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consumer robots

Amazon acquires Fauna Robotics as it expands into home humanoid robots

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Amazon has acquired New York-based startup Fauna Robotics, signaling a move beyond its traditional focus on warehouse automation into consumer-facing humanoid robots.

The deal, first reported by Bloomberg and covered by Silicon Republic and Euronews, involves Fauna’s team of roughly 50 employees joining Amazon’s Personal Robotics Group. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fauna, founded in 2024, developed a humanoid robot called “Sprout”, designed to operate in shared human environments such as homes, schools and public spaces. The machine, approximately one meter tall and built with soft materials, is intended to be approachable and safe for interaction. [Read more…] about Amazon acquires Fauna Robotics as it expands into home humanoid robots

Walmart reportedly selling Unitree humanoid robots on its website: Retail reality or PR stunt?

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A photograph (main image) has been circulating online this week showing a Walmart product listing for the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, priced at $21,600.

TechNode first reported the story in English, after having apparently discovered it on IThome. Technode noted that Walmart’s website briefly carried a page offering the robot for sale with free shipping and a six-unit limit per customer.

But we checked that Walmart page and the listing can no longer be found. Walmart’s website now returns the message “We couldn’t find this page” when the supposed link is accessed.

However, if you look at the URL for the page, it does mention the “Unitree G1 Basic” (the official company image which we have displayed for you below). This lends credibility to the story – what else could have been on that Walmart page and be described as a “Unitree G1 Basic”? [Read more…] about Walmart reportedly selling Unitree humanoid robots on its website: Retail reality or PR stunt?

Exclusive interview with Vorago Technologies: The risks of failure in home robots

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As home robotics begins to step beyond research labs and factory floors into everyday environments, the technology powering them is under new scrutiny – particularly the chips at their core.

At this year’s Automatica trade show, several companies, including Neura Robotics (main image), unveiled new humanoid systems designed to operate in close proximity to people – in homes, care settings, and public spaces. While much attention has focused on the mechanical dexterity and AI capabilities of these robots, there’s another crucial layer that’s often overlooked: semiconductor reliability. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview with Vorago Technologies: The risks of failure in home robots

Midea embarks on journey to transform itself into a ‘high-tech industry leader’

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Chinese home appliances giant Midea says it has completed its acquisition of German company Kuka, one of the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers. 

While the deal prompted some consternation among those who said the German government should stop the takeover, as well as with those people who subsequently demanded the European Union make it more difficult for Chinese companies to buy EU companies, the two companies are now part of the same group.

Technically, Kuka was acquired by Midea’s subsidiary company, Mecca International.  [Read more…] about Midea embarks on journey to transform itself into a ‘high-tech industry leader’