Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Navigating the ‘messy middle’: Safety and compliance considerations for autonomous fleet transition

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By Glen Mitchell, head of product management, Powerfleet

The transformation from traditional driver-operated trucks to fully autonomous vehicles isn’t happening overnight.

Instead, fleet operators find themselves navigating what industry experts call the “messy middle” – a complex transition period where human drivers, semi-autonomous systems, and emerging regulations intersect in unpredictable ways.

Recent milestones underscore the rapid evolution of this landscape. Aurora Innovation launched America’s first commercial driverless truck operations on Texas highways in May 2025, completing over 1,200 miles without a safety driver. [Read more…] about Navigating the ‘messy middle’: Safety and compliance considerations for autonomous fleet transition

Linxens partners with Dracula to develop ‘breakthrough’ battery-free, solar-powered devices for industrial IoT

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Linxens, a provider of component-based solutions for authentication and traceability, and Dracula Technologies, a pioneer in ambient light energy harvesting, have agreed a strategic collaboration to develop “next-generation autonomous IoT solutions” for traceability and smart labelling applications.

This collaboration paves the way for smarter and more sustainable connected devices.

Dracula Technologies has developed a breakthrough organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, LAYER, capable of harvesting energy even in low or intermittent indoor light. [Read more…] about Linxens partners with Dracula to develop ‘breakthrough’ battery-free, solar-powered devices for industrial IoT

Japanese space agency awards GITAI contract to develop unique robotic arm

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GITAI, a US-headquartered space robotics company, says its Japanese subsidiary, GITAI Japan, has been awarded a contract by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to conduct a concept study for a unique robotic arm system intended for use on a pressurized crewed lunar rover. (See video below.)

This rover is part of Japan’s contribution to the Artemis program and is designed to enable long-duration human exploration of the Moon’s polar regions.

The objective of this study is to define the design and specifications for a robotic arm system capable of supporting lunar science operations primarily during uncrewed periods, while also providing support during crewed missions when needed. [Read more…] about Japanese space agency awards GITAI contract to develop unique robotic arm

Why Rockwell Automation’s share price has surged more than 30 percent since April

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Earnings surprise, strategic loans, and smart manufacturing innovations fuel investor confidence

Since hitting a low point in early April 2025, Rockwell Automation’s share price has surged more than 30 percent, reaching new highs and catching the attention of analysts and institutional investors.

The rally comes on the back of a strong earnings report, a major financing move, and a series of product announcements that reinforce the company’s position at the forefront of industrial digital transformation. [Read more…] about Why Rockwell Automation’s share price has surged more than 30 percent since April

Why space factories may be the next industrial frontier, and who’s building them

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The global space economy is growing fast, expected to surpass $511 billion by 2029, according to GlobalData.

While satellite launches and communication services currently dominate that figure, a more radical idea is beginning to gain serious momentum: manufacturing in space.

Once considered a speculative fantasy, orbital manufacturing is being taken seriously by a growing number of aerospace firms, venture capitalists, and national agencies. [Read more…] about Why space factories may be the next industrial frontier, and who’s building them

World’s tallest 3D-printed tower unveiled in Swiss Alps

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A new architectural marvel, the Tor Alva, or “White Tower”, was inaugurated this week in the remote Swiss alpine village of Mulegns.

Standing at an impressive 30 meters (approximately 98 feet), it claims the title of the world’s tallest 3D-printed structure.

The project is a significant step in showcasing the potential of digital fabrication techniques in construction, particularly for creating load-bearing structures without the need for traditional formwork. [Read more…] about World’s tallest 3D-printed tower unveiled in Swiss Alps

Dürr delivers 19,000th robot to Chinese automaker BYD’s first European plant

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Dürr says its 19,000th painting robot will be delivered to BYD’s first European plant in Szeged, Hungary.

Equipped with the high-speed EcoBell3 rotary atomiser, this robot will provide BYD with exceptional paint quality while supporting sustainable production.

BYD Auto Company Limited, a leading Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer, is among the first Chinese car manufacturers to establish a factory in Europe. [Read more…] about Dürr delivers 19,000th robot to Chinese automaker BYD’s first European plant

Global space economy market to surpass $511 billion in 2029, forecasts GlobalData

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The global space economy market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 percent from $421.0 billion in 2024 to $511.2 billion in 2029, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

The growth will be driven by an increase in the deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, productivity improvements in satellite equipment manufacturing, the competitive launch services landscape, and demand for services around data communications, navigation, and Earth observation.

GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, “The Space Economy” reveals that space applications, which include satellite communications, navigation, and Earth observation, is the largest segment of the space economy and will grow at a CAGR of 2.9 percent to reach $334.8 billion by 2029. [Read more…] about Global space economy market to surpass $511 billion in 2029, forecasts GlobalData

Omron’s Stuttgart Automation Center wins 2025 iF Design Award

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Omron has been awarded the 2025 iF Design Award for its newly opened Automation Center (ATC) in Stuttgart, Germany. The center, which opened in April 2025, serves as a collaborative facility where Omron works with customers to develop advanced manufacturing solutions.

This marks the second time Omron has received an iF Design Award for one of its permanent facilities. The first was awarded in 2021 for the company’s ATC in Tokyo.

Organized by the iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover, the iF Design Award is one of the most established international design competitions. [Read more…] about Omron’s Stuttgart Automation Center wins 2025 iF Design Award

Doosan Robotics intensifies humanoid development in AI-driven strategic shift

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Collaborative robot specialist Doosan Robotics is significantly escalating its focus on humanoid robot development, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for an AI-centered strategic transformation.

The company is channelling investment into creating “practical humanoids” capable of performing complex tasks efficiently, alongside launching new “intelligent robot solutions”.

At a recent company-wide town hall meeting, CEO Kevin Kim announced a strategic shift from a hardware-centric model. He emphasized that Doosan Robotics aims to “deliver results this year through talent acquisition, organizational restructuring, and M&A” to spearhead innovation in intelligent robotics and humanoid technologies. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics intensifies humanoid development in AI-driven strategic shift