Manufacturing
Ongoing coverage on Manufacturing.
Latest coverage
Why China’s Carmakers Are Racing Into Humanoid Robots — Tesla’s Bet, Copied
Chinese automakers, facing declining car profit margins, are heavily investing in humanoid robots, mirroring Tesla's strategy. Xpeng's robotics arm recently secured significant funding, highlighting a broader trend across the sector with companies like BYD and Chery also developing humanoid robots. While hardware manufacturing is a strength for these companies, catching up to Tesla in AI development remains a key challenge.
Report: Google Set to Move All Pixel Manufacturing Out of China by 2027
Google is reportedly planning to move all Pixel phone, watch, and earbud manufacturing out of China by 2027, shifting production to Vietnam and India. This move is facilitated by Google's lack of a domestic market in China and its ability to leverage existing supply chains built by companies like Samsung in Vietnam. The company also aims to increase Pixel shipments by 8-10% this year, using the devices as a distribution channel for its AI capabilities.
Google is reportedly planning to move all Pixel production out of China
Google is reportedly planning to shift all production of its Pixel devices away from China starting next year. This move, according to Nikkei Asia, signals a significant change in the company's manufacturing strategy.
Rise of the Robots
The article discusses recent developments in the robotics industry, highlighting a US ban on foreign robots and the increasing use of Chinese robots in manufacturing and construction. It touches upon the global implications of these trends for the robotics market.
There isn't a single consumer Wi-Fi router that is 100% American-made
The article discusses the lack of fully American-made consumer Wi-Fi routers, highlighting the complexities of modern manufacturing and supply chains. It suggests that achieving 100% domestic production for such devices is currently unfeasible.
NVIDIA (NVDA) announces expansion into Japan and new AI model
NVIDIA announced an expansion of its AI initiatives in Japan through partnerships with Fujitsu, Hitachi, Sony Group, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company also revealed Cosmos 3 Edge, a new AI model designed for machines to enable real-time reasoning and prediction of robot actions locally, runnable on NVIDIA RTX GPUs and DGX systems.
Morning Tech Bits
Steam Machine Verified medals have begun appearing on game store pages, suggesting a new compatibility system. Separately, Micron announced plans to invest $250 billion in US manufacturing facilities.
Micron (MU) announces plans for up to $3 billion investment in US semiconductor ecosystem
Micron Technology announced plans to invest up to $3 billion in the United States semiconductor ecosystem, including breaking ground on a new manufacturing plant in New York. The company also plans a $500 million investment to support GlobalWafers' expansion in Texas. This investment is driven by the surging demand for memory components in the AI era.
Independence Weekend Consolidation
Sony Interactive Entertainment's historic PlayStation factory, responsible for manufacturing 24 billion discs, is being repurposed into a micro-optics lab. The article also briefly touches on the 'Fallout' series and its impact on gaming.
Sony won't U-turn on PS5 discs as its factory is already making something else
Sony is unlikely to reverse its decision to phase out physical game discs by 2028, as its primary disc factory in Austria is being repurposed. The factory will shift production from PlayStation discs to optical microlenses, with a significant investment in new equipment. While fans have protested and signed petitions, Sony's strategic move towards new manufacturing ventures suggests a permanent shift away from physical media for its consoles.
Sony already invested $34 million to repurpose its EU PlayStation disc factory
Sony is repurposing its European PlayStation disc factory to produce optical microlenses, investing $34 million in the conversion. This strategic shift indicates a change in manufacturing focus for the company's hardware division.
Sony has already started repurposing its lone PlayStation disc factory, and the body of physical gaming isn't even cold
Sony has begun repurposing its last remaining PlayStation disc factory in Thalgau, Austria, to produce optical microlenses. The approximately 300 employees will be retrained for this new business area, which is a significant shift from physical game disc production. This move marks a further step away from physical media for the PlayStation brand, following the recent cessation of disc manufacturing and the end of support for PlayStation 3 and Vita stores.
Huawei claims it will make cutting-edge semiconductors by 2031
Huawei announced its intention to produce cutting-edge semiconductors by 2031, stating that its next-generation chips will be both feasible and affordable. This move signals a significant ambition in advanced chip manufacturing.
Uppgift: ökad Switch 2-tillverkning, trots prishöjning
Nintendo is reportedly planning to produce 20 million units of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 by March 2027, a 20% increase over its sales forecast of 16.5 million units. This increased production suggests confidence in future game releases, with speculation around new titles like a 3D Mario, Zelda remakes, and a new Smash Bros. The company has also recently announced price increases for the Switch 2 in Japan, Europe, and the US.
Evening Tech Bits
Apple has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Intel for the latter to manufacture some of its chips. This news has contributed to Intel's stock reaching a fourth consecutive record high.
Evening Tech Bits
Nvidia is investing $300 million in Corning to establish three new optical fiber plants within the United States. This investment aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities for essential technology components.
Making black versions of Noctua's beige fans is 'less like painting a wooden fence... and more like changing the colour of a carbon-fibre Formula 1 part'
Noctua explains the significant delays in releasing black versions of their PC fans, attributing it to the extreme precision required in their manufacturing process. Introducing coloring pigments disrupts the delicate balance of injection molding, necessitating extensive re-tooling and testing to meet Noctua's high standards for performance and durability.
shapez 2 - Factory Released
shapez 2 - Factory has officially launched out of Early Access for Windows, macOS, and Linux on Steam. Developed by tobspr and Gamirror, the game is a manufacturing and automation simulation.
TSMC's latest bank report is exactly as you'd expect it to be: mo' wafers, mo' money
TSMC has reported record-breaking net revenue of $35.90 billion for the first quarter, surpassing its own projections. The company attributes this success to extremely robust demand for AI-related chips, with 3-nanometre wafers accounting for 25% of total wafer revenue. Despite ongoing global demand, TSMC's manufacturing capacity is reportedly booked until 2028, suggesting continued high consumer pricing.
Report: Apple's foldable iPhone may be delayed due to engineering snags
Apple's planned foldable iPhone may be delayed due to unexpected engineering issues encountered during early test production. These problems could push back mass production and the initial shipment timeline, potentially into 2027, despite Apple aiming for a fall 2026 release. The company is reportedly working with suppliers to address challenges with the hinge and display.