Industries Drive Machine Independence, Yet Human Collaboration Remains Essential

The pursuit of genuine machine autonomy is gaining momentum, fueled by innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, and biopharma manufacturing. From

Scientific broadening its cell therapy raw materials network, to mimic robotics securing $16 million in investment, and Foxconn preparing to manufacture humanoid AI servers, various sectors are united in their ambition: developing systems that can learn, adapt, and function with little human oversight.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a prominent name in life sciences, has opened a cutting-edge facility in Hopewell, New Jersey, to meet the rising need for cell and gene therapy components. Launched in August 2025, the site utilizes automated closed systems and AI-powered process tracking to minimize contamination and boost consistency, according to

. By adopting digital twin technology and working with academic partners, Thermo Fisher has cut raw material lead times for major clients by 40% and achieved 99.8% consistency in GMP-grade batches. This growth not only fortifies its supply chain but also supports global sustainability targets through efficient waste and water management, the report highlighted.

At the same time, Zurich-based mimic robotics is transforming industrial automation with its AI-enabled dexterous robotic hands. The company recently raised $16 million in a round led by Elaia and Speedinvest, bringing its total funding to over $20 million, according to

. Unlike conventional robots, mimic’s solution combines AI-trained hands with standard robotic arms to handle intricate tasks such as delicate assembly. By collecting human motion data through wearable devices, mimic’s foundational AI models can emulate skilled labor, helping to address workforce shortages and accelerate deployment in manufacturing and logistics.

Foxconn, a major supplier for companies like Apple and Nvidia, is also moving toward humanoid robotics. CEO Young Liu revealed plans to introduce humanoid robots for AI server assembly in Texas in the coming months, with more units to be deployed at Sharp’s former LCD facility in Japan, according to

. This move highlights the increasing need for adaptable, high-precision automation in advanced manufacturing.

In China, CVTE presented its robotic products at the 138th Canton Fair, including the MAXHUB A3 Series Smart Flexible Manipulator and commercial cleaning robots, as detailed in

. These new offerings have already secured partnerships in Asia-Pacific and Europe, signaling growing worldwide interest in intelligent robotics for business environments.

The drive for autonomy is expanding beyond the factory floor. German industrial supplier Schaeffler AG has teamed up with Neura Robotics to jointly develop compact, high-torque actuators for humanoid joints. Their partnership aims to integrate thousands of Neura’s humanoid robots into Schaeffler’s production lines by 2035, using real-time factory data to train AI, according to

. This collaboration illustrates the industry’s shift toward localized, data-centric robotics ecosystems.

Even consumer brands such as SharkNinja are exploring new avenues for growth. The company’s collaboration with Netflix’s Love Is Blind featured its Ninja Swirl™ product in a viral campaign, merging entertainment with technology to boost brand recognition, according to

. While the financial results of this partnership are yet to be determined, it reflects a broader movement to use cultural trends to promote AI-powered products in competitive markets.

As these innovations come together, the distinction between human and machine labor becomes less clear. The ultimate challenge for autonomy is not only technical prowess but also how smoothly these systems fit into human workflows—ensuring safety, flexibility, and ethical standards are upheld.