News/Manufacturing
Private equity consortium buys Japanese chipmaker FICT for $660M
MBK Partners and Formfactor have formed a consortium to acquire Japanese printed circuit board manufacturer FICT in a deal valued at $660 million. Deal Structure and Participants: The acquisition involves MBK Partners taking an 80% stake in FICT, while Formfactor will acquire the remaining 20% from current owner Advantage Partners. The transaction, valued at 100 billion yen, is expected to close within the current quarter FICT, based in Nagano, Japan, was originally a Fujitsu subsidiary before being spun off in 2002 The company specializes in high-end printed circuit boards for supercomputers, semiconductor testing equipment, and base stations Strategic Rationale: The...
read Jan 29, 2025Berkeley researchers develop new AI system that trains robots to master complex skills
Berkeley Researchers have developed an AI-powered training system that enables robots to master complex tasks like Jenga whipping and motherboard assembly with 100% accuracy in just hours. Key innovation: UC Berkeley's Robotic AI and Learning Lab has created a novel training method combining human demonstration, feedback, and real-world practice to teach robots intricate tasks. The system achieves perfect success rates for complicated tasks including Jenga whipping, egg flipping, and electronics assembly Training time is remarkably efficient, with robots mastering new skills within one to two hours The method uses reinforcement learning, where robots learn from both successes and failures in...
read Jan 28, 2025Researchers use machine learning and 3D printing to produce breakthrough materials
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has developed nano-architected materials that combine the strength of carbon steel with the lightness of Styrofoam using machine learning and advanced 3D printing techniques. Research breakthrough: The team, led by Professor Tobin Filleter, has created nanomaterials that offer an unprecedented combination of strength, lightweight properties, and customization potential. The materials are constructed from tiny carbon building blocks measuring just hundreds of nanometers in size, arranged in complex 3D structures called nanolattices These optimized structures can withstand stress of 2.03 megapascals per cubic metre per kilogram of density - approximately five times...
read Jan 22, 2025McKinsey and C3 partner to accelerate AI adoption in manufacturing, energy and finance
McKinsey and C3 AI have formed a strategic alliance to help enterprises accelerate their AI transformations, combining McKinsey's QuantumBlack AI practice with C3 AI's enterprise software capabilities. Partnership overview: McKinsey and C3 AI announced their collaboration at Davos, aiming to deliver enterprise-scale AI solutions across multiple industries. The alliance merges QuantumBlack's technical expertise and industry deployment experience with C3 AI's enterprise and agentic AI software applications The partnership focuses on addressing complex business challenges, from supply chain optimization to asset performance management QuantumBlack, acquired by McKinsey 10 years ago, brings extensive experience in AI technologies, tools, and IP development Key...
read Jan 21, 2025New York Governor targets workforce development for Micron’s semiconductor facility
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a $252 billion state budget that includes free community college tuition for adults pursuing degrees in high-demand technical fields, particularly targeting workforce development for the semiconductor industry. Key initiative details: The proposal aims to address workforce shortages in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors, with a particular focus on supporting Micron Technology's planned $100 billion semiconductor facility in Clay, New York. The program would cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for students aged 25-55 without existing college credentials Eligible fields include advanced manufacturing, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, construction, green energy, teaching, and healthcare...
read Jan 17, 2025TSMC profit soars 57% on AI chip demand
TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, reported a 57% increase in quarterly profit driven by strong demand for AI chips. Financial performance highlights: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. exceeded market expectations with significant growth in both profit and revenue during the fourth quarter of 2023. Net profit reached 374.7 billion new Taiwan dollars ($11.4 billion), marking a 57% increase Revenue for 2024 grew by nearly 34% to 2.9 trillion new Taiwan dollars ($88 billion) Fourth-quarter revenue rose 38.8% to 868.46 billion new Taiwan dollars ($26.4 billion) Geopolitical context: Recent U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips could impact TSMC's operations and...
