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Ai2 claims breakthrough in training robots entirely in simulation

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The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2) says it has achieved a milestone in robotics by demonstrating that robots trained entirely in simulation can perform tasks in the real world without additional training or real-world demonstrations.

The result challenges a long-held assumption in robotics that systems trained in virtual environments must still be fine-tuned with physical robot data before they can operate reliably in real environments.

According to Ai2, its researchers showed that sufficiently large and diverse simulated training environments can produce robot control models capable of transferring directly to real machines – a concept known as “zero-shot sim-to-real transfer”. [Read more…] about Ai2 claims breakthrough in training robots entirely in simulation

WellSpan Health unveils ‘first-of-its-kind full-service robotic kitchen’

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WellSpan Health has launched its Fresh Take Eatery, a brand-new robotic dining system at WellSpan York Hospital. The AI-powered kitchen expands access to hot, healthy food choices for patients and team members at WellSpan York Hospital, offering 24/7, on-demand food service and ensuring fresh meal availability regardless of time of day.

Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, president and CEO, WellSpan Health, says: “At WellSpan, our commitment to adopting new innovative approaches stretches beyond clinical care to benefit our visitor and team member experience. The launch of Fresh Take Eatery exemplifies our human-centered approach to solving operational challenges.

“As early adopters of technology to support the strategy of exceptional health care and personalized service, WellSpan is leading the way and living the legacy of innovation embedded in our community’s DNA, making this launch a natural evolution of our region’s technological heritage.” [Read more…] about WellSpan Health unveils ‘first-of-its-kind full-service robotic kitchen’

Neura Robotics and TUM launch €17 million RoboGym to train humanoid robots for physical AI

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Neura Robotics, in collaboration with the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is launching Europe’s largest training center for Physical AI: the TUM RoboGym (powered by Neura).

The partners are starting with 2,300 m², with plans to expand the space in the near future. Located at the TUM Convergence Center at Munich Airport, a large fleet of humanoid robots will begin training under real-world conditions from mid-2026 onward, marking a major milestone for scaling intelligent machines and strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.

Professor Lorenzo Masia, director of the TUM RoboGym and executive director of TUM MIRMI, says: “European sovereignty is extremely important in times of geopolitical competition between East and West. [Read more…] about Neura Robotics and TUM launch €17 million RoboGym to train humanoid robots for physical AI

MIT CTL and Mecalux develop an AI-based simulator to optimise inventory across warehouses

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation & Logistics and Mecalux have developed an artificial intelligence-based simulator capable of optimising inventory distribution across different warehouses within the same logistics network.

The platform, called Genetic Evaluation & Simulation for Inventory Strategy (Genesis), uses advanced machine learning models to analyse thousands of possible scenarios and determine the optimal stock level at each warehouse and when replenishment should occur.

The AI-based simulator takes into account variables such as forecast demand in each region, transport costs and the operational capacity of each warehouse to test various inventory replenishment policies without affecting real-world operations. [Read more…] about MIT CTL and Mecalux develop an AI-based simulator to optimise inventory across warehouses

Torc Robotics joins Virginia workforce initiative to train technicians for autonomous trucking industry

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Torc Robotics, a pioneer in commercializing self-driving class 8 trucks, has announced its participation in a newly awarded GO Virginia Region 2 planning grant led by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI)’s Dock to Door Coalition (D2D).

The one-year grant will support planning efforts to align university and community college curriculum with evolving workforce needs across the autonomous vehicle manufacturing ecosystem.

The initiative is designed to lay the groundwork for the future D2D Pathways Program, which would streamline training programs across Virginia to prepare students and mid-career professionals for in-demand roles – including inspection and safety-critical positions supporting autonomous commercial motor vehicles. [Read more…] about Torc Robotics joins Virginia workforce initiative to train technicians for autonomous trucking industry

Niantic Spatial partners with Coco Robotics to ‘accelerate the future of autonomous delivery’

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Niantic Spatial has agreed a strategic partnership with autonomous delivery company Coco Robotics. Niantic Spatial will be a core infrastructure partner for Coco, deploying spatial AI and its Visual Positioning System (VPS) to further enhance the company’s advanced robot delivery fleet.

