Advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are moving us toward more integrated, intelligent and automated manufacturing solutions. The promise is enhanced efficiency, reduced costs and improved product quality.

Deloitte’s 2024 Manufacturing Industry Outlook attributes the significant growth the manufacturing industry saw in 2023 to three major legislative acts: the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Since the enactment of these laws, construction spending has seen a substantial increase, reaching $201 billion in mid-2023—a 70% increase from the previous year—and stimulating demand for more products. Despite this surge, the combined challenges of geopolitical uncertainty, skilled labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and the need to achieve net-zero emissions goals demand strategic adaptations.

Collaborative robots (cobots) are becoming increasingly popular, working alongside humans to enhance productivity without replacing jobs. As they are designed to be user-friendly and safe for close human interaction, they are ideal for applications like welding, assembly and product inspection. A reduction in lost time injury rates is a beneficial corollary. They are also now more affordable and flexible, making it easier for SMEs to adopt automation technologies they previously could not afford.

Source Article: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/08/09/the-future-of-manufacturing-how-ai-robotics-and-data-are-revolutionizing-the-industry/

For several years, Republicans accused Joe Biden of waging a “war on energy” even as the Untied States drilled more oil and gas than at any time in its history. Now, a more tangible assault is gathering pace under Donald Trump – aimed squarely at wind, solar and other cleaner forms of power.

In the first two weeks of his return as president, Trump has, like his first term, issued orders to open up more American land and waters for fossil fuel extraction and started the process to yank the US from the Paris climate agreement. “We will drill, baby drill,” said Trump, who has promised to cut energy and electricity prices in half within 18 months.

But Trump has this time also launched a blitzkrieg against renewable energy, with his department of interior temporarily suspending all clean energy development – but tellingly not oil and gas – on federal land.

Meanwhile an “energy emergency” declared by Trump mentions the need to bolster “crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal” but not solar, wind or other clean energy technologies. Trump has said he would like to see “good clean coal”, the dirtiest of fossil fuels, meet the rising electricity demand from AI generation.

Trump has long disparaged wind energy, calling it “disgusting” and baselessly alleging turbines are the primary cause of whale and bird deaths, and his administration has now halted all federal approvals of onshore and offshore wind.

“We don’t want windmills in this country,” the president recently told Fox News. “The wind blows and then it doesn’t blow, the things cost a fortune, they are made in China, they kill the birds, they’re horrible.”

Article Source: https: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/trump-war-on-clean-energy-big-oil

Xpeng may be new to the UK, but it’s been around in mainland Europe for a while (we first drove the G6 in Germany last summer) and was founded in China in 2014. While the G6 is the first model to arrive in the UK, with final pricing and first deliveries expected in the spring, a full range of up to five models is expected within the next three years.

The G6 has clearly targeted the Tesla Model Y, the UK’s best-selling electric car, with everything from its size to its proportions. And we’d say it’s a better bet than the Tesla, with the ride in particular making it easier to live with. With prices now confirmed, the G6 is cheaper to buy than the Model Y, too.

If you’re put off by the Tesla’s minimalist interior you’ll love the G6. It’s more conventional than the Tesla, but no less stylish and better built, too. Crucially for many, the fact that you can connect your Apple or Android smartphone to the 15-inch infotainment screen with CarPlay or Android Auto will be a big plus, too, while there’s also a separate digital display in front of the driver, although the speedo is rather small.

The G6 offers a fair degree more comfort, too. Our latest drive in a Model Y reminded us how dreadful that car’s ride quality is – the G6 rides firmly, but it’s a lot more comfortable and easy to live with day-to-day.

So it drives nicely, although it doesn’t feel as quick as a Model Y and it won’t go quite as far on a single charge – nor does Xpeng have its own charging network like Tesla. But there’s plenty of space inside, a big boot and a good view out, too. We’re big fans.

Article Source: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2025-01-29/nissan-cuts-shifts-offers-employee-buyouts-at-3-us-plants-in-bid-to-shed-jobs?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The sudden arrival of a little-known Chinese app called DeepSeek to the top of the app charts over the weekend sent the US tech industry into a trillion-dollar tailspin.

In the space of a few hours, several of the world’s biggest companies saw their stock plummet, with Nvidia experiencing the biggest one-day loss in market value in history – more than $500bn (£402bn).

The shock was caused by how quickly a relatively unknown AI startup could catch up with the best apps developed by the US giants. DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot came with similar capabilities to OpenAI’s most advanced ChatGPT tool, while also being free-to-use, open-source, and developed at a fraction of the cost.

US president Donald Trump described the artificial intelligence chatbot as a “wake-up call” for the industry, with tech firms suffering significant dips in their share prices on Monday morning. The worst hit were the chip makers, which have experienced a massive surge in value since the rise of generative AI and the increased demand for their products. Nvidia and Broadcom both saw their value drop by around a fifth.