read Dec 31, 2024China’s GoMate plans to use AI-powered humanoid robot to build cars
A new humanoid robot called GoMate, developed by Chinese state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), will begin assembling vehicles on production lines starting in 2026. Key Features and Capabilities; The third-generation GoMate represents a significant advancement in robotics with its unique dual mobility system and advanced AI capabilities. Standing 4.5 feet tall in four-wheeled mode and 5.7 feet in two-wheeled mode, the robot features 38 degrees of freedom for enhanced mobility The robot can navigate stairs, slopes, and obstacles while maintaining self-balance in both wheeled configurations GoMate utilizes GAC's autonomous driving algorithm for movement planning and obstacle detection up to 328...
read Dec 30, 2024Nvidia chip supplier Ibiden accelerates production to meet soaring demand
Ibiden Co., a key supplier of chip package substrates for Nvidia's advanced semiconductors, is considering accelerating its production capacity expansion to meet sustained AI chip demand. Market dynamics: The 112-year-old Japanese company is experiencing unprecedented demand for its AI-related chip substrates, with customers purchasing their entire available supply. CEO Koji Kawashima indicates that current demand levels are expected to persist through at least 2025 The company's substrates are crucial components in Nvidia's advanced semiconductor manufacturing process Current production capacity is operating at maximum utilization to meet market requirements Supply chain implications: Ibiden's position as a dominant supplier of chip package...
read Dec 20, 2024Backflip’s new AI design platform lets creators turn text into 3D-printable models
The emergence of AI-powered 3D design platforms marks a significant shift in how physical products can be conceptualized and manufactured, with Backflip leading the charge through its innovative text-to-3D model technology. Major funding announcement: Backflip has secured $30 million in funding, co-led by prominent venture capital firms NEA and Andreessen Horowitz, positioning the company at the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing innovation. The funding round attracted notable angel investors including Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott, Android founder Rich Miner, and Ashish Vaswani, co-author of the seminal "Attention is All You Need" paper The company emerged from stealth mode on December 19, revealing...
read Dec 19, 2024Dept of Commerce announces new CHIPS awards to expand US AI chip leadership
The Biden-Harris administration's latest CHIPS Act investment advances U.S. semiconductor capabilities with a major focus on artificial intelligence hardware manufacturing and research. Key investment details: The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded SK hynix up to $458 million in direct funding, alongside up to $500 million in loans, to establish advanced memory chip facilities in West Lafayette, Indiana. The total project represents a $3.87 billion investment that includes building a memory packaging plant for AI products and an advanced packaging fabrication and R&D facility SK hynix, the world's leading producer of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, will create approximately 1,000 new...
read Dec 18, 2024AI and robotics are fueling a new era of geopolitical competition
The escalating technological competition between the United States and China is reshaping global power dynamics, particularly in the domains of artificial intelligence and robotics. Key strategic dynamics: The United States maintains significant advantages in software development while China has established growing dominance in hardware manufacturing and drone technology. The U.S. continues to lead in software innovation and AI development, leveraging its strong technology ecosystem and research institutions China has made substantial investments in hardware manufacturing capabilities, particularly in drone technology, creating potential security concerns The competitive landscape is increasingly being shaped by each nation's distinct technological strengths and strategic priorities...
read Dec 16, 2024Industrial AI startup Haber raises $44M in Series C funding
Industrial artificial intelligence company Haber has secured a significant funding milestone, demonstrating growing investor confidence in AI solutions for manufacturing and industrial processes. Funding details: Industrial AI startup Haber has raised $44 million in a Series C funding round, marking a substantial capital injection to fuel its growth and development. The funding round was led by investment firms Creaegis, BEENEXT, and Accel, highlighting strong institutional backing for industrial AI applications This Series C round suggests Haber has demonstrated sufficient market traction and growth potential to attract later-stage venture capital Industry implications: The substantial investment in Haber reflects growing momentum in...
