Articles tagged with "manufacturing-automation"
Humanoid robots and AI help China's construction giant boost production
Zoomlion, a leading Chinese construction and agricultural machinery company, is significantly advancing its digital transformation by integrating AI and robotics across its operations. Since 2024, the firm has developed embodied-intelligence humanoid robots and established a full-chain AI system that spans construction machinery, intelligent manufacturing, management, and robotics. At its Zoomlion Smart City in Hunan province, the company operates 12 smart factories with over 300 production lines, including 20 fully automated “lights-out” lines. These factories utilize AI-driven scheduling and an industrial internet platform to coordinate processes such as cutting, welding, machining, painting, and assembly, managing over 100,000 material types and producing more than 400 product variants. This system enables agile, multi-model, small-batch manufacturing, exemplified by the production of an excavator every six minutes and other machinery at similarly rapid rates. Zoomlion’s robotics program, active since 2006, has evolved from programmable industrial robots for single-product lines to adaptive robots
robotAIhumanoid-robotssmart-factoriesindustrial-internetmanufacturing-automationdigital-transformationBuilding tomorrow’s factory: 5 digital upgrades every plant needs
The article emphasizes the critical role of digital transformation in modern manufacturing, highlighting that in 2022, manufacturing contributed 17.5% to global GDP and employed nearly 13 million people in the US. To meet evolving supply chain demands and efficiency goals, factories must adopt smart technologies such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation. These technologies offer tangible benefits including waste reduction through real-time data analytics, optimized maintenance to prevent downtime, increased productivity via automation, enhanced operational agility through predictive insights, and improved product quality with rapid defect detection. Data shows that smart technology adoption can boost productivity by nearly 50% and cut operating costs by over 40%. To build the factories of tomorrow, the article identifies five essential digital upgrades. The first two highlighted are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) software. ERP systems unify multiple operational areas—production, maintenance, quality control, asset management, and HR—into a single digital platform, enabling smarter automation
IoTsmart-factorydigital-transformationmanufacturing-automationenergy-efficiencypredictive-maintenanceindustrial-roboticsHumanoid Robot Battery Production — CATL Achieves A World First - CleanTechnica
CATL, the world’s leading battery manufacturer, has launched the first-ever humanoid robot battery production line at its factory in Luoyang, Henan. The humanoid robots, named "Xiaomo" or "Little Mo," have replaced human workers in critical battery pack production processes, specifically in the End of Line (EOL) and Direct Current Internal Resistance (DCR) testing stages. These robots can autonomously handle complex tasks such as battery connector insertion, dynamically adjusting their posture and force in real time to accommodate variations in material positioning and connection points, achieving a connection success rate above 99% with efficiency comparable to skilled human operators. Developed by the startup Spirit AI, founded in 2024 and financially backed by CATL, Xiaomo represents a significant breakthrough in applying embodied intelligence to manufacturing. Beyond its core functions, the robot autonomously detects wiring anomalies, reports defects immediately, and switches to inspection mode between operations, thereby reducing defect rates and enhancing production reliability. This deployment
robotbattery-productionhumanoid-robotsmanufacturing-automationCATLrobotics-in-industryindustrial-robotsWorld's 1st humanoid robot-led EV battery production begins in China
CATL has launched the world’s first large-scale humanoid robot-led production line for EV battery packs at its Luoyang facility in Henan, China. The robot, named Xiaomo and developed by Spirit AI, a startup backed by CATL, performs complex and critical tasks such as high-precision battery connector insertion and End of Line (EOL) and Direct Current Internal Resistance (DCR) testing. These tasks, previously done manually and involving risks like electrical arcing, are now automated with Xiaomo’s advanced Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model, enabling it to adapt to variations in materials and maintain a connection success rate above 99% while matching human cycle times. Xiaomo also monitors connections in real time and switches to inspection mode during pauses, enhancing production reliability and reducing defects. This automation initiative supports CATL’s broader strategy to integrate AI and robotics into industrial manufacturing, significantly boosting efficiency. Xiaomo currently handles continuous production across multiple battery models, achieving nearly three times
robotenergymanufacturing-automationhumanoid-robotsEV-battery-productionAI-roboticsbattery-technologyThe 2026 Charging Playbook - The Robot Report
The article "The 2026 Charging Playbook" from The Robot Report highlights the significant shift in manufacturing, logistics, and material handling industries toward the adoption of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and collaborative robots. These technologies are replacing traditional static automation with more flexible and mobile systems that enhance production consistency and intralogistics operations. The piece emphasizes the growing importance of these robotic systems in modern facilities, underscoring their role in improving operational efficiency. It also promotes an eBook from Conductix, which presumably offers deeper insights into charging strategies and best practices for these advanced robotic technologies, although specific details from the eBook are not provided in the article excerpt.
