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GM to invest $250 million in Ohio manufacturing facility

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General Motors says it is “reinforcing its leadership in American manufacturing” with a new $250 million commitment in its Parma Metal Center in Ohio.

This will enable production of sheet metal stampings and assemblies to support the multi-billion-dollar product allocations announced at Orion Assembly, Michigan, Spring Hill Manufacturing, Tennessee, and Fairfax Assembly, Kansas, earlier this year.

With this new commitment, GM’s total manufacturing investments for 2025 now approach $5.5 billion, underscoring the company’s aggressive commitment to domestic manufacturing and meeting customer demand across its ICE and EV portfolio. [Read more…] about GM to invest $250 million in Ohio manufacturing facility

Siasun unveils high-rise exterior wall cleaning robot designed to improve safety and efficiency

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Chinese robotics manufacturer Siasun Robot & Automation has developed a high-altitude exterior wall cleaning robot that the company says could significantly reduce the risks associated with manual skyscraper cleaning.

In a statement on its website, Siasun says the system was created “in collaboration with its partners” and is intended to replace traditional methods where workers clean building exteriors while suspended at height.

The company says this practice remains “an extremely high-risk profession”, with operators facing “the life-threatening threat of falls from heights” as well as adverse weather, psychological pressure, and long-term health concerns. [Read more…] about Siasun unveils high-rise exterior wall cleaning robot designed to improve safety and efficiency

Dubai Airports partners with Farnek to install more than 30 autonomous cleaning robots across five major locations

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As part of a five-year facilities management partnership, Dubai Airports and UAE-based smart and facilities management company Farnek, are installing more than 30 autonomous cleaning robots across five major airport locations – Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Concourse D, Dubai Cargo Village, and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Explaining the strategic motivation behind the decision to introduce robotics into the airport environment, Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice president – terminal operations at Dubai Airports, said: “The decision was driven by a simple goal – to make our operations smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

“Cleaning robots help us deliver a consistent level of service across the airport while using resources more efficiently. It’s part of how we’re applying technology to improve both the guest experience and the working environment for our teams, in line with Dubai Airports’ smart airport strategy and long-term sustainability goals.” [Read more…] about Dubai Airports partners with Farnek to install more than 30 autonomous cleaning robots across five major locations

First Solar inaugurates new $1.1 billion AI-enabled Louisiana manufacturing facility

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First Solar – an American company that manufactures and sells photovoltaic solar power systems, modules, and energy storage solutions – has inaugurated its new fully vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana.

The $1.1 billion facility, which spans approximately 2.4 million square feet and is about 11 times the size of the New Orleans Superdome, currently employs over 700 people and is expected to have 826 employees by the end of the year.

Once fully ramped, the Iberia Parish facility is expected to add 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of annual nameplate capacity, taking First Solar’s American manufacturing footprint to 14 GW in 2026, and 17.7 GW in 2027, when a recently announced production facility in South Carolina is expected to be fully ramped. [Read more…] about First Solar inaugurates new $1.1 billion AI-enabled Louisiana manufacturing facility

Nokia plans to expand US investment by $4 billion in R&D and manufacturing

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Nokia, in collaboration with the Trump administration, has announced plans to expand its US R&D and manufacturing capabilities, investing $4 billion to accelerate innovation in AI-ready mobile, fixed access, IP, optical, and data center networking technologies.

The planned investment over multiple years is in addition to Nokia’s $2.3 billion investment in US manufacturing, R&D, and AI connectivity through its purchase of Infinera.

Additionally, Infinera had previously announced a $456 million investment for two US manufacturing facilities, which received CHIPS Act incentives. [Read more…] about Nokia plans to expand US investment by $4 billion in R&D and manufacturing

World’s first commercial vertiport DXV reaches ‘topping-out’ construction milestone

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Skyports Infrastructure, a developer of vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility industry, and Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), have reached a pivotal milestone in the construction of the “DXV” vertiport, conducting the ceremonial “topping-out” ceremony to celebrate the building reaching its highest point.

The world’s first commercial vertiport, “DXV”, located adjacent to Dubai International Airport, is now 60 percent complete, with construction running on schedule for planned completion for Q1 2026. Post launch the vertiport will cater to flights with Joby Aviation’s S4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with commercial services planned in 2026.

The vertiport will be the central node of Skyports’ and RTA’s Dubai Vertiport Network (the world’s first), with further network nodes in collaboration with different developers in Dubai. [Read more…] about World’s first commercial vertiport DXV reaches ‘topping-out’ construction milestone

AI-enabled floor cleaning: How floor scrubbers break through the technological barriers of traditional cleaning

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As global cleaning automation accelerates at a CAGR exceeding 25%, the limitations of traditional floor-cleaning machines have become increasingly visible.

Manual and semi-automatic scrubbers lack the perception, intelligence, and adaptability required in modern commercial environments. Transparent liquids remain undetectable, complex terrain disrupts cleaning patterns, and inconsistent human operation causes variable cleaning quality.

Tineco, a pioneer in smart cleaning technology, is redefining the category through advanced AI-powered floor scrubbers engineered for industrial, retail, healthcare, transportation, and large-scale facilities. [Read more…] about AI-enabled floor cleaning: How floor scrubbers break through the technological barriers of traditional cleaning

ASU researchers develop advanced robotics and AI system to inspect pipelines and prevent blockages

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By Kelly deVos, communications specialist, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering 

They run beneath our feet, unseen but essential. Millions of miles of pipeline carry the natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels that keep modern life running. Yet as this buried infrastructure ages, cracks, leaks and ruptures are becoming alarmingly common.

From 2002 to 2021, pipeline incidents in the US caused 276 deaths, more than 1,100 injuries and $10 billion in damage. With roughly 650 serious incidents each year, the need for safer, smarter pipeline inspection technology has never been clearer.

Despite the risks, many pipelines go years without a thorough inspection. Some can’t be inspected at all. Known as unpiggable pipelines, these sections twist through narrow turns, outdated valves and complex connections that standard inspection tools simply can’t navigate. The result is a costly blind spot for one of the nation’s most critical systems. [Read more…] about ASU researchers develop advanced robotics and AI system to inspect pipelines and prevent blockages

The Nordics: A global case study in sustainable data centre growth

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How Northern Europe’s long-term approach to energy, planning and balance became the industry’s quiet success story

As power-constrained markets in Europe grapple with permitting pauses and grid restrictions, the Nordics – Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland – have quietly demonstrated what sustainable growth looks like in practice.

The lesson from the region is straightforward but profound. By aligning infrastructure planning with renewable energy capacity and public cooperation, the Nordics have created a foundation for data centre development that is both commercially and environmentally durable.

“The Nordic markets prove that sustainability and scalability can coexist when policy, power and planning move together,” says Charlie Enright, senior analyst at DC Byte. “Their approach shows that growth and responsibility can be complementary rather than conflicting forces.” [Read more…] about The Nordics: A global case study in sustainable data centre growth

Sekikaiji to introduce new trencher purchased from subsea technology specialist SMD

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Japan-based submarine cable installation specialist, Sekikaiji Industry, has expanded its capabilities with the purchase of new trenching equipment from subsea technology and services provider, SMD.

Set to be delivered in spring 2026, the contract includes SMD’s high-power jet trencher with a dedicated high sea state launch and recovery system (LARS) and SMD Artemis, a pioneering cable and pipeline tracker.

Speaking on the new contract, Matthew Woodward, business development manager at SMD, explains: “Sekikaiji has again put their trust in SMD equipment to expand its cable trenching capability, ready for offshore wind. [Read more…] about Sekikaiji to introduce new trencher purchased from subsea technology specialist SMD