Robotics & Automation News

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robotics and automation

Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

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Humanoid, a UK-based AI and robotics company, has signed a binding, phased deployment and supply agreement with Schaeffler, a leading motion technology company, to integrate humanoid robots directly into live manufacturing operations.

The first systems go live in Germany before the end of 2026. Humanoid will also purchase actuators from Schaeffler as a preferred supplier.

The agreement is one of the largest disclosed humanoid robot rollouts ever announced and positions Humanoid, founded by Artem Sokolov in 2024, among the youngest companies to secure a large-scale contract at this level. It targets deployment of a four-digit number of wheeled units across Schaeffler’s global facilities by 2032. [Read more…] about Humanoid and Schaeffler strike deal to deploy thousands of humanoid robots in factories

How Industrial Automation Services Are Modernizing Legacy Facilities

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Many older plants still produce dependable output, yet the systems behind that output often show their age. Support teams are asked to meet modern production goals using control systems built for a slower operating model. The gap becomes obvious when downtime rises, and fault detection arrives too late.

Luckily, expert industrial automation services are helping these facilities modernize without forcing every asset into an expensive rebuild. The best projects are careful rather than dramatic. A good plan adds modern control where it creates value. It also protects proven equipment when that equipment still performs. [Read more…] about How Industrial Automation Services Are Modernizing Legacy Facilities

Automated Tire emerges from stealth with robotic SmartBay tire service system

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Automated Tire, Inc. (ATI), a physical AI and robotics company modernizing the traditional automotive service bay, has announced its emergence from stealth and unveiled SmartBay, its industry-first, AI-powered robotic platform designed to execute automotive services, starting with tire changes, wheel balancing, and vehicle inspections.

With the SmartBay platform, automotive dealerships and tire and service centers can shift from inconsistent technician-driven processes to a technology-first system that understands, adapts and executes complex physical tasks in real time.

SmartBay uses advanced robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to generate the proper execution for each vehicle with precision, rather than relying on pre-programmed routines, which require manual intervention for outliers and real-world variables. [Read more…] about Automated Tire emerges from stealth with robotic SmartBay tire service system

Dürr launches new robots with optimized arm geometry for painting tasks

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With the EcoRP4, Dürr is introducing a new generation of robots used to paint car bodies. The compact painting robot features an asymmetric architecture that improves access to the body for the applicator, enabling it to reliably reach even hard-to-access interior areas.

Its reduced number of components also lowers maintenance requirements and operational costs, especially benefiting car manufacturers with high production volumes.

Since 1998, Dürr has shipped almost 20,000 painting robots from the Ecopaint robotic family worldwide. The latest addition to the family, the EcoRP4, has been developed as the successor to the six-axis EcoRP E/L x33iC robot, and is specifically designed for painting lines that handle high volumes and standardised applications. [Read more…] about Dürr launches new robots with optimized arm geometry for painting tasks

SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

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SAP, the global leader in enterprise application software, and Cyberwave, an AI robotics software company, has announced the successful deployment of fully autonomous, AI-powered robots in an active SAP logistics warehouse.

Building on SAP’s strategic expansion of Physical AI capabilities announced last year, this initiative marks a major milestone: SAP is now operationalizing advanced robotics within its own facilities. [Read more…] about SAP and Cyberwave deploy fully autonomous AI-powered robots in SAP logistics warehouse

Dutch startup develops AI sorting system to recover batteries from household waste

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A Dutch recycling automation startup says it has developed a new AI-powered sorting system capable of removing discarded batteries from municipal waste streams at industrial scale – addressing a problem that recycling facilities have struggled with for decades.

The company, inSystem.io, says its new “Gravity Sorter” can remove up to 50 batteries per second from mixed waste streams while achieving purity rates above 96 percent during recent facility trials.

The announcement highlights a growing problem for recycling operators worldwide. Despite widespread public awareness around battery recycling, large numbers of portable batteries continue to end up in household rubbish. [Read more…] about Dutch startup develops AI sorting system to recover batteries from household waste

Symbotic surpasses 2 billion cases processed as demand for physical AI accelerates

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Symbotic, a provider of AI-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, has announced a number of key 2025 operating milestones that reflect accelerating adoption and strong customer outcomes as the company continues to scale its physical AI platform across production environments.

In 2025, Symbotic’s autonomous mobile robots collectively traveled more than 200 million miles – activity that ranks the bots among the most traveled autonomous vehicle fleets in the world.

Symbotic’s operational systems processed 2.23 billion cases for its customers, inbound and outbound. [Read more…] about Symbotic surpasses 2 billion cases processed as demand for physical AI accelerates

Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

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When robotic cells must handle a range of variable products within the same machine, mixed-product environments often require repeated programming, application-specific integration, and expensive 3D camera setups. These demands can slow deployment, increase integration cost, and make it difficult to scale automation across operations.

To address these challenges, Festo introduces GripperAI, a universal AI-based software that enables robots to handle a range of items without custom programming. The software operates locally at the cell on a standard industrial PC with a connected 3D camera and automatically adjusts for mixed products without programming or template loading between SKUs.

Deploying GripperAI involves standard integration steps: mounting and aligning the camera, verifying usable lighting, calibrating the robot base to the camera’s frame, and configuring the software’s pick parameters. [Read more…] about Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

Manufacturing with robot cells and machine tending solutions

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Robot cells and machine tending solutions are transforming manufacturing by driving higher efficiency and adaptability in production lines.

These technologies play a significant role in Modern manufacturing environments, supporting seamless automation across industries.

Their adoption addresses longstanding challenges, streamlining processes and elevating quality standards throughout manufacturing operations. [Read more…] about Manufacturing with robot cells and machine tending solutions

Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities

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Autonomous mobile robot developer Seegrid says its fleet has surpassed 20 million autonomous miles driven across customer production environments, marking a major milestone for the company’s operations in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

The company says the total distance travelled by its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is equivalent to circling the Earth more than 800 times, with all miles logged inside active industrial facilities rather than controlled test environments.

Seegrid’s systems are deployed in large-scale production operations, including automotive manufacturing plants and warehouse environments operating around the clock. [Read more…] about Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities