Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

News

Boston Dynamics integrates Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics model into Spot inspection platform

by

Boston Dynamics has partnered with Google Cloud and Google DeepMind to integrate advanced artificial intelligence models into its industrial inspection platform, in a move the company says will significantly expand the capabilities of autonomous robots in real-world environments.

The collaboration brings Google’s Gemini and Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 into Boston Dynamics’ Orbit software, specifically its AI Visual Inspection (AIVI) and AIVI-Learning systems, which analyze images captured by the company’s Spot robot.

According to Boston Dynamics, the integration is designed to enable robots to move beyond basic detection tasks and instead perform more complex reasoning about their surroundings. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics integrates Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics model into Spot inspection platform

Kuka outlines ‘Automation 2.0’ strategy, combining AI software with industrial robotics

by

Industrial robot maker Kuka has outlined a new technology direction it calls “Automation 2.0”, centered on integrating artificial intelligence with industrial automation systems to enable more adaptive, autonomous operations.

The strategy, presented at the recent Nvidia GTC event, reflects a broader industry shift toward what is increasingly described as “physical AI” – systems that can perceive, decide, and act in real-world environments rather than simply execute pre-programmed tasks. [Read more…] about Kuka outlines ‘Automation 2.0’ strategy, combining AI software with industrial robotics

Chinese automaker Chery begins selling humanoid robot to consumers for $42,000 each

by

Chinese automaker Chery has begun selling its self-developed humanoid robot to consumers, marking a notable – and somewhat unexpected – step toward the commercialization of embodied AI systems.

According to a report by CNEVPost, Chery’s robotics brand Aimoga has “officially started selling its latest robot products to ordinary consumers,” with its humanoid model priced at 285,800 yuan (approximately $41,830).

The company has launched online sales through its flagship store on JD.com, allowing consumers to “directly purchase these robots, which are capable of autonomous task execution”. [Read more…] about Chinese automaker Chery begins selling humanoid robot to consumers for $42,000 each

Taiwan launches national robotics center with $629 million startup funding plan

by

Taiwan has launched a new national robotics center alongside a $629 million funding initiative aimed at accelerating the creation of domestic robotics companies, as the island seeks to strengthen its position in the global automation race.

According to a report by Cryptopolitan, Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te formally inaugurated the National Center for AI Robotics (NCAIR), part of a broader “Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan” designed to expand the country’s artificial intelligence capabilities.

The new center will operate under the National Institutes of Applied Research and is tasked with supporting the development, testing, and training of robotics technologies and talent. [Read more…] about Taiwan launches national robotics center with $629 million startup funding plan

Hai Robotics opens EMEA Innovation Center in the Netherlands

by

Hai Robotics has officially opened its EMEA Innovation Center in Hoofddorp, marking a further step in strengthening its presence in the European market and supporting the adoption of flexible warehouse automation solutions.

Located at Airborne Ave 81 in Hoofddorp, the Innovation Center reflects Hai Robotics’ continued investment in the EMEA region – not only in technology, but also in local expertise and long-term customer support.

The new facility has been designed as a structured environment where the full portfolio of HaiPick Systems, including the company’s latest upgraded HaiPick Climb system, can be assessed under real operating conditions. [Read more…] about Hai Robotics opens EMEA Innovation Center in the Netherlands

Generalist AI unveils GEN-1 model, claiming breakthrough in real-world robotic task performance

by

Generalist AI has introduced a new robotics model, GEN-1, which the company says marks a significant step toward general-purpose artificial intelligence for physical tasks.

The model is designed as an “embodied foundation model” – a type of AI system that can perceive, reason and act in the physical world – and is trained on large-scale datasets of real-world interactions rather than narrow, task-specific programming.

According to the company, GEN-1 achieves “99 percent success rates” on certain tasks, compared with around 64 percent for its previous-generation system, while completing tasks up to three times faster. The system is also described as highly data-efficient, requiring roughly one hour of robot-specific data to adapt to new tasks. [Read more…] about Generalist AI unveils GEN-1 model, claiming breakthrough in real-world robotic task performance

CorTec receives FDA ‘breakthrough’ designation for brain-computer interface in stroke rehabilitation

by

CorTec has received “Breakthrough Device Designation” from the US Food and Drug Administration for its Brain Interchange system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) designed to support motor recovery in stroke patients.

The designation applies to the use of direct cortical electrical stimulation to treat chronic stroke-related impairments, marking what the company describes as the first BCI globally to receive this recognition specifically for stroke motor rehabilitation.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Device program is intended for technologies that may provide more effective treatment for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions, offering developers prioritized review and closer interaction with regulators. [Read more…] about CorTec receives FDA ‘breakthrough’ designation for brain-computer interface in stroke rehabilitation

Tennant unveils new industrial sweeping machine for ‘autonomous, round-the-clock’ work

by

Tennant Company has announced the launch of the X16 Sweep, the company’s first autonomous, robotic sweeper engineered for complex industrial environments such as warehousing, logistics centers and light manufacturing operations by a major cleaning brand.

Built to meet rising expectations for industrial automation, the X16 Sweep delivers consistent, repeatable floor-cleaning coverage facilities can rely on to support dependable operations.

Earlier this year, Tennant Company established a dedicated autonomous robotics organization designed to accelerate the adoption and scaling of its robotic cleaning solutions. [Read more…] about Tennant unveils new industrial sweeping machine for ‘autonomous, round-the-clock’ work

SVT Robotics launches ‘Softbot Intelligence’ to power AI with real-time automation data

by

SVT Robotics, a developer of interoperability software, has launched its “Softbot Intelligence” platform, a new data capability that transforms how organizations see and leverage performance data across live automation environments.

Built on the Softbot Platform, Softbot Intelligence captures and contextualizes real-time execution data as it flows through integrated technologies, creating the high-fidelity data backbone required for reliable, AI-driven outcomes.

As the Softbot Platform orchestrates execution events across robotics, software, and enterprise systems, Softbot Intelligence continuously captures and correlates these events with millisecond-level precision – revealing relationships, dependencies, and cause-and-effect between technologies. [Read more…] about SVT Robotics launches ‘Softbot Intelligence’ to power AI with real-time automation data

Lyreco automates French logistics hub with Exotec Skypod robots in €25 million upgrade

by

Lyreco, a global company providing workplace products and services, has announced the completion of a modernisation programme at its logistics centre in Villaines-la-Juhel (Mayenne, northwestern France).

The Villaines-la-Juhel site is one of the group’s most strategic logistics hubs and is responsible for 60 percent of the 50,000 parcels shipped daily by Lyreco in France.

As part of the modernisation of the site, which began in 2021, Lyreco has built a new 3,000 m² facility and integrated an advanced robotic solution developed by Exotec, a French pioneer in warehouse automation. [Read more…] about Lyreco automates French logistics hub with Exotec Skypod robots in €25 million upgrade