Robotics & Automation News

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robotics and automation

Nvidia launches robotics hackathon with $5,000 top prize to spur physical AI development

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Nvidia has launched a global virtual hackathon aimed at accelerating development in robotics and physical AI, offering a top cash prize of $5,000 along with high-performance computing hardware.

The event, called the Cosmos Cookoff, invites developers, researchers, and system builders to create applications using Nvidia’s Cosmos family of world foundation models – AI systems designed to help machines perceive, reason about, and act within physical environments.

Registration opened on January 29 and closes February 19, with final project submissions due February 26. Winners are expected to be announced during the week of March 16. [Read more…] about Nvidia launches robotics hackathon with $5,000 top prize to spur physical AI development

ABB launches ‘Automation Extended’ to help industries modernize control systems without disruption

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ABB has introduced a new automation architecture called Automation Extended, designed to help industrial operators upgrade their control systems while avoiding costly shutdowns and large-scale equipment replacements.

The program builds on ABB’s installed base of distributed control systems (DCS) and aims to provide a structured path for companies to adopt newer digital technologies – including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and Internet of Things connectivity – without interfering with mission-critical operations.

Industries such as energy, chemicals, mining, and utilities are under increasing pressure from volatile markets, cybersecurity risks, regulatory demands, and workforce changes. ABB says its new approach allows operators to modernize gradually while preserving existing infrastructure. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘Automation Extended’ to help industries modernize control systems without disruption

Machina Labs raises $124 million to scale manufacturing infrastructure

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Machina Labs, an advanced manufacturing and robotics company, has closed a Series C financing totaling $124 million and the development of its first large-scale “Intelligent Factory”.

Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth-stage venture arm, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Balerion Space Ventures, and Strategic Development Fund (SDF) invested in the round.

The funding marks a critical inflection point for Machina Labs as the company scales from breakthrough manufacturing technology to deploying software-defined production infrastructure capable of supporting mission-critical metal structures across defense, aerospace, and advanced mobility. [Read more…] about Machina Labs raises $124 million to scale manufacturing infrastructure

Vexlum raises €10 million to scale semiconductor and laser manufacturing

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Vexlum, a manufacturer of advanced semiconductor lasers for high-impact applications, has announced it has secured €10 million in funding to scale its proprietary semiconductor chip manufacturing and laser technology operations in Finland.

The round consists of €6 million in equity investment led by Kvanted, with participation from Finnish state-owned Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) and the EIC Fund, alongside a €2.4 million grant from the EIC Accelerator, and a €1.6 million loan from Nordea.

Vexlum’s semiconductor-based Vertical-External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VECSEL) technology addresses a critical bottleneck in high-tech industries: the lack of compact, cost-effective, high-power laser sources at precise wavelengths. [Read more…] about Vexlum raises €10 million to scale semiconductor and laser manufacturing

4 Spill Detection Tools to Prevent Workplace Falls

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Slippery floors in industrial settings like plants, warehouses and distribution centers are a common source of workplace injuries that could easily be avoided.

Spills happen fast and often aren’t realized until someone is already on the ground. Modern spill detection systems are intended to promote early detection of spills, give a faster alert, and reduce reliance on visual inspections. [Read more…] about 4 Spill Detection Tools to Prevent Workplace Falls

The Rise of Collaborative Robots and Human-Robot Teams in Modern Factories

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Collaborative robots, commonly known as cobots, are reshaping how factories think about automation. Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate in isolated cells, cobots are designed to work safely alongside humans, sharing tasks, spaces, and workflows.

This shift is driven by the need for flexibility, rapid reconfiguration, and higher precision in increasingly complex manufacturing environments.

As cobots take on more delicate and variable tasks, system stability becomes critical. Small deviations in positioning, thermal expansion, or structural alignment can directly affect accuracy and repeatability. [Read more…] about The Rise of Collaborative Robots and Human-Robot Teams in Modern Factories

Why Material Stability is Becoming a Bottleneck in Automated Industrial Systems

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Automation systems are increasingly defined by their ability to operate continuously, predictably, and at scale.

As robotics platforms, control software, and AI-driven decision layers mature, many manufacturers are discovering that system-level performance is no longer limited by algorithms or sensors, but by the physical materials that sit quietly between machines and processes.

In high-duty automation environments, material stability is emerging as a critical bottleneck that directly affects uptime, data reliability, and long-term operational efficiency. [Read more…] about Why Material Stability is Becoming a Bottleneck in Automated Industrial Systems

Bitcoin Falls to its Lowest Level Since Trump’s Inauguration: How BTC Holders Can Make Smart Moves

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Despite US President Donald Trump’s public and personal support for cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin’s price has fallen to its lowest level in 16 months.

The price of a single Bitcoin once fell to $60,000 (£44,000), its lowest level since September 2024. [Read more…] about Bitcoin Falls to its Lowest Level Since Trump’s Inauguration: How BTC Holders Can Make Smart Moves

The state of humanoid robotics: From research labs to real-world potential

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As 2026 rumbles into life, the humanoid robotics field has generated fresh headlines that underscore both the accelerating pace of innovation and the widening range of actors entering the race.

In Shanghai, robotics startup DroidUp unveiled Moya, billed as the world’s first biomimetic embodied intelligent robot, capable of walking with near-human gait, showing micro-expressions, and maintaining warm skin designed to support more natural interactions with people.

At the same time, a growing wave of Chinese industrial groups – including major automakers and tech conglomerates – has signalled their entry into humanoid robotics, expanding the field from research prototypes to platforms aimed at commercial use cases. [Read more…] about The state of humanoid robotics: From research labs to real-world potential

Scientists outline manufacturing roadmap for ultra-thin silicon bioelectronics

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Researchers at Incheon National University, South Korea comprehensively review the latest advances, potential applications, and future prospects of this cutting-edge technology

Ultra-thin crystalline silicon is an exciting material for next-generation bioelectronics, transforming rigid silicon into flexible nanomembranes while preserving superior electrical performance and CMOS compatibility.

A new review paper systematically explores its manufacturing roadmap – from high-temperature on-wafer processes like oxidation and doping, through transfer printing techniques, to diverse applications including wearable health monitors, electrophysiological sensors, personalized neuromodulation, bio-integrated prosthetics, and bioresorbable implants that dissolve post-use.

Silicon has been the foundation of modern electronics for decades, yet it has traditionally been regarded as incompatible with soft, dynamic biological systems due to its rigidity. [Read more…] about Scientists outline manufacturing roadmap for ultra-thin silicon bioelectronics