EDEN PRAIRIE, MN—Matrix Engineering Consultants and NNi Training and Consulting Inc. will be teaching a class, “Fundamentals of Threaded Fastener and Joint Design,” Oct 15-17 .

SOUTHFIELD, MI—Automotive supplier Lear Corp. is set to acquire WIP Industrial Automation, a Spain-based systems integrator with a focus on advanced automation for industrial applications. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals.

ODENSE, Denmark—Universal Robots has incorporated the Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) into its software. This integration will enable the company to offer direct control of its collaborative robot arms from Siemens PLCs. Universal Robots is one of the first collaborative robot vendors to adopt the SRCI.

PARIS, France—Airbus UpNext has started testing new technologies to support automatic taxiing and enhance pilot assistance onboard an innovative electric truck. The three-year research project, called Optimate, will combine a wide range of cutting-edge technologies including advanced automation, computer vision, data fusion and machine learning to improve aircraft navigation systems, the human-machine interface and overall flight safety. 

NORMAL, IL—Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian plans to increase the capacity of its assembly plant here to produce its midsized SUV, the R2. The company has secured an $827 million incentive package from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to support the expansion.

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI—FANUC America has introduced the world’s first explosion-proof collaborative robot for painting and finishing applications.

HUNTINGTON, IN—Japanese automotive composites manufacturer Teijin has opened a new topcoat and assembly facility here. The 164,000 square-foot space is an expansion of the company’s existing Huntington site and will be used to support manufacturing the modular painted roof for the Ford Bronco.

VANCE, AL—Workers at two Mercedes-Benz factories in central Alabama voted against allowing the United Auto Workers to represent them, a blow to the union’s campaign to gain ground in the South, where it has traditionally been weak.

COLUMBUS, IN—Toyota Material Handling will break ground later this month on a nearly $100 million expansion of its assembly plant here.

VANCE, AL—Workers at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant here began voting Monday on whether to join the United Auto Workers union, a significant test of whether the labor group can maintain momentum in the historically anti-union South.