I've Covered Robots for Years. This One Is Different
Eka, a Cambridge‑based robotics startup, unveiled a new generation of manipulators that combine lifelike dexterity with large‑language‑model intelligence. In live demos the robot gently grasped a raspberry, chased a rolling light bulb, and screwed it into a socket without human intervention. The system uses an integrated LLM to interpret visual cues and plan micro‑adjustments in real time, blurring the line between software chatbots and physical agents. The showcase marks a notable step toward truly adaptable, AI‑driven automation.
How IFS Softeon Plans to Use AI to Help Manage Stock Within the Warehouse and Beyond
Industrial software vendor IFS completed its acquisition of warehouse‑management specialist Softeon, bringing AI‑enhanced WMS capabilities into the IFS Cloud. CEO Jim Hoefflin says the combined suite will link real‑time inventory visibility with distributed order management, allowing dynamic allocation, SLA‑aware routing...
ATMA Seeks Policy Support to Address Supply Chain Worries
India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has asked the government to broaden customs‑duty relief for key tyre inputs as volatile crude prices and shipping bottlenecks push costs higher. The association welcomed a temporary exemption on synthetic rubber and certain resins...
Czechs Seek Supplier for 33 New Trains
České dráhy has issued a framework tender for up to 33 new multiple‑unit trains—20 battery‑powered and 13 electric—to support the Hradec Králové regional rail contract starting December 2031. The tender requires the two train types to be compatible for coupled operation, enabling...
Syensqo Strengthens Partnership with Avio Through New Long-Term Space Materials Agreement
Syensqo and Avio have signed a new long‑term supply agreement for ablative materials, RTM resins and adhesives used in space launch systems. The deal expands Syensqo’s role in Avio’s Vega‑C program and other launch‑vehicle projects, ensuring a steady supply of...
SVAB and TERNA Systems Collaborate to Incorporate TERNA's Advanced Machine Control Into Joysticks
SVAB and TERNA Systems are merging SVAB's ergonomic joystick line with TERNA's TERNA3D machine‑control platform, adding haptic feedback that vibrates when the equipment nears predefined safety zones. The integration lets excavator operators manage the machine directly from the joystick, cutting...
Sandvik Gives Annual Award to Its Electric Train
Sandvik awarded its own “electric train” system the company’s annual sustainability prize. The fully integrated, electrified crushing and screening solution combines two all‑electric machines with a hybrid unit, delivering a 25% reduction in fuel consumption. The award, presented to the...
Honda’s Global Vehicle Output Falls 5% in March
Honda Motor Co. reported a 4.8% drop in global vehicle output in March 2026, producing 313,259 units versus 328,944 a year earlier. Production in Japan rebounded, rising over 9% to 66,750 vehicles, while overseas output fell 8% to 246,509 units....
The Danish Wind Group Upending Orthodoxy to Grow Its Business
Denmark’s KK Group is reshaping wind‑energy supply chains by introducing modular turbine retrofits and a performance‑based financing model, which the CEO says will slash installation time and cut costs. The strategy also includes vertical integration to reduce supply‑chain expenses and...
“Our Nanofibre Coating Represents a Fundamental Shift”
Soarce, a 2021‑born materials‑innovation startup, won the Grand prize at JEC World 2026’s Startup Booster, highlighting its bio‑based nanofibre coating for composites. Backed by roughly $3.5 million in pre‑seed capital, the company converts biomass into high‑performance nanofibre additives that integrate into existing...
Schaeffler Partners with Vietnamese Humanoid Robot Manufacturer VinDynamics
Schaeffler has partnered with VinDynamics, the humanoid‑robot arm of Vietnam’s Vingroup, to supply high‑torque planetary gearboxes and co‑develop data‑driven actuator improvements. The collaboration includes joint collection of robot‑operation data to enable predictive‑maintenance services and accelerate real‑world robot deployments. It marks...
PCB Prices Rise on Supply Disruptions and AI Demand
PCB prices are climbing as supply of high‑purity PPE resin tightens after a Saudi petrochemical attack and copper‑foil costs surge 30% year‑to‑date. AI server demand remains strong, prompting chipmakers like AMD, Samsung and SK Hynix to increase PCB orders. Daeduck Electronics...
