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.
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...
Traditional industrial robots feature rigid and often mighty arms, performing tasks in assembly lines, material handling, and inspection with precision. They are typically fenced off to prevent injuries to workers. Safety concerns are addressed to some extent by...
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.
Learn how MSU is developing soft robots, made of materials safe to humans and able to handle delicate objects.
