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GlobalLogic and Elektrobit partner to accelerate software-defined vehicle development

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GlobalLogic, a Hitachi Group company and a specialist in digital engineering, has announced a major strategic expansion of its long-standing partnership with Elektrobit, a developer of automotive software.

The alliance will accelerate the development and market adoption of next-generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms.

GlobalLogic and Elektrobit have collaborated for the past 15 years, supporting Elektrobit’s industry-leading products in areas such as adaptive and classic Autosar middleware, in-vehicle infotainment systems, and connectivity. [Read more…] about GlobalLogic and Elektrobit partner to accelerate software-defined vehicle development

Microsoft Research unveils Rho-alpha robotics model combining vision, language, and touch

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Microsoft Research has announced Rho-alpha, a new robotics model designed to help robots understand natural language instructions and carry out complex physical tasks in less structured environments.

The model, derived from Microsoft’s Phi series of vision-language models, is being made available through the company’s Research Early Access Program. According to Microsoft, Rho-alpha is intended to advance a new generation of robotics systems capable of perceiving, reasoning, and acting in dynamic real-world settings.

For decades, robots have performed best in tightly controlled environments such as factories and warehouses, where tasks are predictable and carefully scripted. Recent advances in agentic AI, however, are enabling new “vision-language-action” models that allow physical systems to operate with greater autonomy. [Read more…] about Microsoft Research unveils Rho-alpha robotics model combining vision, language, and touch

MassRobotics reveals 11 startups to take part in 5th Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program

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MassRobotics, in collaboration with Festo, Novanta and Mitsubishi Electric Automation, announces the selection of 11 startups for the 2026 Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst.

Now in its fifth cohort, the program empowers global startups to accelerate the development and commercialization of robotic technologies that improve clinical care, hospital operations, and laboratory automation. [Read more…] about MassRobotics reveals 11 startups to take part in 5th Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program

Technology Innovation Institute and World Economic Forum launch Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies at Davos

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The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have launched the Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies, a new Centre within WEF’s prestigious Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Global Network.

The collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, marking a significant step in deepening international cooperation to shape the future of frontier technologies.

Established with a clear mandate to lead breakthroughs in frontier research and development, advance global policy on emerging technologies, and foster international collaboration that moves innovation from the lab into real-world deployment, the Centre builds on the UAE’s position as a real-world testbed for innovation. [Read more…] about Technology Innovation Institute and World Economic Forum launch Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies at Davos

Unbox Robotics secures $28 million in Series B fundraise led by ICICI venture

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Unbox Robotics, a supply chain robotics technology company, has secured $28 million (INR 243 crore) in Series B funding, led by ICICI Venture and Redstart Labs (Infoedge), with co-investment from F-Prime, 3one4 Capital, Navam Capital, Force Ventures, and other existing investors.

This funding round, comprising a mix of primary and secondary capital, will be utilized towards strengthening the leadership and engineering teams, accelerating new product development, and expanding market presence across India and select international markets.

This fundraise marks a key step for Unbox Robotics as the company scales its mission of transforming warehouse and logistics operations through intelligent robotics and automation. The company also created meaningful liquidity for employees through its ESOP program as part of the transaction. [Read more…] about Unbox Robotics secures $28 million in Series B fundraise led by ICICI venture

Serve Robotics to acquire Diligent Robotics, expanding autonomy platform into hospitals

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Serve Robotics has agreed to acquire healthcare robotics company Diligent Robotics, marking its first move beyond outdoor, sidewalk-based delivery and into indoor environments such as hospitals.

The deal brings Diligent’s autonomous hospital robot, Moxi, into Serve’s portfolio and expands the company’s autonomy platform into healthcare settings that require high reliability, safety, and close interaction with people.

Diligent Robotics was founded in 2017 by Andrea Thomaz and Vivian Chu and has raised more than $100 million from investors including Tiger Global, Canaan, and True Ventures.

The company develops AI-powered robot assistants designed to support clinical staff by handling routine logistics tasks inside hospitals. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics to acquire Diligent Robotics, expanding autonomy platform into hospitals

Sharpa showcases autonomous fine-manipulation robot and new AI model at CES 2026

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Robotics startup Sharpa used live demonstrations at CES 2026 to showcase advances in autonomous fine manipulation, unveiling a new full-body robot and an AI model designed to improve how robots interact with objects.

At the event in Las Vegas, Sharpa’s newly introduced robot, North, played fully autonomous games of ping-pong against human opponents throughout the show.

Rather than relying on pre-scripted demonstrations, the company ran live sessions for eight hours a day over four consecutive days, drawing large crowds as the rallies continued. [Read more…] about Sharpa showcases autonomous fine-manipulation robot and new AI model at CES 2026

Covvi releases two lighter, shorter variants of advanced bionic hand

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Covvi has unveiled two new wrist options for the Covvi Hand, which will make the advanced prosthesis available to more people with upper-limb differences than ever before.

Engineered to meet the unique needs of every user, Covvi’s bionic hand will soon be available in three distinct wrist options – the original Covvi Hand featuring a flexing wrist, alongside the new Straight Wrist, and Friction Wrist variants.

The original Covvi Hand’s ‘Flex Wrist’ enables users to adjust the angle of their hand for various tasks, offering 27 degrees of flexion and extension that can be securely locked. [Read more…] about Covvi releases two lighter, shorter variants of advanced bionic hand

NEOintralogistics secures €3 million to ‘democratize warehouse automation’ through RaaS

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NEOintralogistics, a German robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) provider in warehouse automation, has closed a €3 million seed funding round, led by the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund and strong participation from Cetus Holding.

The urgency for accessible automation solutions has never been greater. Despite the clear business case for automation with potential operational cost reductions of up to 65 percent, adoption has been severely limited by the high upfront investment required.

80 percent of global warehouses still operate manually, largely due to cost barriers that have made traditional automation accessible only to the largest operators. [Read more…] about NEOintralogistics secures €3 million to ‘democratize warehouse automation’ through RaaS

Omron launches new high-payload collaborative robots and software upgrade

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Omron Robotics has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. 

The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and precision handling. [Read more…] about Omron launches new high-payload collaborative robots and software upgrade