Articles by JJ Moore

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — ABB Robotics has introduced the Flexley Stack F712, an autonomous forklift that expands the company's autonomous mobile robot lineup for manufacturing applications.

BERLIN — Volkswagen's supervisory board is scheduled to meet July 9 to consider a sweeping restructuring plan that could include plant closures, job cuts and changes to the automaker's corporate structure as it seeks to address mounting financial and competitive pressures.

BOSTON — Manufacturing companies are increasingly developing software, data and AI platforms alongside traditional products as manufacturers look to connect production systems, workforce knowledge and operational data. Now Mitsubishi Electric has created a dedicated space just for that sort of innovation.

MELBOURNE, Ark. — Oobotic has opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Melbourne, Ark., where the company plans to produce consumer products using automated manufacturing systems and AI-enabled production technology.

SAN ANTONIO — Toyota Motor North America will invest $3.6 billion to expand its San Antonio manufacturing campus, adding a second vehicle assembly line for the Tacoma pickup and creating approximately 2,000 jobs. 

HINCKLEY, England — Crane Electronics has launched the WrenchStar Multi Plus, a digital torque wrench designed for assembly and quality teams working in demanding manufacturing environments.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — East West Manufacturing has acquired electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider Vexos, expanding its engineering, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities across North America and Asia.

DETROIT — Global drone revenue is expected to reach $77 billion by 2035, more than doubling from current levels as commercial adoption accelerates across manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure inspection, agriculture and public safety, according to a new report from Counterpoint Research.

Manufacturers are investing heavily in AI and automation, but many still can’t access or organize the data needed to make those systems useful. Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte, explains how fragmented factory systems and proprietary data structures are limiting smart manufacturing—and why initiatives such as i3X are becoming critical to making industrial AI practical on the plant floor.

MILWAUKEE — As manufacturers expand their use of robotics, cobots and connected production systems, motion control components are becoming increasingly important to flexible automation design.