ECAICO Automation, Control & Instrumentation Newsroom – W4 Aug 2025
As part of our ongoing coverage, the ECAICO Newsroom – August W4 2025 highlights key developments across automation in industry, control systems, sensor technologies, and instrumentation trends. This week’s edition explores innovations, policies, and market shifts shaping industrial transformation, providing professionals and enthusiasts with actionable insights into the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
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1. Automation, Robotics & Industrial AI Updates
ABB microfactory rebuilds homes. ABB’s AI-powered microfactory helps reconstruct wildfire-ruined L.A. homes quickly and safely a scalable disaster-response model. Control.com
Flexley Mover P603 debuts. ABB unveiled its compact AMR with Visual SLAM and ±5 mm accuracy for warehouse automation at Automatica 2025. ABB Group
AI Servo Monitor launch. FANUC rolled out the AI Servo Monitor tool for predictive maintenance detects drive motor faults early, boosting machine uptime. FANUC America
Dojo project shut down. Tesla disbanded its Dojo supercomputer team, redirecting AI engineers as it pivots toward more scalable chip strategies. Bloomberg
Jetson Thor released. NVIDIA launched the Jetson AGX Thor, a Blackwell-powered "robot brain" delivering 7.5× AI compute designed for real-time, physical robotics. Barron’s
Boston + TRI robotics breakthrough. Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute demoed Atlas performing complex task sequences, powered by a Large Behavior Model. TRI
DHL expands bot deployment. DHL signed an MOU to roll out over 1,000 Boston Dynamics robots, advancing cross-business logistics automation. DHL Group
NVIDIA Omniverse for robotics. NVIDIA released Omniverse SDKs and Cosmos models tailored for industrial AI and robotics simulation environments. NVIDIA
Siemens–NVIDIA AI partnership. Siemens and NVIDIA expanded their collaboration to boost industrial AI capabilities and drive factory digitalization worldwide. NVIDIA News
Bosch showcases battery automation. At Battery Show 2025, Bosch Rexroth highlighted AI-enabled automation solutions for faster, smarter EV battery manufacturing. ManufacturingTomorrow
2. Control & SCADA Systems News
- Honeywell acquires SparkMeter tech. Honeywell adds SparkMeter’s grid intelligence platforms to its Forge suite for smarter utility management. PR Newswire
- Rockwell AI in manufacturing security. A Rockwell report shows 61% of cybersecurity professionals plan to adopt AI for manufacturing protection. PR Newswire
- Rockwell shifts CPG investment focus. CPG manufacturers now prioritize innovation, including robotics and AI, over cost-cutting. PR Newswire
- Honeywell patches Experion PKS flaws. Honeywell fixed critical vulnerabilities in its Experion PKS process control system. SecurityWeek
- Rockwell: Cyber risk is a board-level issue. Rockwell report highlights cybersecurity as a top strategic concern. Security Info Watch
- Honeywell zero-trust roadmap. Honeywell outlines five OT cybersecurity trends, including zero-trust models. Honeywell
- Cloud SCADA growth forecast. SCADA market set to reach $4.73B by 2030, fueled by cloud and IIoT. Industrial Cyber
- Rockwell Battery Storage Control. Rockwell to supply next-gen SCADA for battery energy systems. Yahoo Finance
- Smart Manufacturing insights. Rockwell’s new report reveals increased reliance on data for cybersecurity and operations. The Manufacturing Connection
3. Sensors Innovation Updates
- Q-CTRL DARPA contract. Q-CTRL selected by DARPA to develop next-generation quantum sensors for navigation on defense platforms. q-ctrl.com
- Q-CTRL sea trial validation. Q-CTRL validated its quantum-based maritime navigation sensors during real-world defense trials onboard an Australian Navy vessel. Quantum Computing Report
- Open-source quantum diamond sensor. The “Uncut Gem” project unveiled a low-cost, open-source quantum sensor using nitrogen-vacancy diamonds. WIRED
- Quantum navigation commercial trial. Infleqtion completed UK flight trials of inertial quantum navigation sensors, with further U.S. tests planned. Tech Xplore
