“Design is not a single object or dimension. Design is messy and complex."
– Natasha Jen
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1. Innovating Requires Iterating
And AI is here to help. Automotive design engineers are using AI tools to significantly speed up the design process, allowing for faster innovation and reduced time to market. Engineers can now introduce more variables into their simulation and optimization processes, such as comfort, aerodynamics, noise, vibration, and harshness. If, like me, you’ve been burned by an LLM in the past, I can’t stress this enough: Trust – but verify.
2. Bipedal Robots
“Humanoid robots” is too limiting of a title. Whether you like it or not, bipedal robots are the future. Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox. These AMRs intersect with technology and economics, with tech companies betting big to solve labor shortages in many industries. This technology is developing at the same pace as the overall sector value grows. While technical limitations will persist (probably for the foreseeable future), cultural acceptance will be the true barrier.
3. Are Magnets Life?
The recent drive for more accurate and precise products will create faster and more responsive systems. Since magnets are foundational to most manufacturing technologies, and power and speed have been the main metrics for motors for ages, the study of ultrafast magnetic fields makes perfect sense. Enter the research team at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, which has the coolest name evAr.
4. Automation Is a Fast Market
Is automation having a moment? Not really. Instead, think of it as a core technology that will increase manufacturing capacity instead of a flash-in-the-pan trend. This sector is seeing growth in applications and early-stage companies. The scope of what we consider automation is also radically changing. Companies like Waymo, Agility, and Chef are used in the same context as KUKA and ABB.
5. Security Is for Everyone
Even for you, manufacturing technology creators! As the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program continues to gain traction with the release of version 2.0, more of the manufacturing community will have to embrace these requirements. OEM and technology creators must complete this assessment to participate in DOD projects. Another question you should ask is: Will my technology enable manufacturers to comply? It might be time to get that Windows update on that controller.
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