Robotics & Automation News

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IIT’s largest-ever spinoff Generative Bionics raises €70 million with support from Tether Investments

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Tether Investments has invested in Generative Bionics, the largest spinoff in the history of IIT (the Italian Institute of Technology) and one of the largest research spinoffs in Europe, to support the development of a new generation of intelligent humanoid robots built for industrial scale performance, human-centric interaction and advanced artificial intelligence.

This investment is made alongside other leading investors as a part of a €70 million funding round and reflects Tether’s strategy to expand its footprint and investments into technologies that strengthen global digital and physical infrastructure and augment human potential.

Generative Bionics leverages two decades of robotics research conducted at the Italian Institute of Technology, where more than 60 advanced humanoid robot prototypes have been designed, tested and refined successfully and provided as testing platforms to robotics research centers worldwide. [Read more…] about IIT’s largest-ever spinoff Generative Bionics raises €70 million with support from Tether Investments

US Congress debates ‘no robot bosses’ legislation

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A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has re-introduced legislation aimed at curbing the use of automated decision-systems in employment, renewing the push for what has become known as the “No Robot Bosses Act.”

The bill would restrict employers from relying primarily or exclusively on automated decision systems (ADS) – including AI tools – when making hiring, promotion, termination or disciplinary decisions. Instead, it mandates meaningful human oversight, disclosure to affected workers, and training for users of the systems.

Although the original Senate version – S.2419 – No Robot Bosses Act introduced in July 2023 – remains stalled in committee. It currently carries “Introduced” status with no further action taken. [Read more…] about US Congress debates ‘no robot bosses’ legislation

Jordan’s water industry taps into ABB’s digital and AI technology to address resource scarcity

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ABB has been selected by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Water Authority of Jordan to provide its ABB Genix Industrial IoT and AI Suite for water and energy data management to help address the nation’s water management challenges by improving energy efficiency across the sector.

Jordan is currently ranked as the 15th most water scarce country in the world.

As part of the project, ABB will also deliver comprehensive training and support to its in-country partner, Volt Automation, to ensure effective implementation of Genix. [Read more…] about Jordan’s water industry taps into ABB’s digital and AI technology to address resource scarcity

Flexiv Robotics completes first foray into Japan at iREX 2025

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Flexiv Robotics marked its inaugural Japanese exhibition with five flagship demos and a commitment to long-term growth in a vital global market 

Flexiv Robotics, a developer of general-purpose robotics, made its first appearance at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) in Tokyo earlier this month, marking a major step in the company’s global expansion.

From December 3 to December 6, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight, Flexiv’s team occupied booth E5-16, where they demonstrated the adaptive capabilities of the company’s Rizon series robots and highlighted how they can automate tasks that traditional robots struggle with.

Flexiv’s debut at the world’s largest robotics showcase featured five interactive, live demonstrations designed to showcase versatility, sensitivity, and applied intelligence. Visitors were able to see automated car bodywork polishing, precision ball balancing, high-accuracy server component insertion, and an early look at Flexiv’s new Isaac Sim plug-in for accelerated development and virtual testing. [Read more…] about Flexiv Robotics completes first foray into Japan at iREX 2025

Pusan National University researchers use AI to create optimized engine components that ‘outperform human designs’

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In the new breakthrough, the machine learning technology helps create “32 percent more efficient hydraulic pumps”, say the researchers

The gerotor tooth profile is crucial for determining hydraulic system performance in automotive engineering. In a new development, researchers from Pusan National University, South Korea have leveraged conditional generative adversarial networks for machine learning-driven gerotor profile synthesis and optimization.

The novel approach has remarkably produced designs that outperform human efforts and lead to 32 percent more efficient hydraulic pumps, potentially revolutionizing the automotive industry.

Gerotor pumps for oil circulation and lubrication are crucial components in automotive and hydraulic systems. They possess a compact design, excellent flow rate per rotation, and high suction capability. [Read more…] about Pusan National University researchers use AI to create optimized engine components that ‘outperform human designs’

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences introduces new automated liquid handler

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Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a Danaher company and a specialist in laboratory automation and innovation, says it is making liquid handling research “more accessible” with the launch of the Biomek i3 Benchtop Liquid Handler.

Purpose-built for low- to medium-throughput workflows, the Biomek i3 Benchtop Liquid Handler delivers powerful automation in a compact, cost-effective format. Its grid-based deck design includes 15 standard and 5 flex positions, enabling flexible configuration to accommodate a wide range of labware and protocols.

The instrument supports genomic applications such as synthetic biology, sequencing, epigenetics, gene expression, and high-throughput screening, as well as drug discovery workflows including cell-based assays, biochemical assays, ADME-Tox, and combination sequencing. [Read more…] about Beckman Coulter Life Sciences introduces new automated liquid handler

Saildrone completes pioneering mapping mission of Cayman Islands’ EEZ

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Saildrone, a specialist provider of autonomous deep water mapping solutions, has completed its mission to map the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Cayman Islands, approximately 200 miles south-west of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea, using a Saildrone Surveyor uncrewed surface vehicle (USV).

Over the course of approximately 300 mission days, Saildrone surveyed approximately 90,000 square kilometers of seabed, in depths ranging from 20 meters to 7,000 meters, executing over 900 sound-velocity profile casts to ensure accurate bathymetric data.

One of the priorities of the mission was to survey four fishing banks – 60 Mile Bank, Lawfords Bank, Pickle Bank, and 12 Mile Bank – which serve as crucial hotspots of biodiversity supporting fisheries, tourism, and recreation, and are an indicator of the health of the Cayman Islands’ marine ecosystem. [Read more…] about Saildrone completes pioneering mapping mission of Cayman Islands’ EEZ

Automation in Food Processing

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Artificial intelligence has learned to draw, write songs, and generate code – this is no longer surprising. Now, robots have almost mastered cooking. We explain why this is important and what innovations in food processing automation are happening in the industry right now.  [Read more…] about Automation in Food Processing

Robotics funding trends: Ten recent investments shaping the automation market

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Robotics companies continue to draw significant investor attention as automation spreads across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, mobility and infrastructure.

After a period of uncertainty in the wider venture market, capital is returning to sectors where engineering depth, technical defensibility and long-term demand are driving renewed confidence.

In response to increasing engagement from readers with financial and investment backgrounds, Robotics & Automation News is expanding its data-driven coverage of the robotics and automation capital landscape. [Read more…] about Robotics funding trends: Ten recent investments shaping the automation market

Why Factories Trust Robotics and Vision Tools for Better Food Quality Control

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Facilities now use smart tools and software instead of relying only on people to catch mistakes. These systems watch products while they move through factories and look for anything that seems different from the expected condition. They can notice foreign pieces, broken parts, or issues with wrapping before goods leave the building.

Firms also depend on these to avoid problems that could damage their name. When faults are found early, fewer items also need to be pulled back from stores. The information collected further helps teams understand where mistakes happen. Over time, routines become smoother and the quality of goods reaching shelves improves. [Read more…] about Why Factories Trust Robotics and Vision Tools for Better Food Quality Control