Manufacturing & Industrial Technology

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Pudu Robotics is showcasing its complete commercial robotics portfolio at IFA 2026 in Berlin, marking the company's first appearance at the trade show and the European debut of its semi-humanoid PUDU D7.

PUDU D7 wins IFA Innovation Award in emerging tech category

The PUDU D7 took home the IFA Innovation Award in the IFA NEXT & Emerging Tech category ahead of its European premiere. At the Pudu booth, visitors can interact with the robot directly as it takes photos, captures self-view selfies, responds with a hand-heart gesture and picks up objects on request.

Wiesbaden – September 10, 2026 -- Germany's industrial production dropped 1.1% month-on-month in July 2026 on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis, according to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Output was 1.6% lower than in July 2025 on a calendar-adjusted basis. June 2026 figures were revised down to flat growth (0.0%) from a preliminary +0.2%, leaving output 0.5% below the prior-year month.

Automotive output collapses 9.2% on production pause

The July decline was driven primarily by the automotive industry, where output fell 9.2% versus June on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) attributed the drop to a multi-week production halt.

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Grundig, the European premium home appliance brand owned by Beko, unveiled a new product lineup at IFA 2026, marking a fresh phase in its strategic licensing partnership with Chinese manufacturer Changhong.

Changhong gains brand license for select Grundig categories and markets

The IFA showcase followed Beko's decision to grant Changhong a license to use the Grundig brand for specific product categories and markets. The arrangement pairs Changhong's research, manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities with Grundig's European heritage and existing market presence, with both companies stating the goal is to expand Grundig's reach across Europe and other international markets.

Cannes – – September 10, 2026 -- MIRAVA, a smartboat developer, has secured $5 million in angel funding to launch its debut model in Europe after three years of product development. The company will unveil its 7.9-meter smartboat at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, marking its first European market entry.

MIRAVA raises $5 million to fund production and small-series delivery

The angel round will support continued product development, manufacturing and delivery of the boat in limited quantities as MIRAVA prepares for its next commercialization phase. The company spent three years developing the platform, focusing on making advanced maritime technology practical rather than simply adding features.

Los Angeles – September 10, 2026 -- Iwa Robotics, Inc. has introduced a three-platform autonomous drone fleet designed to detect, diagnose and suppress urban wildfires, unifying the aircraft under a single operating framework called the Discovery and Resolution Fleet (DRF).

Three specialized aircraft cover the full wildfire response lifecycle

The Los Angeles-based autonomous field systems company unveiled HAWK, a long-endurance reconnaissance aircraft for early detection; CANARY, a sensing platform that diagnoses fire behavior and optimizes crew engagement; and PELICAN, a self-guided aerial suppression aircraft built to resolve hot spots and establish fire lines through continuous drenching.

London – September 10, 2026 -- A&S Resources Limited has secured $6 billion in financing from the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) to build a 1,350-kilometer railway linking its iron ore deposits in the Central African Republic (CAR) to the deep-water port of Kribi in Cameroon, unlocking access to a resource base valued at approximately $2.5 trillion.

Financing clears the path for a landlocked resource base worth $2.5 trillion

The CAR project sits atop what geologists describe as one of the world's largest magnetic anomalies, with resource potential exceeding 20 billion tonnes of predominantly high-grade iron ore. A&S Resources also holds critical minerals, rare earth elements, copper and other strategic raw materials in the region.

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- Pudu Robotics' PUDU D7 semi-humanoid robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards, marking the machine's first European showcase at IFA 2026 in Berlin.

D7 combines dual-arm manipulation with 20 kg payload capacity for industrial use

The robot is built for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality settings, capable of handling materials, picking items from shelves, replenishing inventory and transporting goods between work areas. It carries a payload of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and operates at heights up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), allowing it to work across varied storage systems.

Shenzhen – September 09, 2026 -- The Cologne Regional Court has upheld an interim injunction against Shenzhen Qudong Future Technology Co., Ltd. ("AEKE") for infringing a registered EU design held by Shenzhen Speediance Life Tech Limited ("Speediance") for its Gym Monster smart strength training system, barring AEKE from advertising, offering or selling the disputed equipment in Germany.

Court confirms original injunction remains fully effective

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- Pudu Robotics unveiled the European debut of its PUDU D7 semi-humanoid robot at IFA 2026, showcasing a portfolio that has already shipped more than 130,000 units across 85 countries and 1,000 cities.

PUDU D7 wins IFA Innovation Award honor in embodied AI category

The next-generation robot, designed to perceive surroundings, interact with people and manipulate objects, was named an IFA Innovation Award Honoree in the IFA NEXT & Emerging Tech category. At the Berlin booth, D7 performs live demonstrations including taking photos with visitors, self-perspective selfies, heart-hand gestures and object pickup on request.

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- ToolDance unveiled its flagship X1 Smart Desktop CNC Mill at IFA 2026 in Berlin, targeting engineers, makers, and small manufacturers with a machine that delivers ±0.01mm positioning repeatability.

X1 spindle reaches 24,000rpm while retaining torque for roughing operations

The X1 is built around a 1,500W permanent magnet synchronous motor spindle that maintains torque at low speeds for heavy material removal and scales up to 24,000rpm for finishing passes. Its three-axis work envelope measures 400 x 265 x 180mm, sized for fixtures, molds, machine plates, and multi-part production runs. The machine accepts tool shanks up to 10mm, widening the range of cutters available for larger jobs, and supports both dry and flood-coolant machining across metals, wood, and engineering plastics.