Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Reinforcement learning in robotics: Robots that learn from experience

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Reinforcement learning (RL) is transforming the way robots interact with the world.

Unlike traditional programming or supervised learning, which depend on pre-defined rules or labeled datasets, RL enables robots to learn through trial and error – much like how humans and animals acquire new skills.

This approach is increasingly vital as robots are deployed in complex, unstructured environments where adaptability is key. [Read more…] about Reinforcement learning in robotics: Robots that learn from experience

Starship launches robot food delivery service at Old Dominion University

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With the fall semester approaching, Grubhub and Starship Technologies rolled out their food delivery service today on Old Dominion University’s campus. This makes ODU one of only three universities in Virginia to feature this amenity.

Starship’s fleet of 11 autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from seven campus eateries: Chick-fil-A (Webb Center and University Village), Starbucks (Webb Center and University Village), Panera Bread, Qdoba and Steak ‘N Shake.

Students, faculty, staff and the ODU community can now use the Grubhub app (iOS and Android) to order food and drinks from local retailers to be delivered anywhere on campus, within minutes. [Read more…] about Starship launches robot food delivery service at Old Dominion University

Google DeepMind releases new world model with ‘vast space’ to train robots and autonomous systems

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Google DeepMind has unveiled Genie 3, the latest version of its generative world model, describing it as a step forward in creating more intelligent and adaptable simulation environments – including those for robotics applications.

Although the company’s announcement focuses heavily on advancements in video prediction and general AI learning, Genie 3 has direct relevance for robotics developers who rely on high-fidelity, physics-aware simulation systems to train and test autonomous systems.

Described as a “world model,” Genie 3 can generate realistic interactive environments directly from a single image prompt and a short textual description, such as “driving down a highway at sunset” or “walking in a rainy city”. [Read more…] about Google DeepMind releases new world model with ‘vast space’ to train robots and autonomous systems

Wet vs. dry aircraft washing: All you need to know about aircraft cleaning types

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The aviation industry has evolved significantly in how it approaches aircraft cleaning, moving away from manual methods toward automated solutions that are more efficient. Today, understanding the differences between wet and dry washing methods is crucial for making decisions about aircraft cleaning services.

What makes these two cleaning techniques different, and when should you use each one? Veronika Andrianovaite, chief commercial officer of Nordic Dino Robotics, explains the key differences between the two methods as well as their best uses. [Read more…] about Wet vs. dry aircraft washing: All you need to know about aircraft cleaning types

Serve Robotics and Little Caesars launch autonomous robot delivery via Uber Eats

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Serve Robotics, an autonomous sidewalk delivery company, and Little Caesars, America’s third-largest pizza chain, have agreed a partnership to deliver the brand’s iconic Hot-n-Ready pizza with Serve’s autonomous delivery robots via Uber Eats.

Little Caesars customers in Serve’s Los Angeles delivery area may now receive their orders via autonomous sidewalk robots. The partnership expands Serve’s presence on Uber Eats – which already offers Serve’s robotic deliveries in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and Atlanta – with additional US cities coming soon.

Ali Kashani, CEO of Serve Robotics, says: “Delivering for a beloved national chain like Little Caesars is another opportunity for us to show how we help merchants grow and give consumers a better delivery experience. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics and Little Caesars launch autonomous robot delivery via Uber Eats

Premier selects Otsaw as preferred supplier of robotics and automation solutions

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Otsaw, a developer of autonomous robotics and operations-technology healthcare solutions, says its autonomous mobile service robots have received “technology breakthrough designation” under a national group purchasing agreement with Premier, a Delaware company specializing in healthcare. 

The designation recognizes Otsaw’s robotics and automation solutions as qualifying for “preferred purchasing terms” through the agreement with Premier.

The agreement provides Premier’s participating members – any entity listed on Premier’s membership roster with purchasing rights under the Agreement – access to preferred pricing and terms for Otsaw’s Transcar and Camello+ autonomous robotic solutions. [Read more…] about Premier selects Otsaw as preferred supplier of robotics and automation solutions

ABB and Cosmic use AI-powered robots to rebuild Los Angeles homes destroyed by wildfires

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ABB Robotics says it is “enabling faster, safer and more cost-effective rebuilding” in areas devastated by the 2025 Southern Californian wildfires through a collaboration with Cosmic Buildings, a construction technology company that uses proprietary mobile robotic microfactories. Cosmic claims its method is “the world’s fastest way to build beautiful custom homes”.

After the wildfires burned thousands of acres, destroying homes, infrastructure, and natural habitats, this pioneering initiative will deploy the microfactory in Pacific Palisades, California, to build modular structures onsite, offering a glimpse into the future of affordable housing construction.

Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics Division, says: “Together, Cosmic and ABB Robotics are rewriting the rules of construction and disaster recovery. [Read more…] about ABB and Cosmic use AI-powered robots to rebuild Los Angeles homes destroyed by wildfires

Micropolis launches final phase of autonomous police patrol pilot

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Micropolis, a pioneer in unmanned ground vehicles and AI-driven security solutions, has commenced the final phase of its flagship pilot project in collaboration with Dubai Expo City, Dubai Police, and Transguard Group.

This milestone represents a significant advancement in the evolution of Micropolis’s M2 Autonomous Police Patrol, which will undergo extensive testing and validation across its full operational suite.

The project will focus on real-world performance evaluation of the enhanced autonomous driving system, the mission planner, tele-operator control functions, and the newly developed radio communication protocol. [Read more…] about Micropolis launches final phase of autonomous police patrol pilot

But first, pizza: Virginia Tech team creates assistive robotics that can make you a meal

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For the millions of Americans who live with a mobility issue, making a pizza can be a lot more challenging than just choosing between pepperoni or sausage.

Now, Virginia Tech researchers have developed a robotic arm with novel assistive grippers that can help those with disabilities accomplish complex everyday tasks, including building a pizza.

The results of the research, which can increase independence for people with limited mobility, were published in Soft Robotics.

Creating new tools that can mimic the motions of human users is the work of Dylan Losey and Michael Bartlett, both associate professors of mechanical engineering. [Read more…] about But first, pizza: Virginia Tech team creates assistive robotics that can make you a meal

Energy efficiency in data centers: Technologies and solutions

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Did you know that data centers consume approximately 3% of the world’s electricity, a substantial figure that warrants urgent attention for both economic and environmental reasons?

As the backbone of computing power, data centers power everything from artificial intelligence to cloud computing. Here is how to optimize energy consumption in data centers through advanced cooling technologies, efficient architectures, and intelligent power systems. Let’s dive in. [Read more…] about Energy efficiency in data centers: Technologies and solutions