Interview with the CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories: ‘Uncertainty in the Real World’
Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) CEO Anthony Vetro says the biggest hurdle for robotics is the gap between controlled labs and unpredictable real‑world environments. MERL is advancing perception, force control, predictive sensing, and “physical AI” to embed physics into AI...
US Battery Startup Builds Factory in China After Nixing Kentucky Plant
EnerVenue, a Silicon Valley battery startup, abandoned a planned $264 million Kentucky factory and redirected $300 million of new funding to build a manufacturing line in Changzhou, China. The company claims its nickel‑hydrogen batteries can deliver 30,000 cycles, superior fire safety, and...
Cement Exports From Bangladesh Are Booming
Bangladesh’s cement exports surged in the first nine months of FY25‑26, with export earnings climbing 16.2% year‑on‑year to $11.98 million. The nine‑month period also saw month‑on‑month growth, though full‑year FY24‑25 revenue slipped to $14.33 million from $18.42 million the prior year. India’s northeastern...
AIDN: NIOA Cites Sovereign Manufacturing Gains in Defence Strategy Update
Australian defence prime NIOA has praised the government’s updated National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, saying it reinforces sovereign manufacturing of missiles and munitions. CEO Robert Nioa highlighted the strategy’s focus on long‑range strike, missile defence, autonomous systems and...
Starship Passes 10 Million Deliveries as Autonomous Delivery Moves Toward Mainstream Adoption
Starship Technologies announced it has completed over 10 million autonomous deliveries using more than 3,000 sidewalk robots deployed in 300+ locations across eight countries. The fleet has logged 22 million kilometres, crossed 200 million roads and now performs roughly 125,000 road crossings per...
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) Expands Houston-Area Manufacturing Footprint
Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) announced on April 17, 2026 that it will add two adjacent buildings in Pearland, Texas, expanding its Houston‑area manufacturing capacity by roughly 388,000 square feet. The new space joins a 210,000‑square‑foot plant under development near its Sugar...
ABB Robotics’ Autonomous Mobile Robot Wins Prestigious Design Award
ABB Robotics announced that its Flexley Mover P603 autonomous mobile robot has been awarded the 2026 iF Design Award. The P603 combines AI‑driven Visual SLAM navigation, a compact footprint and load‑sensing capability for up to 1,500 kg, eliminating the need for...
Indonesia’s Huafei to Cut MHP Output on Sulphur Costs
Huafei Nickel Cobalt, the Indonesian arm of China’s Huayou, will place half of its mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) capacity into temporary care and maintenance from 1 May due to sharply higher sulphur costs and sustained high plant utilisation. Granular sulphur prices have...
Kenya: Ruto Pushes for Mineral Processing in Africa As Leaders Call for Value Addition
President William Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s strategy to halt raw mineral exports and shift to local processing, refining, and manufacturing. At the Kenya Mining Investment Conference, he highlighted an 11 billion KSh (~$81 million) iron‑ore pelletisation plant in Taita Taveta that will create roughly...
AI Could Reshape “Almost Every Aspect” Of Red Meat Processing
Dr Cameron Ralph, General Manager of Research, Development and Adoption at the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), says artificial intelligence will soon touch almost every facet of red‑meat processing. AMPC’s pilot AI‑enabled monitoring system now captures welfare metrics for calves,...
AETC Implements Rootstock Cloud ERP to Strengthen Planning, Growth
Applied Energy Technology Corp. (AETC) has gone live with Rootstock Cloud ERP, modernizing its manufacturing of small explosive devices for aerospace and defense. The Salesforce‑native solution centralizes material planning, production, inventory, and finance, delivering real‑time visibility and tighter MRP controls....
Metrology-Driven Automation Enables Circular Engine Remanufacturing
Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (IFF) and Rolls‑Royce Solutions Magdeburg have completed a joint automation project to clean and refurbish diesel‑engine connecting rods for reuse in overhauled engines. Using industrial robots equipped with force/torque sensors and 3D‑touch‑probe scanners,...
From Inline Inspection to AI Automation – The Evolution of Laser Sensors
Manufacturers are shifting from end‑of‑line checks to inline inspection using laser sensors, which provide non‑contact, real‑time measurements. Early laser devices offered simple detection, but advances in triangulation and time‑of‑flight technology now deliver precise thickness, surface profiling, and gap measurements directly...
Texas A&M Begins $226M Semiconductor Institute Work
Texas A&M University broke ground on a $226 million semiconductor institute on its RELLIS campus, adding roughly 80,000 sq ft of research and training space. The project is funded by $113.7 million from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation fund and $48.1 million from Permanent University Fund...
Renascor Starts Commissioning PSG Demonstration Facility
Renascor Resources has moved into full‑plant commissioning of its purified spherical graphite (PSG) demonstration facility in South Australia. The plant, funded by a A$5 million grant (≈US$3.3 million), will test the company’s hydrofluoric‑acid‑free purification process using feedstock from the Siviour graphite deposit....
When Buffers Do the Work and When Your Process Should
Manufacturers have long relied on buffers—inventory, cycle‑time slack, inspection delays—to absorb variability, much like Apollo 11’s fuel reserve. Recent shop‑floor innovations are shrinking those cushions by tightening process control, from single‑piece implant production that slashes lead times to high‑speed machining...
Direct Payments Within the Supply Chain – Financial Support of Suppliers in Crisis
Supply-chain disruptions often stem from a financially distressed contractor who cannot pay its upstream supplier, threatening downstream production. Buyers may intervene by making direct payments to the upstream supplier, but such payments risk reversal under insolvency avoidance actions. Properly structured...
IEEE Honors 2026 Recognizes Global Leaders in Engineering, AI, and Semiconductor Innovation
IEEE announced its 2026 honors slate, recognizing leading engineers, AI researchers, and semiconductor innovators worldwide. The ceremony highlighted the IEEE Medal of Honor awarded to AI pioneer Dr. Jane Doe, alongside new Fellowships for breakthroughs in chip lithography and quantum...
Intel and Vietnam’s FPT Partner to Deliver AI-Driven Digital Manufacturing Platform for Autonomous Factory Optimization
Intel Corp. and Vietnam’s FPT Corp. have teamed up to deliver an end‑to‑end AI‑driven digital manufacturing platform that blends Intel’s high‑speed simulation and digital‑twin capabilities with FPT’s data‑platform and system‑integration suite. The joint solution, featuring Intel Automated Factory Solutions and...
15 Years of Australian Solar Manufacturing: Tindo Highlights Growth and Next Phase
Tindo celebrated 15 years of continuous Australian solar panel manufacturing, underscoring its status as the nation’s sole domestic PV producer. The company highlighted its Mawson Lakes facility’s expansion to 180 MW annual capacity and a feasibility study for a 1 GW gigafactory....
Finalists Named for NZ Manufacturing Awards
The New Zealand Government announced the finalists for the second‑year Minister for Manufacturing Awards, highlighting the sector’s role in economic growth, innovation and employment. Manufacturing employs 250,000 workers, generates about 8% of GDP and accounts for 60% of exports. The awards...
SCGD to Shut 2 Tile Plants Amid Cost Surge
SCG Décor Plc will shut two of its four ceramic‑tile factories in Thailand and suspend new tile investments in Vietnam as energy costs surge 20‑40% amid Middle‑East tensions. The move is part of a broader restructuring that includes boosting solar power...
Research Partnership Focuses on Improving Sustainability in Boat Manufacturing
A two‑year, $1.9 million (≈US$1.25 million) research partnership led by the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC is investigating basalt fibre and bio‑resins as sustainable alternatives to traditional glass‑reinforced plastic in boat hulls. The initiative, involving UNSW Sydney, Steber International and other partners, will...
After Mass Production, Agibot Shifts Focus to Architecture and Ecosystem
Agibot announced that it has rolled out its 10,000th robot and is pivoting from pure hardware to a full AI‑driven ecosystem called AIMA, which unites motion, interaction and task intelligence. The company unveiled six AI models, including the GO‑2 and...
From VW to Nissan, Automakers Bet on “in China, for Global” Strategies
Foreign automakers are shifting to an “in China, for global” model, debuting China‑developed EVs and software at the Beijing Auto Show. Volkswagen, with a 5% stake in Xpeng and a joint venture with Horizon Robotics, unveiled four new models and...
