BREMEN, Germany—Although the 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQC electric SUV won't be arriving at U.S. dealers until sometime next year, the first production version just rolled off the line in Germany.

STAMFORD, CT—More manufacturers are investing in digital twin technology. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Gartner Inc. claims that 75 percent of organizations implementing Industry 4.0 initiatives already use digital twins or plan to within a year.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK—Printed circuit supplier Trackwise has produced an 85-foot-long multilayer flexible circuit—said to be the world’s longest—for distributing power and control signals across the wings of a solar-powered drone.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL—Sikorsky Aircraft has announced that the maiden flights of two of its fully assembled HH-60W combat rescue helicopters are expected to happen before June at its development flight center here.

QINGDAO, China—Airbus Helicopters recently opened a final-assembly plant here for the H135 helicopter.

EVERETT, WA—Although Boeing has delayed the public reveal of its new 777X-9 airplane out of respect for the families of victims of two recent 737 MAX 8 crashes, last month the company invited staff to come in and view close-up Boeing's new flagship aircraft.

GREENBELT, MD—Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center here are using additive manufacturing technology to create printed sensors.

MIAMISBURG, OH—Allite Inc., a materials supplier specializing in lightweight products, has partnered with Weis Manufacturing to codevelop the first racing bicycle frame made entirely from the magnesium.

BLOOMINGTON, IN—To be successful in today's hyper-competitive global marketplace, manufacturers are constantly finding innovative ways to use technology to increase productivity.

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a way for robots to home in on moving objects with unprecedented speed and accuracy.