East Camden, Ark. — Southern Arkansas University Tech said it has secured $20 million in federal funding to establish a Defense Manufacturing Center of Excellence, a project the school says will expand workforce training and support economic growth across South Arkansas.
LAS VEGAS—Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. said it has formed a new robotics subsidiary and opened sales and paid pre-orders for three embodied artificial intelligence robots, with first deliveries planned for the end of the month.
Topics include AI, 5G, automation, robotics, smart factories and mixed-model production.
February 17, 2026
NASHVILLE, TN—The Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX) has announced details of its MAX eXperience educational program, featuring a comprehensive lineup of six immersive workshops, a keynote presentation, and targeted education sessions designed to equip manufacturing professionals with practical strategies for today’s rapidly evolving production environment.
DETROIT—Thieves stole nearly a dozen new Ram pickup trucks, Jeep SUVs and Dodge Durangos from a temporary storage lot near Stellantis’s Detroit Assembly Complex–Jefferson in the early morning hours of Feb. 11.
Siemens Energy plans to invest $1 billion to expand U.S. production of grid and gas turbine equipment and hire more than 1,500 workers as electricity demand surges from data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure and industrial electrification.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Dürr is rolling out a new high-resolution paint application system that lets automakers print complex graphics, patterns and lettering directly onto vehicle bodies, replacing the manual step of gluing on films and decals.
TULSA, Okla. — Mecad USA said it will locate its U.S. operations at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa in a move expected to create nearly 300 jobs in northeastern Oklahoma.
AUSTIN, TX—John Deere and Mercedes-Benz are among several companies that are investing more than $500 million in Apptronik, a startup that has developed a humanoid robot called Apollo.