Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Technology Innovation Institute and World Economic Forum launch Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies at Davos

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The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have launched the Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies, a new Centre within WEF’s prestigious Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Global Network.

The collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, marking a significant step in deepening international cooperation to shape the future of frontier technologies.

Established with a clear mandate to lead breakthroughs in frontier research and development, advance global policy on emerging technologies, and foster international collaboration that moves innovation from the lab into real-world deployment, the Centre builds on the UAE’s position as a real-world testbed for innovation. [Read more…] about Technology Innovation Institute and World Economic Forum launch Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies at Davos

Unbox Robotics secures $28 million in Series B fundraise led by ICICI venture

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Unbox Robotics, a supply chain robotics technology company, has secured $28 million (INR 243 crore) in Series B funding, led by ICICI Venture and Redstart Labs (Infoedge), with co-investment from F-Prime, 3one4 Capital, Navam Capital, Force Ventures, and other existing investors.

This funding round, comprising a mix of primary and secondary capital, will be utilized towards strengthening the leadership and engineering teams, accelerating new product development, and expanding market presence across India and select international markets.

This fundraise marks a key step for Unbox Robotics as the company scales its mission of transforming warehouse and logistics operations through intelligent robotics and automation. The company also created meaningful liquidity for employees through its ESOP program as part of the transaction. [Read more…] about Unbox Robotics secures $28 million in Series B fundraise led by ICICI venture

Serve Robotics to acquire Diligent Robotics, expanding autonomy platform into hospitals

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Serve Robotics has agreed to acquire healthcare robotics company Diligent Robotics, marking its first move beyond outdoor, sidewalk-based delivery and into indoor environments such as hospitals.

The deal brings Diligent’s autonomous hospital robot, Moxi, into Serve’s portfolio and expands the company’s autonomy platform into healthcare settings that require high reliability, safety, and close interaction with people.

Diligent Robotics was founded in 2017 by Andrea Thomaz and Vivian Chu and has raised more than $100 million from investors including Tiger Global, Canaan, and True Ventures.

The company develops AI-powered robot assistants designed to support clinical staff by handling routine logistics tasks inside hospitals. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics to acquire Diligent Robotics, expanding autonomy platform into hospitals

Sharpa showcases autonomous fine-manipulation robot and new AI model at CES 2026

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Robotics startup Sharpa used live demonstrations at CES 2026 to showcase advances in autonomous fine manipulation, unveiling a new full-body robot and an AI model designed to improve how robots interact with objects.

At the event in Las Vegas, Sharpa’s newly introduced robot, North, played fully autonomous games of ping-pong against human opponents throughout the show.

Rather than relying on pre-scripted demonstrations, the company ran live sessions for eight hours a day over four consecutive days, drawing large crowds as the rallies continued. [Read more…] about Sharpa showcases autonomous fine-manipulation robot and new AI model at CES 2026

Covvi releases two lighter, shorter variants of advanced bionic hand

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Covvi has unveiled two new wrist options for the Covvi Hand, which will make the advanced prosthesis available to more people with upper-limb differences than ever before.

Engineered to meet the unique needs of every user, Covvi’s bionic hand will soon be available in three distinct wrist options – the original Covvi Hand featuring a flexing wrist, alongside the new Straight Wrist, and Friction Wrist variants.

The original Covvi Hand’s ‘Flex Wrist’ enables users to adjust the angle of their hand for various tasks, offering 27 degrees of flexion and extension that can be securely locked. [Read more…] about Covvi releases two lighter, shorter variants of advanced bionic hand

NEOintralogistics secures €3 million to ‘democratize warehouse automation’ through RaaS

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NEOintralogistics, a German robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) provider in warehouse automation, has closed a €3 million seed funding round, led by the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund and strong participation from Cetus Holding.

The urgency for accessible automation solutions has never been greater. Despite the clear business case for automation with potential operational cost reductions of up to 65 percent, adoption has been severely limited by the high upfront investment required.

80 percent of global warehouses still operate manually, largely due to cost barriers that have made traditional automation accessible only to the largest operators. [Read more…] about NEOintralogistics secures €3 million to ‘democratize warehouse automation’ through RaaS

Omron launches new high-payload collaborative robots and software upgrade

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Omron Robotics has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. 

The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and precision handling. [Read more…] about Omron launches new high-payload collaborative robots and software upgrade

T2 and PlusAI partner to accelerate rollout of Level 4 autonomous trucks in Japan

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PlusAI and Tokyo-based T2 have agreed a strategic partnership to bring Level 4 autonomous trucks to Japan. The move comes as PlusAI is also planning to become publicly listed via a business combination with Churchill Capital Corp IX.

The collaboration combines T2’s deep penetration on technology design and logistics operation in Japan with PlusAI’s proven experience in commercial deployment of autonomous trucks with global truck makers Traton Group, Iveco Group, and Hyundai in the US and Europe.

By combining these complementary strengths, the companies will work toward introducing Level 4 autonomous trucking solutions tailored to Japan’s needs. [Read more…] about T2 and PlusAI partner to accelerate rollout of Level 4 autonomous trucks in Japan

The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

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By Anders Billesø Beck, vice president, AI robotics products at Universal Robots

The robotics industry is evolving faster than ever, and the signals of what’s next are already visible. As someone focused on shaping the future of automation, I see four trends that will redefine how robots create value.

From smarter math and cooperative behaviors to industry-specific AI and a new data economy, here’s what I predict will matter most in the years ahead. [Read more…] about The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

Electric air taxis: Paris’ future in the skies and what it means for luxury travel

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Although electric air taxi services missed their high‑profile Paris 2024 debut, the promise of urban air mobility still looms large over the French capital.

Paris and French authorities had hoped that 2024 would mark the first major public showcase of electric air taxis, offering a futuristic new layer to urban transport and hinting at a new era of elevated mobility for visitors.

While these plans did not fully materialise during the Olympics due to regulatory and certification delays, continued development suggests a near‑future where environmentally cleaner air taxi services enhance premium traveller experiences in and around Paris. [Read more…] about Electric air taxis: Paris’ future in the skies and what it means for luxury travel