Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Autonomous robots

Sonair raises $6 million to accelerate launch of ‘world’s first safe 3D ultrasonic sensor for robots’

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As autonomous robots enter warehouses, hospitals, shops, and public spaces, the need for safe human-machine collaboration is growing fast. That’s exactly what Sonair’s ADAR sensor is built for. With $6 million in new funding the company can capture its global target market segments and establish a new category for robotic perception.

After a strong market debut earlier this year, ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) is now shipping to manufacturers in Asia, Europe and North America.

The sensor uses sound waves in air to give robots a precise, real-time 3D view of their surroundings, helping them operate safely in shared spaces.

Sonair is safety-certifying to PLd ISO13849 / SIL IEC 61508. An industry-first for 3D ultrasonic sensing, with the company now moving fast to meet rising, global demand. [Read more…] about Sonair raises $6 million to accelerate launch of ‘world’s first safe 3D ultrasonic sensor for robots’

SoftBank develops ‘robot-friendly’ server rack to enable automation at data centers

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SoftBank, a Japanese telecommunications giant which is a significant player in the robotics sector, has developed a new server rack intended to make data center hardware easier for robots to install, maintain, and replace. 

The company says the initiative will help position its infrastructure as being tailored to the demands of AI and autonomous systems.

Announced in September 2025, the rack introduces a cableless structure that allows robots to carry out tasks such as installing and removing servers, swapping faulty units, and conducting inspections. [Read more…] about SoftBank develops ‘robot-friendly’ server rack to enable automation at data centers

Humanoid Global makes ‘software investment’ in RideScan

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Humanoid Global, a publicly traded investment issuer focused on building and accelerating a portfolio of pioneering companies in the humanoid robotics and embodied AI sector, is pleased to announce that it has made its first strategic software investment into RideScan, a data company specializing in robotics.

RideScan is an artificial intelligence (AI) platform focused on proactively addressing reliability, safety, and efficiency to optimize the performance of autonomous robots. It serves as the “safety layer” and is suitable for deployment across industries, compatible with a range of diverse robotics hardware and software platforms.

It aims to reduce downtime, identify and eliminate undetected failures, and address public trust issues that threaten robotics adoption by providing real-time risk assessment, predictive maintenance, and actionable insights. [Read more…] about Humanoid Global makes ‘software investment’ in RideScan

Robot ethics: Bias, accountability, and the impact of robots becoming more intelligent and more involved in human society

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Artificial intelligence is now embedded in robots that are not only assembling cars or moving pallets, but also serving food, delivering parcels, assisting the elderly, and even teaching children.

As these systems grow more autonomous, the ethical stakes become unavoidable: what happens when a robot makes a decision that has moral, social, or legal consequences?

Robots powered by advanced AI are no longer passive tools. They perceive, interpret, and act in ways that increasingly resemble human decision-making. That raises pressing concerns about bias, accountability, and the broader societal impact of machines that operate with growing independence. [Read more…] about Robot ethics: Bias, accountability, and the impact of robots becoming more intelligent and more involved in human society

Reinforcement learning in robotics: Robots that learn from experience

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Reinforcement learning (RL) is transforming the way robots interact with the world.

Unlike traditional programming or supervised learning, which depend on pre-defined rules or labeled datasets, RL enables robots to learn through trial and error – much like how humans and animals acquire new skills.

This approach is increasingly vital as robots are deployed in complex, unstructured environments where adaptability is key. [Read more…] about Reinforcement learning in robotics: Robots that learn from experience

Unitree unveils new A2 quadruped robot with 100 kg load capacity and 20 km range

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Unitree Robotics has launched its most advanced quadruped robot to date – the Unitree A2 – positioning it as a rugged and versatile platform for industrial deployment across inspection, logistics, and research applications. (See video below.)

Weighing 37 kg (81.6 lbs) unloaded, the A2 boasts a maximum standing load of 100 kg (220 lbs) and can walk while carrying up to 25 kg (55 lbs).

On a single charge, the robot can walk continuously for up to 20 km (12.4 miles) unloaded, or 12.5 km (7.8 miles) when fully loaded. Runtime can be extended via hot-swappable dual batteries designed for uninterrupted missions. [Read more…] about Unitree unveils new A2 quadruped robot with 100 kg load capacity and 20 km range

AI‑powered humanoid robots prepare for first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing

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China has showcased a preview of the World Humanoid Robot Games, set to take place from August 15 to 17, 2025, as part of the World Robot Conference. (See video below.) 

The games will be the first global sporting event exclusively devoted to humanoid robots. [Read more…] about AI‑powered humanoid robots prepare for first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing

HomeBase USA pilots Simbe’s shelf-scanning robot at two stores

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HomeBase USA, one of America’s largest home improvement retailers, has introduced Simbe Robotics’s Store Intelligence platform – powered by the world’s first autonomous shelf-scanning robot, Tally – to two locations in Copperas Cove, Texas and Laramie, Wyoming.

The Laramie store introduction marks the first Tally deployment in Wyoming.

Stores like HomeBase have expansive footprints and tens of thousands of SKUs across lumber, building supply, hardware, farm, ranch, and lawn and garden categories. [Read more…] about HomeBase USA pilots Simbe’s shelf-scanning robot at two stores

RoboCup 2025 brings the world’s top robot soccer teams to Brazil

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Regarded by some as “the world’s largest robotics and artificial intelligence competition”, RoboCup returns to Brazil this month, with more than 250 teams from 37 countries preparing to compete in a high-stakes showdown of autonomous machines.

Set to take place in Salvador, Brazil from July 17 to 21, RoboCup 2025 will feature cutting-edge robots battling it out in fully autonomous soccer matches, alongside competitions in rescue, home service, and industrial robotics.

Founded in 1997, RoboCup has long served as a proving ground for AI and robotics researchers, with its most ambitious goal still decades in the making: to develop humanoid robots capable of defeating the human FIFA World Cup champions by 2050 in a fair match. [Read more…] about RoboCup 2025 brings the world’s top robot soccer teams to Brazil

Civ Robotics secures $7.5 million to power robot-led surveying

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Civ Robotics, a construction robotics company, has closed its $7.5 million Series A funding round, led by AlleyCorp with investments from Bobcat Company, ff Venture Capital, and previous seed investors.

This brings the total funding to date to $12.5 million. This new investment will support further development of its construction robots and expansion into new global markets, with an emphasis on renewable energy and solar.

Civ Robotics has over 100 of its robots deployed to job sites around the globe. This signals that industry trust in automation is increasing for a sector historically slow to adopt new technologies. [Read more…] about Civ Robotics secures $7.5 million to power robot-led surveying