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Nvidia launches new open-source models and simulation tools to accelerate robotics research

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Nvidia has unveiled a suite of new open technologies designed to speed up the development and deployment of advanced robotics, including humanoid systems. The announcement was made alongside updates to the company’s Isaac robotics platform.

At the center of the release is the Newton Physics Engine, an open-source, GPU-accelerated simulator codeveloped with Google DeepMind and Disney Research.

Now available in Nvidia Isaac Lab and managed by the Linux Foundation, Newton is built to handle the complex balance and motion challenges of humanoid robots. [Read more…] about Nvidia launches new open-source models and simulation tools to accelerate robotics research

Hitachi to build ‘AI Factory’ based on Nvidia reference architecture

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Hitachi says it plans to establish a global “Hitachi AI Factory” based on Nvidia AI Factory reference architecture, yielding a centralized infrastructure designed to accelerate the development and deployment of physical AI solutions across Hitachi’s core business sectors.

The AI Factory is powered by Hitachi iQ with Nvidia HGX B200 systems featuring Nvidia Blackwell GPUs; Hitachi iQ M Series with Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Server Edition GPUs; and Nvidia Spectrum-X Ethernet networking platform.

This strategic initiative directly supports Hitachi’s ambition to create and deploy AI that interacts with the real world. [Read more…] about Hitachi to build ‘AI Factory’ based on Nvidia reference architecture

Interview: RealSense senior executive discusses life after Intel

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For more than a decade, Intel’s RealSense cameras have been synonymous with 3D perception – powering robots, drones, and biometric systems with the ability to sense and interpret the physical world.

Now, after spinning out from Intel, RealSense is charting its own course as an independent company focused squarely on what it calls “Physical AI”: equipping machines with vision that is not just human-like, but in many cases better than human.

At the centre of this transition is Mike Nielsen, chief marketing officer at RealSense, who is helping define the company’s identity beyond Intel’s shadow. [Read more…] about Interview: RealSense senior executive discusses life after Intel

MassRobotics, AWS, and Nvidia launch first-of-its-kind physical AI fellowship

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The program aims at accelerating research and development of startups building at the intersection of physical AI and robotics

MassRobotics has announced the Physical AI Fellowship, a virtual program powered by Amazon Web Services Startups and Nvidia Inception to help high-potential robotics startups build, refine, and scale physical AI solutions.

The inaugural Fall 2025 cohort includes some of the most promising startups working within physical AI and serving a multitude of industries. Throughout the program, fellows will work one-on-one with scientists and engineers from the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center to refine their physical AI solutions.

Physical AI is increasingly critical to the development of complex hardware, especially robotics. Delivering advanced tools and support to startups will help the AI-powered robotics industry grow exponentially. [Read more…] about MassRobotics, AWS, and Nvidia launch first-of-its-kind physical AI fellowship

Xpanner launches ‘first’ scalable physical AI-based automation solution for construction sites

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Xpanner, a specialist in construction automation solutions, has launched its flagship X1 Kit, which the company describes as “the first scalable physical AI-based retrofit solution designed to revolutionize construction site automation”.

The kit tackles prominent challenges such as labor shortages, safety hazards, and operational inefficiencies by deploying a flexible, equipment-agnostic system that can be easily integrated into existing construction machinery.

Since its formation in South Korea in 2020, Xpanner has been at the forefront of advancing construction technology. Founded by industry experts Henri Lee, David Shin, and Ryan Park, the company expanded to the US in 2023 with a goal to transform cutting-edge technology into something tangible and beneficial for operators on the ground. [Read more…] about Xpanner launches ‘first’ scalable physical AI-based automation solution for construction sites

Reframe Systems raises $20 million to scale prefabricated construction ‘microfactories’

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Reframe Systems, a start-up utilizing physical AI to tackle the housing crisis, has raised $20 million in Series A funding co-led by Eclipse and VoLo Earth Ventures with support from MassMutual Catalyst Funds, Cubit Capital, Planetary Health at RA Capital Management, Saga Ventures, and Nor’easter Ventures.

The company was founded by former Amazon Robotics leaders Vikas Enti, Felipe Polido, and Aaron Small who scaled some of the most advanced automation systems in the world, deploying over 500,000 robots across Amazon’s fulfillment network.

Now, they are bringing that expertise to home construction – one of the last industries still dependent on fragmented, outdated, manual processes. [Read more…] about Reframe Systems raises $20 million to scale prefabricated construction ‘microfactories’

Fort Robotics raises $18.9 million in new funding to bring total to $60.5 million

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Fort Robotics, a specialist provider of safety and security solutions for intelligent machines, has raised an additional $18.9 million in its Series B funding round. This capital raises the company’s total funding to $60.5 million to date.

The round was led by Tiger Global, with strong participation from both new and returning investors, underscoring confidence in Fort’s crucial role in the rapidly evolving robotics and physical AI landscape.

Fort’s growth is fueled by the robotics industry hitting a critical inflection point. As autonomous systems see large-scale deployments in sectors like autonomous vehicles, agriculture, construction, defense, factory automation, and humanoid robotics, they are increasingly relying on Fort’s solutions. [Read more…] about Fort Robotics raises $18.9 million in new funding to bring total to $60.5 million

Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

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Figure AI has captivated audiences with a new viral video showing its humanoid robot, Figure 02, performing household laundry tasks with impressive autonomy. (See video below.)

In footage shared by CEO Brett Adcock on X, the robot is seen efficiently grabbing garments from a basket and loading them into a washing machine – marking a notable achievement in embodied household robotics.

While Figure 02 does not yet operate the washer’s controls itself, this milestone demonstrates its ability to handle the physical manipulation of garments – loading and unloading – in a real‑world setting using its Helix Vision‑Language‑Action model. [Read more…] about Figure AI shocks the internet by showing its humanoid robot doing laundry like a pro

Dexterity and Hiwin partner to produce ‘world’s first intelligent robot arm’ for warehouse work

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Dexterity, a specialist developer of physical AI and robotics, has agreed a strategic partnership with Hiwin Technologies Corp, a manufacturer of motion and control systems, to produce high-performance robot arms for Dexterity’s hardware platform: the Mech.

The Mech is a roving, two-armed robot designed from the ground to embody Physical AI in industrial applications. Its roving base enables it to go where large enterprises need heavy lifting of a wide range of goods, and its lightweight but powerful, dual arm design enables it to pick and pack goods at the speed of operations – and beyond.

Hiwin’s expertise in precision engineering has enabled the development of lightweight, 8-degree-of-freedom robotic arms for the Mech. HIWIN optimized the strength-to-weight ratio of the Mech arms to make them easy to deploy in warehouses, while at the same time ensuring their capability in lifting weights beyond the OSHA limit for a single person lift. [Read more…] about Dexterity and Hiwin partner to produce ‘world’s first intelligent robot arm’ for warehouse work

Doosan Robotics acquires 90 per cent stake in US-based integrator ONExia for $26 million

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Doosan Robotics is stepping up its transformation into a global intelligent robot solutions provider, advancing a multifaceted growth strategy that includes international acquisitions, expert recruitment, and organizational realignment – all aimed at leading the emerging Physical AI era.

In its latest move, Doosan Robotics’ board of directors approved the acquisition of an 89.59 percent stake in ONExia, a US-based robotics system integrator and automation engineering firm headquartered in Pennsylvania.

The deal, valued at approximately $25.9 million (KRW 35.6 billion), was formalized with a stock purchase agreement (SPA) and participation in a capital increase. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics acquires 90 per cent stake in US-based integrator ONExia for $26 million