KUKA's AI platform goes live on 285 factory robots in Ohio
KUKA deployed its Automation Management Platform at a Toledo Jeep plant, marking the first North American production deployment of AI-orchestrated industrial automation at scale.
Germany's Fraunhofer Institute Publishes First Industrial Benchmark for Humanoid Robots
Fraunhofer IPA releases the first third-party qualification standard for humanoid robots in industrial settings, removing the evaluation barrier that has blocked enterprise deployment decisions.
Google and Fanuc turn 1.1M factory robots into AI agents
Fanuc and Google announced a partnership to embed Gemini AI into the world's largest installed base of industrial robots, triggering a 16% stock surge and signaling a shift from selling hardware to licensing software capability.
Xometry beats Q1 estimates, raises guidance with Siemens deal
Xometry reported 36% revenue growth and raised full-year guidance to 27-28% after landing Siemens partnership; marketplace margins expanded 290 basis points.
Critical Metals locks $835M Greenland rare earth deal, sealing Western supply
Critical Metals acquires full control of Tanbreez, Greenland's 4.7-billion-tonne rare earth deposit, for $835M, directly challenging China's stranglehold on refined magnet materials.
Form Energy's 30 GWh Iron-Air Battery Resets Long-Duration Storage
Minnesota's PUC tariff vote, expected by mid-May 2026, is the regulatory gate for the Xcel-Google-Form Energy 300 MW / 30 GWh iron-air battery — the largest announced storage project by energy capacity in history.