Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Continental unveils ‘ultracompact transport robot’

by

Continental has developed an ultracompact transport robot that transports stacked small load containers (SLCs) of up to 300 kg fully automatically.

The NXS 300 ensures immediately deployable automation: no infrastructure modifications to existing floor-roller tracks are needed, and thanks to native VDA 5050 integration, the NXS 300 plugs seamlessly into existing AMR fleets. It delivers top speeds of up to two m/s and safe omnidirectional movement thanks to its 360-degree view.

The NXS 300 comes in two versions: the base version with a 600 mm fork length for classic 400 x 600 mm SLCs on carts and the extended version with an 800 mm fork length for half-pallets to effectively double the capacity per trip. [Read more…] about Continental unveils ‘ultracompact transport robot’

Middle kingdom: ABB aims for mid-market expansion in China

by

As China’s automation appetite grows beyond mega-factories, ABB is betting big on the mid-market. Its latest launch of three robot families – Lite+, PoWa, and a redesigned IRB 1200 – marks a strategic shift to tap the country’s booming small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment. (See video below.)

Manufactured at ABB’s state-of-the-art Shanghai Mega Factory (main image), the new robots are purpose-built for mid-tier industrial applications, offering simplified deployment, AI-ready controls, and modular designs.

The move signals ABB’s intent to lead not just in top-tier industrial automation but also in more accessible, user-friendly robotics platforms tailored for China’s evolving industrial landscape. [Read more…] about Middle kingdom: ABB aims for mid-market expansion in China

ABB launches three new robot ranges to expand automation in China

by

New robot products aimed primarily at medium-sized businesses 

ABB is expanding its portfolio with three new robot ranges to support China’s ongoing expansion in advanced manufacturing, building on 30 years of robotics leadership in the country.

Manufactured at ABB’s Robotics’ state-of-the-art Shanghai Mega Factory, the new robot families address a wide range of automation needs in high growth sectors including electronics, consumer industries and general industries – from essential material handling to high-end applications like dispensing and polishing.

All are powered by ABB Robotics’ OmniCore single control platform that enables the full integration of AI, sensor, cloud and edge computing systems to create the most advanced and autonomous robotic applications. [Read more…] about ABB launches three new robot ranges to expand automation in China

Beep begins operating ‘America’s first’ fully autonomous public transit system in Jacksonville

by

Beep, a provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions, has begun operating the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s autonomous vehicle service, Navi (Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation).

Navi, the nation’s first fully autonomous public transportation system, launched in Jacksonville, Florida this week.

Backed by a five-year operations and maintenance contract, Beep will operate and maintain the Navi service, which is part of the JTA’s groundbreaking Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program. The company is also announcing the closing of $52.7 million in a funding round co-led by Intel Capital and Blue Lagoon Capital. [Read more…] about Beep begins operating ‘America’s first’ fully autonomous public transit system in Jacksonville

Genesis AI raises $105 million to build ‘universal’ robotics foundation model

by

Genesis AI, a global physical AI research lab and full-stack robotics company, emerged from stealth today with a mission to unlock unlimited physical labor.

The company is building a universal robotics foundation model (RFM) and a horizontal robotics platform, raising $105 million co-led by Eclipse and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Bpifrance, HSG, and visionary leaders Eric Schmidt and Xavier Niel.

Physical labor contributes an estimated $30-40 trillion to the Global GDP, yet over 95 percent of it remains unautomated due to the limitations of current automation solutions. Today’s robotic systems, such as industrial arms, rely on brittle, rigid, and overfitted software stacks. [Read more…] about Genesis AI raises $105 million to build ‘universal’ robotics foundation model

Civ Robotics secures $7.5 million to power robot-led surveying

by

Civ Robotics, a construction robotics company, has closed its $7.5 million Series A funding round, led by AlleyCorp with investments from Bobcat Company, ff Venture Capital, and previous seed investors.

This brings the total funding to date to $12.5 million. This new investment will support further development of its construction robots and expansion into new global markets, with an emphasis on renewable energy and solar.

Civ Robotics has over 100 of its robots deployed to job sites around the globe. This signals that industry trust in automation is increasing for a sector historically slow to adopt new technologies. [Read more…] about Civ Robotics secures $7.5 million to power robot-led surveying

How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained

by

This article is part of a series of articles based on common questions in robotics. The previous article dealt with the question: What is a robot?

Robots are machines designed to perform tasks – ranging from simple, repetitive actions to complex decision-making processes. But how do they actually work?

At the most basic level, every robot operates through a combination of four core components: sensors, controllers, actuators, and software. These systems work together, often in a closed feedback loop, to carry out programmed instructions and respond to the environment in real time. [Read more…] about How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained

VenHub launches robot-operated store at Los Angeles airport

by

VenHub Global, a developer of fully autonomous, AI-powered, robot-operated retail, has unveiled its flagship Smart Store at the LAX/Metro Transit Center at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Smart Store brings secure, frictionless, and fully automated retail convenience to millions of travelers and transit riders moving through Los Angeles each year.

Launched in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the installation places VenHub at the forefront of smart retail infrastructure as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world. [Read more…] about VenHub launches robot-operated store at Los Angeles airport

Wimbledon’s automated system dispenses with human judges for first time in 148 years

by

Wimbledon, a bastion of tennis tradition, has ushered in a new era, making a monumental shift in its 148-year history by replacing all human line judges with a fully automated electronic line-calling system for the 2025 Championships.

This decision, following extensive testing and consultation, aims to achieve “maximum accuracy” in officiating, aligning Wimbledon with other major tournaments like the Australian and US Opens that have already embraced this technology.

The system at the heart of this transformation is Live Electronic Line Calling (ELC), primarily powered by advanced technology from Hawk-Eye Innovations. [Read more…] about Wimbledon’s automated system dispenses with human judges for first time in 148 years

Amazon marks deployment of 1 millionth robot and unveils new AI foundation model for its robots

by

Amazon Robotics has reached two major milestones in its robotics and AI operations: the deployment of its one millionth robot and the launch of a new generative AI foundation model designed to optimize its global fleet of warehouse robots.

The new AI model, called DeepFleet, is expected to improve robot travel efficiency by 10 percent across Amazon’s fulfillment network, which spans more than 300 facilities worldwide. The company says the technology will support faster customer deliveries and reduce operational costs.

“Think of DeepFleet as an intelligent traffic system for our robotic fleet,” writes Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics, in a blog post on one of the company’s websites. “It optimizes how robots move within our facilities, reducing congestion and improving efficiency.” [Read more…] about Amazon marks deployment of 1 millionth robot and unveils new AI foundation model for its robots