Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Authoritative economic thinktank report finds tariffs have ‘no effect’ on US manufacturing employment

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A new report published on the VoxEU website, part of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), argues that US President Trump’s so-called “reciprocal” tariffs have failed to deliver on one of their most politically sensitive promises: bringing manufacturing jobs back to America.

The column, titled “The (non) effect of tariffs on manufacturing employment”, reviews data on US trade policy and employment and concludes that tariffs have little to no positive impact on overall manufacturing employment. [Read more…] about Authoritative economic thinktank report finds tariffs have ‘no effect’ on US manufacturing employment

Toto opens $224 million manufacturing facility in Georgia to ‘increase luxury toilet production capacity by 150 percent’

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Toto, one of the world’s leading plumbing manufacturers with over $5.34 billion in annual sales, has opened a $224 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Morrow, Georgia.

The new facility marks a major investment in the company’s Americas growth strategy, enabling faster delivery of strategic high-end one-piece toilets to meet surging market demand.

To achieve this, Toto is shifting more production from Asia-based Toto Group plants to North America, strengthening its regional supply chain, enhancing manufacturing resilience, and advancing its long-term sustainability goals. [Read more…] about Toto opens $224 million manufacturing facility in Georgia to ‘increase luxury toilet production capacity by 150 percent’

Hyundai increases investment in American manufacturing to $26 billion

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Hyundai Motor Group has announced a significant increase in investment to $26 billion in the United States, reinforcing its long-term commitment to innovation, jobs creation, and sustainable growth across key industries.

This investment will be made between 2025 and 2028, significantly expanding the group’s footprint in the US market.

This new commitment represents an additional $5 billion investment on the $21 billion allocation announced in March 2025, dedicated to advancing the Hyundai’s strategic initiatives in automotive, steel, and robotics. [Read more…] about Hyundai increases investment in American manufacturing to $26 billion

Genentech breaks ground on $700 million manufacturing facility in the US

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Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has broken ground on its newest US manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

This significant development marks the establishment of Genentech’s first manufacturing facility on the East Coast.

The 65,000 sq m facility is strategically designed to support production of the company’s future portfolio of metabolic medicines, including next-generation treatments for obesity. [Read more…] about Genentech breaks ground on $700 million manufacturing facility in the US

Johnson & Johnson to invest $2 billion into manufacturing at North Carolina facility

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Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s largest medicine and toiletry products companies, says it will increase its presence in North Carolina with a 160,000+ square foot dedicated manufacturing facility at FujiFilm’s new biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

The $2 billion commitment to FujiFilm over the next 10 years will expand the company’s US manufacturing capacity and create approximately 120 new jobs in North Carolina.

In the coming months, the company also intends to share the plans for additional advanced manufacturing facilities in the US as well as the expansion of current US sites. [Read more…] about Johnson & Johnson to invest $2 billion into manufacturing at North Carolina facility

US government takes 10 percent stake in Intel for $9 billion

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The United States government has agreed to take a 9.9 percent stake in Intel through an $8.9 billion investment, marking one of the most significant interventions in the history of the American semiconductor industry.

The deal converts undisbursed grants under the CHIPS and Science Act and related programs into equity, giving the government nearly 10 percent ownership of Intel without direct control over its board.

The agreement also includes a five-year warrant allowing Washington to buy a further 5 percent of Intel shares at a fixed price if the company reduces its majority ownership of its foundry unit. [Read more…] about US government takes 10 percent stake in Intel for $9 billion

RealMan launches humanoid robotics data training center

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Humanoid robots, widely recognized as one of the most promising carriers of artificial intelligence, are moving rapidly from the lab into everyday life and industry.

To accelerate this transition, a large-scale Humanoid Robotics Data Training Center has officially been launched in Beijing, creating an innovative hub that unites core technology R&D, scenario-based application testing, operator training, and ecosystem collaboration.

As a core technology and equipment provider, RealMan Robotics plays a central role in both the deployment and daily operations of the center. [Read more…] about RealMan launches humanoid robotics data training center

Natural language processing and voice control for robots: The conversational robot

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Robots are steadily becoming easier to interact with. For decades, programming a robot meant learning a proprietary interface or mastering complex code.

Now, thanks to advances in natural language processing (NLP) and voice control, operators can instruct machines using everyday speech.

This shift promises to make robots more accessible to non-technical users, expand their applications, and ultimately accelerate adoption across industries. [Read more…] about Natural language processing and voice control for robots: The conversational robot

MIT roboticists debate the future of robotics

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By Rachel Gordon, MIT CSAIL

When the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) first convened 40 years ago, the robotics community shared a clear vision: robots would one day combine elegant mathematical models with advanced computation to handle complex tasks.

Four decades later, the community is divided over how to reach that goal. That divide was on full display this May in Atlanta, where ICRA marked its anniversary with a unique closing keynote: a live Oxford-style debate on whether “data will solve robotics and automation”. [Read more…] about MIT roboticists debate the future of robotics

Contact Software partners with Razorleaf to streamline product design and operations

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In highly competitive global markets, manufacturing companies strive to automate their processes and accelerate their product launches. Now, industrial applications provider Contact Software joins forces with Razorleaf to help them achieve these goals.

The strategic partnership combines Contact’s composable Elements platform with Razorleaf’s in-depth knowledge of the North American market and proven expertise in consulting and implementing digital thread solutions.

Together, they bring single-platform PLM, MES, and IIoT solutions to manufacturing companies, empowering them to design, manufacture, and operate Smart Products more efficiently and improve customer satisfaction. [Read more…] about Contact Software partners with Razorleaf to streamline product design and operations