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ABB to invest an extra $110 million in US manufacturing

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Industrial automation and energy giant ABB says it will invest a further $110 million in the United States in 2025 to expand the R&D and manufacturing of its advanced electrification solutions as customers focus on improving energy efficiency and uptime while reducing their energy costs.

The IEA estimate US wholesale electricity prices rose by 30-40 percent in the first half of 2025, compared with 2024.

Creating nearly 200 new jobs, the investment will support expected future growth in key industries, including data centers and the power grid. Rapid expansion of data centers in the US is expected to keep annual electricity demand growth above 2 percent in both 2025 and 2026, more than double the average growth rate over the past decade (IEA). [Read more…] about ABB to invest an extra $110 million in US manufacturing

GlaxoSmithKline to invest $30 billion in R&D and manufacturing in the US

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British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it plans to invest $30 billion across the United States in research and development and supply chain infrastructure over the next five years.

This includes a new $1.2 billion investment in advanced manufacturing facilities and AI and advanced digital technologies, to deliver new, next-generation biopharma factories and laboratories in the United States.

These investments build on GSK’s strong innovation and manufacturing footprint and capabilities in the United States today, developing and making products in the United States for the United States. [Read more…] about GlaxoSmithKline to invest $30 billion in R&D and manufacturing in the US

Eli Lilly to build $5 billion manufacturing facility in Virginia

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American multinational pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly says it plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility just west of Richmond, Virginia, in Goochland County.

The new site will be the company’s first dedicated, fully integrated active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug product facility for Lilly’s emerging bioconjugate platform and monoclonal antibody portfolio.

Earlier this year, at a press conference in Washington, DC, Lilly announced plans to bolster its domestic medicine production across therapeutic areas by building four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in the United States. [Read more…] about Eli Lilly to build $5 billion manufacturing facility in Virginia

Sonair raises $6 million to accelerate launch of ‘world’s first safe 3D ultrasonic sensor for robots’

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As autonomous robots enter warehouses, hospitals, shops, and public spaces, the need for safe human-machine collaboration is growing fast. That’s exactly what Sonair’s ADAR sensor is built for. With $6 million in new funding the company can capture its global target market segments and establish a new category for robotic perception.

After a strong market debut earlier this year, ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) is now shipping to manufacturers in Asia, Europe and North America.

The sensor uses sound waves in air to give robots a precise, real-time 3D view of their surroundings, helping them operate safely in shared spaces.

Sonair is safety-certifying to PLd ISO13849 / SIL IEC 61508. An industry-first for 3D ultrasonic sensing, with the company now moving fast to meet rising, global demand. [Read more…] about Sonair raises $6 million to accelerate launch of ‘world’s first safe 3D ultrasonic sensor for robots’

SoftBank develops ‘robot-friendly’ server rack to enable automation at data centers

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SoftBank, a Japanese telecommunications giant which is a significant player in the robotics sector, has developed a new server rack intended to make data center hardware easier for robots to install, maintain, and replace. 

The company says the initiative will help position its infrastructure as being tailored to the demands of AI and autonomous systems.

Announced in September 2025, the rack introduces a cableless structure that allows robots to carry out tasks such as installing and removing servers, swapping faulty units, and conducting inspections. [Read more…] about SoftBank develops ‘robot-friendly’ server rack to enable automation at data centers

Figure raises over $1 billion in Series C funding at $39 billion valuation

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Humanoid robotics company Figure has secured more than $1 billion in committed capital through its latest Series C financing round, reaching a post-money valuation of $39 billion.

The company said the funding will accelerate its efforts “to bring general-purpose humanoid robots into real-world environments at scale.”

The round was led by Parkway Venture Capital and included significant participation from Brookfield Asset Management, Nvidia, Macquarie Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, Tamarack Global, LG Technology Ventures, Salesforce, T-Mobile Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures. [Read more…] about Figure raises over $1 billion in Series C funding at $39 billion valuation

OpenMind launches first open-source operating system for intelligent robots

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OpenMind has released the beta version of what it says is “the world’s first open-source operating system for intelligent robots”, adding that it’s “a universal platform that allows any robot to perceive, reason, and act in the real world”.

Robotics has long been fragmented, with developers forced to choose between closed ecosystems, hardware-specific software, or steep learning curves.

This allows any developer to install fully autonomous software on their robots. [Read more…] about OpenMind launches first open-source operating system for intelligent robots

Tennant Company and Brain Corp to debut next-generation autonomous cleaning at CMS 2025

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Tennant Company, a specialist in robotic cleaning solutions, and Brain Corp, a provider of AI-powered robotics operating systems, will join forces again at CMS 2025 in Berlin to showcase the future of cleaning technology and unveil the X6 ROVR to the European market for the first time.

The X6 ROVR, powered by BrainOS autonomy, is Tennant and Brain Corp’s most advanced autonomous cleaning machine to date.

Engineered for intelligent navigation, high-performance cleaning, and resilient operation in even the most challenging environments, the X6 ROVR sets new standards in efficiency, reliability, and safety. [Read more…] about Tennant Company and Brain Corp to debut next-generation autonomous cleaning at CMS 2025

Swisslog Healthcare partners with Diligent Robotics to enhance hospital logistics

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Swisslog Healthcare, a supplier in transport and pharmacy automation solutions, has formed a strategic alliance with Diligent Robotics to bring autonomous last-mile delivery robots to hospitals across the United States.

This cooperative partnership extends Swisslog Healthcare’s suite of automation offerings, complementing its existing solutions with Diligent Robotics’ innovative autonomous mobile manipulation robots (AMMRs).

The collaboration aims to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and empower hospital pharmacies to elevate patient care. [Read more…] about Swisslog Healthcare partners with Diligent Robotics to enhance hospital logistics

Niryo launches robotic platform to make industrial automation ‘more accessible’

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French industrial company Niryo has launched Nate, its new robotic platform designed to accelerate automation in industry.

With 3,500 robots deployed in over 70 countries, Niryo has established itself as a key player in the field of robotics.

Building on this experience, the company is now accelerating the development of accessible, high-performance solutions for industry, with a clear ambition: to make cutting-edge robotics accessible to companies of all sizes. [Read more…] about Niryo launches robotic platform to make industrial automation ‘more accessible’