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Piaggio Fast Forward launches Grogu-inspired cargo robot with autonomous following technology

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Piaggio Fast Forward has launched a new Star Wars-inspired version of its cargo-carrying robot, combining autonomous following technology with the distinctive design of Grogu’s floating pram from the Star Wars universe.

The new Grogu gitamini robot, developed in collaboration with Disney and Disney Consumer Products, is based on the company’s existing gitamini personal cargo robot platform but redesigned to resemble the transport pod used by the popular Star Wars character.

The launch comes as interest builds around the upcoming film Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, with the robot forming part of Disney’s broader “Star Wars Most Wanted” merchandise campaign for 2026. [Read more…] about Piaggio Fast Forward launches Grogu-inspired cargo robot with autonomous following technology

Flytrex drones can now deliver two large Little Caesars pizzas to your door

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Flytrex, a provider of on-demand drone food delivery, and Little Caesars, one of the largest Pizza chains in the world, are partnering to expand drone delivery with a new drone capable of delivering dinner for an entire family.

Powered by Flytrex’s new Sky2 drone, customers can now receive two large pizzas and sodas in a single drone delivery, a first for on-demand food delivery by air.

Flytrex’s new Sky2 drone makes the partnership possible by carrying up to 8.8 pounds, the largest carrying capacity of any food delivery drone available today. [Read more…] about Flytrex drones can now deliver two large Little Caesars pizzas to your door

Horse Powertrain installs Siemens AI inspection system to automate engine quality checks

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Horse Powertrain, an innovator of low-emission powertrain systems, has deployed the Siemens Inspekto Visual Inspection system at its Skövde engine production plant through its Aurobay Technologies division.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the system automates quality checks at the engine inspection station, replacing a process previously performed by hand.

Engines arrive at the AI-powered inspection station via automated guided vehicles. A vision camera mounted on a collaborative robot performs defect analysis in a few seconds, storing all images to support traceable, searchable records across the production line. [Read more…] about Horse Powertrain installs Siemens AI inspection system to automate engine quality checks

Smart Robotics raises €10 million to expand AI-driven warehouse robotics across Europe

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Dutch warehouse robotics company Smart Robotics has raised €10 million in Series A funding as it looks to expand its AI-driven robotic picking technology across Europe and strengthen its position in the fast-growing warehouse automation market.

The funding round was led by Rotterdamse Havendraken, with participation from Innovation Industries and Dutch family office Ernij Next.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Best, the Netherlands, Smart Robotics develops AI-based robotic pick-and-place systems for intralogistics operations. The company says it has deployed more than 120 systems across 15 countries and five industries, executing more than one billion successful robotic picks in live warehouse environments. [Read more…] about Smart Robotics raises €10 million to expand AI-driven warehouse robotics across Europe

Bot Auto completes driverless commercial truck delivery between Houston and Dallas

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Autonomous trucking company Bot Auto says it has completed what it describes as the first fully humanless commercial over-the-road truckload delivery in the United States, moving freight between Houston and Dallas without a driver, in-cab observer, or remote operator controlling the vehicle.

The Houston-based company said the autonomous truck completed a 230-mile overnight route from Riggy’s Truck Parking in northeast Houston to Safe Stop in Hutchins, south of Dallas, delivering a commercial shipment booked through logistics provider Ryan Transportation.

According to Bot Auto, the run was conducted without a safety driver onboard and without “low-latency remote human feedback”, which the company says differentiates the operation from earlier autonomous trucking demonstrations and pilot programs. [Read more…] about Bot Auto completes driverless commercial truck delivery between Houston and Dallas

Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

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Humanoid, a UK-based AI and robotics company, has signed a binding, phased deployment and supply agreement with Schaeffler, a leading motion technology company, to integrate humanoid robots directly into live manufacturing operations.

The first systems go live in Germany before the end of 2026. Humanoid will also purchase actuators from Schaeffler as a preferred supplier.

The agreement is one of the largest disclosed humanoid robot rollouts ever announced and positions Humanoid, founded by Artem Sokolov in 2024, among the youngest companies to secure a large-scale contract at this level. It targets deployment of a four-digit number of wheeled units across Schaeffler’s global facilities by 2032. [Read more…] about Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

Automated Tire emerges from stealth with robotic SmartBay tire service system

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Automated Tire, Inc. (ATI), a physical AI and robotics company modernizing the traditional automotive service bay, has announced its emergence from stealth and unveiled SmartBay, its industry-first, AI-powered robotic platform designed to execute automotive services, starting with tire changes, wheel balancing, and vehicle inspections.

With the SmartBay platform, automotive dealerships and tire and service centers can shift from inconsistent technician-driven processes to a technology-first system that understands, adapts and executes complex physical tasks in real time.

SmartBay uses advanced robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to generate the proper execution for each vehicle with precision, rather than relying on pre-programmed routines, which require manual intervention for outliers and real-world variables. [Read more…] about Automated Tire emerges from stealth with robotic SmartBay tire service system

Dürr launches new robots with optimized arm geometry for painting tasks

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With the EcoRP4, Dürr is introducing a new generation of robots used to paint car bodies. The compact painting robot features an asymmetric architecture that improves access to the body for the applicator, enabling it to reliably reach even hard-to-access interior areas.

Its reduced number of components also lowers maintenance requirements and operational costs, especially benefiting car manufacturers with high production volumes.

Since 1998, Dürr has shipped almost 20,000 painting robots from the Ecopaint robotic family worldwide. The latest addition to the family, the EcoRP4, has been developed as the successor to the six-axis EcoRP E/L x33iC robot, and is specifically designed for painting lines that handle high volumes and standardised applications. [Read more…] about Dürr launches new robots with optimized arm geometry for painting tasks

SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

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SAP, the global leader in enterprise application software, and Cyberwave, an AI robotics software company, has announced the successful deployment of fully autonomous, AI-powered robots in an active SAP logistics warehouse.

Building on SAP’s strategic expansion of Physical AI capabilities announced last year, this initiative marks a major milestone: SAP is now operationalizing advanced robotics within its own facilities. [Read more…] about SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

Dutch startup develops AI sorting system to recover batteries from household waste

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A Dutch recycling automation startup says it has developed a new AI-powered sorting system capable of removing discarded batteries from municipal waste streams at industrial scale – addressing a problem that recycling facilities have struggled with for decades.

The company, inSystem.io, says its new “Gravity Sorter” can remove up to 50 batteries per second from mixed waste streams while achieving purity rates above 96 percent during recent facility trials.

The announcement highlights a growing problem for recycling operators worldwide. Despite widespread public awareness around battery recycling, large numbers of portable batteries continue to end up in household rubbish. [Read more…] about Dutch startup develops AI sorting system to recover batteries from household waste