Once upon a time, ASSEMBLY chronicled the toy industry on a regular basis. In fact, the magazine debuted the same year that the Hula Hoop ushered in the era of fad toys.
Toy manufacturers are faced with increasingly stringent safety regulations and constantly changing consumer tastes. But, mass-customization and 3D printing may help small companies compete.
Lightweight exoskeletons currently under development will give soldiers superhuman strength. The devices will allow soldiers to easily carry loads of up to 200 pounds.
Within the next decade, a large portion of the U.S. Army’s huge fleet of vehicles could run on battery power. In fact, the Pentagon plans to acquire more than 92,000 electric vehicles by 2020.
Weight issues are not something that’s common with U.S. Army soldiers. The military organization prides itself on running a lean, mean fighting machine. But, even so, the Army is on a weight-loss program when it comes to vehicles, artillery, ordnance, helmets, electronic gear and other devices.
The 2nd annual Manufacturing Day was held nationwide last Friday. Hundreds of manufacturers opened their doors to students to give them a glimpse into the world of 21st century production processes.
What will factories look like 100 years from now when the bicentennial of the moving assembly line is celebrated? Will people still be involved in the production process?
