Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Distributed intelligence: Using AI to manage power

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Artificial intelligence is transforming how we manage power, offering solutions to optimize energy consumption across various sectors.

Studies suggest that AI-powered energy management systems can lead to significant cost savings, with some reports indicating potential reductions of up to 20 percent in energy expenses for buildings and industrial facilities.

This article explores the key applications of the growing market for AI in power management, the companies driving this revolution, and the technologies involved. [Read more…] about Distributed intelligence: Using AI to manage power

Levels of intelligence: Navigating the future of AI, from robotic arms to autonomous cars

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it’s rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily lives, from the smartphones in our pockets to the complex systems powering industries.

As AI capabilities expand and grow more sophisticated, so does the need to understand and categorize these evolving forms of intelligence.

The concept of “levels of AI” offers a framework to discuss capabilities, manage our expectations, address safety concerns, and potentially guide regulation. [Read more…] about Levels of intelligence: Navigating the future of AI, from robotic arms to autonomous cars

Superwood: A potentially revolutionary material that could replace steel

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A new and exotic material known as “Superwood”, developed by materials science startup InventWood, is set to redefine the possibilities of wood in construction, manufacturing, and beyond.

InventWood, a spin-off from the University of Maryland where the foundational research was conducted by Dr Liangbing Hu, has created a product touted as stronger than steel yet significantly lighter.

This innovative engineered wood promises a future where the natural appeal of wood meets unprecedented strength and durability. [Read more…] about Superwood: A potentially revolutionary material that could replace steel

Materials science startup InventWood raises $15 million for its ‘stronger than steel’ Superwood

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InventWood, creator of what the startup describes as a “revolutionary” material – Superwood, has secured $15 million in the first close of its Series A funding round.

This investment marks a significant milestone as the company prepares to begin shipments from its first commercial manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland, in the third quarter of 2025.

InventWood has now successfully secured more than $50 million in total capital, which supported the construction of its first production facility and positions the company to scale rapidly. [Read more…] about Materials science startup InventWood raises $15 million for its ‘stronger than steel’ Superwood

MassVentures to award $4.5 million in grant funding to 26 ‘deep tech’ startups

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‘START Grants’ help Massachusetts-based Companies Convert Federally Funded Research into new Businesses and Jobs.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development and MassVentures has announced that 26 companies will receive $4.5 million in grant funding through MassVentures’ SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Grant Program.

Launched in 2012, the program helps startups convert research developed under SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) contracts into viable businesses and jobs in Massachusetts.

This year, MassVentures expanded the program by increasing the number of grants awarded from 17 to 25 and awarding an additional $1.5 million. [Read more…] about MassVentures to award $4.5 million in grant funding to 26 ‘deep tech’ startups

‘A Robot’s Dream’ analyzed at the Venice Biennale Architecture

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This year’s Venice Biennale Architecture seems somewhat captivated by robots, with several installations featuring humanoids and robotic arms at the centre of both the creation process and the final work itself, as shown at the exhibition. 

The theme of the 2025 Venice Biennale’s 19th International Architecture Exhibition – running from 10 May to 23 November 2025 – is “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” [Read more…] about ‘A Robot’s Dream’ analyzed at the Venice Biennale Architecture

Benefits of Investing in Quality Commercial Painting Services

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The appearance of a commercial property says a lot about the business it houses. A fresh coat of paint can rejuvenate an aging building, convey brand values, and make a positive impression on clients and customers.

Investing in quality commercial painting services is not merely an aesthetic choice – it’s a strategic business decision.

Below, we’ll explore the various benefits of enlisting professional painters to enhance your commercial space. Keep reading to understand the transformative power of a well-executed paint job. [Read more…] about Benefits of Investing in Quality Commercial Painting Services

Construction robotics: Building the future

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The construction industry, a cornerstone of economic development, stands on the cusp of a technological revolution. While sectors like manufacturing and logistics have long embraced automation, construction has traditionally been more reliant on manual labor.

However, the tide is turning. A new wave of innovation is bringing robotics to the forefront, promising to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity on building sites.

While artistic interpretations of robots in architecture, like those seen at the Venice Architecture Biennale, spark the imagination, there is a sense of anticipation that the practical, real-world robotic systems now emerging could completely transform the construction sector. [Read more…] about Construction robotics: Building the future

Construction robotics market set to grow from $1.15 billion to $4.10 billion

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The construction robots market is experiencing “significant growth” as automation and AI-driven technologies revolutionize construction processes, improving efficiency, safety, and productivity across various applications.

The SNS Insider report indicates that the Construction Robots Market size was valued at $1.15 billion in 2023. It is expected to grow to $4.10 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 15.18 percent over the forecast period of 2024-2032.

The Construction Robots Market is experiencing unprecedented growth due to rapid technological advancements, increasing automation adoption, and a pressing need to address labor shortages in the construction industry. [Read more…] about Construction robotics market set to grow from $1.15 billion to $4.10 billion

Opinion: Are humanoid robots coming soon to the construction industry?

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By Mateo Zimmerman, investment manager at Cemex Ventures

The construction industry is no stranger to automation. Task-specific robots – like bricklaying machines, autonomous vehicles, and plastering systems – have long improved safety and efficiency by handling repetitive tasks in structured environments.

Humanoid robots, by contrast, are designed to replicate human motion and behavior, making them better suited for general-purpose roles. With major tech players like Google and Meta investing in this next frontier, the question is how soon humanlike robots will join crews on job sites.

The potential is real, but so are the challenges. Construction sites are unpredictable, and humanoid robots must prove they can adapt to dynamic conditions at a viable cost. These machines will also need to integrate with existing workflows, justify their expense, and gain buy-in from workers, unions, and insurers. [Read more…] about Opinion: Are humanoid robots coming soon to the construction industry?