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East will heighten volatility across global supply chains and speed up regionalization and nearshoring trends in 2026. The liner‑shipping and terminal operator highlighted weak macro‑economic momentum and a severe external...

Manufacturers are turning to supply‑chain localization to reduce disruption risk, focusing on standardized components, remanufacturing, top‑down sustainability, and AI‑driven scenario planning. Standardizing parts widens the supplier pool and shortens lead times, while AI‑enabled remanufacturing cuts raw‑material use and freight costs....
Virginia Port Authority completed a dredging project deepening Norfolk Harbor to 55 feet, making it the deepest East Coast port. The added five feet of depth and channel widening enable two‑way traffic and better accommodate ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs). Final...

German startup HEZO has launched a made‑to‑order cycling shoe system that uses smartphone foot scans, on‑demand 3D printing and modular construction. The shoes are produced in Germany with a soft TPU inner foot and a rigid MonoShell, offered in three...

Horizon Microtechnologies unveiled a micro‑additive manufacturing (micro‑AM) workflow that prints monolithic 3D microfluidic structures directly from CAD and then applies proprietary functional coatings. The process eliminates traditional bonding, lithography and assembly steps, delivering leak‑free channels, integrated microneedle arrays, and embedded...

DigiKey, STMicroelectronics and Ultra Librarian have launched an enhanced eDesignSuite, a free browser‑based platform that merges design, simulation, BOM refinement and purchasing. The tool now supports thermal and electrical simulation via SIMPLIS/SIMetrix, real‑time impact analysis, and multi‑CAD export to OrCAD,...
The Material World roundup spotlights a wave of material innovations aimed at performance and sustainability. The LYCRA Company unveiled Coolmax CloakFX fiber that masks sweat, while Intrinsic Advanced Materials’ Ciclo additive makes polyester biodegradable. Thermore introduced 100% recycled “Ecodown” insulation,...
Cold‑chain carriers are forced to pause reefer movements to the Middle East after the war erupted on Feb. 28, leaving containers stranded at ports outside the Persian Gulf. Ocean carriers have suspended acceptance of refrigerated, dangerous and special cargo in the...

Erik Cornelsen, a seasoned automation engineer, outlines a systematic approach to migrating control system code, emphasizing verification of auto‑migrated blocks and rigorous testing of rewritten logic. He stresses thorough PID review, including scaling, scan times, and dynamic simulation, while recommending industry‑standard...
Nestle India announced a ₹225 crore investment to add a new Munch chocolate production line at its Sanand, Gujarat plant. The expansion will boost the factory’s output by roughly 8,300 tonnes per year and is financed entirely through internal accruals. Nestle...
Kioti unveiled three mini‑excavators—the MX 350A, MX 350AE and MX 570A—at ConExpo 2026, with a spring market launch slated. The models extend Kioti’s compact‑equipment portfolio beyond tractors and UTVs, offering 23 hp and 48 hp power options, load‑sensing hydraulic pumps, and premium cab amenities. Operating weights...
Zhongfu Shenying unveiled its T1200 carbon fibre, a high‑performance material, at JEC World 2026, claiming the world’s first production of this grade. The company can initially produce 100 tonnes annually, with a scalable target of 200 tonnes to meet demand. T1200 is aimed...
JSW Cement has commissioned a greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, adding 2.5 MTPA of cement grinding capacity alongside a 3.3 MTPA clinkerisation unit. The facility brings the company's total grinding capacity to 24.1 MTPA and clinker capacity to 9.74 MTPA, positioning it...

A wastewater plant suffered a 15‑hour shutdown after a dead battery erased the program from an older PLC’s volatile RAM. The incident highlights how legacy controllers still rely on battery backups, making routine battery replacement and health monitoring essential. Maintaining...

Terabase Energy announced the commercial launch of its automated solar construction platform, Terafab V2, following successful deployments on five pilot projects. The system combines AI, advanced robotics, and a Manufacturing Execution System to pre‑assemble modules on torque tubes, achieving two‑minute...

DHL announced a major expansion of its North American data‑center logistics network, adding ten dedicated warehouses that will total more than seven million square feet by 2026. The new sites are purpose‑built for hyperscale and colocation operators constructing AI‑focused data...

Nigerian firms are increasingly using kit‑based assembly to produce electric vehicles, with Saglev Micromobility partnering with China’s Dongfeng to build 18‑seat electric vans. The approach sidesteps high import duties on fully built EVs, making electric vans, minibuses and three‑wheelers more...
German carrier Hapag‑Lloyd announced a $1 billion investment programme to expand its presence in India’s maritime sector. The plan includes re‑flagging four container ships to the Indian registry and taking a stake in the Vadhavan deep‑water harbour project north of Mumbai....

