Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

VenHub launches robot-operated store at Los Angeles airport

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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

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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

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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

Exclusive interview: Bot Auto CEO on why autonomous trucking must prove its economics before it scales

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Following our recent coverage of the challenges facing autonomous trucking, Robotics and Automation News now interviews Xiaodi Hou, co-founder and CEO of Bot Auto, to explore a different approach – one focused less on flashy demos and more on cost-per-mile performance.

Hou, a veteran in autonomous driving and AI, is taking aim at the industry’s reputation for over-promising and under-delivering.

With a PhD in Computation and Neural Systems from Caltech and a background in machine learning and computer vision, he brings both technical depth and commercial realism to the table. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview: Bot Auto CEO on why autonomous trucking must prove its economics before it scales

Siemens completes acquisition of ebm-papst’s industrial drive technology business

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Europe’s largest engineering company Siemens has closed its acquisition of ebm-papst‘s industrial drive technology business. In the future, it will be marketed using the name “Mechatronic Systems” at Siemens.

The business has about 650 employees and its portfolio includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the extra-low voltage protection range, innovative driving systems used in free-moving, driverless transport systems, and other applications.

This acquisition complements the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, strengthening Siemens’ position as a leading provider of flexible manufacturing automation solutions. [Read more…] about Siemens completes acquisition of ebm-papst’s industrial drive technology business

LogicFlo raises $2.7 million to give every life sciences expert their own ‘AI agent workforce’

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Across life sciences, the brightest minds are buried in busywork. Regulatory strategists, medical writers, quality and safety experts – people trained to bring therapies to market – are still spending most of their time formatting documents, managing version control, and stitching together fragmented tools.

LogicFlo AI, the company building the AI agent workforce for life sciences, is changing that.

The Boston-based startup has just completed $2.7 million seed funding round to scale its intelligent agent platform across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech industries. The round was led by Lightspeed with participation from leading healthcare and enterprise AI investors. [Read more…] about LogicFlo raises $2.7 million to give every life sciences expert their own ‘AI agent workforce’

Record-breaking attendance at this year’s automatica event

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automatica, one of the world’s leading industrial automation exhibitions, held from June 24 to 27, 2025, was an impressive demonstration of approaches to solving future challenges using smart automation and robotics.

Around 47,500 visitors from more than 90 nations, along with approx. 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, and an extensive supporting program underlined automatica’s domain leadership.

The four-day trade fair had a strong focus on AI-powered robotics, SME automation, health tech solutions, mobile robotics, and networked production. A successful range of topics according to Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, co-CEO of Messe München. [Read more…] about Record-breaking attendance at this year’s automatica event

MIT develops vision-based system that gives machines ‘bodily self-awareness’

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In an office at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), a soft robotic hand carefully curls its fingers to grasp a small object.

The intriguing part isn’t the mechanical design or embedded sensors – in fact, the hand contains none. Instead, the entire system relies on a single camera that watches the robot’s movements and uses that visual data to control it.

This capability comes from a new system CSAIL scientists developed, offering a different perspective on robotic control. Rather than using hand-designed models or complex sensor arrays, it allows robots to learn how their bodies respond to control commands, solely through vision. [Read more…] about MIT develops vision-based system that gives machines ‘bodily self-awareness’

How the Wrong 4×4 Bumper Can Throw Off Your Vehicle’s Balance

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Fitting out a 4×4 with all the gear is half the fun of owning one. There is something satisfying about customising it to suit your adventures, your style, and the terrain you love to tackle.

Among the most popular upgrades, 4×4 bumpers usually earn a spot high on the list, not just for looks, but for the protection and utility they bring to the table. However, the wrong bumper can do more harm than good. [Read more…] about How the Wrong 4×4 Bumper Can Throw Off Your Vehicle’s Balance

ABB and Applied Digital accelerate construction of AI data centers

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Applied Digital, a builder and operator of next-generation data centers, has launched an infrastructure partnership with ABB at the company’s greenfield 400 MW campus in North Dakota, United States.

The collaboration will innovate fast, reliable, energy-efficient solutions to meet the needs of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

As part of this long-term partnership, the first orders were booked in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. Further financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. [Read more…] about ABB and Applied Digital accelerate construction of AI data centers