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Hitachi to build ‘AI Factory’ based on Nvidia reference architecture

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Hitachi says it plans to establish a global “Hitachi AI Factory” based on Nvidia AI Factory reference architecture, yielding a centralized infrastructure designed to accelerate the development and deployment of physical AI solutions across Hitachi’s core business sectors.

The AI Factory is powered by Hitachi iQ with Nvidia HGX B200 systems featuring Nvidia Blackwell GPUs; Hitachi iQ M Series with Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Server Edition GPUs; and Nvidia Spectrum-X Ethernet networking platform.

This strategic initiative directly supports Hitachi’s ambition to create and deploy AI that interacts with the real world. [Read more…] about Hitachi to build ‘AI Factory’ based on Nvidia reference architecture

Franka unveils two new robot prototypes for advanced robotics research

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Franka Robotics has introduced two new research-focused prototypes designed to advance work in dual-arm manipulation, imitation learning, and mobile robotics.

The systems – the Franka Research 3 Duo and its mobile counterpart, the Mobile FR3 Duo – are aimed at providing high-performance, extensible platforms for robotics learning and experimentation.

The FR3 Duo integrates two Franka Research 3 robot arms on a single mount, creating a reference dual-arm system for control, manipulation, and imitation learning tasks. [Read more…] about Franka unveils two new robot prototypes for advanced robotics research

Interview: RealSense senior executive discusses life after Intel

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For more than a decade, Intel’s RealSense cameras have been synonymous with 3D perception – powering robots, drones, and biometric systems with the ability to sense and interpret the physical world.

Now, after spinning out from Intel, RealSense is charting its own course as an independent company focused squarely on what it calls “Physical AI”: equipping machines with vision that is not just human-like, but in many cases better than human.

At the centre of this transition is Mike Nielsen, chief marketing officer at RealSense, who is helping define the company’s identity beyond Intel’s shadow. [Read more…] about Interview: RealSense senior executive discusses life after Intel

Interview: Why Uber’s new drone delivery partnership could succeed where its earlier Uber Elevate project struggled

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The promise of drone delivery has hovered on the horizon for more than a decade, but only now is it beginning to look commercially viable.

Advances in regulation, autonomy, and cost-efficiency are transforming drones from experimental novelties into serious contenders for last-mile logistics.

At the centre of this shift is the broader field of uncrewed technology – a sector that encompasses everything from aerial drones to maritime systems and ground robots, and which is increasingly shaping how goods, data, and services move across modern economies. [Read more…] about Interview: Why Uber’s new drone delivery partnership could succeed where its earlier Uber Elevate project struggled

ABB Robotics adds generative AI assistant to RobotStudio

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ABB Robotics has enhanced its offline programming and simulation software RobotStudio Suite with the new RobotStudio AI Assistant, harnessing the power of generative Al to make robot programming faster, easier, and more accessible. 

Marc Segura, president, ABB Robotics, says: “This is the latest step in our decade-long journey to innovate and commercialize AI, extending value for our customers by enhancing robot versatility and encouraging their use beyond traditional manufacturing.

“The demand for AI in robotics is driven by the need for greater flexibility; faster commissioning cycles and a shortage of the specialist skills traditionally needed to program and operate robots. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics adds generative AI assistant to RobotStudio

Opinion: AI and robotics poised to transform scientific discovery, say global experts

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A globally connected ecosystem of autonomous laboratories could redefine how science is conducted, accelerating discovery while lowering barriers to participation, according to a new expert viewpoint published in Science Robotics, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The article titled, “Accelerating Discovery in Natural Science Laboratories with AI and Robotics: Perspectives and Challenges”, brings together leading voices from academia, industry, and government to explore how artificial intelligence, robotics, and laboratory automation can drive breakthroughs in chemistry, biology, and materials science.

With authors from Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Technical University of Munich (TUM), University of Toronto and other world-leading organizations, it highlights both the transformative potential and the technical and societal challenges of these technologies. [Read more…] about Opinion: AI and robotics poised to transform scientific discovery, say global experts

Smart Excavator Features: Sensor, AI, and Automation Upgrades in 2025 Excavator Models

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The excavator industry is entering a new era in 2025, where power and performance are no longer the only deciding factors for contractors. Sensors, artificial intelligence, and automation are transforming how machines dig, grade, and interact with their environment.

Instead of relying solely on operator skill, today’s excavators provide precision guidance, predictive maintenance, and even remote or autonomous operation.

From advanced safety systems to hybrid and electric powertrains, the latest models represent a leap toward smarter, greener, and more efficient construction. This shift is reshaping how companies approach equipment investments, productivity, and long-term fleet management. [Read more…] about Smart Excavator Features: Sensor, AI, and Automation Upgrades in 2025 Excavator Models

Last-mile delivery robots: Navigating sidewalks and urban landscapes

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An update on the progress and challenges of autonomous ground-based delivery robots

Estimates of the size of the global market for robotic and autonomous delivery vary widely, but most analysts agree that the category is growing fast from a relatively small base.

MarketsandMarkets projects the global delivery robots market at about $796 million in 2025, reaching $3.24 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 32 percent.

Some analysts peg the segment more conservatively – $400 million in 2025 growing to $770 million by 2029 at a CAGR of around 18 percent – illustrating the uncertainty around scale, scope (food v parcel), and definitions (sidewalk v road-going pods). [Read more…] about Last-mile delivery robots: Navigating sidewalks and urban landscapes

The space robotics market: Who is building the machines and who is backing them?

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The global space economy continues to expand at pace, surpassing $600 billion in 2024 according to the Space Foundation, with further growth forecast over the next decade.

Behind the headline numbers, a quieter but equally significant transformation is under way: the rise of robotics as essential infrastructure for working and building beyond Earth.

For decades, astronauts and satellites dominated the narrative. Now, robotic systems – arms, rovers, crawlers, and autonomous builders – are moving from experiment to deployment. [Read more…] about The space robotics market: Who is building the machines and who is backing them?

NASA partners with Arkisys to advance Astrobee robots on the ISS

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NASA is continuing the Astrobee mission through a collaboration with Arkisys, of Los Alamitos, California, which was awarded a reimbursable Space Act Agreement to sustain and maintain the robotic platform aboard the International Space Station.

As the agency returns astronauts to the Moon, robotic helpers like Astrobee could one day take over routine maintenance tasks and support future spacecraft at the Moon and Mars without relying on humans for continuous operation.

In March, the agency issued a call for partnership proposals to support its ongoing space research initiatives. Arkisys was selected to maintain the platform and continue enabling partners to use the Astrobee system as a means to experiment with new technologies in the microgravity environment of the space station. [Read more…] about NASA partners with Arkisys to advance Astrobee robots on the ISS