For Coco, the partnership will build on the “great progress” already made in autonomy and safety by setting a new standard for navigation precision in dynamic and complex urban environments.

In return, Niantic Spatial showcases the role of geospatial AI and its Large Geospatial Model as critical infrastructure for robots navigating the real world. [Read more…] about Niantic Spatial partners with Coco Robotics to ‘accelerate the future of autonomous delivery’

Hewlett-Packard expands automation strategy with mobile robots developed with MoviĜo Robotics

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HP Indigo has expanded its automation portfolio by introducing automated mobile robots (AMRs) developed in collaboration with Dutch robotics company MoviĜo Robotics.

The announcement was made at the Dscoop Edge Rockies conference in Denver, where HP showcased new automation technologies designed to support its vision of “Nonstop Digital Printing” – a production environment where presses, workflows and material handling operate continuously with minimal manual intervention.

HP Indigo is the digital printing division of HP’s Industrial Print business, supplying presses widely used in commercial printing, labels and packaging. Under the expanded collaboration, HP will sell and support the AMR systems directly, marking the first time the company has incorporated robotic material-handling technology into its own product portfolio. [Read more…] about Hewlett-Packard expands automation strategy with mobile robots developed with MoviĜo Robotics

Dexory opens 50,000 sq ft Nashville HQ as North American customer base expands

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Dexory, the warehouse intelligence company behind DexoryView, has opened its US headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. The 50,000 square foot facility in West Nashville will operate as the company’s North American dedicated deployment base, development center and live demo environment.

The opening marks the most recent milestone in a sustained period of North American growth for the business. Since establishing its initial US presence, Dexory has closed Series B and Series C funding rounds, launched its next-generation autonomous robot and strengthened its US executive team.

Dexory says the results speak for themselves: a customer base that now includes GXO, Maersk, DHL, NFI, ODW Logistics, Flexport, Iron Mountain, Stellantis and GE Appliances among many others. All leveraging DexoryView for continuous, real-time visibility across their warehouse operations. [Read more…] about Dexory opens 50,000 sq ft Nashville HQ as North American customer base expands

Workr to demonstrate $25-per-hour robotics-as-a-service system for factory automation at Nvidia GTC

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Innovative, California-based, AI robotics startup Workr will give an interactive live-demo of one of its commercial deployments with Fireclay Tile, where it has automated strenuous, repetitive saw work at the California-based ceramics manufacturer.

Workr provides a plug-and-produce workforce, making robotics accessible to the 90 percent of US manufacturing currently unautomated due to the prohibitive cost and complexity of traditional robotics.

Since its deployment at Fireclay Tile, Workr has significantly increased throughput by automating complex, high-mix production tasks, like tile picking and wet-saw loading. [Read more…] about Workr to demonstrate $25-per-hour robotics-as-a-service system for factory automation at Nvidia GTC

ASI Robots acquires Scythe Robotics to expand autonomous equipment across landscaping, construction, and agriculture

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Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) – or ASI Robots as it’s also known – has acquired Scythe Robotics, the Colorado-based developer of advanced, commercial-grade autonomous solutions for the landscape industry. 

The deal brings Scythe’s industry-leading onboard intelligence and proprietary computer vision system, Scythe Sight, to ASI’s established product offerings in industrial environments, like construction and agriculture, while further bolstering Scythe’s rapidly growing deployments of M.52, its all-electric, autonomous commercial mower.

Jack Morrison, Scythe’s cofounder and CEO, says: “With complementary values and missions, both Scythe and ASI build autonomy that shows up every day, in the real world, and delivers labor leverage for customers who can’t afford downtime. [Read more…] about ASI Robots acquires Scythe Robotics to expand autonomous equipment across landscaping, construction, and agriculture