robotautonomous-mobile-robotsautomated-guided-vehiclescollaborative-robotsmanufacturing-automationlogistics-technologyintralogisticsInside the robot-powered factory, printing the furniture of tomorrow
The article explores a futuristic vision of furniture manufacturing driven by AI-powered robots and advanced digital technologies, transforming traditional woodworking into a highly efficient, sustainable process. Central to this innovation is Haddy’s micro factory, which employs industrial-scale 3D printing to produce furniture with zero waste by using only the material necessary for each piece. This factory, equipped with eight CEAD hybrid Flexbots, can produce 300,000 customized items annually in a modular, replicable setup that could be implemented globally, redefining both production scale and location. Siemens contributes critical digital intelligence through its Digital Twin technology, allowing engineers to create detailed virtual replicas of furniture designs that can be tested and optimized before physical production. This virtual-to-physical workflow, facilitated by Siemens NX software, eliminates costly prototyping and guides the robots’ precise movements. CEAD’s Flexbots perform both additive and subtractive manufacturing tasks with real-time sensor feedback, enabling adaptive adjustments to maintain quality and efficiency. The system continuously learns from operational data,
robot3D-printingdigital-twinmanufacturing-automationindustrial-robotssustainable-productionadditive-manufacturingAgiBot deploys its Real-World Reinforcement Learning system - The Robot Report
AgiBot has achieved a significant milestone by deploying its Real-World Reinforcement Learning (RW-RL) system in a manufacturing pilot with Longcheer Technology. This marks the first time AgiBot’s RW-RL has been applied on an active production line, bridging advanced AI innovation with large-scale precision manufacturing. The system enables robots to quickly learn and adapt to complex assembly tasks directly on the factory floor, reducing training times from weeks to minutes and allowing for flexible reconfiguration with minimal hardware changes. This approach addresses long-standing challenges in precision manufacturing, such as the rigidity of traditional automation systems, lengthy deployment cycles, and maintenance complexity. The RW-RL system offers several key advantages: rapid deployment, high adaptability to variations in part positioning and tolerances, and flexible reconfiguration without the need for custom fixtures or tooling. AgiBot emphasizes the system’s industrial-grade stability, maintaining a 100% task completion rate over extended operations, and its generality across different workspace layouts and production lines,
robotreinforcement-learningmanufacturing-automationAI-roboticsindustrial-robotsflexible-manufacturingintelligent-automationGrayMatter Robotics opens physical AI innovation center - The Robot Report
GrayMatter Robotics has inaugurated a new 100,000-square-foot headquarters and innovation center in Carson, California, positioning it as “the nation’s most advanced interactive robotics experience center for AI-powered manufacturing automation.” Founded in 2020, the company specializes in physics-informed, AI-driven robotic cells designed to automate complex surface-finishing tasks such as sanding, grinding, polishing, blasting, and spraying. This expansion aims to address a key challenge in American manufacturing: automating finishing operations in high-mix production environments where product variability has traditionally made automation difficult and labor-intensive. The Carson facility houses over 25 active robotic cells and serves both as GrayMatter’s headquarters and a proof of concept for its technology. Unlike traditional automation that requires extensive programming for each unique part and works best with repetitive production, GrayMatter’s systems autonomously scan and program themselves, adapt to part variations without human intervention, and operate significantly faster than manual labor. The company claims its solutions can be deployed in two to four months without coding
roboticsartificial-intelligencemanufacturing-automationrobotic-cellssurface-finishingindustrial-robotsAI-powered-manufacturingSoftware bridging humanoid robots, machines shortlisted for top honor
