Austin Weber

Advances in human-machine collaboration enable manufacturers to address skilled labor shortages.

NEW YORK—According to a recent study by Deloitte, smart factories have enabled manufacturers to achieve a 20 percent increase in employee productivity.

STUTTGART—Engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics have developed an analytical concept that combines measurements of temperature, air quality, lighting and noise with workers’ subjective perceptions.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The National Science Foundation is investing $25.5 million to support fundamental research and workforce development that will enable next-generation U.S. manufacturing.

A group of engineering students at the University of Tennessee are developing a robotic wire harness assembly system. 

ANN ARBOR, MI—Engineers at Arizona State University and the University of Michigan are establishing a Center for Digital Twins in Manufacturing.

PARIS—Engineers at Nexans have created a cable made with 100 percent recycled materials.

SAN FRANCISCO— Lucid, Nuro and Uber have formed a strategic partnership that will create a robotaxi ride-hailing system.

MADISON, CT—The Wire Association International Inc. plans to co-locate its biennial Wire Expo with the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo in Milwaukee.

DE SOTO, KS—Panasonic Energy Co. has opened a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery factory here.