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Melania Trump warns ‘the robots are here’ in White House speech

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US First Lady Melania Trump has warned that artificial intelligence and robotics are no longer distant technologies but a reality shaping everyday life, urging careful guidance to avoid potentially dangerous consequences.

Speaking at a White House event to launch the Presidential AI Challenge, Trump told an audience of tech executives, educators, and policymakers: “Cars now steer themselves… robots hold steady hands in the operating room… drones are defining the future of war.”

“The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction.” [Read more…] about Melania Trump warns ‘the robots are here’ in White House speech

Tennis-playing robot debuts at technology trade show IFA

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Acemate, a sports-tech innovator dedicated to improving sports lives with AI, has unveiled the Acemate Tennis Robot at IFA 2025, the world’s first AI-powered tennis robot capable of true rally play.

Engineered for players of all levels, from beginners to seasoned competitors, Acemate brings an authentic, human-like rally experience to courts worldwide, forever changing the way tennis is practiced.

Visitors to IFA 2025 can find Acemate at booth #H1.2-164, Messe Berlin. [Read more…] about Tennis-playing robot debuts at technology trade show IFA

ETH Zurich’s ANYmal robot learns to play badminton using reinforcement learning

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ETH Zurich researchers have pushed their quadruped robot, ANYmal, into new territory: the badminton court.

A new video released by the university shows the four-legged robot attempting to return shots using a racket, advanced vision systems, and reinforcement learning-based controls. (See video below.)

ANYmal, built by ANYbotics, developed as a versatile quadruped platform, uses dual cameras to track the shuttlecock in flight. The system looks for the shuttle’s color, calculates its trajectory, and then directs the robot’s motors to move into position and execute a return shot. [Read more…] about ETH Zurich’s ANYmal robot learns to play badminton using reinforcement learning

RoboBoston 2025 brings robots, parades, and career opportunities to the Seaport

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RoboBoston, one of the largest celebrations of robots and robotics in the US, takes place in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

More than 50 companies, universities, and student robotics teams will gather to showcase advanced robotics and technology in a pavilion-style, family-friendly exhibition.

The event – organized with MassRobotics – will be held at 88 Seaport Blvd, Boston, and is free and open to the public.

Yanni Tsipis, senior vice president of Seaport Development at WS Development, says: “RoboBoston exemplifies the spirit of innovation that defines the Seaport. [Read more…] about RoboBoston 2025 brings robots, parades, and career opportunities to the Seaport

Robot ethics: Bias, accountability, and the impact of robots becoming more intelligent and more involved in human society

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Artificial intelligence is now embedded in robots that are not only assembling cars or moving pallets, but also serving food, delivering parcels, assisting the elderly, and even teaching children.

As these systems grow more autonomous, the ethical stakes become unavoidable: what happens when a robot makes a decision that has moral, social, or legal consequences?

Robots powered by advanced AI are no longer passive tools. They perceive, interpret, and act in ways that increasingly resemble human decision-making. That raises pressing concerns about bias, accountability, and the broader societal impact of machines that operate with growing independence. [Read more…] about Robot ethics: Bias, accountability, and the impact of robots becoming more intelligent and more involved in human society

When robots play real musical instruments: Could they bring analog authenticity back to modern music?

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A couple of days ago, we published a story about a humanoid robot learning to play the drums – not by being pre-programmed note for note, but by being trained to develop rhythmic skill over time.

More recently, in another video making the rounds online, humanoid robots were seen playing guitars (main picture).

These performances are technically impressive, but they also hint at something more profound: the possibility of robots being used not to generate digital music, but to physically play real instruments. [Read more…] about When robots play real musical instruments: Could they bring analog authenticity back to modern music?

Pushing the boundaries of music: A humanoid robot learns to play the drums

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An innovative project is transforming the relationship between AI, robotics, and creativity. At its core is a system that teaches a humanoid robot to play the drums – not through direct programming, but through a simulated learning process inspired by how musicians practice and improve. (Video on LinkedIn.)

Picture a live concert where, alongside human musicians, a humanoid robot takes its place behind the drum kit. Science fiction? Maybe for now — but it could soon become reality.

At the forefront of this breakthrough is Asad Ali Shahid, researcher at SUPSI (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) and lead researcher on the project Robot Drummer: Learning Rhythmic Skills for Humanoid Drumming, developed in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano. [Read more…] about Pushing the boundaries of music: A humanoid robot learns to play the drums

Tennibot begins shipping ‘first-ever’ AI tennis ball machine that ‘plays like a human’

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Tennibot, the sports technology company behind the “Rover” ball-collecting robot, has unveiled the “Partner”, its groundbreaking AI-powered autonomous ball machine, is now shipping to consumers.

Designed to emulate the experience of playing with a real human, The Partner is the first ball machine that moves, thinks, and reacts like a true hitting partner.

Tennibot was recently celebrated by TechCrunch as one of the most disruptive companies of 2024 and named by The Robot Report among the most innovative robotics companies in the world. [Read more…] about Tennibot begins shipping ‘first-ever’ AI tennis ball machine that ‘plays like a human’

Unitree Robots Break into Entertainment, Sports and Industry: Company Enters New Phase of Robotics Integration

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Unitree Robotics has always been dedicated to creating fun, friendly, and engaging robots for the public, aiming to bring joy and companionship through robotics technology.

From a cowboy walking the streets of Austin, Texas, to viral livestreamed boxing tournaments online, Unitree Robotics is pushing the boundaries of robotics in modern life.

As a pioneer in civilian robotics, the company is capturing global attention by combining technological precision with cultural relevance – and deploying its creations across entertainment, industry and everyday life. [Read more…] about Unitree Robots Break into Entertainment, Sports and Industry: Company Enters New Phase of Robotics Integration

Humanoid robot Ai-Da paints portrait of UK’s King Charles

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UK Mission Geneva hosts reception with Ai-Da Robot ahead of the AI for Good Summit

The UK Mission to the WTO and United Nations in Geneva hosted a unique reception this week showcasing Ai-Da, the world’s first “ultra-realistic” humanoid robot artist.

As the highlight of the evening, Ai-Da unveiled a striking AI painted portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, offering a compelling intersection of innovation, artistic expression, and emerging technology.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, attended the event which brought together diplomats, UN officials, artists, and technology experts and explored the role of artificial intelligence in the cultural and creative industries. [Read more…] about Humanoid robot Ai-Da paints portrait of UK’s King Charles