Flexxbotics, a U.S.-based digital manufacturing solutions company, has developed FlexxCORE™, a low-code software platform designed to bridge humanoid robots with factory systems, enabling seamless communication and coordination between robots, industrial machinery, IT systems, and human operators. This technology uses specialized connectors called Transformers to facilitate bi-directional data exchange, allowing robots to interpret machine tasks, monitor operational status in real time, and manage multiple operations simultaneously through parallelized data pipelines. FlexxCORE’s expanded data models also enhance robot contextual awareness and machine learning capabilities, eliminating the need for complex custom coding and supporting interoperability across thousands of equipment types. Flexxbotics’ innovation has earned the company a finalist spot in the Groundbreaking Technology category of the Humanoid Robotics Industry Awards 2025, competing alongside notable industry players such as Nvidia and Agibot. The awards recognize advancements shaping the future of intelligent automation and humanoid robotics, with winners to be announced in November 2025. Flexxbotics
robothumanoid-robotsmanufacturing-automationindustrial-robotssmart-factoriesrobot-integrationrobotics-softwareARM Institute opens technology project call to speed submarine manufacturing - The Robot Report
The ARM Institute has launched a new Technology Project Call aimed at accelerating submarine manufacturing by addressing critical challenges within the U.S. marine industrial base (MIB). The call seeks mature technologies (Technology Readiness Level 7+) that can be demonstrated in shipyard-representative environments to enhance production capabilities for Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines. Key focus areas include welding automation and monitoring, metrology and in-process inspection, and casting process automation. Proposals must be submitted by Nov. 21 via the ARM member community, as only members can apply. This initiative responds to significant issues facing the MIB, such as workforce shortages, loss of expert knowledge, supply chain instability, and technical hurdles that could be mitigated through robotics and artificial intelligence. The ARM Institute emphasizes collaboration among industry, government, and academia to foster innovation and overcome funding or technical barriers. The project call is part of a broader schedule of calls planned through early 2026, reflecting the Institute’s ongoing commitment to strengthening U.S
roboticsmanufacturing-automationsubmarine-constructionwelding-automationAI-in-manufacturingindustrial-roboticstechnology-readiness-levelUS Specialty EV Maker Automate Manufacturing of Blue Arc EV Truck - CleanTechnica
Blue Arc EV Solutions, the electric vehicle division of The Shyft Group, a North American specialty vehicle manufacturer with over 50 years of experience, has developed a commercial electric delivery van tailored for last-mile logistics. Unlike many competitors, The Shyft Group designed their EV chassis from the ground up to meet specific delivery fleet needs such as driver ergonomics, durability, and operational efficiency. The Blue Arc vans utilize lightweight materials like aluminum and composites, achieve a driving range of over 220 miles, and offer higher payload capacity than traditional delivery vehicles. The design anticipates overnight depot charging, minimizing dependence on public charging infrastructure. The company has secured an initial order for 150 vehicles from a major delivery company, though the client remains unnamed. To support production, The Shyft Group implemented Rockwell Automation’s Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform, an ERP system that digitizes supplier management, inventory tracking, financial monitoring, and production workflows. This digital infrastructure enabled the company to progress from concept to functional prototype in
electric-vehiclesenergymanufacturing-automationsmart-manufacturinglightweight-materialsEV-trucksdigital-manufacturing-platformsMachina Labs uses robotics, AI to customize automotive body manufacturing - The Robot Report
Machina Labs, founded in 2019 and based in Los Angeles, is revolutionizing automotive body manufacturing by replacing traditional, bulky, and expensive dies and presses with a robotic and AI-driven approach. Their RoboCraftsman platform uses advanced robotics and AI process controls to incrementally form sheet metal into customized vehicle panels rapidly, eliminating the need for dedicated tooling per model variation. This innovation significantly reduces capital costs, storage needs, and production changeover times, enabling automakers to offer customized vehicles at mass-production prices. The technology also allows the use of new metal alloys, such as titanium and nickel, which were previously difficult to form with conventional methods. The company’s approach supports on-demand, low-volume part production near assembly lines, streamlining factory workflows and enabling dynamic batching without disrupting existing manufacturing processes. This contrasts with traditional automotive manufacturing, which relies on long-term use of costly dies and molds, limiting customization and flexibility. Machina Labs initially targeted defense applications with high-mix, low-volume production but
