Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Autonomous Vehicles

Toyota launches next-generation autonomous e-Palette mobility vehicle

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Toyota has started sales of its next-generation e-Palette battery electric vehicle, designed for a wide range of mobility services including transportation, retail, and mobile entertainment. Sales began on September 15, with prices starting from 29 million yen (almost $200,000).

The e-Palette features a spacious cabin, large windows, and a low floor for accessibility, including an electric ramp that allows wheelchair users to board independently.

With a capacity of up to 17 passengers, it can be configured for different uses throughout the day – for example, as a shuttle bus in the morning and a mobile store in the afternoon. Optional equipment enables applications such as immersive sightseeing or live sports viewing. [Read more…] about Toyota launches next-generation autonomous e-Palette mobility vehicle

Zoox launches public robotaxi service in Las Vegas

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Zoox has officially launched its autonomous ride-hailing service to the public in Las Vegas, making it the first company to provide rides in a purpose-built, fully autonomous robotaxi.

The service began on September 10 and is initially available on and around the Las Vegas Strip. Rides are free during the launch phase and can be booked through the Zoox app on iOS and Android devices.

Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox, says: “The autonomous vehicle industry has made remarkable strides this year, bringing us closer to a future of safer, more accessible mobility. [Read more…] about Zoox launches public robotaxi service in Las Vegas

Roush delivers first Kodiak Driver-equipped autonomous truck

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Kodiak Robotics, a provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, and Roush Industries, a product development supplier serving the mobility, aerospace, defense, and theme park industries, say that Roush has delivered the first Kodiak Driver-equipped autonomous truck off of its production line.

The truck, which Roush upfit at its Livonia, Michigan facility with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s advanced AI-powered autonomous driving system, was delivered to Atlas Energy Solutions in August 2025.

In December 2024, Atlas began taking delivery of Kodiak Driver-equipped trucks and launched driverless operations in the Permian Basin. [Read more…] about Roush delivers first Kodiak Driver-equipped autonomous truck

Toray and T2 launch autonomous truck trial for petrochemical transport

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Toray Industries and Tokyo-based T2 are set to begin a long-haul autonomous truck trial on part of an expressway connecting eastern and western Japan.

This effort will test whether deploying T2’s autonomous trucks to ship Toray products can provide a sustainable solution to Japan’s driver shortage.

The roughly 440-kilometer route runs from the Tomei Expressway’s Ayase Smart Interchange in Kanagawa Prefecture to the Shin-Meishin Expressway’s Ibaraki-Sendaiji Interchange in Osaka. Four runs are scheduled between September 16, 2025, and April 2026. [Read more…] about Toray and T2 launch autonomous truck trial for petrochemical transport

QCraft sets up European headquarters and partners with Qualcomm

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QCraft has announced plans to establish its European headquarters in Germany and formed a partnership with Qualcomm, marking what the company calls its official entry into the European and global markets.

The Chinese autonomous driving start-up unveiled the strategy at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich.

The new base will oversee research integration, certification processes and business development, with Germany’s automotive ecosystem seen as “fertile ground for QCraft to localize its solutions,” the company said. [Read more…] about QCraft sets up European headquarters and partners with Qualcomm

Micropolis Robotics expands into Egypt and North Africa through distribution deal with Aerxio

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Micropolis Robotics, a developer of unmanned ground vehicles and AI-driven security solutions, has agreed an exclusive distribution agreement with Aerxio, a UAE-based technology solutions provider, who will act as sole distributor of Micropolis’ advanced UGVs and related technologies across Egypt and North Africa.

Aerxio has developed and maintains key strategic relationships with companies across Egypt and the North African region.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Micropolis’s international expansion strategy, bringing autonomous police patrols, surveillance platforms, and AI-driven robotics solutions to additional high-growth, regional markets through local, strategic partnerships. [Read more…] about Micropolis Robotics expands into Egypt and North Africa through distribution deal with Aerxio

Robo taxi market predicted to grow from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $500 billion by 2034

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You call a taxi, and instead of a driver, a car shows up to take you wherever you need to go. It’s smooth and convenient, and you never have to worry about parking.

Welcome to the world of robo taxis. These driverless cars are no longer just a sci-fi idea; they’re becoming part of our everyday lives.

As cities become smarter and technology improves, robo taxis are changing the way we travel, offering a faster and more efficient way to get from one place to another. [Read more…] about Robo taxi market predicted to grow from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $500 billion by 2034

Motor Ai raises $20 million for autonomous driving software

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In a world racing toward autonomous vehicles, Europe has taken a different path – demanding not just performance, but explainability, safety, and full legal compliance.

Motor Ai is meeting that challenge head-on. The company has announced a $20 million seed funding round to bring its certified, neuroscience-driven technology into full deployment, starting with German public roads.

The seed round was led by Segenia Capital and eCapital, with participation from mobility-focused angels. That reflects the national significance of the technology. The new capital will support hiring, commercial rollouts, and expansion. [Read more…] about Motor Ai raises $20 million for autonomous driving software

Beep begins operating ‘America’s first’ fully autonomous public transit system in Jacksonville

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Beep, a provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions, has begun operating the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s autonomous vehicle service, Navi (Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation).

Navi, the nation’s first fully autonomous public transportation system, launched in Jacksonville, Florida this week.

Backed by a five-year operations and maintenance contract, Beep will operate and maintain the Navi service, which is part of the JTA’s groundbreaking Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program. The company is also announcing the closing of $52.7 million in a funding round co-led by Intel Capital and Blue Lagoon Capital. [Read more…] about Beep begins operating ‘America’s first’ fully autonomous public transit system in Jacksonville

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