Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

humanoid robots

Humanoid robot combat tournament broadcast live on Chinese national TV

by

Organizers say the event kicks off a ‘new era in humanoid robot combat sports’

On May 25, 2025, at 8.30pm, the Unitree-sponsored CMG World Robot Tournament – Mecha Combat Arena, co-hosted by CMG’s Education & Science Channel, Zhejiang Station, and CMG’s Technology Bureau, was officially launched in Hangzhou. (See video below for extended highlights.)

As the world’s first combat competition exclusively featuring humanoid robots, the tournament showcased Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot as the sole competing model.

The entire event was broadcast live nationwide via CCTV-10 with simultaneous streams on social media platforms, including CCTV News and Yangshipin. [Read more…] about Humanoid robot combat tournament broadcast live on Chinese national TV

CMG World Robotics Tournament set for humanoid boxing showdown

by

Get ready for a new era of combat sports as the CMG World Robotics Tournament prepares to unfold this Sunday, May 25th, at the Hangzhou Mech Combat Arena (also reported as the Olympic Sports Center).

The event, featuring humanoid robot boxing, is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM (GMT+8, Hong Kong time) and promises a groundbreaking display of technology and competition.

Unitree Robotics, a prominent name in the field, is the official partner for the tournament, with their G1 humanoid robots stepping into the ring. [Read more…] about CMG World Robotics Tournament set for humanoid boxing showdown

Doosan Robotics intensifies humanoid development in AI-driven strategic shift

by

Collaborative robot specialist Doosan Robotics is significantly escalating its focus on humanoid robot development, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for an AI-centered strategic transformation.

The company is channelling investment into creating “practical humanoids” capable of performing complex tasks efficiently, alongside launching new “intelligent robot solutions”.

At a recent company-wide town hall meeting, CEO Kevin Kim announced a strategic shift from a hardware-centric model. He emphasized that Doosan Robotics aims to “deliver results this year through talent acquisition, organizational restructuring, and M&A” to spearhead innovation in intelligent robotics and humanoid technologies. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics intensifies humanoid development in AI-driven strategic shift

Renowned futurist Ray Kurzweil reportedly raising $100 million to build humanoid robots

by

Beyond Imagination, a humanoid robot startup co-founded by acclaimed inventor and futurist Dr Ray Kurzweil, is reportedly in discussions to secure a significant $100 million investment, according to a report on the Reuters website.

The news agency, citing sources familiar with the matter, indicated that these talks are for a Series B funding round.

While the specific investors have not been publicly disclosed in the initial Reuters report, such a substantial investment would mark a significant step forward for the company operating in the burgeoning field of advanced robotics. [Read more…] about Renowned futurist Ray Kurzweil reportedly raising $100 million to build humanoid robots

Nvidia releases new AI tools and platforms to ‘accelerate humanoid development’

by

Nvidia is making significant strides in the field of humanoid robotics with the unveiling of new technologies and platforms designed to power the next generation of robots.

The company’s latest offerings aim to streamline the development process, from training and simulation to deployment.

A key announcement is the first update to Nvidia Isaac GR00T N1.5, an open and customizable foundation model for humanoid reasoning and skills. [Read more…] about Nvidia releases new AI tools and platforms to ‘accelerate humanoid development’

‘Many more metal men’: Ambitious goals for humanoid mass production

by

There will be ‘many more metal men’ in the world from now on, according to automatica, one of the world’s leading industrial trade shows for the robotics and automation industry

Humanoid robot development is progressing at an impressive pace.

The power struggle between the US and China, along with advances in AI, battery development, and mechanics, has led performance improvements among the metal men. automatica will show how far this development has progressed by now.

The humanoids from China recently had an opportunity to show their capabilities during a half marathon in Beijing. Around 20 humanoid robots successfully competed against humans during the 21-kilometer run.

With this race, the People’s Republic achieved its goal of presenting the country as a leading supplier of human-like robots. [Read more…] about ‘Many more metal men’: Ambitious goals for humanoid mass production

Boston Dynamics and LG Innotek to introduce ‘next-generation vision systems’ into Atlas humanoid robot

by

Boston Dynamics, a developer of humanoid and mobile robotics, has agreed a new partnership with LG Innotek, the South Korean materials and electronic components manufacturing company.

This strategic alignment will enable Boston Dynamics to install LG Innotek’s “next-generation” vision sensing components into Atlas, Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot.

The collaboration brings together Boston Dynamics’ and LG Innotek’s research teams to develop new vision sensing systems to address some of robotics hardest to solve problems. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics and LG Innotek to introduce ‘next-generation vision systems’ into Atlas humanoid robot

Opinion: ‘Specialized robots – not humanoids – will dominate robotics’, says Exotec CEO

by

In an opinion piece published on the Fortune website, Romain Moulin, CEO of Exotec, argues that specialized robots, designed for specific tasks, are more efficient and cost-effective than humanoid robots.

This perspective, also highlighted in the Fortune article, suggests that the future of robotics lies in purpose-built machines rather than those mimicking human form.

Moulin uses the analogy of a dishwasher versus a humanoid robot washing dishes to illustrate his point: “The dishwasher is faster, more efficient, and vastly more cost-effective because it’s designed specifically for one task.” [Read more…] about Opinion: ‘Specialized robots – not humanoids – will dominate robotics’, says Exotec CEO

Spotlight on humanoids: A deep dive into Figure AI

by

Founded in 2022, Figure AI, a US-based company, has quickly become a notable player in AI-powered humanoid robots.

In this article, we explore Figure AI’s technology, potential impact, and future within the robotics market. We will examine the company’s background, technology, applications, and prospects, considering the competitive landscape and challenges in installing humanoid robots at scale.

The intense early interest in Figure AI suggests a groundbreaking approach in the robotics sector, potentially addressing critical market needs with unique technological advantages. [Read more…] about Spotlight on humanoids: A deep dive into Figure AI

Canadian engineering graduates’ robotics startup Axibo raises $12 million

by

A robotics company that started at McMaster University is looking to recruit a team of passionate engineers to pioneer “made in Canada” humanoid robots.

Axibo has raised $12 million to develop advanced humanoid robotics, with the goal of unveiling the first prototype early next year.

Anoop Gadhrri, Sohaib Al-Emara and Reiner Schmidt founded the company in 2019 as undergraduates in the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster. [Read more…] about Canadian engineering graduates’ robotics startup Axibo raises $12 million