Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Robotics and Automation News

Lightwheel reports $100 million in Q1 orders for physical AI robotics infrastructure

by

Lightwheel says it secured approximately $100 million in orders during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting what the company describes as a broader industry shift from robotics experimentation toward real-world deployment infrastructure.

Lightwheel is a robotics infrastructure company that develops simulation, synthetic data, evaluation, and deployment systems for training and scaling physical AI robots in real-world environments.

The company says the orders span simulation, synthetic data generation, evaluation systems, and deployment-oriented robotics infrastructure designed to support physical AI applications at industrial scale.

According to Lightwheel, the demand is being driven not simply by interest in robotics hardware or AI models, but by the growing need for systems capable of training, validating, and deploying robots reliably in real operating environments. [Read more…] about Lightwheel reports $100 million in Q1 orders for physical AI robotics infrastructure

GMEX Robotics receives first order for Bon Vivant 3.0 automated cooking machines worth almost $3 million

by

GMEX Robotics, a developer of AI-powered robotic technologies, has announced it has received its first deployment order under its previously disclosed A$4.2 million (approximately $2.7 million) agreement with a leading Australian hospitality food and beverage group.

The initial purchase order includes multiple Bon Vivant 3.0 automated cooking systems, representing approximately A$504,000 in value. Delivery of the systems is expected to be completed prior to June 30, 2026.

The order represents the first phase of execution under the purchase agreement announced on March 23, 2026, which provides for the planned deployment of at least 50 intelligent kitchen robotics systems, including Bon Vivant 3.0 and Max models, across the customer’s network of hospitality venues throughout Australia. [Read more…] about GMEX Robotics receives first order for Bon Vivant 3.0 automated cooking machines worth almost $3 million

PAL Robotics unveils new robotic arm platform for advanced AI-driven manipulation

by

PAL Robotics has announced a new robotic arm platform aimed at researchers, developers, and robotics engineers working on advanced manipulation applications.

The Barcelona-based robotics company, known for platforms including TIAGo Pro and Kangaroo, said the new system has been designed to make robotic manipulation more accessible, flexible, and easier to deploy across both research and real-world operational environments.

The company plans to officially unveil the platform at ICRA 2026 in Vienna, where it will reveal the robot’s name, full specifications, and live demonstrations. [Read more…] about PAL Robotics unveils new robotic arm platform for advanced AI-driven manipulation

igus showcases humanoid robots and AGVs through RBTX marketplace

by

RBTX, the robotics marketplace operated by igus, used this year’s Hannover Messe 2026 to highlight what it described as the world’s widest range of humanoid robots available through a single robotics platform, alongside a growing portfolio of autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Presented during igus’ annual corporate press conference at the event, the company positioned RBTX as a platform designed to simplify access to industrial automation by allowing manufacturers to explore, compare, test, and deploy robotics systems tailored to their operational requirements.

The marketplace combines humanoid robots, collaborative systems, and mobile automation technologies within a unified platform aimed at reducing the complexity traditionally associated with robotics integration. [Read more…] about igus showcases humanoid robots and AGVs through RBTX marketplace

Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

by

When robotic cells must handle a range of variable products within the same machine, mixed-product environments often require repeated programming, application-specific integration, and expensive 3D camera setups. These demands can slow deployment, increase integration cost, and make it difficult to scale automation across operations.

To address these challenges, Festo introduces GripperAI, a universal AI-based software that enables robots to handle a range of items without custom programming. The software operates locally at the cell on a standard industrial PC with a connected 3D camera and automatically adjusts for mixed products without programming or template loading between SKUs.

Deploying GripperAI involves standard integration steps: mounting and aligning the camera, verifying usable lighting, calibrating the robot base to the camera’s frame, and configuring the software’s pick parameters. [Read more…] about Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities

by

Autonomous mobile robot developer Seegrid says its fleet has surpassed 20 million autonomous miles driven across customer production environments, marking a major milestone for the company’s operations in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

The company says the total distance travelled by its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is equivalent to circling the Earth more than 800 times, with all miles logged inside active industrial facilities rather than controlled test environments.

Seegrid’s systems are deployed in large-scale production operations, including automotive manufacturing plants and warehouse environments operating around the clock. [Read more…] about Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities

Exotec partners with Musinsa to power new automated warehouse for fast-growing K-fashion business

by

Exotec, a global provider of warehouse robotics solutions, has announced a partnership with leading South Korean fashion brand, Musinsa.

This collaboration marks Exotec’s first customer deployment in the Korean market and represents an important milestone in the company’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. The project will support Musinsa’s continued international growth as global demand for K-fashion continues to rise.

Musinsa is an e-commerce platform and physical retail destination supporting independent Korean labels and luxury brands. Its logistics operations manage hundreds of thousands of SKUs, with inventory levels fluctuating significantly due to seasonal product launches and high-volume sales events. [Read more…] about Exotec partners with Musinsa to power new automated warehouse for fast-growing K-fashion business

Comau partners with Omron to accelerate advanced industrial automation across high-growth manufacturing

by

Comau and Omron Robotics have signed a strategic collaboration agreement aimed at accelerating the adoption and deployment of advanced industrial automation solutions for manufacturers worldwide.

The collaboration will focus on high-growth sectors including electronics, semiconductors, medical manufacturing and light industrial intralogistics – markets that continue to see strong demand for flexible, easily deployable automation.

The partnership responds to rising customer needs for scalable and adaptable automation solutions that integrate seamlessly into both existing production lines and next-generation manufacturing environments. [Read more…] about Comau partners with Omron to accelerate advanced industrial automation across high-growth manufacturing

Kodiak and Roehl Transport begin autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston

by

Kodiak AI, a provider of physical AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, has announced it is autonomously hauling freight with Roehl Transport, one of America’s leading truckload carriers.

Starting last month, trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s autonomous system, began hauling freight between Dallas and Houston four times roundtrip per week for Roehl Transport.

Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, says: “Working with Roehl Transport reflects a shared commitment to safety in trucking. [Read more…] about Kodiak and Roehl Transport begin autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston

Opinion: Autonomy is reshaping logistics, but its real value lies in better decision-making

by

By Marcus Schunemann, head of autonomy at Dexory

Warehouses are under growing pressure to do more with less. Labour shortages, rising operating costs and continued supply chain disruption are forcing logistics operators to rethink how goods are stored, tracked and moved.

UK Warehousing Association research shows that recruitment difficulty remains widespread in warehousing, with only 13 percent of employers reporting no difficulty hiring staff and more than half expecting critical skills shortages, indicating a persistent labour gap across the sector.

At the same time, the push towards automation is accelerating. According to McKinsey, warehouse automation adoption is growing at more than 10 percent annually, driven by the need to improve efficiency, resilience and cost control. [Read more…] about Opinion: Autonomy is reshaping logistics, but its real value lies in better decision-making