AutoStore unveiled its Spring 2026 product suite, introducing the CubeVerse cloud platform and the AutoStore Intelligence suite powered by AI. The new tools unify system design, simulation, deployment, analytics and real‑time optimization, allowing existing robot grids to achieve higher throughput without...
Efficiency is considered a competitive advantage in all industries and is heavily invested in by the Oil and Gas Industry - especially in the refining and downstream sectors. Refinery engineers model and seek out incremental improvements constantly - there is...
Protracted energy shock from the Iran war. And this is just part of what is happening and the impact. Supply and supply chains.

The ARC Advisory Group’s 2026 Industry Leadership Forum highlighted a widening gap between legacy workflows and the hyper‑connected reality of modern manufacturing. Only about 12.9% of firms have successfully built industrial data fabrics that link market signals to real‑time production....
"Jeff Bezos is in early talks to raise $100 billion for a new fund that would buy up manufacturing companies and seek to use AI technology to accelerate their path to automation." https://t.co/UmA1I3g0xp

Apple Now Makes About 25% of iPhones in India After China Pivot. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/qnDkCJRBFG
The Port of Los Angeles posted 824,323 TEU in February, a 3% year‑over‑year increase and the second‑highest February on record, with imports up 5% and exports up 7%. The Port of Long Beach recorded a modest 0.3% annual gain to...
The U.S. Army’s organic industrial base (OIB) still relies on World War II‑era production methods, causing delays, cost overruns, and limiting the ability to produce ammunition and sustain ground vehicles. Over $5 billion has been invested in the past four years, yet...
AI is reshaping how chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) confront rising cost pressures by exposing hidden cost‑to‑serve drivers, enabling real‑time, SKU‑level optimization, and powering scenario modeling of geopolitical disruptions. By integrating siloed procurement, logistics and planning data, AI uncovers margin...
The Electric: U.S. is Challenging China's Dominance of Iron Batteries But. Tesla plans to start making 10 GWh of LFP batteries in Nevada starting later this year, using equipment it bought from China’s battery behemoth, Contemporary Amperex Technology. https://t.co/hMdCh5S1di
Seven key demands for products/supply impacted by the Iran war. What if inventories are insufficient or are depleted? Alternatives in small windows?
India's think‑tank NITI Aayog says the sports equipment sector could generate $8.1 bn in exports and 5.4 million jobs by 2036. The projection hinges on tackling high input costs, logistics gaps and limited global brand visibility.
[Editor's Pick] European Freight Rates Face Immediate Corrections on Soaring Diesel Prices - https://t.co/0yXOKgPT8A @TransporeonUS @TrimbleCorpNews #dieselprices #EU #trucking #transportation #logistics #supplychain
Critical minerals have gotten attention with the US-China trade war. Here are key minerals and the country that is the key supplier.

Farsoon unveiled two new large‑format metal powder‑bed fusion printers at TCT Asia. The FS1311M‑U features a 16‑laser head, a 1.31 m × 1.31 m × 1.65 m build volume and optional beam‑shaping that pushes Ti‑6Al‑4V throughput to 1,440 cm³/h. The FS812M‑U, an evolution of the 800‑series, offers 8‑10...
OMRON Electronic Components launched the B5T‑007003 Human Vision Component (B5T HVC‑P2), a compact camera module designed to detect workers wearing clean‑room garments. The device uses specialized firmware to recognize human presence despite protective clothing, supporting multiple viewing angles for flexible...
#WhosNext? Assembly line workers in a humanoid #Robot factory? Agility Robotics is looking to populate its entire factory with working examples of its own product. #Robotics #Manufacturing #Automation https://t.co/ZYEwn9dOQf

SWISSto12 has opened a 1,000 m² cleanroom, the largest satellite integration facility in Switzerland, dedicated to industrial‑scale production of its HummingSat satellite. The new cleanroom expands the company’s footprint to 6,500 m² alongside its existing 5,500 m² site in Renens, creating the first...
Electric motors drive most industrial motion, accounting for roughly two‑thirds of factory electricity use. Servo systems, unlike fixed‑speed motors, operate across a wide torque‑speed envelope, making a single efficiency rating impossible. Engineers rely on efficiency maps and design practices—right‑sizing, material...