WALTHAM, MA—Boston Dynamics has introduced a new, fully electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot.

Yamaha Motor Co.’s flagship factory here is using state-of-the-art automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that address the challenges of assembling motorcycles in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

ANN ARBOR, MI—For the 10th consecutive year, Toyota has been awarded more patents from the United States patent office than any other automaker.

CHATANOOGA, TN—Workers at Volkswagen’s assembly plant here began voting today on whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union.

GREENSBORO, NC—The Volvo Group will build a new assembly plant in Mexico to produce heavy-duty trucks for the North American market.

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a safety check technique that can prove with 100 percent accuracy that a robot’s trajectory will remain collision-free.

On Monday, April 16th, a two-hour presentation was held with reporters and two Boeing engineering managers who detailed the company’s stress and safety tests for the 787, which include testing the plane for 165,000 cycles, each meant to provide an equivalent of a flight, with varying conditions. In addition, the fuselage skin was struck by a 300-pound pendulum, the engineers said.

Rising demand for new commercial and defense aircraft is driving market growth.

MARYSVILLE, OH— Honda is working towards the start of EV production set for late 2025. Retooling efforts are well underway, including preparation for vehicle production and in-house assembly of the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), which houses the EV battery and serves as part of the vehicle platform. Based on its goal to achieve carbon neutrality, Honda is targeting 100% zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2040. Honda expects to hire 300 associates at its Ohio EV Hub, while 300 associates at the Marysville Auto Plant will upskill for IPU assembly. 

Robots and automated assembly equipment can help address the labor shortage while making companies more profitable and efficient. However, not all automation systems are the same, nor do they deliver the same level of success.