WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating Hyundai Motor Co. and one of its suppliers for illegal use of child labor at factories in Alabama.

MILWAUKEE—OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation plans to create next-generation autonomous mobile robots equipped with Nvidia artificial intelligence technology.

CASA GRANDE, AZ—Kohler Co. recently opened a new facility here to produce bathroom fixtures for its Sterling brand.

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN—Matrix Engineering Consultants and NNi Training and Consulting Inc. will be teaching a class, “Fundamentals of Threaded Fastener and Joint Design,” Oct 15-17 .

SOUTHFIELD, MI—Automotive supplier Lear Corp. is set to acquire WIP Industrial Automation, a Spain-based systems integrator with a focus on advanced automation for industrial applications. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals.

ODENSE, Denmark—Universal Robots has incorporated the Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) into its software. This integration will enable the company to offer direct control of its collaborative robot arms from Siemens PLCs. Universal Robots is one of the first collaborative robot vendors to adopt the SRCI.

PARIS, France—Airbus UpNext has started testing new technologies to support automatic taxiing and enhance pilot assistance onboard an innovative electric truck. The three-year research project, called Optimate, will combine a wide range of cutting-edge technologies including advanced automation, computer vision, data fusion and machine learning to improve aircraft navigation systems, the human-machine interface and overall flight safety. 

The two engineers who created the delta robot are the “technology” category recipients of the 2024 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards.

NORMAL, IL—Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian plans to increase the capacity of its assembly plant here to produce its midsized SUV, the R2. The company has secured an $827 million incentive package from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to support the expansion.

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI—FANUC America has introduced the world’s first explosion-proof collaborative robot for painting and finishing applications.