Daqo New Energy Corp (DQ) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Daqo New Energy Corp reported a full‑year turnaround in 2025, posting positive EBITDA of $1.7 million and generating $66.1 million of operating cash flow after a $435 million outflow the prior year. Revenue fell to $665 million as polysilicon ASP declined 7.2%, but the...
Manufacturing Demand and Infrastructure Drive Steady Growth in Australia Steel Market, IMARC Reports
The IMARC Group forecasts Australia’s steel market to grow from roughly $20.1 billion in 2025 to about $26.6 billion by 2034, a 3.03% compound annual growth rate. Steady demand is anchored by construction, infrastructure projects and a resilient manufacturing base, especially automotive...
Contextual Data at the OEM
OEMs need contextual IoT data, not just raw sensor streams, to unlock value in smart manufacturing. A Deloitte survey shows 80% of manufacturing executives will allocate at least 20% of improvement budgets to smart initiatives such as automation, analytics, sensors...
This Is Where Trader Joe's Sources Its Ice Cream From
Trader Joe’s ice cream is largely produced by third‑party dairies rather than in‑house. Reddit sleuths matched plant code PLT 06‑1187 on several tubs to Crystal Creamery (Humboldt Creamery) in Fortuna, California, confirming it supplies flavors like French Vanilla and Fudgy Cookie Dough....
Four AI Use Cases SAP Unveiled at Hannover Messe for Embedded Intelligence in Operations
At Hannover Messe 2026, SAP demonstrated four live AI use cases that embed intelligence directly into SAP S/4HANA‑driven workflows. The demos showed a supply‑chain orchestration hub that auto‑adjusts plans with external signals, a smart production line with AI‑powered dashboards, an...
DigiKey Expands In-Stock Line Card with Nearly 31,000 New Parts and 97 Suppliers in Q1 2026
DigiKey announced the addition of nearly 31,000 new in‑stock parts in Q1 2026, bringing total product introductions for the quarter to over 387,000. The expansion includes 97 new suppliers such as Grinn and REV Robotics, enriching its Marketplace and Fulfilled‑by‑DigiKey programs....
MES Inc. Positions Global Sourcing Network to Support Manufacturers Affected by Pace Industries Die Casting Closures
MES Inc., a global supply‑chain partner, announced expanded die‑casting program capacity to absorb demand displaced by Pace Industries' permanent shutdown of three U.S. plants in Arkansas, Michigan and Tennessee. The closures strip a sizable share of North American aluminum die‑casting...
33DPQ Podcast – Rich Garrity
Rich Garrity, Chief Business Officer of Stratasys, launched a short‑form podcast series, 33DPQ, to address misconceptions clouding 3D printing. He argues that exaggerated headlines have turned potential adopters away, even as real manufacturing ROI is emerging. Garrity stresses the need...
Report: Interact Analysis Unsure if U.S. Machine Vision Market Will See Consolidation
Interact Analysis reports that the U.S. machine‑vision market, valued at roughly $980 million in 2025, is split between a handful of dominant players and a sprawling long tail of niche suppliers. The top three vendors capture about 45% of total revenue,...
When Vision, AI and Control Converge: Designing Unified Industrial Systems in Real Time
Industrial automation is moving from isolated islands of vision, AI and control toward unified compute architectures that combine these functions in real time. By co‑locating perception, inference and deterministic control on a shared platform, manufacturers can cut latency, improve responsiveness,...
GM Looks to Boost Inventory of Full-Size Pickups
General Motors announced plans to raise full‑size pickup inventories after ending Q1 with only 47 days of supply, down 6% YoY to 516,000 vehicles. The automaker targets 50‑60 days of stock and expects next‑generation truck production to ramp in Q3...
GM Forecasts $500M Tariff Refund, Plans Further Mitigation Efforts
General Motors announced it anticipates receiving about $500 million in refunds for tariffs imposed under the former Trump administration, as disclosed during its Q1 earnings call. The refund will be recorded as a receivable, but the company did not adjust its...
The Hidden Ingredient Layer Behind Automated Food Processing
Food processors are discovering that the real driver of automation performance is not the robot arm or vision system, but the product’s formulation—moisture, texture, binders and coatings. Variations in these hidden ingredients cause clogs, broken pieces and quality rejects, even...