read Dec 11, 2024Michigan state board approves $100M supercomputing lab for U-M
The state of Michigan is making significant investments in advanced technology and manufacturing, with major funding approvals for a cutting-edge supercomputing facility and electric vehicle production expansion. Major investment details: The Michigan Strategic Fund board has approved approximately $100 million for a University of Michigan (U-M) supercomputing lab and nearly $28 million for Detroit Diesel Corporation's electric vehicle components expansion. The U-M supercomputing project, partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory, represents a total investment of $785 million Detroit Diesel's funding will support a $285 million expansion of electric component manufacturing for medium and heavy-duty electric trucks Both projects require final...
read Dec 11, 2024Lam Research deploys collaborative robots for chip factory maintenance
Semiconductor manufacturing is entering a new era of automation with Lam Research's introduction of Dextro, a collaborative robot designed to perform precise maintenance tasks in chip fabrication facilities. Key Innovation: Dextro represents the semiconductor industry's first collaborative robot specifically engineered to work alongside human technicians in maintaining critical chip manufacturing equipment. The robot has already been deployed in several advanced wafer fabrication facilities worldwide It performs maintenance tasks with sub-micron precision, significantly improving first-time-right (FTR) results The technology aims to enhance manufacturing yield and reduce equipment downtime in semiconductor plants Technical Capabilities: Dextro combines mobility and precision engineering to execute...
read Dec 9, 2024TSMC founder urges Intel to prioritize AI over chipmaking
The semiconductor industry faces significant strategic shifts as companies navigate the artificial intelligence boom and manufacturing priorities. Leadership crisis at Intel: Following CEO Pat Gelsinger's unexpected resignation, TSMC founder Morris Chang has highlighted critical challenges facing the semiconductor giant. Chang expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind Gelsinger's departure and questioned whether the issue lay in strategy formulation or execution Intel now faces the dual challenge of finding both a new CEO and developing a clear strategic direction Chang declined potential consulting opportunities with Intel, suggesting a strained relationship between the industry leaders AI versus manufacturing focus: The strategic emphasis on...
read Dec 4, 2024How Samsara’s unsexy AI could be a serious productivity booster for industrials
The industrial Internet of Things (IoT) company Samsara is implementing large language models to enhance productivity and streamline operations for its 20,000 customers who use its asset tracking and monitoring solutions. The big picture: Samsara's latest offering, Samsara Intelligence, demonstrates how artificial intelligence is expanding beyond white-collar applications into traditional industries that manage physical assets and operations. The $30 billion company has spent a decade building a vast repository of sensor data from vehicle fleets and industrial equipment Customers can now interact with their operational data using natural language queries instead of navigating complex dashboards The system is designed to...
read Nov 27, 2024AWS introduces AI-powered assistant for industrial IoT
The rapid adoption of generative AI continues to expand into industrial settings with AWS's latest tool aimed at simplifying access to operational data for manufacturing and industrial users. Key Features and Capabilities: AWS IoT SiteWise Assistant leverages generative AI technology to enable natural language interactions with industrial data and systems. Users can ask questions in plain language about operational issues, such as active alarms or equipment problems The system provides contextual understanding by analyzing asset relationships, historical data, and operational processes Integration with Amazon Kendra allows the assistant to reference user manuals, operating procedures, and other documentation The tool maintains...
read Nov 21, 2024Digital twins: The key to unlocking supply chain efficiency
Digital twins technology is rapidly transforming supply chain management by creating virtual replicas that enable organizations to simulate and optimize their operations using real-time data. Current market landscape: The global digital twins market is experiencing explosive growth, with projections showing 30-40% annual expansion to reach $125-150 billion by 2032. Post-COVID supply chain challenges have accelerated the need for innovative solutions to address operational efficiency, demand forecasting, and inventory management Organizations are increasingly turning to digital twins to recalibrate their operations and improve resilience The technology integrates with existing supply chain management software to enhance predictive analytics capabilities Key benefits and...