roboticsAIautomotive-manufacturingsheet-metal-formingindustrial-robotsmanufacturing-automationcustom-vehicle-productionThis $30M startup built a dog crate-sized robot factory that learns by watching humans
San Francisco-based startup MicroFactory has developed a compact, dog crate-sized robotic manufacturing system designed for precision tasks such as circuit board assembly, soldering, and cable routing. Unlike traditional humanoid or large-scale factory robots, MicroFactory’s enclosed workstation features two robotic arms that can be trained through direct human demonstration as well as AI, enabling faster and more intuitive programming for complex manufacturing sequences. Co-founder and CEO Igor Kulakov emphasized that this approach simplifies both hardware and AI development while allowing users to observe the manufacturing process in real time. Founded in 2024 by Kulakov and Viktor Petrenko, who previously ran a manufacturing business, MicroFactory built its prototype within five months and has since received hundreds of preorders for diverse applications, including electronics assembly and even food processing. The company recently raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round, valuing it at $30 million post-money, with investors including executives from Hugging Face and Naval Ravikant. MicroFactory plans to
roboticsmanufacturing-automationAI-roboticsrobotic-armstabletop-robot-factoryhuman-robot-interactionprecision-manufacturingChina experiences physical AI surge - and how the U.S. should respond - The Robot Report
The article highlights China's rapid surge in physical AI and industrial automation, underscored by the latest data from the International Federation of Robotics showing that China received 54% of the roughly 520,000 industrial robots installed worldwide in 2024. This contrasts with declines in robot shipments in the European Union, Japan, and the U.S. China has overtaken the U.S. in robot density, a key automation metric, reflecting its decisive push toward smart, connected manufacturing aimed at technological leadership and potential reshoring benefits. Supported by state policies and a robust domestic industrial ecosystem, China’s share of the industrial robot market has grown significantly, with local suppliers dominating collaborative and mobile robots. The country leads in sectors like electric vehicles, batteries, photovoltaics, drones, and autonomous driving, and Chinese industrial robots are notably more affordable than European or Japanese alternatives. China’s strong emphasis on STEM education has cultivated a deep talent pool, graduating far more science majors than the EU or U.S., and Chinese-origin scholars
robotsindustrial-automationChina-technologyhumanoid-robotsAI-in-roboticsmanufacturing-automationrobotics-industryMark Cuban’s war on America’s $5 trillion healthcare machine: ‘They can’t react as quickly’
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban criticizes the U.S. healthcare system, particularly the opaque and inflated drug pricing driven by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which he says prioritize profit over patient affordability. Cuban highlights that many drug prices are set artificially high, with examples like generic chemotherapy drugs costing thousands at pharmacies but only around $21 through his company, Cost Plus Drugs. His company disrupts traditional pricing by selling medications directly to consumers at transparent costs—manufacturer’s price plus a modest markup and fees—bypassing PBMs and insurance carriers. Cuban also points to artificial drug shortages, allegedly created by manufacturers to inflate prices, and is addressing this by building a robotics-driven manufacturing plant in Dallas to quickly produce and supply drugs, especially those in short supply. Cuban’s approach challenges the entrenched healthcare system by refusing to work with PBMs or insurance companies, which he believes perpetuate inefficiencies and high costs. He contrasts his strategy with other big players like Amazon Pharmacy, which still rely on PB
robotenergymanufacturing-automationhealthcare-technologydrug-manufacturingrobotics-driven-factorysupply-chain-innovationAMR experts weigh in on global challenges and opportunities for the industry - The Robot Report
