Stanley Black & Decker has implemented a software-defined manufacturing system in its factory in South Carolina, which has significantly increased productivity and reduced the need for manual labor. The software, provided by Bright Machines, directs the robotic arms that assemble cordless power drills. This model, similar to the semiconductor industry, allows for faster product design and production with greater certainty. The integration of CAD software with manufacturing hardware has been successful in the semiconductor industry, and now other industries, such as metal components manufacturing, are adopting this approach. Software-defined manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize the factory of the future, making it more efficient and productive.
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/08/09/if-it-can-be-designed-on-a-computer-it-can-be-built-by-robots