The COVID-19 pandemic hit global manufacturing and supply chains hard between early 2020 and mid-2023. But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Manufacturing and supply chains have survived, and there are strong indicators they’re bouncing back, thanks to several factors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is boosting demand for computer chips, especially GPUs needed for training AI models. Electric vehicle demand is also surging, alongside the gradual emergence of self-driving cars. Robotics, augmented reality, and innovations in cooling systems are pushing engineering boundaries. Plus, we’ve learned the need for more resilient and diverse supply chains. Concentrating manufacturing in a few countries is no longer sustainable.
Let’s explore 10 signs that the global manufacturing network is regaining its strength. We’ll dive into current projects and the innovations driving this recovery. Let’s put on our engineering hats and celebrate the ingenuity of the global manufacturing system.
10. Tesla’s Cybercab: The Cab without a Human Driver
Taxi services have been around since the 17th century, but they’ve always had one constant: a human driver. Now, history is changing. Cabs are being driven by artificial intelligence, with no human driver at all.
Tesla, known for electric vehicles, is introducing fully autonomous robotaxis. The Tesla Cybercab, unveiled at Warner Bros. Studios in California, has no pedals or steering wheel. It’s an AI-driven vehicle priced under $30,000, designed to be impossible for a human to drive.
Starting in 2025, Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y owners in California and Texas can upgrade to full self-driving. Tesla is also planning AI-powered robots.[1]
9. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas: A New Entry into the Long History of Robots
People have imagined machines performing tasks autonomously for centuries. In the 12th century, Al-Jazari created the Drinking Peacock Automaton, which dispensed water automatically. Now, robotics has reached unprecedented levels.
Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Robot exemplifies this progress. A recent video showed Atlas autonomously moving engine covers between containers. Using machine learning and vision systems, Atlas identifies bins and adjusts to changes in real time. If an obstacle appears, Atlas recalibrates using its sensors.
Other robotics manufacturers, like Tesla, are learning from Boston Dynamics’ work, pushing the entire industry forward.[2]
8. 2008’s Iron Man Predicts the WalkON Suit F1
The Iron Man movie from 2008 showcased Tony Stark building an advanced exoskeleton suit. Movies often inspire real-world innovations.
The WalkON Suit F1, created by KAIST in South Korea, is designed for individuals with lower-body paralysis. Its autonomous docking system allows users to stand and walk. Vision recognition technology detects obstacles, making movements safer. The suit also provides balance and support.
At the 2024 Cybathlon, Seunghwan Kim, a paraplegic researcher, piloted the WalkON Suit F1 to complete an obstacle course in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, taking first place. [3]
7. Clone Robotics’ Water-Powered Humanoid Torso
The human torso is a marvel of biological engineering. Inspired by this, Clone Robotics created a water-powered humanoid torso to replicate key functions.
The synthetic torso contains artificial, water-powered muscles that simulate human movement accurately. Created by Clone Robotics in Poland, the torso includes artificial bones, a spine, and ribs. A battery-powered pump circulates water through valves to drive movements. The design includes a rotating thumb for dexterity.
Clone Robotics envisions the torso being used in environments designed for humans, such as assembly lines. By replicating human anatomy, it can integrate into existing systems easily.[4]
6. China’s Electric Hypercar: YangWang U9
China’s economy has grown rapidly since the late 1970s. Today, China leads in electric vehicles, with the YangWang U9 electric hypercar as a prime example.
Built by BYD’s luxury sub-brand, YangWang, the U9 is powered by four electric motors delivering approximately 1,280 horsepower. It can reach 192 mph (309 km/h), accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 3 seconds, and cover 1,300 feet (400 meters) in 9.78 seconds. It features vertical-opening doors, LED lighting, and a high-tech interior.
The hypercar charges at 500 kW and weighs 5,456 pounds (2,475 kg), with a 1,395-pound (633-kilogram) battery. Its price is around €215,000 ($230,000), targeting wealthy customers.[5]
5. A Future of Cooling without Refrigerants
Solid-state cooling moves heat without moving parts, typically using semiconductors. When an electric current passes through a junction of two materials, one side heats up while the other cools down. This is the “Peltier effect.”
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are exploring how solid-state cooling could be scaled up to replace refrigerant liquids and gases. These alternatives promise quieter, more efficient operation with precise temperature control.
Nickel-cobalt-manganese-indium alloys absorb and release heat during magnetic phase transitions, making them a promising option. Atomic disorder creates unique vibrations that triple cooling capacity. This advancement could lead to efficient, environmentally friendly refrigeration systems.[6]
4. Will Augmented Reality Glasses Finally Succeed with the Apple Vision Pro?
Many augmented reality glasses have failed, including Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens. Can Apple succeed where others haven’t?
The Apple Vision Pro aims to bring mixed reality into everyday life. It offers immersive entertainment and enhanced productivity in a 3D augmented reality environment. Apple bets that realistic AR experiences will convert users.
However, its $3,499 starting price is a barrier for many. Also, its ecosystem is relatively new. Still, Apple has a history of turning ambitious ideas into successes.[7]
3. BYD Shocks Everyone with Their Low Electric Vehicle Prices
When Japanese engineers examined BYD’s Atto 3 electric SUV, they were amazed. How could this vehicle, priced at just $20,000 in China, be so affordable? BYD’s manufacturing strategy seems far ahead of others.
BYD makes most of the car’s components in-house, cutting costs and boosting quality control. The Atto 3’s E-Axle drive unit combines eight functions into one compact unit, reducing parts and streamlining production.
The Atto 3 has been a wake-up call for automakers worldwide. BYD’s vertical integration and simplified design are rewriting EV production rules.[8]
2. A 400-Foot-Tall Rocket Lands Almost as Gracefully as a Helicopter
On October 13, 2024, SpaceX’s Starship took its fifth test flight, achieving a historic milestone. The Super Heavy booster returned to the launch site and was caught mid-air by “chopstick” arms attached to the launch tower.
By grabbing the booster, SpaceX can streamline its refurbishment process, reducing the time and cost to prepare rockets for their next mission. This brings humanity closer to affordable space travel.
SpaceX’s advancements will encourage competitors to develop better ways to achieve rocket reusability, which will be critical to routine space travel.[9]
1. Vietnam’s Rise as a Chipmaking Powerhouse
Vietnam is becoming a major player in global chip manufacturing. Companies like Hana Micron and Amkor Technology are investing billions in new facilities. Intel also operates its largest back-end chip plant in Vietnam.
Local Vietnamese businesses are also participating in the chipmaking industry. FPT Corporation and Sovico Group are building chip testing facilities and partnering with foreign firms. Viettel plans to launch the country’s first semiconductor foundry by 2030. Vietnam’s share of global chip assembly could reach 8-9% by 2032.
Vietnam has attracted attention due to low labor costs, a strategic Southeast Asian location, incentives from the government, good infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and the push to diversify supply chains.[10]
In conclusion, several key indicators suggest a strong resurgence in global manufacturing. From advancements in AI and robotics to innovative electric vehicle technologies and the rise of new manufacturing hubs, the industry is adapting and growing. The push for sustainable practices and diversified supply chains further solidifies this positive trend, promising continued growth and resilience in the face of future challenges.
What are your thoughts on the future of global manufacturing? Leave your comment below!