The article discusses the current state and future prospects of the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) industry, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. Despite a recent $800 million downward revision in market forecasts by Interact Analysis due to geopolitical, economic, and industry-specific issues, the demand for AMRs is expected to grow driven by global labor shortages. Experts from Ati Motors, InOrbit, and ABB Robotics emphasize that across various industries and regions, finding workers for repetitive, mundane tasks is increasingly difficult, a trend exacerbated by aging workforces and reduced immigration. This universal labor challenge is pushing companies to adopt AMRs beyond traditional, highly repetitive applications to a wider array of workflows. The integration of advanced AI technologies, particularly large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, is seen as a key enabler for scaling AMR deployments. These AI advancements simplify human-robot interaction by allowing robots to understand spoken instructions and gestures without specialized programming, and improve operational efficiency through continuous learning, predictive maintenance, and smarter
roboticsautonomous-mobile-robotsAMR-industrywarehouse-automationmanufacturing-automationAI-in-roboticslabor-shortage-solutionsGrayMatter to share 5 keys to deploying AI-powered robots in manufacturing - The Robot Report
GrayMatter Robotics emphasizes that successful deployment of AI-powered robots in manufacturing requires more than advanced technology; it demands strategic planning, clear understanding of challenges, and strong internal advocacy. At RoboBusiness 2025, Dr. Satyandra K. Gupta, GrayMatter’s co-founder and chief scientist, will present five key strategies for effective automation implementation. These include appointing an automation champion, optimizing entire workflows, redesigning processes to leverage robots’ unique capabilities instead of merely replicating human actions, calculating ROI beyond labor savings, and ensuring workforce readiness for sustained success. GrayMatter Robotics is recognized for its innovative Scan&Sand technology, an AI-driven system designed for high-mix manufacturing that can scan and sand complex geometries with ease. The company has received the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award twice for this technology. RoboBusiness 2025, held October 15-16 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, will feature Gupta’s talk along with over 60 speakers, a startup workshop, the Pitchfire
roboticsAI-powered-robotsmanufacturing-automationindustrial-robotsrobotic-process-optimizationautomation-deploymentrobotics-innovationReindustrialization won’t work without robotics
The article "Reindustrialization won’t work without robotics" argues that the United States’ efforts to bring manufacturing back onshore—through tariffs, tax incentives, and “Made in USA” initiatives—cannot succeed without widespread adoption of production robotics. Traditional labor-intensive methods are economically unviable given high domestic labor costs and skill shortages. Robotics, particularly advanced machine tending robots capable of autonomously loading, unloading, inspecting, and testing a wide variety of parts, are essential to achieving the scale, speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness needed for competitive U.S. manufacturing. These robots, integrated with precision sensors and automated testing, help ensure quality and compliance critical to industries like aerospace, defense, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. However, despite the clear economic benefits, scaling robotics across factories faces significant challenges. Current implementations are often isolated “islands of automation” with standalone robots that require extensive custom coding and suffer from poor integration with factory machinery and IT systems. This lack of seamless process integration leads
roboticsmanufacturing-automationindustrial-robotsreshoringproduction-efficiencyadvanced-machine-tendingfactory-automationSwarm robotics could spell the end of the assembly line - The Robot Report
The article discusses how swarm robotics, powered by generative artificial intelligence (genAI), is poised to revolutionize aircraft manufacturing by potentially replacing the traditional assembly line system that has dominated industrial production for over a century. Unlike conventional robotic programming, which relies on fixed algorithms, swarm robotics employs Level 3 AI programming that enables autonomous robots to self-learn, recognize patterns, optimize processes, and improve performance without direct human intervention. This technology allows multiple interconnected autonomous robots to coordinate, communicate, and adapt in real-time, creating a collective “common mind” that can efficiently manufacture large, complex structures like airplanes and spacecraft. Swarm robotics offers significant advantages including faster production speeds, lower costs, higher precision, and enhanced safety by minimizing human error such as fatigue or oversight during assembly. The robots operate continuously and can fabricate aircraft components without moving the structure during production, eliminating the need for traditional assembly lines. This shift represents a profound transformation in manufacturing technology, promising to increase efficiency and accuracy while reducing labor requirements and operational
