Electronics in today's vehicles are increasingly complex. With more sensors, controls and interfaces all using higher bandwidth, faster data throughput and more reliable networks are required. The weight of the cables and harnesses in the vehicle is also a concern.

My wife works for one of the largest printers in the country. From August through October last year, nine of her co-workers died of COVID-19. All were shop-floor personnel who did not have the luxury of working from home. One was just 28 years old. None were vaccinated, despite ample monetary incentives to do so. Alarmed, the CEO held a companywide meeting via Zoom, begging employees to get vaccinated.

Vision systems play a vital role in automated assembly systems. They can check for the presence or absence of parts or materials. They can measure key dimensions of assemblies. They can tell robots the precise location of parts. They can even read 1D and 2D codes. Here's a look at some of the latest developments.

In October, the Volvo Group unveiled the world's first vehicle, a load carrier used in mining and quarrying, that is made from steel produced without fossil fuels.

In today's assembly plants, software has become every bit as important to product assembly as robots, riveters and nutrunners. In fact, in some machines, software accounts for more than 50 percent of value creation.

Assemblers have long relied on manual and pneumatic presses for crimping, staking, swaging, clinching and press-fit assembly. However, these machines have inherent limitations in accuracy, control, flexibility and data collection. Servo-driven presses overcome these limitations.

The United States is far and away the world leader in R&D spending. In 2019, the U.S. spent $612.7 billion on R&D, more than any other country. We spent 19 percent more than China, four times more than Japan, five times more than Germany, and six times more than South Korea.

This February will mark my 25th anniversary with ASSEMBLY magazine. In that short time, I've seen technological advancements that I could not have imagined, and each day seems to bring news of another.

Manufacturers worldwide are trying to be more sustainable. They are conserving energy and raw materials. They are re-examining global supply chains. And, they are reusing or recycling packaging.