- Smart home aging sensors. Nearly nine million Japanese homes now qualify as sensor-rich smart homes, driving aging-in-place tech. GlobeNewswire
- Japan's AIREC caregiving robot. Japan’s AIREC humanoid robot successfully demonstrated the ability to roll elderly patients, an important caregiving task. Reuters
- Flexible sensor VR health monitoring. Researchers developed triboelectric flexible wristband sensors for remote Parkinson’s monitoring with VR integration. arXiv
4. Cybersecurity & Reliability
- Data I/O ransomware shutdown. Electronics supplier Data I/O halted systems after a ransomware breach disrupted logistics and communications. It’s coordinating recovery with cybersecurity experts. IT Pro
- MTA Mobility service is disrupted. Ransomware hit Maryland’s Mobility paratransit service, blocking new ride requests. Core transit remained functional during the ongoing investigation. Tom's Hardware
- AI-powered ransomware revealed. Researchers identified "PromptLock," the first AI-generated ransomware—cross-platform, autonomously targeted—it’s alarming for future OT cybersecurity. TechRadar
- Zero-day NetScaler alert. Citrix NetScaler is under active zero-day exploitation. Organizations are urged to patch immediately to prevent RCE and denial of service attacks. Cybersecurity Dive
- CISA issues new ICS alerts. On August 7, CISA published ten advisories spanning Delta, Rockwell, Yealink, and more—highlighting critical OT vulnerabilities. CISA
- Forescout reports rising OT threats. Hacktivists and nation-state actors increasingly target OT protocols like Modbus. Zero-day exploits are up 46% year-over-year. Industrial Cyber
- Booz Allen warns on port security. A new report highlights Chinese-manufactured cranes with cyber flaws at U.S. ports—urging zero-trust implementations to prevent sabotage. Industrial Cyber
5. Market & Policy Trends
- EU allocates €180M to digital tech. The EU earmarked €180 million under Horizon Europe to accelerate research in digital technologies, boosting innovation in robotics, AI, and smart infrastructures. EU funding
- Meta partners with Reliance on Llama AI. Meta and Reliance Industries formed a joint venture to deploy Llama-based enterprise AI tools across Indian businesses, empowering homegrown digital transformation. Meta JV
- UK, US skip inclusive AI declaration. In Paris, 58 countries signed the “Inclusive & Sustainable AI” declaration. The UK and US declined, citing concerns over economic and security implications. AI summit
- India launches AI incubation support. Delhi’s government will transform 15 ITIs into tech excellence centers for AI, robotics, and green energy, supporting skills-driven growth under a ₹170-crore plan. Delhi ITIs
- Smart Manufacturing grants mobilized. The U.S. DOE’s State Manufacturing Leadership Program grants funds to expand HPC and smart manufacturing support to 3,500 small manufacturers. DOE grants
- Samarth DeepTech incubation expands. STPI, C-DOT, and TiE launched the second cohort of the Samarth Incubation Program, supporting startups in AI, LiFi, UAVs, and cybersecurity. Samarth Program
- Madhya Pradesh inks AI-ready data-centre deal. MP signed an agreement with Submer to build energy-efficient, AI-ready data centers—targeting 45% energy savings and 90% water reduction. MP Data Centre
6. FAQ Section
- What’s driving automation in late August 2025? AI integration, modular robotics, and policy incentives are speeding adoption globally.
- How does SCADA evolve? Greater cloud, AI, and cybersecurity integration defines next-gen control systems.
- Which sensor innovations matter most? Low-power AI sensors and methane detectors align with net-zero and carbon neutrality goals.
- What’s next month’s outlook? Expect record industrial AI rollouts in Asia and EU-funded robotics pilots.
7. Summary
This week highlighted how AI, robotics, and smart sensors are merging with resilient SCADA and OT cybersecurity. Net-zero ambitions are quietly steering industrial strategy.
Next month could bring milestone deployments of industrial AI and robotics in Asia, further cementing ECAICO’s role as your trusted industrial newsroom.