“DeepSeek’s release of a premium level AI tool, available freely, with a reported (comparatively) miniscule development cost has shaken faith in Silicon Valley and American dominance in the rapidly developing AI market,” Dr Richard Whittle, an economist from the University of Salford, told The Independent.

Article Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/deepseek-ai-tech-stock-industry-b2687593.html

The technical centre houses a range of “state-of-the-art machines” that have been specially developed for the production of electric drives. To this end, Daimler Truck entered into a cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg specialist Gehring in autumn 2022. The jointly operated “technical centre” will now build prototypes of so-called “truck-e-fied” electric engines and further develop and test the production processes.

Around 20 employees currently work in the 900-square-metre facility. In addition to office and meeting rooms, there is also a so-called clean room, which is used for measurements with special cleanliness requirements and stable temperatures. Over the course of 2023, the layout of the technical centre was simulated in order to optimise the hall layout. In order to pass on the knowledge generated in the technical centre, a learning workshop is also integrated into the premises, for example, to train apprentices.

One of the key areas of development will be hairpin windings. Here, solid copper rods in the eponymous hairpin shape form the coils for the stator’s electromagnet, which ensures a higher copper fill level compared to coils made of wound copper wire – and therefore a higher energy density. However, there is no indication of when electric motors with this technology will be used in electric trucks with the three-pointed star.

Daimler Truck and the works council had already agreed in 2021 that the company’s aggregate plants should focus on various components of electrified drives. The Kassel plant is expanding its previous focus on commercial vehicle axles to include electric drive systems. In Mannheim, the leading plant for commercial vehicle engines, the plan is to build the competence centre for zero-emission mobility (KEM) located there. Gaggenau, which specialises in heavy commercial vehicle transmissions, is to develop into a centre of excellence for electric drive components and the assembly of hydrogen-based fuel cell units. The Gaggenau plant already supplies components for the battery-electric eActros 300/400 and eEconic trucks to the Wörth site.

“The Gaggenau plant is in the middle of a transformation. The opening of our technical centre represents an important milestone in this process,” says Thomas Twork, site manager for the Gaggenau plant. “This is where we will develop innovative technologies and associated production processes for electric motors in the future. I would like to thank everyone involved, who have been working hard on this project for many months.”

Article Source: Mercedes-Benz Trucks puts technical centre into operation in Gaggenau – electrive.com

We make the best cars,” proclaimed a defiant Elon Musk at a business event last November. “Whether you hate me, like me, or are indifferent: do you want the best car, or do you not want the best car?”

Budget permitting, it’s a question that tens of millions of people weigh up as they shop for a new vehicle. But as competition heats up in the electric vehicle (EV) market, there is increasing reason to doubt that the best electric car will be made by Tesla.

“I can’t tell you how many people who, without question, without any consideration of an alternative, bought a Tesla a year ago – or five years ago in my case – who are [now] quite open the next time around to consider other brands,” Len Sherman, a former auto industry consultant who is now a professor at Columbia Business School, tells The Independent.

Once unchallenged for the EV crown, Tesla now faces growing rivalry not only from specialist EV firms such as Rivian and Lucid Motors but traditional household names such as Toyota, General Motors, BMW, and Volkswagen. In 2024, for the first time ever, Tesla was overtaken in EV sales numbers by the Chinese electric giant BYD.

At the same time, global demand for EVs has hit a speed bump as mainstream buyers remain sceptical of the technology and leery of high prices, leading many big auto companies to slash their investments.

All of which raises the stakes for Tesla’s ongoing issues with the quality of its cars. Having rapidly built its own manufacturing and dealership system in the space of two decades, it remains dogged by reports of scratched bodywork, ill-fitting components and broken control systems.

Nor are all these problems mere aesthetic niggles. The company, which did not respond to an interview request from The Independent, is under investigation by US regulators for a host of issues including alleged steering failures and “phantom braking”.

Last June, a Washington Post investigation found that Tesla’s vaunted “autopilot” technology has been linked to 736 of the 807 US crashes involving driver assistance technologies since 2019.

Article Source: Tesla under Elon Musk made the first best electric vehicle. But will it make the next? | The Independent

BMW’s 1 Series and 2 Series will spawn i1 and i2 EV models. The two new EVs are already in development in Munich. BMW plans to sell the more electric 1 and 2 Series models alongside the gas-powered models, according to sources close to the matter.

BMW is expanding into new segments and looking to attract younger buyers. According to AutoCar, the BMW 1 Series EV will be available as an electric hatchback or sedan. Meanwhile, the i2 will be the i3’s “spiritual successor,” according to insiders.

Head of product and brand management, Bernd Koerber, told AutoCar that BMW wants to “connect with the younger generation” and expand in all markets.

