News/Manufacturing
How AI is transforming the construction industry
AI revolutionizing construction industry: Artificial intelligence is transforming the construction sector, enhancing efficiency, safety, and decision-making across various aspects of building projects. AI is being applied to address the inherent complexity of construction projects, which require extensive planning and preparation due to their fixed nature and numerous dependencies. The technology is making significant impacts on project scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and decision-making processes. Design and planning optimization: AI is streamlining the initial stages of construction projects through advanced modeling and design tools. Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools are incorporating AI to create more accurate digital representations of physical and...
read Oct 9, 2024How ‘Physical AI’ will transform real-world interactions
The dawn of physical AI: Physical AI represents a transformative fusion of artificial intelligence with the physical world, promising to revolutionize how machines interact with and manipulate their environments. Physical AI embodies sophisticated AI algorithms in tangible, interactive systems equipped with sensors and actuators, enabling them to perceive, make decisions, and physically interact with their surroundings. Unlike traditional AI, which operates in the digital realm, physical AI manifests in robots and machines capable of adapting to complex and unpredictable scenarios. This technology marks a significant leap from static, pre-programmed machines to adaptable, learning entities that can handle dynamic real-world situations....
read Oct 8, 2024DARPA awards university team grant to develop AI-powered turbines
Revolutionizing aerospace engineering: DARPA has awarded a multi-university team a grant to develop AI-enhanced design tools and high-throughput testing methods for next-generation turbomachinery, with a focus on bladed disk (blisk) geometry. Project overview and objectives: The Multiobjective Engineering and Testing of Alloy Structures (METALS) program brings together researchers from MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, and Lehigh University to optimize shape and compositional gradients in multi-material structures. The project aims to develop novel design tools that complement new high-throughput materials testing techniques. Researchers will focus on blisk geometry, commonly found in turbomachinery such as jet and rocket engines, as an exemplary challenge...
read Oct 8, 2024Foxconn chairman says AI boom is far from over in Q4 guidance
AI investment boom continues: Young Liu, chairman of Foxconn, believes the current AI investment boom still has room for growth as artificial intelligence technology continues to evolve and improve. Foxconn, known as Hon Hai in China and Taiwan, is a major player in the global electronics manufacturing industry. Liu's comments suggest that the company sees ongoing opportunities in the AI sector, which has been experiencing significant investment and development. The chairman's optimism indicates that Foxconn may continue to focus on AI-related projects and partnerships in the near future. Industry implications: The continued AI boom could have far-reaching effects on various...
read Oct 3, 2024Biden administration to invest $100M in AI-driven semiconductor tech
Biden-Harris Administration announces major AI investment for sustainable semiconductors: The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a Notice of Intent for a competition to accelerate the development of sustainable semiconductor materials using artificial intelligence, with up to $100 million in funding available. Key details of the initiative: The program aims to demonstrate how AI can assist in developing new sustainable semiconductor materials and processes within a five-year timeframe. Funding will be awarded to university-led, industry-informed collaborations focusing on AI-powered autonomous experimentation (AI/AE) for sustainable semiconductor manufacturing. The initiative is part of the CHIPS for America program, which seeks to bolster...
read Sep 26, 2024Nvidia-backed robotics startup hires AI-focused CEO to drive growth
AI-driven manufacturing gets a boost: Bright Machines, a robotic manufacturing startup backed by tech giants Nvidia and Microsoft, has appointed Chris Stori as its new CEO, signaling a strategic shift towards AI-powered production. The company, founded in 2018, aims to revolutionize manufacturing by combining AI and robotics to create flexible, multi-purpose "micro-factories" Bright Machines' technology has found success in producing data center equipment for the rapidly expanding AI market The appointment of Stori, a former Cisco executive and McKinsey veteran, comes as the company seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for AI infrastructure Industry support and funding: Bright Machines'...
