Robotics & Automation News

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Manufacturing

Continental installs autonomous mobile robots to streamline tire production at Hanover-Stöcken plant

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Continental has introduced seven autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at its ContiLifeCycle (CLC) retreading plant in Hanover-Stöcken, where the machines have been “keeping things moving since March 2025”.

The robots – which Continental appears to have built by itself in-house, perhaps with some help from external companies, whose modules may have integrated – are used to transport green tires across the facility, taking over repetitive in-plant logistics tasks and allowing workers to focus on skilled activities such as machine setup and quality control.

“Self-driving robots have been supporting our production workflow for six months now,” said Felix Hantelmann, head of the ContiLifeCycle plant. [Read more…] about Continental installs autonomous mobile robots to streamline tire production at Hanover-Stöcken plant

Kawasaki Robotics to provide robots to Gayatri subsidiary CSM Robotics

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DP Gayatri, a diversified industrial group driving innovation and automation across North America, has announced a strategic partnership with Kawasaki Robotics, a manufacturer of industrial robotics and automation technology.

The collaboration will empower CSM Robotics, DP Gayatri’s subsidiary, to expand its automation capabilities and deliver advanced robotic systems that support manufacturers in scaling efficiently and competitively.

Through this partnership, CSM Robotics will integrate Kawasaki Robotics’ robotic platforms, motion technologies, and controls into its automation solutions. [Read more…] about Kawasaki Robotics to provide robots to Gayatri subsidiary CSM Robotics

Standard Bots CEO tells Congress that ‘rebuilding America’s manufacturing strength is essential’

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Standard Bots CEO Evan Beard told lawmakers last week that the United States must move quickly to rebuild its industrial capacity if it intends to lead the world in robotics.

Beard delivered his remarks before the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) during a hearing on Frontier Technologies, Industrial Efficiency, and Pro-Innovation Policies.

The JEC is a bipartisan congressional committee responsible for analysing economic conditions and advising Congress on ways to boost productivity, growth, and competitiveness. [Read more…] about Standard Bots CEO tells Congress that ‘rebuilding America’s manufacturing strength is essential’

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

AstraZeneca plans $2 billion manufacturing investment in Maryland

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AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest $2 billion to expand its long-standing manufacturing footprint in Maryland.

This includes a significant expansion of its flagship biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in Gaithersburg for the development and clinical supply of innovative molecules to be used in clinical trials.

The investment will support 2,600 jobs across the two sites in the state including the retention of local roles, construction activity, and the creation of 300 highly skilled jobs. [Read more…] about AstraZeneca plans $2 billion manufacturing investment in Maryland

Virginia Tech researchers develop AI-powered cobots to support autistic workers in manufacturing

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Autistic adults face lower employment rates than their equally qualified peers, in part because many workplaces don’t meet their needs. Meanwhile, manufacturers are struggling to hire skilled workers, and they may be overlooking the autistic talent pool.

A team of researchers at Virginia Tech wants to solve both problems: increasing autistic employment rates and bolstering the manufacturing workforce by designing collaborative robots, or “cobots”, that can work alongside neurodivergent workers and provide real-time feedback and personalized support.

Funding the research is a National Science Foundation grant of over $1.5 million to collaborators at Virginia Tech, George Washington University, and the University of Notre Dame. Virginia Tech is leading the project, with its share of the grant totaling $800,000. [Read more…] about Virginia Tech researchers develop AI-powered cobots to support autistic workers in manufacturing

Hummink raises $20 million to bring ‘micronic precision printing’ to advanced manufacturing

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As microelectronics underpin the rise of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, the smallest manufacturing imperfections have become billion-euro problems.

Each defect at the sub-micron scale can derail an entire batch of chips or displays. Paris-based deep-tech company Hummink is tackling that challenge head-on.

The company has raised €15 million in a funding round co-led by KBC Focus Fund, Cap Horn and Bpifrance to expand deployment of its patented High-Precision Capillary Printing (HPCaP) technology, which enables manufacturers to print metals and functional materials with record-level accuracy and repair microscopic defects in real time. [Read more…] about Hummink raises $20 million to bring ‘micronic precision printing’ to advanced manufacturing

Fabric8Labs secures $50 million to expand US advanced manufacturing capacity

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Fabric8Labs, a company pioneering electrochemical additive manufacturing, has announced a $50 million funding round to expand its US-based advanced manufacturing facilities, boosting capacity to produce tens of millions of components annually. 

Powered by its breakthrough Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing (ECAM) technology, Fabric8Labs is scaling up production of next-generation electronics components that enable leading-edge systems in thermal management (AI/HPC), wireless communications (RF), and power electronics.

The US-based manufacturing footprint enables customers to move seamlessly from prototyping to high-volume production. [Read more…] about Fabric8Labs secures $50 million to expand US advanced manufacturing capacity

Azumuta raises €8 million to accelerate digitalization and AI-supported work instructions in manufacturing

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Manufacturers worldwide still rely on paper, spreadsheets, and fragmented systems to manage shop floor processes. Azumuta, the operator-centric software scale-up from Ghent, Belgium, aims to change this.

Azumuta raised €8 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its platform for AI-supported digital work instructions, quality control, and workforce training.

The round was led by Keen Venture Partners, with participation from Capricorn Partners and returning investors PMV, Angelwise, and Dirk Vermunicht. [Read more…] about Azumuta raises €8 million to accelerate digitalization and AI-supported work instructions in manufacturing

Carbon raises $60 million to accelerate growth of its advanced manufacturing market share

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Carbon, a Silicon Valley-based additive manufacturing company enabling large-scale production across a wide range of industries, announced it has raised $60 million in new funding.

The round was headlined by current investors Sequoia Capital, Silver Lake, adidas, Baillie Gifford, Madrone, and Northgate.

Bolstered by recent interest in versatile, on-demand manufacturing to reindustrialize local economies, this investment is one of the largest in the additive manufacturing sector in recent years – underscoring continued confidence in Carbon’s business to produce high-performance products at scale using additive manufacturing. [Read more…] about Carbon raises $60 million to accelerate growth of its advanced manufacturing market share