Robotics & Automation News

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humanoid robots

Mobileye to acquire Mentee Robotics in $900m deal to expand physical AI ambitions

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Mobileye has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mentee Robotics, an AI-first humanoid robotics startup, in a transaction valued at $900 million, as the company moves to broaden its focus beyond autonomous driving into what it describes as “physical artificial intelligence”.

Under the terms of the deal, the consideration will comprise approximately $612 million in cash and up to 26.2 million shares of Mobileye Class A common stock, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending customary conditions.

Mobileye said the acquisition brings together its autonomy stack and automotive-grade production experience with Mentee’s vertically integrated humanoid robot platform and AI talent. [Read more…] about Mobileye to acquire Mentee Robotics in $900m deal to expand physical AI ambitions

Schaeffler unveils innovative planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots

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For the first time, Schaeffler is presenting a planetary gear actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots at a leading global trade fair.

Actuators transmit torque with high precision and minimal compliance and are essential for enabling humanoid robots to move accurately and efficiently. On average, 25 to 30 actuators are required in total for joints such as the shoulders, knees, and hips.

While conventional actuators often offer limited or no back-drive-ability – that is, the ability to move the drive in reverse – Schaeffler’s planetary gear actuator enables smooth back-driving and high precision thanks to its innovative design. [Read more…] about Schaeffler unveils innovative planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots

DEEP Robotics says its DR02 humanoid robot achieves all-weather stability and improved dynamic motion

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DEEP Robotics has unveiled new performance claims for its DR02 humanoid robot, positioning the system as an all-weather platform capable of operating reliably beyond laboratory environments.

According to the company, the DR02 is designed to address two longstanding challenges in humanoid robotics: limited environmental adaptability and rigid, unnatural movement.

The robot features IP66-rated waterproof and dustproof protection and incorporates updates in motion control intended to improve stability, coordination, and smoothness during dynamic tasks. [Read more…] about DEEP Robotics says its DR02 humanoid robot achieves all-weather stability and improved dynamic motion

What’s the Best Way to Reduce Cable Failures in Moving Robots (Arms, AGVs, and Humanoid Joints)?

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If you have ever dealt with robotic systems, you know cables are something you cannot live without and at the same time you hate them so much. They are the lifelines that operate the motors, transmit and ensure that everything works well.

However, these cables are beaten up when robots are in motion, maybe it is a robotic arm on an assembly line, an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) dashing about a warehouse or the joints of a humanoid robot moving their parts about in unusual manners.

Cable breakdowns can cause your whole business to come to a standstill, time, money and a hundred headaches. [Read more…] about What’s the Best Way to Reduce Cable Failures in Moving Robots (Arms, AGVs, and Humanoid Joints)?

Humanoid robot maker Galbot raises $300 million and reaches $3 billion valuation

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Galbot has completed a new funding round exceeding $300 million, bringing the company’s total funding to $800 million. This round once again sets new records for both the largest single-round financing and cumulative financing in the embodied AI sector, further cementing Galbot’s prominence in the rapidly evolving field of embodied AI and humanoid robotics.

The financing round attracted significant investors from China, Singapore, and the Middle East, underscoring global confidence in Galbot’s cutting-edge technology. With this investment, the company’s valuation has reached $3 billion, reflecting its strong market position and the continued faith in its growth prospects. [Read more…] about Humanoid robot maker Galbot raises $300 million and reaches $3 billion valuation

China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

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A new intelligence report forecasts a rapid acceleration in the global market for humanoid robots, driven by population decline, advances in artificial intelligence, and intensifying geopolitical competition.

The study – The Future of Humanoid Robots from Recorded Future’s Insikt Group – argues that humanoid robots are shifting from “speculative to attainable” as technological capabilities mature and labour pressures deepen.

The report finds that global demographic trends are now a primary driver of demand. “Global population decline is accelerating the demand for humanoid robots designed to operate within human environments and offset growing labor shortages across industries,” the authors write. [Read more…] about China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

AILOS Robotics raises €3.5m to industrialize high-torque lightweight gearboxes for next-generation humanoids and cobots

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AILOS Robotics has raised €3.5 million to industrialize a new class of robotic gearboxes that combine the agility of quasi-direct drives with a far higher torque density.

This breakthrough enables robots that are lighter, safer, more affordable, and more energy-efficient, says the company.

The seed round is led by QBIC and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from Wallonie Entreprendre and finance&invest.brussels, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to developing local, strategic component supply for the rapidly growing humanoid and collaborative robotics markets.

“Modern robots demand a new category of actuation,” said Pablo López García, CEO and co-founder of AILOS Robotics. “We combine quasi-direct drive-like backdrivability with the high torque density of advanced gearing, finally removing one of the main barriers to agile, lightweight, and safe robots that can operate alongside humans.” [Read more…] about AILOS Robotics raises €3.5m to industrialize high-torque lightweight gearboxes for next-generation humanoids and cobots

Former Figure AI engineer claims company’s humanoid robots ‘powerful enough to fracture human skull’

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A former safety engineer at Figure AI, Robert Gruendel, has filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit alleging he was dismissed after warning company leadership in September 2025 that its humanoid robots were “powerful enough to fracture a human skull”, according to a report on VnExpress. 

According to the suit filed on November 21 in a US federal court in California, internal “impact testing” on the company’s robot model F.02 generated forces reportedly more than double those required to break an adult skull.

As evidence of danger, the complaint cites an incident in which a robot allegedly malfunctioned and left a three-quarter-inch deep gash in a stainless-steel refrigerator door, according to reporting by Futurism. [Read more…] about Former Figure AI engineer claims company’s humanoid robots ‘powerful enough to fracture human skull’

Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoid passes 100,000-tote milestone in live GXO implementation

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Agility Robotics says its humanoid robot, Digit, has moved more than 100,000 totes in commercial operation at GXO Logistics’ facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia – a milestone the company describes as evidence of real industrial throughput rather than laboratory testing.

The company says the achievement reflects the growing need for scalable automation in logistics as operators face rising volumes and persistent labour shortages.

Agility has long argued that humanoids must prove reliability across thousands of cycles before they can be considered viable tools rather than novelty machines. [Read more…] about Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoid passes 100,000-tote milestone in live GXO implementation

Beckhoff USA to supply automation and safety tech for Dexterity’s Mech ‘superhumanoids’

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Dexterity, a provider of enterprise physical AI and robotics, and Beckhoff USA, a pioneer in automation technology and creator of the EtherCAT fieldbus and Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE), have entered into a key supplier agreement for the design and development of Mech “superhumanoid robots”.

Beckhoff provides Dexterity with a wide range of technologies to enable advanced automation and kinematics in current and future robotic solutions such as Mech.

With many notable projects including a collaboration with FedEx and Sagawa Express to deploy truck loading and unloading robots, Dexterity currently has a $1.65 billion valuation and has been cited as being on the fast track to an IPO. [Read more…] about Beckhoff USA to supply automation and safety tech for Dexterity’s Mech ‘superhumanoids’