Robotics & Automation News

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Humanoids

Mobileye to acquire Mentee Robotics in $900m deal to expand physical AI ambitions

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Mobileye has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mentee Robotics, an AI-first humanoid robotics startup, in a transaction valued at $900 million, as the company moves to broaden its focus beyond autonomous driving into what it describes as “physical artificial intelligence”.

Under the terms of the deal, the consideration will comprise approximately $612 million in cash and up to 26.2 million shares of Mobileye Class A common stock, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending customary conditions.

Mobileye said the acquisition brings together its autonomy stack and automotive-grade production experience with Mentee’s vertically integrated humanoid robot platform and AI talent. [Read more…] about Mobileye to acquire Mentee Robotics in $900m deal to expand physical AI ambitions

Schaeffler unveils innovative planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots

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For the first time, Schaeffler is presenting a planetary gear actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots at a leading global trade fair.

Actuators transmit torque with high precision and minimal compliance and are essential for enabling humanoid robots to move accurately and efficiently. On average, 25 to 30 actuators are required in total for joints such as the shoulders, knees, and hips.

While conventional actuators often offer limited or no back-drive-ability – that is, the ability to move the drive in reverse – Schaeffler’s planetary gear actuator enables smooth back-driving and high precision thanks to its innovative design. [Read more…] about Schaeffler unveils innovative planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots

DEEP Robotics says its DR02 humanoid robot achieves all-weather stability and improved dynamic motion

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DEEP Robotics has unveiled new performance claims for its DR02 humanoid robot, positioning the system as an all-weather platform capable of operating reliably beyond laboratory environments.

According to the company, the DR02 is designed to address two longstanding challenges in humanoid robotics: limited environmental adaptability and rigid, unnatural movement.

The robot features IP66-rated waterproof and dustproof protection and incorporates updates in motion control intended to improve stability, coordination, and smoothness during dynamic tasks. [Read more…] about DEEP Robotics says its DR02 humanoid robot achieves all-weather stability and improved dynamic motion

Humanoid robot maker Galbot raises $300 million and reaches $3 billion valuation

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Galbot has completed a new funding round exceeding $300 million, bringing the company’s total funding to $800 million. This round once again sets new records for both the largest single-round financing and cumulative financing in the embodied AI sector, further cementing Galbot’s prominence in the rapidly evolving field of embodied AI and humanoid robotics.

The financing round attracted significant investors from China, Singapore, and the Middle East, underscoring global confidence in Galbot’s cutting-edge technology. With this investment, the company’s valuation has reached $3 billion, reflecting its strong market position and the continued faith in its growth prospects. [Read more…] about Humanoid robot maker Galbot raises $300 million and reaches $3 billion valuation

Mercado Libre and Agility Robotics partner to implement humanoid robots

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Mercado Libre, a commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America, has announced a commercial agreement with Agility Robotics, creator of the humanoid robot Digit.

Mercado Libre and Agility Robotics announce a commercial agreement to deploy Agility’s humanoid robot, Digit, into fulfillment operations in Texas with future expansion capabilities for Latin America.

This partnership will integrate Agility Robotics’ revolutionary Digit humanoid robot into Mercado Libre’s facility in San Antonio, Texas. [Read more…] about Mercado Libre and Agility Robotics partner to implement humanoid robots

China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

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A new intelligence report forecasts a rapid acceleration in the global market for humanoid robots, driven by population decline, advances in artificial intelligence, and intensifying geopolitical competition.

The study – The Future of Humanoid Robots from Recorded Future’s Insikt Group – argues that humanoid robots are shifting from “speculative to attainable” as technological capabilities mature and labour pressures deepen.

The report finds that global demographic trends are now a primary driver of demand. “Global population decline is accelerating the demand for humanoid robots designed to operate within human environments and offset growing labor shortages across industries,” the authors write. [Read more…] about China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

Agibot rolls out its 5,000th mass-produced humanoid robot

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Agibot, a leading robotics company specializing in embodied intelligence, has announced the official roll-out of its 5,000th mass-produced humanoid robot at its factory.

This milestone represents a step forward in Agibot’s ongoing efforts to improve the mass production and practical use of embodied robotics.

Zhihui Peng, Agibot co-founder, president and CTO, says: “We are grateful to reach this milestone after years of steady effort in tackling core challenges in embodied robotics. Through ongoing improvements, we have enhanced the stability, reliability, and durability of our systems. [Read more…] about Agibot rolls out its 5,000th mass-produced humanoid robot

IIT’s largest-ever spinoff Generative Bionics raises €70 million with support from Tether Investments

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Tether Investments has invested in Generative Bionics, the largest spinoff in the history of IIT (the Italian Institute of Technology) and one of the largest research spinoffs in Europe, to support the development of a new generation of intelligent humanoid robots built for industrial scale performance, human-centric interaction and advanced artificial intelligence.

This investment is made alongside other leading investors as a part of a €70 million funding round and reflects Tether’s strategy to expand its footprint and investments into technologies that strengthen global digital and physical infrastructure and augment human potential.

Generative Bionics leverages two decades of robotics research conducted at the Italian Institute of Technology, where more than 60 advanced humanoid robot prototypes have been designed, tested and refined successfully and provided as testing platforms to robotics research centers worldwide. [Read more…] about IIT’s largest-ever spinoff Generative Bionics raises €70 million with support from Tether Investments

AILOS Robotics raises €3.5m to industrialize high-torque lightweight gearboxes for next-generation humanoids and cobots

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AILOS Robotics has raised €3.5 million to industrialize a new class of robotic gearboxes that combine the agility of quasi-direct drives with a far higher torque density.

This breakthrough enables robots that are lighter, safer, more affordable, and more energy-efficient, says the company.

The seed round is led by QBIC and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from Wallonie Entreprendre and finance&invest.brussels, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to developing local, strategic component supply for the rapidly growing humanoid and collaborative robotics markets.

“Modern robots demand a new category of actuation,” said Pablo López García, CEO and co-founder of AILOS Robotics. “We combine quasi-direct drive-like backdrivability with the high torque density of advanced gearing, finally removing one of the main barriers to agile, lightweight, and safe robots that can operate alongside humans.” [Read more…] about AILOS Robotics raises €3.5m to industrialize high-torque lightweight gearboxes for next-generation humanoids and cobots

Former Figure AI engineer claims company’s humanoid robots ‘powerful enough to fracture human skull’

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A former safety engineer at Figure AI, Robert Gruendel, has filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit alleging he was dismissed after warning company leadership in September 2025 that its humanoid robots were “powerful enough to fracture a human skull”, according to a report on VnExpress. 

According to the suit filed on November 21 in a US federal court in California, internal “impact testing” on the company’s robot model F.02 generated forces reportedly more than double those required to break an adult skull.

As evidence of danger, the complaint cites an incident in which a robot allegedly malfunctioned and left a three-quarter-inch deep gash in a stainless-steel refrigerator door, according to reporting by Futurism. [Read more…] about Former Figure AI engineer claims company’s humanoid robots ‘powerful enough to fracture human skull’