Summary
Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan's economy.
Inside Michael Walker's Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Lab at Michigan Technological University, the clinical atmosphere often associated with high-tech research is nowhere to be found. Instead, the air is filled with the low hum of motors and mechanical...
Introduction: Why Advanced Motion & Robotics are re-shaping Industrial Operations Industrial operations are undergoing a historic transformation. What used to be linear, fixed, and mechanical is becoming adaptive, autonomous and data‑driven. Motion and robotics...
Manufacturers face mounting challenges—volatile demand, global supply chain disruptions, SKU proliferation and rising expectations for speed and customization. Labor shortages and cost pressures make manual processes unsustainable, and every delay or handoff in...
In Michigan Tech’s Human-Robot Interaction Lab, Huskies teach the lab’s newest occupant the basics: how to wave, glide and hold a steady grip. Guided by their faculty mentor, they’re on a mission to make advanced robotics more accessible.
Rockwell Automation says five trends—unified control, intelligent conveyance, AMRs, digital twins, and predictive analytics—are pushing manufacturers from traditional automation toward more autonomous, flexible, and data-driven operations.
Manufacturers can transform end-to-end material movement by shifting from traditional automation to intelligent, autonomous systems that integrate advanced motion technologies, robotics, and digital planning tools to improve flexibility, performance, and resilience.
