4 Things Industry 4.0 - Mar. 10th, 2025

Presented by 

Good morning, technophiles!

This week’s edition is packed with major shifts in manufacturing, trade, and technology. BlackRock has secured control over key Panama Canal ports, while Siemens is investing $285 million to expand U.S. production. Meanwhile, a breakthrough in IoT technology could eliminate the need for batteries, and new tariffs are forcing global manufacturers to rethink supply chains. In a fascinating discovery, divers have uncovered new fragments of the world’s oldest "computer," the Antikythera Mechanism, shedding light on ancient engineering.

In Learning Lens, we dive into Testbed-as-a-Service, a tool simplifying IoT and edge computing testing, and in Byte-Sized Brilliance, we revisit the days when the internet had a speed limit. Let’s jump in!

Siemens Invests $285 Million to Expand U.S. Manufacturing

Siemens is investing $285 million to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint, with new facilities planned in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pomona, California. The investment will create over 900 skilled jobs and enhance production of electrical products for industries including commercial construction, industrial applications, and AI data centers. This move is part of Siemens’ broader U.S. expansion strategy, which includes the planned $10 billion acquisition of Altair Engineering. With this latest investment, Siemens' total U.S. spending over the past two decades will surpass $100 billion.

BlackRock's $22.8 Billion Acquisition Secures Control of Panama Canal Ports

BlackRock, in partnership with Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Ltd, has finalized a $22.8 billion deal to acquire a 90% stake in Panama Ports Company from Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings. This strategic move grants the consortium control over the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, located at either end of the Panama Canal, along with 43 additional ports across 23 countries. The acquisition aligns with U.S. geopolitical interests, following President Trump's concerns about Chinese influence in the region. Panama's government maintains sovereignty over the canal itself, with operations managed by the Panama Canal Authority.

Ambient IoT Alliance Pioneers Battery-Free Future for Connected Devices

A coalition of industry leaders, including Intel, Qualcomm, and PepsiCo, has launched the Ambient IoT Alliance to promote battery-free, energy-harvesting devices. These devices harness ambient energy sources such as radio waves, light, motion, and heat, enabling real-time data collection without the need for batteries. This innovation is poised to revolutionize sectors like supply chain management, retail, and healthcare by facilitating continuous, maintenance-free connectivity. The alliance aims to establish an open, interoperable ecosystem for ambient IoT products, integrating them into existing wireless infrastructures.

Sponsor Message

Join the Mastermind 12-Week Accelerator Program 

Dates: Begins March, 11th

10:00AM Central

For more details, visit the 12-Week Mastermind Accelerator Program.

Tariff War Reshapes Global Manufacturing as Companies Shift Operations

The escalating U.S.-China trade war is driving a major shift in global manufacturing, with companies reorganizing supply chains to mitigate rising tariffs. While major automakers and electronics manufacturers are expanding U.S. production to bypass trade barriers, Chinese companies are taking a different approach—relocating operations to Cambodia. The country’s Special Economic Zones have seen a surge in Chinese investment, with over half of Cambodia’s factories now Chinese-owned. By moving production there, these firms can continue exporting goods to the U.S. tariff-free, highlighting how manufacturers are adapting to an increasingly complex trade environment.

Industry 4.0 Highlights

UAW Supports Trump's Tariffs Amid Economic Concerns

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expressed support for President Trump's recent imposition of 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, viewing them as necessary measures to protect American manufacturing jobs and address the adverse effects of past free trade agreements. UAW President Shawn Fain stated that these tariffs are an attempt to "stop the bleeding" in the U.S. economy, which has seen job losses due to deindustrialization. While automakers have raised concerns that these tariffs could increase vehicle prices by up to 25% and disrupt the integrated North American supply chain, the UAW maintains that such measures are crucial for revitalizing domestic manufacturing and bringing jobs back to the U.S.

Divers Rediscover the World’s Oldest "Computer" on the Seafloor

Divers exploring an ancient shipwreck off the coast of Greece have rediscovered new fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old device often referred to as the world’s first analog computer. Originally found in 1901, the mechanism is believed to have been used by the ancient Greeks to predict astronomical events and track celestial movements with remarkable precision. The latest discovery provides further insight into its intricate design, which featured a complex system of gears that anticipated mechanical computing by centuries. Researchers hope the newly uncovered pieces will help decode more of the device’s mysteries, shedding light on the advanced engineering knowledge of the ancient world.

Learning Lens

Simplifying IoT and Edge Testing with Testbed-as-a-Service

Testbed-as-a-Service (TBaaS) is an open-source framework designed to streamline the testing and validation of IoT and edge computing systems. By providing a standardized, cloud-based test environment, TBaaS enables developers to simulate real-world conditions, experiment with network configurations, and optimize device performance before deployment. This tool reduces the complexity of setting up physical testbeds, making it easier for organizations to accelerate development and improve reliability in connected systems.

Learn more: Testbed-as-a-Service on GitHub

Byte-Sized Brilliance

The Internet Once Had a Speed Limit

Did you know that in the early days of the internet, the U.S. government imposed a speed limit on civilian networks? In the 1990s, non-military internet connections were restricted to 56 Kbps, a fraction of today’s gigabit speeds. The restriction was meant to ensure military and research institutions had priority access to higher bandwidths. As technology advanced and demand skyrocketed, the speed cap was lifted, paving the way for the ultra-fast internet we rely on today.

We Value your Feedback.

Click on the link below to provide us with your thoughts.

How are we doing?