AI Manufacturing

[sodamo]

Wonder if Slate is being considered?
https://apple.news/A2o2_o0-8RM-TURQHMiHYsA

 

[KevinRS]

Just from what I can read before the paywall, they are looking to buy up manufacturing firms and use AI to accelerate moving to automation. This likely wouldn't even look at a newer company like Slate, that is built from the start with automation.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Just private equity scooping up and crushing more manufacturing.

 

[Sparkie]

Wonder if Slate is being considered?
https://apple.news/A2o2_o0-8RM-TURQHMiHYsA

Nope. Slate is not using AI for manufacturing.
While they have not disclosed what "magic" they are using to reduce manufacturing costs, we have been given plenty of clues.

1. The production release is in December.
2. Slate begins with "S" and has five letters.
3. Santa begins with "S" and has five letters.
4. Santa delivers in December.

Coincidence? I don't think so.
The Slate assembly line is staffed with elves!!

 

[PNWEng]

Since Jeff Bezos is involved with both the AI push and Slate, I suspect Slate is covered, but their manufacturing is probably already top-notch since it's new and not in need of upgrades.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

I read a bit more about the company.
It's just another scammy SaaS startup using the "AI" buzzword.

 

[cadblu]

Since Jeff Bezos is involved with both the AI push and Slate, I suspect Slate is covered, but their manufacturing is probably already top-notch since it's new and not in need of upgrades.

Agree. Slate is still in its infancy stages and is better suited for automation than AI at this juncture. We’ve seen that the assembly lines are outfitted with welding robots, and as production evolves, manufacturing engineers should be living on the shop floor deep in data collection as electronic work instructions are optimized. They are likely utilizing the latest assembly techniques including camera aided assembly with error proofing techniques. Assemblers will most likely find errors before in line inspection.

Not saying AI doesn’t have a place in manufacturing, but should be implemented when the time is right.

 

[KevinRS]

I think the idea would be they are using AI to speed the transition to automation in factories that have a dated, non-automated flow. Manufacturing that was designed from the start as automated would not be a target for them to acquire.

 

[AZFox]

I bonked into the paywall originally, so I waited to see what else would be published. Here's a pretty good summary from TechCrunch:

Jeff Bezos is reportedly seeking $100 billion for a new fund, the likes of which will be used to buy up companies in major industrial sectors and, ultimately, modernize and automate them with AI, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.​

​

The effort is related to Bezos’ AI startup, Project Prometheus. Bezos, whose involvement with the company was originally reported in November, is serving as co-founder and co-CEO, alongside former Google executive Vik Bajaj.​

​

Prometheus, which launched with $6.2 billion in funding, is focused on creating high-level AI models to improve manufacturing and engineering in aerospace, automotive, and other sectors. The new manufacturing fund will support that mission by buying up companies that will ultimately use Prometheus’ models.​

 

[AZFox]

You may be wondering why this would be a good idea. I think the answer is because they see money on that table and a way to grab it.

Here's an AI answer that explains some reasons implementing AI could help a legacy manufacturing company make dramatic improvements.

Implementing AI in a legacy manufacturing company enables dramatic improvements by unlocking value from existing systems without costly overhauls. AI acts as an intelligent layer that integrates with legacy infrastructure—such as PLCs, SCADA, and ERP—through middleware, edge computing, and secure data pipelines.​

​

Key benefits include:​

• Predictive maintenance: AI analyzes sensor data to forecast equipment failures, reducing unplanned downtime by up to 40% (as seen at General Electric) and saving billions in global losses.
  • Operational efficiency: Companies like TechnoFab achieved a 75% reduction in downtime and 30% lower maintenance costs by integrating AI with ERP and IoT.
  • Data-driven decision-making: AI transforms unstructured legacy data (manuals, logs, PDFs) into a centralized, searchable knowledge base using Agentic RAG systems, enabling instant troubleshooting and compliance reporting.
  • Workforce augmentation: AI preserves tribal knowledge, accelerates training, and supports technicians with real-time, context-aware guidance—without replacing human expertise.
  • Cost-effective modernization: AI reduces modernization time and costs by 40–50%, minimizes technical debt, and avoids disruptive system replacements.

By starting with focused pilots, ensuring data quality, and scaling gradually, legacy manufacturers can achieve faster ROI, improved agility, and long-term competitiveness.​

 

[sodamo]

I bonked into the paywall originally, so I waited to see what else would be published. Here's a pretty good summary from TechCrunch:

Jeff Bezos is reportedly seeking $100 billion for a new fund, the likes of which will be used to buy up companies in major industrial sectors and, ultimately, modernize and automate them with AI, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.​

​

The effort is related to Bezos’ AI startup, Project Prometheus. Bezos, whose involvement with the company was originally reported in November, is serving as co-founder and co-CEO, alongside former Google executive Vik Bajaj.​

​

Prometheus, which launched with $6.2 billion in funding, is focused on creating high-level AI models to improve manufacturing and engineering in aerospace, automotive, and other sectors. The new manufacturing fund will support that mission by buying up companies that will ultimately use Prometheus’ models.​

Thanks