"You have to be what you are. Whatever you are, you gotta be it."
– Johnny Cash
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1. From Slump to Surge
The Federal Reserve of Minneapolis reports that manufacturers had a tough 2024 due to weak demand, falling profits, and declining employment (while USMTO notes that the year ended strong post-IMTS). However, optimism is high for 2025, with orders, production, and investment expected to increase. Prices and wages should rise, though at a slower pace. While automation adoption was mixed, firms investing in it aimed to cut labor costs. State economies are expected to grow, though consumer spending may lag.
2. Smarter Mobility
As part of a funding initiative to improve AM material reuse, life-cycle assessment, and eco-friendly design, America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining awarded $2.1 million for additive manufacturing (AM) projects, including $600,000 to ASTM for a sustainability study that will guide industry best practices. Other industry efforts include Stratasys’ work to advance its AM sustainability goals by cutting emissions, using renewables, and expanding recycling programs.
3. Fly, AI, Fly
Perplexity boosted app installs by 50% with a Super Bowl contest instead of an expensive ad. Users had to download the app and ask five questions during the game for a chance to win $1 million. This strategy increased engagement, reaching 45,000 downloads on Sunday and peaking at No. 49 overall on app charts. Unlike Google and OpenAI, its campaign actively demonstrated app usage. Honestly, sad Chiefs fans probably just needed somebody to talk to.
4. AM Sustainability Projects
As part of a funding initiative to improve AM material reuse, life-cycle assessment, and eco-friendly design, America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining awarded $2.1 million for additive manufacturing (AM) projects. ASTM received $600,000 for a sustainability study that will guide industry best practices. Other industry efforts include Stratasys’ work to advance its AM sustainability goals by cutting emissions, using renewables, and expanding recycling programs.
5. Robot Go Wub-Wub
Phantom, a military-grade AI humanoid robot, debuted as a DJ at San Francisco's Temple Nightclub for the Quarter Century Tech GigaParty networking event. Built by Foundation Robotics Lab, Phantom typically serves the military in aircraft maintenance and refueling. Despite its combat potential, its creators wanted to show that robots can be fun, not just tools of war, with Phantom's DJ gig serving as a cultural statement. Despite its name, have we finally found a DJ who won’t ghost us?
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