roboticsswarm-roboticsartificial-intelligencegenerative-AImanufacturing-automationaerospace-manufacturingindustrial-roboticsAmerica can't out-innovate China without mechanical engineers - or robots - The Robot Report
The article highlights a critical challenge facing the U.S. manufacturing sector: a significant shortage of mechanical engineers, which undermines efforts to reshore manufacturing and compete with countries like China. While China graduates over 350,000 mechanical engineers annually, the U.S. produces fewer than 45,000, creating a structural disadvantage in scaling industrial innovation. This shortage extends beyond mechanical engineering to other vital fields such as industrial, controls, and manufacturing engineering. The author stresses that addressing this gap requires more than policy changes; it demands a national strategy focused on enhancing STEM education and expanding access to practical, scalable robotics automation. Automation and robotics are presented not as job replacers but as essential tools that enable engineers and technicians to increase productivity, especially in small and midsize manufacturing firms that often lack resources to implement advanced systems. However, high costs and technical barriers limit access to these technologies. Initiatives like ROS-Industrial aim to make robotics more modular and accessible, but success also depends on comprehensive education, training,
robotsmechanical-engineeringmanufacturing-automationSTEM-educationindustrial-innovationrobotics-automationreshoring-manufacturingGlobal industrial robot market contracted 5.8% last year, reports Interact Analysis - The Robot Report
The global industrial robot market continued its decline in 2024, with sales revenue falling 5.8% year-over-year, according to Interact Analysis. This downturn follows a slump that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and is attributed to reduced manufacturing activity, high interest rates in Western markets, and subdued demand in Asia. Shipments decreased by 2.4% to just over 505,000 units, while average robot prices dropped significantly, with the average revenue per unit (ARPU) falling from about $31,100 in 2018 to $25,600 in 2024. Intense competition and rising production volumes pressured margins, leading many emerging brands to prioritize market share over profitability. Regionally, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market remained dominant despite a slight 1.1% shipment decline, benefiting from lower prices and large order volumes. The Americas saw a 3.7% decrease but may sustain its position due to U.S. reshoring efforts and
robotindustrial-robotsmanufacturing-automationglobal-robot-marketrobot-market-trendsAsia-Pacific-roboticsrobot-shipment-declineTouring The Ford F-150 Lightning Factory - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a recent tour of the Ford F-150 Lightning factory, highlighting Ford’s commitment to incorporating customer feedback into the production and ongoing development of the electric truck. The tour guide emphasized that Ford sincerely considers and applies customer input to improve the Lightning, a practice praised by reviewers as a key factor in the vehicle’s success. This approach contrasts with companies that ignore feedback, which can lead to customer frustration and missed opportunities for product enhancement. Additionally, the factory assembly process is tailored ergonomically to support workers’ safety and efficiency, with employee feedback also playing a role in refining production. The author reflects on the significance of this feedback-driven approach, drawing parallels to broader lessons about learning and adaptation from Annie Duke’s book *Thinking in Bets*. Ford’s willingness to listen and adjust based on real-world input is portrayed as a human and strategic strength. The article also notes that conventional electric pickups like the Lightning may have broader market appeal compared to more unconventional models like Tesla’s Cybertruck, especially given recent political
robotelectric-vehiclesmanufacturing-automationcustomer-feedbackfactory-ergonomicsFord-F-150-Lightningindustrial-robotics