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National Science Foundation funding brings ‘smarter and stronger’ advanced manufacturing

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The next revolution in manufacturing might come from a robotic arm that ‘prints like nature builds’

With funding from a three-year, $3.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Future Manufacturing Research Grant, a team at Virginia Tech is pioneering this new approach by using robotic arms to produce 3D-printed composite materials from multiple directions instead of laying them down in straight lines and flat layers.

The final printed product features engineered materials that bend and curve like the grains of wood in a tree to anticipate stresses, making them almost 10 times stronger than traditional 3D-printed material.

The three-year NSF grant funding the work is one of only seven awarded under the Future Manufacturing Research program, which supports research, education, and the training of a future workforce to create manufacturing capabilities that do not exist today. [Read more…] about National Science Foundation funding brings ‘smarter and stronger’ advanced manufacturing

XELA Robotics adds high-precision tactile sensing to Tesollo robot hand

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XELA Robotics, a specialist in advanced 3D tactile sensor technology, says it has “successfully integrated” its uSkin sensors into a Tesollo DG-5F five-fingered anthropomorphic robot hand – a popular model capable of human-level gripping and manipulation.

Commercial orders will be accepted beginning in the late first quarter of 2026.

In addition, XELA Robotics’ 2026 technology roadmap includes making its sensors smaller, faster and smarter. An example of this will be the reduction in size of its sensing points from about 4 mm x 4 mm to 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm allowing the addition of more sensing points than previously possible. The reduced size sensor points will be available for order in the second quarter of 2026. [Read more…] about XELA Robotics adds high-precision tactile sensing to Tesollo robot hand

Autolane raises $7.4 million and introduces curbside operating system for autonomous vehicles at Simon centers

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Autolane, a developer of autonomous vehicle infrastructure, has announced $7.4 million in funding co-led by Draper Associates and Hyperplane, with participation from LAUNCH and Feld Ventures. Additionally, Autolane is deploying its curbside operating system at four Simon Malls and properties in Texas and California.

The funding will accelerate Autolane’s deployment across the retail, restaurant, and commercial property sectors. The technology supports both autonomous ride-hailing services like Waymo and Tesla Robotaxi, as well as autonomous delivery vehicles serving retailers and restaurants within the shopping centers.

Since launching its first full-scale test site in the San Francisco Bay Area in May 2025, Autolane has demonstrated that dedicated autonomous vehicle infrastructure can reduce curbside pickup times by 50 percent or more via operational efficiencies in order communication, handoff, and execution. [Read more…] about Autolane raises $7.4 million and introduces curbside operating system for autonomous vehicles at Simon centers

EY launches physical AI platform and opens new EY.ai Lab with Nvidia support

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EY has unveiled a new physical AI platform developed with Nvidia technologies, opened a dedicated EY.ai Lab in Georgia, and appointed its first EY global physical AI leader, marking a major expansion of the firm’s robotics and automation strategy.

The company says the new platform is designed to give enterprises a structured way to implement and manage “an AI system executed by robots, drones, smart-edge devices and more.”

Built using Nvidia Omniverse libraries, Nvidia Isaac and Nvidia AI Enterprise, the system supports digital twins, robotics simulation and advanced AI workloads across industrial, energy, consumer and health sectors. [Read more…] about EY launches physical AI platform and opens new EY.ai Lab with Nvidia support

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

US startup Antioch raises $4.25 million to build simulation infrastructure to the robotics industry

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A team of Stanford alumni led by former Tesla Autopilot engineer Harry Mellsop, former Deep Grey Research head of product Alex Langshur, former Google Deepmind engineer Colton Swingle, and former Meta Reality Labs researcher Collin Schlager, has raised $4.25 million to democratise access to advanced robotics development. 

The pre-seed round was led by A*, with support from Abstract Ventures, MaC Venture Capital, Box Group, as well as angels Adrian Macneil, the CEO of AI robotics company, Foxglove, Shyam Sankar, the CTO of Palantir, and NZ investment firm Icehouse Ventures.

Founded in early 2025 and headquartered in New York, Antioch is solving one of autonomy’s hardest problems: safely validating AI-driven systems that operate in the physical world. [Read more…] about US startup Antioch raises $4.25 million to build simulation infrastructure to the robotics industry

AI-Powered VDR Market Insights: What Analysts Expect by 2026

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The virtual data room landscape is shifting quickly, and much of that shift is driven by artificial intelligence. As dealmaking accelerates and scrutiny increases, investors are favouring companies that use structured, AI-enabled workflows.

The global VDR market – valued at roughly $2.4 billion in 2024 – is forecast to exceed $7.7 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. With the average cost of a data breach now reaching $4.88 million, organisations cannot afford weak security or slow diligence workflows.

If you manage a data room for investors or regularly participate in high-stakes transactions, the next 12-18 months will bring meaningful changes. This article outlines the market shifts analysts expect by 2026, how AI capabilities reshape investor workflows, and what buyers should look for when selecting the next generation of VDR platforms. [Read more…] about AI-Powered VDR Market Insights: What Analysts Expect by 2026

Daimler Truck and Torc choose Innoviz as LiDAR supplier for Level 4 autonomous trucks

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Innoviz Technologies, a Tier-1 direct supplier of high-performance, automotive-grade LiDAR sensor platforms and complementary software stacks, has announced that Daimler Truck, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, and Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, have selected Innoviz as its Short-Range LiDAR supplier for series production SAE Level 4 autonomous Class 8 semi-trucks.

This announcement follows Innoviz’s previous disclosure that a major commercial vehicle OEM had selected the company for future series production of Level 4 autonomous trucks, now revealed to be Daimler Truck.

Innoviz will supply its InnovizTwo Short-Range LiDAR sensors to support Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics’ autonomous commercial vehicle program. As part of a joint development effort, the companies will collaborate to advance the sensors for commercial trucking applications. [Read more…] about Daimler Truck and Torc choose Innoviz as LiDAR supplier for Level 4 autonomous trucks

Ishida acquires of Robot Grader to advance protein packing automation

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Ishida, a specialist in end-to-end weighing, packing and quality control solutions, has acquired Swedish robotics automation expert Robot Grader.

This exciting development marks a strategic expansion of Ishida’s automation capabilities, enabling protein processors to benefit from smarter, automated fixed weight tray-packing systems, supported by enhanced service and project expertise.

This acquisition strengthens Ishida’s expertise and reinforces its position as a market leader in protein packing automation, whilst paving the way for further innovation. [Read more…] about Ishida acquires of Robot Grader to advance protein packing automation

Unlimited Industries raises $12 million to build AI construction company to ‘power America’s future’

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Across the United States, a new industrial age is taking shape. Trillions of dollars in infrastructure, from energy projects and advanced manufacturing to data centers and critical mineral facilities, must be built in the next decade. But large construction projects are slower and more expensive today than they were half a century ago.

Unlimited Industries, a California-based company using AI to rethink how infrastructure gets built, has raised $12 million in seed funding to change that.

The round was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and CIV, with participation from leading industry investors. The capital will accelerate Unlimited’s expansion and further develop its proprietary AI platform – one designed to make large-scale engineering and construction faster, cheaper, and more ambitious. [Read more…] about Unlimited Industries raises $12 million to build AI construction company to ‘power America’s future’