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Most frequently asked questions in robotics: What is robotics vs. automation vs. robots?

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This is the third article in a series of FAQs about robotics. The first one and the second one can be found on this website. This article deals with the question: What is robotics vs. automation vs. robots?

In simple terms, “robotics” is the broader science; “robots” are physical units; and “automation” is the enabling technology. Moreover, “automation” is the umbrella term within which “robotics” is a sub-sector.

Though often used interchangeably, the terms robotics, robots, and automation refer to distinct – but overlapping – concepts.

Understanding the differences is essential for anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, from engineers and investors to factory workers and everyday consumers. [Read more…] about Most frequently asked questions in robotics: What is robotics vs. automation vs. robots?

Exclusive interview with Anscer Robotics: ‘Our priority is to deliver return on investment’

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In the dynamic world of automation, Anscer Robotics – an autonomous mobile robot solutions provider – is making significant strides, particularly with its expansion into the Americas.

So Robotics and Automation News decided to interview Mark Messina, managing director and CEO of Anscer Robotics Americas, to discuss the company’s vision, solutions, and strategic approach to transforming the manufacturing, logistics, and 3PL industries.

Messina, a veteran in the robotics space with a rich background from his time at Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics), Geek+, and Addverb, shares his insights on leading Anscer’s charge into the US market. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview with Anscer Robotics: ‘Our priority is to deliver return on investment’

Donatos and Appetronix launch fully-autonomous robotic pizza kitchen at Columbus Airport

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Travelers passing through John Glenn Columbus International Airport can now witness the future of fast food.

This week, Donatos Pizza, in partnership with robotic restaurant technology specialist Appetronix, unveiled a first-of-its-kind, fully-autonomous pizza kitchen, redefining the quick-service restaurant experience. (See video below.)

The new robotic restaurant, located at Concourse B, combines cutting-edge AI and robotics with Donatos’ celebrated art of pizza making. [Read more…] about Donatos and Appetronix launch fully-autonomous robotic pizza kitchen at Columbus Airport

Amazon reportedly preparing to test humanoid robots for package deliveries

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The world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, is exploring the use of humanoid robots to automate package deliveries, a move that could significantly reshape its fulfillment and delivery network.

According to reports, the e-commerce giant is in the process of testing these advanced robots for handling tasks currently performed by human workers.

The story, which appears to have been first reported by the subscription-based tech publication The Information, has been widely circulated by other news outlets. [Read more…] about Amazon reportedly preparing to test humanoid robots for package deliveries

AI² Robotics CEO talks up ‘better spatial intelligence’ of company’s robots on CNBC

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Shenzhen-based AI² Robotics – which has raised “hundreds of millions of yuan” in funding investment – is emerging as a notable player in the advanced automation space, focusing on what they term “embodied AI”.

This approach seeks to empower physical entities, like their innovative robots, to intelligently learn from and interact with their surroundings.

A compelling example of their work is the Alpha Bot, a sophisticated machine that integrates an autonomous mobile robot base with a dual-armed collaborative system, and a humanoid torso and head, designed for versatility in complex environments. [Read more…] about AI² Robotics CEO talks up ‘better spatial intelligence’ of company’s robots on CNBC

Robo-oceanographers: The next wave of automated solutions tackling marine pollution

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Fleets of bio-inspired robots and cutting-edge automation are gearing up to address the ocean’s plastic plague and chemical contaminants, with nature’s own microscopic powerhouses offering a complementary strategy.

The challenge of ocean pollution is vast, a tidal wave of plastics, chemical effluents, and debris threatening marine ecosystems and, ultimately, human health. Traditional cleanup methods, while valuable, often struggle with the scale and complexity of the problem.

But a new generation of innovators is looking to robotics and automation, drawing inspiration from nature itself, to turn the tide.

From nimble robotic fish targeting microplastics to autonomous surface vessels scooping up debris, the future of ocean cleanup is looking increasingly automated, with intriguing possibilities for commercial deployment. [Read more…] about Robo-oceanographers: The next wave of automated solutions tackling marine pollution

Robotic IVF: Conceivable Life Sciences targets $35 billion market with automated labs

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The global in-vitro fertilization (IVF) market, valued at over $26.5 billion in 2023 and projected by some analysts to exceed $35 billion by 2030, is at the point of a technological revolution.

New York-based Conceivable Life Sciences is positioning itself at the vanguard of this transformation, developing what it claims is the world’s first end-to-end automated, AI-powered IVF laboratory.

This innovation promises to not only disrupt existing methodologies but also significantly expand market reach by tackling critical barriers of cost, accessibility, and scalability. [Read more…] about Robotic IVF: Conceivable Life Sciences targets $35 billion market with automated labs

Event preview: European Humanoid Robots Summit to address labour shortages and technological frontiers in Germany

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Germany is set to host the European Humanoid Robots Summit on November 17-18, 2025, an event poised to explore the burgeoning field of humanoid robotics and its potential to alleviate critical labour shortages across Europe and redefine industries.

Organised by ACG Events, a professional event organiser focused on industry-relevant sectors, the summit aims to create a highly efficient collaborative platform for the global humanoid robotics and embodied intelligence industries.

The event comes at a crucial time, as Europe grapples with an intensifying dual crisis of an ageing population and systemic labour deficits. [Read more…] about Event preview: European Humanoid Robots Summit to address labour shortages and technological frontiers in Germany

7-Eleven Japan trials autonomous delivery robots built by Suzuki and robotics startup Lomby

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7-Eleven stores in Japan are trialling an autonomous delivery robot developed through a collaboration between automotive giant Suzuki and Tokyo-based robotics venture Lomby.

This initiative marks a significant step in addressing Japan’s growing labor shortage and exploring the potential of last-mile delivery automation in urban environments.

Convenience store giant 7-Eleven Japan has commenced real-world testing of autonomous delivery robots in a suburb of Tokyo. [Read more…] about 7-Eleven Japan trials autonomous delivery robots built by Suzuki and robotics startup Lomby

What are AI agents and what do they do?

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Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it’s a present-day reality, increasingly being woven into the fabric of our lives. 

But beyond the general understanding of AI as systems that can learn and make decisions, a more dynamic and autonomous form is rapidly emerging: AI agents.

These aren’t just passive algorithms; they are active participants, designed to perceive their environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals, often acting with a significant degree of autonomy on behalf of a user, an organization, or another system. [Read more…] about What are AI agents and what do they do?