Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Generalist AI unveils GEN-1 model, claiming breakthrough in real-world robotic task performance

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Generalist AI has introduced a new robotics model, GEN-1, which the company says marks a significant step toward general-purpose artificial intelligence for physical tasks.

The model is designed as an “embodied foundation model” – a type of AI system that can perceive, reason and act in the physical world – and is trained on large-scale datasets of real-world interactions rather than narrow, task-specific programming.

According to the company, GEN-1 achieves “99 percent success rates” on certain tasks, compared with around 64 percent for its previous-generation system, while completing tasks up to three times faster. The system is also described as highly data-efficient, requiring roughly one hour of robot-specific data to adapt to new tasks. [Read more…] about Generalist AI unveils GEN-1 model, claiming breakthrough in real-world robotic task performance

CorTec receives FDA ‘breakthrough’ designation for brain-computer interface in stroke rehabilitation

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CorTec has received “Breakthrough Device Designation” from the US Food and Drug Administration for its Brain Interchange system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) designed to support motor recovery in stroke patients.

The designation applies to the use of direct cortical electrical stimulation to treat chronic stroke-related impairments, marking what the company describes as the first BCI globally to receive this recognition specifically for stroke motor rehabilitation.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Device program is intended for technologies that may provide more effective treatment for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions, offering developers prioritized review and closer interaction with regulators. [Read more…] about CorTec receives FDA ‘breakthrough’ designation for brain-computer interface in stroke rehabilitation

How AI Medical Scribe Enhances Patient Care

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The integration of AI technology into healthcare, particularly through AI medical scribes, is transforming how patient data is managed and utilized.

A study indicates that AI scribes can reduce the time physicians spend on documentation by up to 50%, increasing the time available for patient care.

By employing AI scribes, healthcare institutions are enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of clinical documentation. Below, we explore the specific ways AI scribes contribute to patient care improvements. [Read more…] about How AI Medical Scribe Enhances Patient Care

Why Automation Systems Fail Without Weather Intelligence

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The Hidden Dependency in Automation Systems

Automation systems are designed for precision, consistency, and minimal human intervention. From autonomous robots navigating complex environments to logistics platforms optimizing delivery routes, these systems rely on constant data inputs to function effectively.

Sensors, cameras, and machine learning models often receive most of the attention, since they are seen as the core technologies behind automated decision-making.

Yet many automation systems still fail in ways that appear unpredictable. A delivery robot pauses unexpectedly. A drone reroutes inefficiently. A scheduling system miscalculates timing. In many cases, the root cause is neither mechanical nor algorithmic. It is environmentally friendly. [Read more…] about Why Automation Systems Fail Without Weather Intelligence

How to Run LLM Evaluation for Better AI Performance

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Production AI systems embedded in automated workflows, robotics-assisted operations, customer support systems, and compliance environments carry measurable behavioral risk that increases proportionally with deployment scope and model autonomy.

In such settings, the behavior of the large language model must conform to defined operational, policy, and compliance standards.

Deploying a model without structured evaluation introduces quantifiable risk, particularly in decision-support, documentation, and customer communication workflows where output errors carry downstream liability. [Read more…] about How to Run LLM Evaluation for Better AI Performance

Do Robotics Firms Need Microsoft 365 Backups

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Try answering this without checking: if a senior engineer leaves today and their Microsoft 365 account is deleted next week, how much of their actual working context can you restore cleanly, and in context?

Mind you, we’re not talking only about data. We mean emails, chats, the messy, in-between information that keeps projects moving.

Most teams think they can recover it. But very few have tested that assumption under pressure. [Read more…] about Do Robotics Firms Need Microsoft 365 Backups

Tennant unveils new industrial sweeping machine for ‘autonomous, round-the-clock’ work

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Tennant Company has announced the launch of the X16 Sweep, the company’s first autonomous, robotic sweeper engineered for complex industrial environments such as warehousing, logistics centers and light manufacturing operations by a major cleaning brand.

Built to meet rising expectations for industrial automation, the X16 Sweep delivers consistent, repeatable floor-cleaning coverage facilities can rely on to support dependable operations.

Earlier this year, Tennant Company established a dedicated autonomous robotics organization designed to accelerate the adoption and scaling of its robotic cleaning solutions. [Read more…] about Tennant unveils new industrial sweeping machine for ‘autonomous, round-the-clock’ work

SVT Robotics launches ‘Softbot Intelligence’ to power AI with real-time automation data

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SVT Robotics, a developer of interoperability software, has launched its “Softbot Intelligence” platform, a new data capability that transforms how organizations see and leverage performance data across live automation environments.

Built on the Softbot Platform, Softbot Intelligence captures and contextualizes real-time execution data as it flows through integrated technologies, creating the high-fidelity data backbone required for reliable, AI-driven outcomes.

As the Softbot Platform orchestrates execution events across robotics, software, and enterprise systems, Softbot Intelligence continuously captures and correlates these events with millisecond-level precision – revealing relationships, dependencies, and cause-and-effect between technologies. [Read more…] about SVT Robotics launches ‘Softbot Intelligence’ to power AI with real-time automation data

What makes robots feel alive? Human-robot interaction expert Sarah Sebo explains

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As robots become more expressive and socially capable, the line between machines and living characters is starting to blur. From Disney’s lifelike Olaf robot (main image) to interactive droids inspired by Star Wars, recent developments highlight how far robotics has come in replicating human-like behavior and emotion.

But what actually makes a robot feel “alive” – and why do some machines feel natural while others fall into the so-called “uncanny valley”?

To explore these questions, Robotics & Automation News spoke with Sarah Sebo, assistant professor of computer science at the University of Chicago, whose research focuses on human-robot interaction and the social, cultural and technological impact of robots in everyday environments. [Read more…] about What makes robots feel alive? Human-robot interaction expert Sarah Sebo explains

Crack Detection in Stainless Steel Tanks Using Robotic Technology

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Ensuring the structural integrity of stainless steel vessels is a critical requirement in industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals or food processing.

Even minor cracks in weld seams, stress zones, or highly loaded components can compromise operational safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.

In recent years, robotic inspection technology has emerged as an increasingly effective method for detecting cracks and material defects in industrial tanks and process vessels while reducing inspection time and human risk. [Read more…] about Crack Detection in Stainless Steel Tanks Using Robotic Technology