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Partner Robotics raises $14 million funding to develop its construction robotics business

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Partner Robotics has raised $14 million in a Series A funding round led by China Growth Capital, with participation from existing investors Cowin Capital and Redpoint China Ventures.

Index Capital served as the financial advisor. Including its angel round completed at the end of 2024, the company has raised about RMB 100 million ($14 million) to date.

Founded in 2023 by Kecheng Wang, former CEO of Bright Dream Robotics, Partner Robotics is built by a team with years of experience in construction robotics and international expansion. [Read more…] about Partner Robotics raises $14 million funding to develop its construction robotics business

CNH’s New Holland unit unveils robot for ‘specialty crop farming’

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New Holland, a business unit of CNH Industrial which specializes in crops and alternative energy solutions, is previewing an advanced concept at the ongoing Agritechnica trade show.

The new R4 robot series is designed to help vineyard, orchard and specialty crop growers overcome sector challenges, including labour shortages and demands for more environmentally-friendly food production.

Thierry Le Briquer, global manager for grape, olive and coffee at New Holland, says: “High-value crops have huge market potential, but growers face production challenges including skilled labour shortages for highly repetitive work during seasonal peaks. [Read more…] about CNH’s New Holland unit unveils robot for ‘specialty crop farming’

Carnegie Mellon engineer reimagines Interstellar’s TARS robot for Moon and Mars exploration

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A young roboticist’s late-night experiment has evolved into one of the year’s most original “humanoid” (if it can be called that) concepts – a robot that looks more like a collapsing sculpture than a machine, yet somehow walks, rolls, and balances across multiple terrains.

Aditya Sripada, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute and a senior robotics engineer at Nimble.ai, has developed TARS3D, a small modular robot inspired by NASA’s fictional assistant from Interstellar.

The project, which he describes as “a desire to reconnect with the simple joy of building robots”, has now earned global recognition, being named a finalist for the Mike Stilman Award at the 24th IEEE RAS Humanoids Conference in Seoul – one of the most prestigious events in humanoid research. [Read more…] about Carnegie Mellon engineer reimagines Interstellar’s TARS robot for Moon and Mars exploration

Comau strengthens partnership with Foton Daimler to boost advanced truck manufacturing

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Comau has reinforced its longstanding collaboration with Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA) by developing and delivering a state-of-the-art, fully automated body-in-white solution to support BFDA’s new A6 platform.

The production line, designed for Foton Daimler’s premium heavy-duty trucks, reflects Comau’s commitment to helping its customers achieve modular production, reduced time-to-market, and greater manufacturing flexibility.

With a focus on productivity, achieved through flexible and adaptable operations, Comau’s solution spans the complete body-in-white welding process. From floor and side bodies to roofs and doors, the highly automated system manages complex configurations with ease. [Read more…] about Comau strengthens partnership with Foton Daimler to boost advanced truck manufacturing

BTRY raises $5.7 million to industrialize ultra-thin solid-state cells

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Swiss battery start-up BTRY has raised $5.7 million in an oversubscribed seed round.

The funds will accelerate the industrialization of its ultra-thin solid-state batteries – a new category of energy storage combining fast charging, extreme temperature stability, and intrinsic safety in one of the world’s thinnest formats.

They power next-generation devices such as connected labels, wireless sensors, and wearables – applications where conventional batteries could not fit or endure. [Read more…] about BTRY raises $5.7 million to industrialize ultra-thin solid-state cells

Beep set to launch two joint autonomous vehicle deployments

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Beep, a developer of multi-passenger, autonomous vehicle solutions in the US through the company’s AutonomOS AV mobility platform, has announced two joint – or “shared” – autonomous vehicle deployments that will leverage production-grade, state-of-the-art Karsan Autonomous e-JEST vehicles facilitated through its official distributor Damera, unveiled earlier this month, and enabled by Beep’s previously announced alliance agreement with ADASTEC.

The combination of ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform with an advanced sensor suite, Beep’s remote management and orchestration, and Karsan’s reliable Autonomous e-JEST model, will ensure safe and dependable operations in mixed traffic and challenging weather conditions, while also enhancing multimodal connectivity.

Attendees at the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit will be able to experience the new vehicle platform in live demonstrations ahead of the deployments in Atlanta and Altamonte Springs. The FAV Summit takes place in Orlando, Florida from November 5-7, 2025. [Read more…] about Beep set to launch two joint autonomous vehicle deployments

Xpeng presents ‘Iron’ humanoid robot at automaker’s AI Day

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XPeng has showcased the latest version of its humanoid robot, known as “Iron”, during its 2025 AI Day event in China, signalling the company’s growing ambition beyond electric vehicles and into advanced robotics.

CnEVPost, a China-based website covering the country’s electric vehicle and technology industries, first reported XPeng’s live demonstration and claims made during the presentation.

XPeng describes Iron as a key part of its long-term “AI mobility” strategy, which spans vehicles, flying cars, and humanoid robots.

According to the company’s own press materials, Iron has been under development for more than five years, progressing through multiple generations and real-world training cycles. [Read more…] about Xpeng presents ‘Iron’ humanoid robot at automaker’s AI Day

Adaptronics raises €3.15 million to ‘revolutionize robotic manipulation’

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Adaptronics, a deep tech startup specializing in electro-adhesive grippers for robotic systems with industrial automation and space applications, announces the closing of a €3.15 million round.

The round was led by European venture capital fund, 360 Capital, alongside Galaxia, the Technology Transfer Hub for Aerospace, created by CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer fund together with Obloo Ventures, which had already invested in the pre-seed round in 2023.

The funds raised will support Adaptronics’ growth by strengthening its production capacities, accelerating European market expansion, and consolidating its organizational structure. [Read more…] about Adaptronics raises €3.15 million to ‘revolutionize robotic manipulation’

Mimic Robotics raises $16 million to deploy ‘frontier physical AI’ across industries

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Mimic Robotics, a Zurich-based startup which prefers lower-case m, has raised $16 million in funding led by Elaia, alongside Speedinvest, to deploy its “frontier physical AI” across industries, enabling robots to handle complex, dexterous tasks that conventional machines cannot.

This heavily oversubscribed seed round also included participation from Founderful, 1st kind, 10X Founders, 2100 Ventures and Sequoia Scout Fund, bringing mimic’s total funding to over $20 million.

The new capital will accelerate the development of mimic’s foundation AI model and humanoid robotic hands, and advance deployments with leading global industry players. [Read more…] about Mimic Robotics raises $16 million to deploy ‘frontier physical AI’ across industries

Kodiak AI and ZF partner on steering technology for 100 Kodiak-powered driverless trucks

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Kodiak AI, a provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, has expanded its long-standing partnership with ZF, a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and industrial technology.

This expanded partnership includes the purchase of 100 steering systems with redundant components, enabling Kodiak to grow its trucking business. Kodiak began integrating these redundant steering components into Kodiak Driver-equipped trucks earlier in 2025.

Praful Bari, head of application engineering, commercial vehicle solutions, ZF, says: “At ZF, our goal is to offer innovative solutions designed to enhance the autonomous vehicle industry by incorporating redundant components and moving towards fail-safe steering systems, enhancing safety, precision, and AI-driven functionality. [Read more…] about Kodiak AI and ZF partner on steering technology for 100 Kodiak-powered driverless trucks