read Sep 17, 2024Vention’s New AI Platform Simplifies Robot Deployment for Manufacturing
AI-driven advancements in manufacturing automation: Vention, a Montreal-based industrial automation developer, has unveiled significant AI-powered enhancements to its Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP) at its annual Demo Day 2024 event. The company introduced the third generation of its MachineMotion controller, called MachineMotion AI, designed for factory robotics applications. MachineMotion AI is built on the Nvidia Jetson platform for edge AI and robotics, aiming to simplify robot development and deployment for manufacturers of all sizes. The new controller bridges the gap between traditional programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and modern robot programming environments. Key features of MachineMotion AI: The new AI-powered controller offers...
read Sep 11, 2024Oracle Enhances Fusion Cloud SCM With AI and RFID Features
Oracle enhances Fusion Cloud SCM with AI and RFID-powered features: Oracle has announced significant updates to its Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) suite at CloudWorld 2024, introducing AI-driven enhancements and a new RFID-based inventory management solution for healthcare organizations. AI-powered workbenches for improved productivity: The updates include new workbenches designed to streamline operations and increase efficiency in manufacturing and maintenance processes. A production supervisor workbench leverages generative AI for real-time insights into work orders and smart shift reporting, helping supervisors focus on critical issues affecting operational performance. The maintenance supervisor workbench, part of Fusion Cloud Maintenance, provides a...
read Sep 6, 20243 Industrial Stocks Poised to Benefit from Soaring AI Demand
AI-driven industrial boom fuels strategic investment opportunities: Three industrial stocks - DuPont, Dover, and Eaton - are positioned to benefit from the AI revolution and other sector megatrends, offering potential entry points for investors. DuPont's technical analysis reveals key buy levels: The chemical giant presents three strategic entry points for investors looking to capitalize on its AI-related growth potential. The first buy level for DuPont is identified at around $80, coinciding with the stock's 50-day moving average, a critical technical indicator. A second potential entry point emerges at $78, a price that previously acted as resistance but has now transformed...
read Aug 27, 2024New Humanoid Robot ‘CL-1’ Is Purpose-Built for Warehouse Operations
Advancements in humanoid robotics: LimX Dynamics has unveiled significant upgrades to its CL-1 humanoid robot, showcasing its enhanced capabilities in a simulated warehouse environment. The company released a three-minute, single-take video demonstrating CL-1's improved hardware and its ability to perform complex warehouse tasks autonomously. The robot exhibited various postures and movements, including deep squats, lifting, and carrying heavy objects weighing up to 18 pounds. CL-1 demonstrated real-time perception and adaptability by replanning its actions when a human moved an object it was about to pick up. Key technological improvements: LimX Dynamics has focused on enhancing the robot's real-time perceptive abilities...
read Aug 21, 2024Construction Tech Firms Secure Funding to Advance AI-Driven Development
Construction tech advancements: Two innovative companies in the construction and materials sector have secured significant funding to expand their operations and deploy cutting-edge technologies. Trunk Tools, a construction technology startup, raised $20 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to $30 million. Materials technology firm Fortera secured $85 million in Series C funding to scale up production of its reduced carbon cement process. AI-powered project management: Trunk Tools is introducing a new "schedule agent" feature that leverages artificial intelligence to enhance construction project management and coordination. The AI-driven schedule agent links scheduled activities to relevant documentation, providing a...
read Aug 12, 2024AI and Robotics Transform Industries at Mumbai Automation Expo
The upcoming Automation Expo in Mumbai promises to showcase cutting-edge innovations in AI and robotics, highlighting their transformative impact on industrial processes and factory automation. Event details and scale: The 17th edition of the Automation Expo will take place from August 21-24, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai, featuring an impressive lineup of exhibitors and brands. The four-day event will host 500 exhibitors and over 1000 brands, expecting to draw around 50,000 visitors. This large-scale expo aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest technologies and solutions, particularly beneficial for the MSME sector. The event will feature...
