A new artificial intelligence (AI) system developed with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) could make American factories smarter, safer and more competitive.
Created by researchers at California State University Northridge’s Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM, the Manufacturing, Vision and Language (MaVila) model can “see” and “talk” inside a factory. By combining image analysis with natural language processing, it identifies defects, suggests fixes, and even issues real-time commands to machinery.
Unlike many AI tools, MaVila is trained exclusively on manufacturing-specific visual and language data, allowing it to work with far less training material — an advantage for smaller businesses with limited resources. In tests, it accurately spotted flaws in 3D-printed parts and recommended adjustments to improve quality.
The system was developed using NSF-funded high-performance computing resources, including the National Research Platform’s Nautilus supercomputing network, enabling realistic simulations and faster validation of results.
Researchers say MaVila could help U.S. manufacturers boost productivity, reduce waste and maintain a competitive edge in global markets — while supporting workers with AI-powered decision-making tools.
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