Robotics & Automation News

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Autonomous robots

IEEE explores future of ‘networked AI’ where robots learn collectively

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Researchers are increasingly exploring a future in which robots and AI systems do not operate as isolated machines, but instead learn collectively across connected networks – sharing information, adapting to changing environments, and continuously optimizing their own behavior in real time.

That growing area of research – often referred to as “networked AI” – is now the focus of a new special issue from the IEEE Signal Processing Society and the IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, which have issued a call for papers examining “Autonomous and Evolutive Optimization in Networked AI”.

While the academic terminology may sound abstract, many of the themes are closely connected to emerging trends already reshaping robotics and industrial automation, including multi-agent robotics, distributed AI systems, edge intelligence, autonomous vehicles, warehouse robot fleets, and collaborative industrial automation. [Read more…] about IEEE explores future of ‘networked AI’ where robots learn collectively

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

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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

Sony achieves ‘major breakthrough’ with tennis-playing robot

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Sony AI has announced a “major breakthrough” in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) with the publication of its project Ace, the first known real-world autonomous system competitive with elite and professional-level human table tennis players.

The research outlining the achievement, “Outplaying Elite Table Tennis Players with an Autonomous Robot” was published on the cover of Nature.

This marks the first time a robot has achieved human, expert-level play in a commonly played competitive sport in the physical world – a longstanding milestone for AI and robotics research. [Read more…] about Sony achieves ‘major breakthrough’ with tennis-playing robot

Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

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Humanoid, a UK-based AI and robotics company, has signed a binding, phased deployment and supply agreement with Schaeffler, a leading motion technology company, to integrate humanoid robots directly into live manufacturing operations.

The first systems go live in Germany before the end of 2026. Humanoid will also purchase actuators from Schaeffler as a preferred supplier.

The agreement is one of the largest disclosed humanoid robot rollouts ever announced and positions Humanoid, founded by Artem Sokolov in 2024, among the youngest companies to secure a large-scale contract at this level. It targets deployment of a four-digit number of wheeled units across Schaeffler’s global facilities by 2032. [Read more…] about Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

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SAP, the global leader in enterprise application software, and Cyberwave, an AI robotics software company, has announced the successful deployment of fully autonomous, AI-powered robots in an active SAP logistics warehouse.

Building on SAP’s strategic expansion of Physical AI capabilities announced last year, this initiative marks a major milestone: SAP is now operationalizing advanced robotics within its own facilities. [Read more…] about SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

Hello Robot unveils Stretch 4: A simply useful robot that puts people first

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Hello Robot, the team behind the Stretch mobile manipulation platform, have announced the release of Stretch 4.

Available now for $29,950, Stretch 4 is an open-source robotics platform designed for researchers, developers, and application engineers building the next wave of Physical AI applications for general purpose robotics.

“In the last few years, Physical AI has brought us videos of robots doing amazing stunts. But these videos are missing something critical – the people the robots are meant to benefit,” says Aaron Edsinger, co-founder and CEO of Hello Robot. [Read more…] about Hello Robot unveils Stretch 4: A simply useful robot that puts people first

Why Wire-Free Robotic Lawn Mowers Are Becoming the Industry Standard?

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The robotic lawn mower industry is entering a new phase of technological maturity. Over the past decade, systems relying on boundary wires have dominated the mainstream market due to their stability and reliability.

However, as user demand for “zero-maintenance” and “plug-and-play” experiences continues to grow, boundary-free robotic lawn mowers are rapidly becoming the industry’s future direction.

This shift represents not only a product upgrade but also a transformation of the industry from “rule-based automation” to “spatially intelligent autonomous systems”. [Read more…] about Why Wire-Free Robotic Lawn Mowers Are Becoming the Industry Standard?

Star Robotics unveils new security robot with improved autonomy and navigation

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Star Robotics has launched Watchbot 2, the latest version of its autonomous robot designed for security surveillance and inspection.

The new system was introduced during a livestreamed event on April 16, with the company positioning it as a significant upgrade aimed at improving reliability and performance in real-world environments such as data centers, power facilities, and public spaces.

Watchbot 2 builds on the previous generation with a focus on longer operating time, improved durability, and enhanced sensing and navigation capabilities. [Read more…] about Star Robotics unveils new security robot with improved autonomy and navigation

Brain Corp achieves independent data security certification as enterprise adoption of autonomous robots scales

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With tens of thousands of autonomous robots already operating in commercial environments worldwide, the conversation around AI is shifting from proving it works to ensuring it can be trusted at scale.

Brain Corp, a provider of AI software for robots, has announced that its BrainOS platform has successfully completed a SOC 2 Type II examination – a rigorous, independent audit of how it secures data and operates systems over time.

As AI moves off screens and into physical spaces – including stores, warehouses, and airports – concerns around safety, data protection, and operational risk are becoming critically important for companies and regulators alike. [Read more…] about Brain Corp achieves independent data security certification as enterprise adoption of autonomous robots scales

Boston Dynamics integrates Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics model into Spot inspection platform

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Boston Dynamics has partnered with Google Cloud and Google DeepMind to integrate advanced artificial intelligence models into its industrial inspection platform, in a move the company says will significantly expand the capabilities of autonomous robots in real-world environments.

The collaboration brings Google’s Gemini and Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6 into Boston Dynamics’ Orbit software, specifically its AI Visual Inspection (AIVI) and AIVI-Learning systems, which analyze images captured by the company’s Spot robot.

According to Boston Dynamics, the integration is designed to enable robots to move beyond basic detection tasks and instead perform more complex reasoning about their surroundings. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics integrates Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics model into Spot inspection platform