read Aug 10, 2024The Apollo Humanoid Robot Could Build Your Next Car by 2025
Humanoid robots are poised to transform industrial workplaces, with Apptronik's Apollo leading the charge in manufacturing and logistics applications. This advanced robot, developed over eight years, is garnering attention from major companies and could soon be assembling luxury vehicles or handling warehouse operations. The Apollo robot: A technological marvel: Apptronik's humanoid robot Apollo represents a significant advancement in robotics technology, combining human-like form with industrial-grade capabilities. Standing 5'8" tall and weighing 160 pounds, Apollo closely mimics human proportions, allowing it to navigate environments designed for human workers. The robot boasts impressive strength, capable of carrying up to 55 pounds, making...
read Aug 9, 2024What the Figure 02 Humanoid Robot Means for the Future of Industrial AI
The unveiling of Figure's next-generation humanoid robot, Figure 02, marks a significant leap in autonomous robotic technology, leveraging advanced AI computing power to perform fully autonomous tasks in industrial settings. Cutting-edge features and capabilities: Figure 02 represents a substantial advancement in humanoid robotics, boasting enhanced AI computing power and sophisticated hardware designed for complex industrial applications. The robot incorporates a second NVIDIA RTX GPU-based module, resulting in a threefold increase in inference capabilities compared to its predecessor. Figure 02 is equipped with human-scale hands, six RGB cameras, and advanced perception AI models, enabling it to interact more effectively with its...
read Aug 8, 2024How Companies are Using AI to Transform Instruction Manual Following
AI-powered instruction manual assistance is transforming how engineers and workers access technical information, potentially making traditional manual reading obsolete while simultaneously preserving crucial institutional knowledge in industrial settings. The big picture: As companies grapple with an aging workforce and the need to retain technical expertise, AI systems are emerging as powerful tools for reading, interpreting, and even generating instruction manuals. UK-based firm Aveva has introduced an AI system capable of reading and learning operating manuals on behalf of engineers, streamlining the process of locating faults and generating solutions. This technology aims to address the challenge of knowledge preservation as experienced...
read Aug 8, 2024Anduril’s $1.5B Plan to Transform Defense Tech with Artificial Intelligence
Anduril, a defense tech startup, has secured a massive $1.5 billion in funding to develop an AI-powered manufacturing platform for autonomous weapons, signaling a significant shift in military technology and strategy. Funding and strategic vision: Anduril's latest funding round, led by Founders Fund and Sands Capital, underscores the growing interest in advanced defense technologies and autonomous systems. The $1.5 billion investment will be used to create Arsenal, a new AI-powered manufacturing platform designed to produce "tens of thousands of autonomous weapons" annually. Anduril plans to construct its first Arsenal factory, dubbed Arsenal-1, at an undisclosed location, with an estimated investment...
read Aug 7, 2024BMW Tests AI-Powered Humanoid Robot for Car Assembly
The automotive industry is exploring new frontiers in manufacturing with the introduction of AI-powered humanoid robots, as evidenced by BMW's recent trial at its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory. Robotic innovation in automotive manufacturing: BMW recently conducted a groundbreaking test involving a humanoid robot called Figure 02 at its US-based production facility. The Figure 02 robot was tasked with assembling chassis parts, specifically inserting sheet metal components into fixtures. This humanoid robot boasts hands with 16 degrees of freedom, providing it with dexterity comparable to human workers. Figure 02's strength is equivalent to that of a human, making it suitable for...
read Aug 6, 2024Dept of Commerce and SK Hynix Announce Terms of $4B AI Chip Plant in Indiana
SK hynix's $3.87 billion investment in a new high-bandwidth memory facility in Indiana marks a significant step in bolstering U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, particularly for advanced AI systems, with the support of federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act. Major investment in U.S. semiconductor production: SK hynix, a leading global semiconductor manufacturer, plans to establish a state-of-the-art high-bandwidth memory (HBM) advanced packaging fabrication and research facility in West Lafayette, Indiana. The company intends to invest approximately $3.87 billion in the new facility, demonstrating a substantial commitment to expanding its U.S. operations. The project is expected to create about 1,000...
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