This is you Industrial Robotics Weekly: Manufacturing & AI Updates podcast.Industrial Robotics Weekly: Manufacturing and AI Updates. Welcome, listeners. As factories evolve into smart operations, automation and artificial intelligence drive unprecedented efficiency. According to RSM US, AI optimizes processes like predictive maintenance and quality control, boosting productivity and cutting costs across middle-market manufacturers[1]. Plataine reports that in 2026, agentic AI—systems that autonomously plan and act—shifts from pilots to factory backbones, enabling real-time decisions via edge computing and digital twins for scenario testing without production disruptions[2].Recent news highlights this momentum. Global Market Insights valued the AI-powered industrial robot market at 17.9 billion dollars this year, fueled by software-defined automation and mergers among leaders like FANUC, which now supports open-source Robot Operating System 2 for easier programming[5]. Foxconn is deploying AI-driven robots and digital twins as a scalable workforce to combat labor shortages, per a World Economic Forum white paper[4]. At CES 2026, NVIDIA and others showcased edge AI inference and wheeled robots expanding into food, agriculture, and construction beyond automotive lines[7].Case studies show collaborative robots, or cobots, excelling in high-mix manufacturing with built-in safety features, quick reprogramming, and human oversight for tasks like sorting and transport. Deloitte notes 22 percent of manufacturers plan physical AI robots by 2027, doubling current adoption, enhancing worker collaboration while addressing 2.3 million job gaps[8]. Novus Hi-Tech projects industrial and warehouse robots driving 60 to 65 percent of market growth through 2026, spurred by e-commerce and reshoring[3].Productivity metrics reveal faster cycle times and zero collisions via multi-modal sensors, with return on investment from lower downtime and skilled workforce upskilling. Practical takeaway: Assess your operations for cobot integration and agentic AI pilots to optimize warehouses and assembly lines now.Looking ahead, IT and operational technology convergence promises versatile, resilient factories. Invest in training and cybersecurity to lead.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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