Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

The future of saffron: From ancient fields to high-tech indoor farms

by

Saffron, often dubbed “red gold”, is the world’s most expensive spice – a testament to its unique flavor, vibrant color, and labor-intensive cultivation.

Historically, this prized spice has been a luxury commodity, with its high price maintained by traditional farming methods and limited supply.

However, a new wave of innovation, driven by high-tech indoor farming and robotics, is poised to revolutionize saffron production, promising to make this elusive spice more accessible and sustainable. [Read more…] about The future of saffron: From ancient fields to high-tech indoor farms

MassRobotics and Chewy select winners of innovation awards

by

The CHAMP (Chewy Autonomous Mobile Picking) Challenge, created by Chewy and MassRobotics, tasked global robotics teams with solving one of warehouse automation’s toughest problems: autonomously picking large, heavy, and deformable items in tight, dynamic environments.  [Read more…] about MassRobotics and Chewy select winners of innovation awards

From Robotic to Relatable: Why Smodin’s AI Humanizer Is a Must for Online Creators

by

If you create anything online, you’ve probably learned one simple truth: your words carry weight.

Whether you’re a YouTuber piecing together a script, a blogger polishing a post, or a coach sketching a digital class, your voice has to come through.

Yet when time is tight – and let’s be real, it almost never isn’t – it’s tempting to let an AI kick things off. [Read more…] about From Robotic to Relatable: Why Smodin’s AI Humanizer Is a Must for Online Creators

From asteroid mining to democratizing quantum: World Economic Forum selects ‘pioneers in new wave of global innovation’

by

The World Economic Forum has announced the 2025 cohort of its Technology Pioneers community, a group of 100 early-stage companies from 28 countries driving innovation across industries and borders.

Now in its 25th year, the programme celebrates its strongest cohort yet, marked by broader geographical representation, greater diversity beyond Silicon Valley and the rise of more ambitious frontier technologies.

Reflecting wider shifts in the innovation landscape, many of the companies spotlighted are using artificial intelligence (AI) to reach greater scale and sophistication with fewer resources. [Read more…] about From asteroid mining to democratizing quantum: World Economic Forum selects ‘pioneers in new wave of global innovation’

AS/RS reimagined: The next generation of warehouse automation and micro-fulfillment

by

The modern supply chain is a battlefield of rising expectations. E-commerce demands faster deliveries, labor shortages persist, and the pressure to optimize every square foot of warehouse space is relentless.

In this environment, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), once considered foundational automation, are no longer just about static storage; they are being reimagined as dynamic, intelligent components at the very heart of advanced logistics.

This feature explores the cutting-edge designs, sophisticated integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), and their pivotal role in enabling the burgeoning micro-fulfillment trend. [Read more…] about AS/RS reimagined: The next generation of warehouse automation and micro-fulfillment

Maximizing ROI with AI in Electrical Takeoff

by

In the world of construction and electrical work, precision is key. Getting an accurate electrical takeoff – calculating the materials and labor needed for a project – can be the difference between staying on budget and facing costly overruns.

Traditionally, this process involved hours of manual counting and calculating, which was time-consuming and prone to errors.

The technique is now quicker, more precise, and more effective thanks to the development of electrical takeoff software. [Read more…] about Maximizing ROI with AI in Electrical Takeoff

Underwater robots take to the deep to map unexplored oceans

by

Autonomous underwater robots from the University of Sydney supported an Australian Museum scientific expedition mapping unexplored reefs around Norfolk Island.

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) from the University of Sydney has taken a deep dive in the oceans surrounding Norfolk Island on an scientific expedition to document previously unexplored reefs.

The robots collected high-resolution seafloor images which will then be used to create three-dimensional underwater models of these unique reef ecosystems and marine habitats. [Read more…] about Underwater robots take to the deep to map unexplored oceans

Italian scientists demonstrate flying humanoid robot

by

Researchers in Italy achieved a first flight of iRonCub3, a unique jet-powered flying humanoid robot designed for real-world environments. The robot was able to lift off the floor by approximately 50 cm while maintaining its stability

The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has reached a groundbreaking milestone in humanoid robotics by demonstrating the first flight of iRonCub3, the world’s first jet-powered flying humanoid robot specifically designed to operate in real-world environments.

The research team studied the complex aerodynamics of the artificial body and developed an advanced control model for systems composed of several interconnected parts. The overall work on iRonCub3, including real flight tests, took about two years.

In the latest experiments, the robot was able to lift off the floor by approximately 50 cm while maintaining its stability. [Read more…] about Italian scientists demonstrate flying humanoid robot

Is it Time for the Trades to Take Over the Tech Space? One Industry Already is

by

The tech world usually shines its spotlight on sleek startups, AI experiments, and apps that promise to solve problems we didn’t know we had. But behind all that noise, something much quieter – and honestly, much more grounded – is happening.

The trades, often dismissed as old-school or unsexy, are turning into unlikely tech innovators. And right now, the HVAC industry is leading that shift.

It’s not about trendy gadgets or wearable tech. It’s about solving real-world problems for real businesses in real time. [Read more…] about Is it Time for the Trades to Take Over the Tech Space? One Industry Already is

3 AI Video Tools That Are Great for Marketing Agencies

by

Video isn’t just part of the marketing playbook anymore – it is the playbook. From short-form content that drives traffic to polished explainers that turn maybe into yes, video has become the loudest, clearest way to say what your brand is about.

But creating great videos at scale? That’s where most agencies hit a wall. Deadlines pile up, budgets stay tight, and clients expect Hollywood with a Canva budget.

Enter AI-powered video tools. They’re making it easier for marketing agencies to produce videos that look sharp, sound professional, and land with audiences – without needing a camera crew or a three-day shoot. [Read more…] about 3 AI Video Tools That Are Great for Marketing Agencies