read Nov 21, 2024Trimble launches major AI initiatives for construction and agriculture automation
Construction technology leader Trimble unveiled several strategic partnerships and artificial intelligence initiatives during their Dimensions conference in Las Vegas, marking significant advancements in construction automation and data integration. Key partnerships and integrations; Trimble is expanding its reach in the construction and agriculture sectors through major collaborations with industry leaders. A new partnership with John Deere will integrate Trimble's Earthworks grade control technology into Deere's SmartGrade platform, providing customers access to advanced positioning systems and grade control features by 2025 The company extended its 22-year partnership with Caterpillar, broadening the distribution of grade control solutions across Cat's equipment fleet Trimble's B2W...
read Nov 15, 2024iPhone maker Hon Hai beats profit expectations on AI demand
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving significant growth for major hardware manufacturers who build servers for Nvidia, one of the leading companies in AI chip technology. Current performance: Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) and Quanta Computer, two of Nvidia's key Taiwanese manufacturing partners, have reported quarterly profits that exceeded market expectations. Both companies attribute their strong financial performance to increasing demand for AI servers used in data centers worldwide Hon Hai, primarily known for assembling iPhones, has seen substantial growth in its cloud computing hardware division Quanta Computer, which manufactures MacBooks, has also benefited from the surge...
read Nov 15, 2024How GlobalFoundries is advancing critical silicon markets with new tech
Semiconductor manufacturing continues to evolve beyond traditional scaling methods, with GlobalFoundries (GF) demonstrating significant innovation in specialized process technologies and materials science despite stepping away from leading-edge node development. Strategic Direction: GlobalFoundries has pivoted from pursuing bleeding-edge manufacturing nodes to focus on advancing mainstream semiconductor processes that serve specific market needs and critical applications. The company maintains its unique position as the only commercial high-volume foundry with "Trusted Foundry" designation, making it crucial for government chip development programs GF has secured CHIPS Act funding through its strategic focus on critical infrastructure and defense applications The company's technology roadmap now emphasizes...
read Nov 14, 2024MIT researchers develop breakthrough applying AI to mechanical design
The intersection of artificial intelligence and mechanical engineering design has reached a new milestone with breakthrough research from MIT and IBM that dramatically improves the efficiency and accuracy of creating linkage mechanisms. Key innovation: MIT and IBM researchers have developed an AI-powered system that combines machine learning, generative AI, and physical modeling to design complex mechanical linkage systems that can trace precise curved paths. The new system represents a radical improvement over existing methods, achieving 28 times greater accuracy while operating 20 times faster than previous approaches Using graph neural networks, the system represents mechanical joints as nodes in a...
read Nov 13, 2024Microsoft expands AI to farms and factories with key partnerships
Microsoft's latest strategic partnerships with major industrial players mark a significant expansion of artificial intelligence applications into traditional sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and financial services. Key partnerships and initiatives: Microsoft has launched specialized AI models through collaborations with industry giants including Siemens, Bayer, and Rockwell Automation, making these solutions available through the Azure AI catalog. Siemens is integrating AI capabilities into its NX X industrial design software, enabling automated optimization of complex manufacturing processes Microsoft is deploying its Phi family of small language models, which are specifically designed for efficiency in manufacturing environments Sight Machine has introduced a Factory Namespace...
read Oct 21, 20245 AI capabilities reshaping the logistics industry
AI-driven transformation in supply chains: Generative AI is poised to revolutionize supply chain operations, with nearly three-quarters of executives planning to deploy the technology, despite current implementation challenges. EY research indicates that 73% of supply chain and operations executives intend to implement generative AI, but only 7% have successfully done so to date. The transition from proof-of-concept to large-scale GenAI deployment remains difficult due to issues with data quality, organizational readiness, and both internal and external volatility. Early AI adopters in supply chain and inventory management have reported meaningful revenue increases, according to a 2023 McKinsey survey. Enhancing planning accuracy:...
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