Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

Fanuc to showcase ‘cutting-edge’ robotics and automation solutions at Automate 2025

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Fanuc America, a global industrial automation company, will showcase its latest industrial and collaborative robotic innovations at Automate 2025.

The event, held in Detroit from May 12-15, will feature several all-new applications designed to enhance efficiency and unlock increased productivity.

Mike Cicco, president and CEO of Fanuc America, says: “Today, more than ever, automation is the key to reaching production targets, boosting efficiency, and ensuring employee satisfaction.

“From start-ups to large-scale manufacturers, Fanuc provides industry-leading, dependable, and cost-effective automation solutions that help companies overcome their greatest challenges.” [Read more…] about Fanuc to showcase ‘cutting-edge’ robotics and automation solutions at Automate 2025

Kuka replaces its CEO as it reflects on ‘challenging financial year’

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka has replaced its CEO, Peter Mohnen, with a new one, Christoph Schell, as it reflects on what it has described as a “challenging financial year”.

Despite the difficult global economic situation, robotics and automation are important growth markets. Kuka has asserted itself well in this highly com-petitive market, has proven to be robust – also in comparison to the mechanical engineering and automotive industries – and increased its order intake by 1.3 percent to around €4.1 billion in the past financial year (2023: €4.0 billion). [Read more…] about Kuka replaces its CEO as it reflects on ‘challenging financial year’

Techman Robotics, CSBC and AMET to jointly develop welding solutions for shipbuilding

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Taiwan’s leading collaborative robot manufacturer Techman Robot, Taiwan’s largest shipbuilding company Taiwan International Shipbuilding (CSBC), and the US leader in smart welding technology AMET, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The three parties will work together to develop robots that are more suitable for shipbuilding environments, promote the intelligent transformation of the shipbuilding industry, and improve welding efficiency and quality. [Read more…] about Techman Robotics, CSBC and AMET to jointly develop welding solutions for shipbuilding

Canadian engineering graduates’ robotics startup Axibo raises $12 million

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A robotics company that started at McMaster University is looking to recruit a team of passionate engineers to pioneer “made in Canada” humanoid robots.

Axibo has raised $12 million to develop advanced humanoid robotics, with the goal of unveiling the first prototype early next year.

Anoop Gadhrri, Sohaib Al-Emara and Reiner Schmidt founded the company in 2019 as undergraduates in the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster. [Read more…] about Canadian engineering graduates’ robotics startup Axibo raises $12 million

PTx Trimble launches ‘first’ autonomous grain cart solution

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PTx Trimble, formed in 2024 by AGCO and Trimble, has launched “OutRun”, which it describes as “the first commercially available autonomous retrofit grain cart solution on the market”.

The innovation has already been awarded the prestigious Davidson Prize at Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

The award, presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), recognizes breakthrough innovations in agricultural engineering that improve efficiency, sustainability and productivity. [Read more…] about PTx Trimble launches ‘first’ autonomous grain cart solution

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup to enter humanoid robot market

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Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has launched a bold new initiative to develop the country’s first general-purpose humanoid robot, marking a major step into the robotics industry.

The move is being led by a newly formed subsidiary called VinMotion, established in early 2025 with a charter capital of around $39 million.

VinMotion’s mission is ambitious: to become one of the world’s leading humanoid robot developers. The company plans to design and manufacture versatile robots capable of working across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and customer service. [Read more…] about Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup to enter humanoid robot market

Beyoncé almost hit by robot on stage during live performance

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Beyoncé has narrowly avoided a robotic arm mishap during live performance, sparking “robot malfunction” jokes online.

Beyoncé experienced a tense moment on stage during a recent stop on her Renaissance World Tour, when a suspected technical oversight nearly put her in the path of moving robotic arms – leading to a viral wave of jokes about a “robot malfunction”.

While performing the song Alien Superstar, the music suddenly cut out and the star appeared momentarily disoriented before swiftly leaving the stage. [Read more…] about Beyoncé almost hit by robot on stage during live performance

Boston Dynamics interview: ‘Ghastly’ grace, the uncanny valley, and the dawn of humanoid utility

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The first time I saw a Boston Dynamics robot move, I genuinely thought there was a person inside the machine. Not literally, of course, but something about the fluidity of motion – the precision, the uncanny timing – seemed less robotic and more… alive, more human or at least more animalistic.

For years, I’d watched robots lumber around trade shows or on TV, carefully placing one foot in front of the other before promptly tipping over.

So, when Boston Dynamics released videos of Atlas backflipping and dancing with unsettling realism, I wasn’t the only one who found it both mesmerizing and a little eerie. One observer even called it “ghastly” – and not as an insult, but as a mark of awe. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics interview: ‘Ghastly’ grace, the uncanny valley, and the dawn of humanoid utility

Humanoid robots could unlock $3 trillion US market, says Morgan Stanley

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A new, timely and detailed report outlines the rise of ‘embodied AI’ and maps the companies best positioned to lead the humanoid robotics revolution.

Humanoid robots could drive a $3 trillion total addressable market (TAM) in the United States alone, according to a new report by Morgan Stanley.

The global financial services company describes the emerging field as “embodied AI” – a combination of generative artificial intelligence and robotics hardware that may soon transform how labor is delivered across industries. [Read more…] about Humanoid robots could unlock $3 trillion US market, says Morgan Stanley

Is Kawasaki’s crazy horse robot idea actually a stroke of genius?

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When Kawasaki first unveiled its concept of a robotic horse, many people may have thought of it as not much more than an interesting – or even fascinating and alluring – curiosity. But curiosity nonetheless.

However, when we look at the idea more closely and remind ourselves how globally successful Kawasaki is in the motorcycles market – and indeed the industrial robotics market, we start to take the idea of a hydrogen-powered robotic horse more seriously as a market proposition.

Kawasaki is a globally recognized leader in the motorcycle industry, known for its high-performance bikes and engineering innovation. As a division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, its Powersports & Engine segment encompasses motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, and engines, contributing significantly to the company’s bottom line. [Read more…] about Is Kawasaki’s crazy horse robot idea actually a stroke of genius?