“Of course they have lower profitability but they also fulfil a different purpose in getting younger customers and developing [BMW] in certain markets,” Koerber explained. BMW’s product boss confirmed they are still part of the strategy, adding, “It’s good that we have two brands in the segment, with, of course, Mini playing a big role.”

With rival Mercedes-Benz retiring the A-Class in 2026, BMW sees it as an opportunity. Koerber said that with the A-Class out, an electric 1 series could take market share.

The Electric 1 series is expected to launch in 2027, followed by the i2 in 2028. Although they will be sold alongside the gas models, the 1 and 2 series EVs are expected to ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform.

With rival Mercedes-Benz retiring the A-Class in 2026, BMW sees it as an opportunity. Koerber said that with the A-Class out, an electric 1 series could take market share. The Electric 1 series is expected to launch in 2027, followed by the i2 in 2028. Although they will be sold alongside the gas models, the 1 and 2 series EVs are expected to ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform.

BMW revealed the Neue Klasse platform last September, a preview of the brand’s high-tech, efficient future. The Neue Klasse sedan and X concepts showcase future BMW EVs. BMW’s “New Class” EVs will feature “30% more range, 30% faster charging, and a 25% efficiency improvement.”

BMW is on track to launch its first Neue Klasse model, the sedan, in 2025. It will be followed by the SUV.

Article Source: BMW 1 series going electric as an affordable EV for young buyers (electrek.co)

Europe’s largest solar power plant was officially inaugurated at Witznitz near Leipzig in eastern Germany on a former lignite open pit mine – with most of its green power produced going to Shell which will then sell much of it on to Microsoft.

Shell Energy Europe last year had secured a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 600MW out of the 650MW of solar capacity now installed by developer Move On at the Witznitz Energy Park to strengthen its “low-carbon power portfolio”.

The oil supermajor has separately agreed to sell the power generated by 323MW of the solar capacity to Microsoft, helping the internet giant to meet its commitment of having a 100% supply of renewable energy by 2025.

The massive solar array is not only showing how the country is moving from dirty to green energy increasingly stabilising the power grid, transmission system operator 50Hertz said.

The TSO said the plant injects electricity directly at extra-high voltage to the grid and helps to maintain grid stability in a region with an already very elevated share of renewables in the system.

The solar plant’s 3,500 inverters are equipped with additional software to supply reactive power, which the TSO can draw on to stabilise voltage levels if needed.

“In the early months of this year, renewables covered around 75% of electricity demand in eastern Germany and Hamburg [50Hertz’s coverage area],” 50Hertz CEO Stefan Kapferer said.

“The Witznitz Energy Park has already contributed to this, showing that the expansion of solar power is now moving to a whole new level.

“By activating reactive power and incorporating the solar plant into our congestion management, we’re once again doing pioneering work to make as much electricity from renewable energies usable as the grid will allow.”

For electricity to reach the consumer, reactive power is needed as well as actual active power, the TSO explained. It acts like a lubricant for transmission and is deployed to regulate individual grid sections depending on regional feed-in and offtake scenarios.

Article Source: Europe’s biggest solar farm switched on for Shell and Microsoft | Recharge (rechargenews.com)

Cyber insurance premiums are falling globally as businesses become more adept in curbing their losses from cyber crime, even as ransomware attacks are rising, broker Howden said in a report.

Insurance premiums to protect companies against cyber attacks rocketed in 2021 and 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove cyber incidents.

But premiums have been dropping in the past year, according to the annual Howden report. The cyber insurance market saw double-digit price reductions in 2023/24, Howden said.

Added security such as multifactor authentication has helped to protect companies’ data, reducing insurance claims.

“MFA is the most basic thing you can do, it’s like locking the door when you leave the house,” said Sarah Neild, head of UK cyber retail at Howden.

“Cyber security is a many-layered beast,” Neild added, pointing also to greater investment in IT security, including staff training.

Greater appetite by insurers to offer cyber insurance is also leading to price decreases, Neild said, even with attacks rising.

Global ransomware attacks fell following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as hackers in those countries focused on the military effort.

However, recorded ransomware incidents rose 18% in the first five months of 2024 compared with a year earlier, the report said.

Ransom software works by encrypting data. Typically, hackers offer a pass code to victims of an attack, enabling them to retrieve the data in return for cryptocurrency payments.

Business interruption is usually the biggest cost following a cyber attack, but businesses are able to reduce those costs with better back-up systems, such as through the use of cloud providers, the report said.

Most cyber insurance business is in the United States, but growth in the $15 billion global cyber insurance market is likely to be fastest in Europe in the next few years, given lower penetration levels currently, the report said.

Article Source: Cyber insurance rates fall as businesses improve security, report says | Reuters