iRobot Files for Bankruptcy. The Roomba’s Reign is Over.
The pioneering robotics company iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This follows years of financial decline and the collapse of a $1.4 billion acquisition by Amazon.
Category: Manufacturing
A New iMac Pro With M5 Max Chip Might Be Coming
Newly leaked Apple code suggests the company is developing a high-end iMac model with an M5 Max chip. This could signal the return of an iMac Pro with a larger display aimed at professional users.
Chipmakers Are Worried About Tariffs, But AI Is Paying The Bills
The semiconductor industry is caught between government incentives and the threat of tariffs, according to a new survey. While building U.S. fabs is a priority, leaders worry about energy and supply chains. Yet, surging AI demand is boosting revenue and optimism to a 20-year high.
AI’s Debt Binge Hits a Wall, and VW Pivots a Factory
Volkswagen is ending car production at its Dresden plant to create a research hub for AI and robotics. This shift comes as the AI infrastructure spending spree, fueled by massive corporate debt, faces a sharp market correction.
French startup gets €6M to make farm tractors drive themselves
A French startup is accelerating the shift to autonomous farming. Agreenculture has secured €6 million in Series A funding to industrialize its plug-and-play autonomy kits for agricultural machinery manufacturers.
SMIC Hits 5nm With DUV, But At What Cost?
Chinese foundry SMIC has achieved volume production of its 5nm-class “N+3” node without using EUV lithography. TechInsights confirmed the node is used for Huawei’s new Kirin 9030 SoC. However, the process faces significant yield challenges due to complex multi-patterning.
The CPO Countdown is On, and Taiwan is in the Driver’s Seat
The massive power demands of AI chips are forcing a fundamental shift in how they’re built. Co-packaged optics (CPO) is emerging as the critical solution, and a trio of Taiwanese tech leaders are positioning themselves to own the ecosystem.
Solar and Batteries Are Fixing the Grid, One Rooftop at a Time
Aging grids and volatile fossil fuels are pushing a global shift to decentralized solar power paired with batteries. Innovations in software and storage are turning homes into virtual power plants, creating a more resilient and flexible energy system.
Brazilian Road Safety Giant Vialume Picks Georgia for U.S. Hub
Grupo Vialume is bringing its advanced road safety manufacturing from Brazil to Colquitt, Georgia. The $4.4 million project aims to create 150 jobs and establish a new recycling hub by 2026. This move signals a strategic push into the massive U.S. infrastructure market.
Rivian’s 3D Printing Bet: A Faster Way to Build EVs
Rivian is teaming up with Stratasys to explore how additive manufacturing can make car development faster and more agile. The goal is to move beyond just prototyping and create a seamless path to scalable production. It’s a fundamental challenge to how cars have been built for decades.