It’s just business: Manufacturing moves from Nvidia, Spindrive, Belden, and more

Manufacturing exists on the cutting edge of industry, so it’s little surprise manufacturers are always looking to get ahead and consolidate by purchasing or partnering with businesses who compete or compliment their own. And, in light of the buzz surrounding large language models and other artificial intelligence models, many of those partnerships have to do with integrating and monetizing the use of AI and robotics in manufacturing.

Partnership: Belden announced October 28 it would collaborate with Accenture and Nvidia to develop AI systems meant to improve factory safety. According to a joint release, Belden has developed a “virtual safety fence” using Accenture’s Physical AI Orchestrator and Nvidia’s Omniverse and Metropolis libraries. The system, Belden says, automatically monitors worker movements and pauses robotic operations when humans enter areas marked as hazardous.

Investment: Spindrive announced October 28 that it had secured a new growth funding to increase its exposure in the United States. According to a company release, the unspecified funds will allow the company to bring its active bearing systems, which use magnetism and magnetic bearings to reduce friction, to the United States in industrial cooling, heat pumps, wastewater management, and semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Partnership: Robotize and Nord Modules announced a new strategic partnership on October 21 to produce the GoPal P35 autonomous mobile robot, powered by a Nord Quick Mover 260. The product combines Robotize’s GoPal line of robotic logistics robots with Nord Modules’ integrated lifting jack. According to a joint release, the combined robot and jack module can autonomously lift, convey, and deliver payloads of up to 570lbs while navigating busy factory floors and warehouses.

Expansion: Padagis, the pharmaceuticals company behind Naloxone nasal spray for treating opioid overdose, announced it would spend $36 million to expand its Minneapolis, Minnesota manufacturing operation. According Pamela Hoffman, President of Padagis, the expansion will improve Naloxone availability in the U.S. “This is more than an investment, it's a commitment to saving lives," she said. "By bringing naloxone production to the U.S., we can respond faster in times of urgent need and ensure this critical medication is always within reach for the communities who need it most.”

Partnership: Radix and Seeq, two startups dedicated to industrial AI, announced a strategic partnership October 28. According to a joint release, the companies will combine Radix’s consulting business with Seeq’s industrial analytics and AI platform. The partnership will allow the companies to operate in North America, Latin America, the EMEA region, and Singapore.