AUTOMATION HISTORY
1513
Total Articles Scraped
4666
Total Images Extracted
Scraped Articles
New Automation| Action | Title | URL | Images | Scraped At | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG robots move boxes in 90 seconds with zero human … | https://interestingengineering.com/ai-r… | 1 | May 11, 2026 00:00 | active | |
LG robots move boxes in 90 seconds with zero human help in live testURL: https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/humanoid-dog-like-robots-work-together-at-lg Description: LG demostrates autonomous humanoid and quadruped robots coordinating warehouse logistics without human control. Content:
From daily news and career tips to monthly insights on AI, sustainability, software, and more—pick what matters and get it in your inbox. Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience. All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc. Follow Us On Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience. All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc. The platform centrally manages humanoids, quadrupeds, AMRs, AGVs, and wheel-based robots through one interface. A subsidiary of LG has showcased a future logistics workflow in which multiple autonomous robots collaborate without human intervention. In a demonstration, a bipedal humanoid lifted a box from a conveyor belt and passed it to a wheeled quadruped transport robot, which autonomously delivered it across the site. A wheel-type humanoid then used its extended arms to place the box on a shelf over two meters high. The entire process was powered by LG CNS’s Physical Works platform, with robots independently recognizing objects, making decisions, and coordinating tasks using Robot Foundation Model technology. Recently, LG Display also unveiled a 7.2-inch curved P-OLED humanoid robot display powered by its third-generation Tandem OLED display technology. LG CNS showcased its PhysicalWorks robot transformation (RX) platform through a live logistics demonstration at its Magok campus in western Seoul. During the event, four robots from different manufacturers completed coordinated warehouse tasks without remote control. The platform combines a simulation and video-based robot training module with a real-time orchestration system capable of assigning and reassigning jobs across mixed-brand robot fleets, according to The Korea Herald (TKH). During the demonstration, a humanoid robot picked up packaged goods from a conveyor and loaded them into a box. A wheeled quadruped logistics robot then transported the box across the workspace to a wheeled humanoid robot, which stacked it on a designated shelf. After completing the delivery, the quadruped returned to continue the logistics cycle while the wheeled humanoid placed an empty box back onto the conveyor for refilling. LG CNS also demonstrated adaptive task management by simulating an emergency scenario. When the quadruped robot was reassigned to patrol operations, the platform automatically deployed another autonomous logistics robot to continue the transport work without interrupting the workflow, according to TKH. The company said the robots operated entirely autonomously, relying on the platform’s robot learning and coordination capabilities rather than manual intervention. In the live setup, the robots transferred a single box between stations positioned roughly two to three meters ((6.5 to 9.8 feet) apart in about 90 seconds, with performance expected to improve further through additional field training and operational experience. LG CNS said the robotics industry is shifting beyond hardware-focused development toward software systems that allow robots to understand, coordinate, and reliably execute real-world industrial tasks. The company believes successful robot transformation depends on integrated learning, verification, and operational frameworks tailored to manufacturing and logistics sites rather than on individual robot performance alone, reports Chosun Biz. To support this strategy, LG CNS has developed its Physical Works platform, which combines two systems: Physical Works Forge for robot data learning and simulation-based verification, and Physical Works Baton for centralized control of robots from multiple manufacturers. The platform supports different robot types, including bipedal humanoids, quadrupeds, wheel-based robots, AMRs, and AGVs, through a unified management interface. LG CNS said the system reduces robot deployment timelines from several months to around one or two months. In mixed-robot environments of about 100 units, the company projects productivity gains exceeding 15 percent and operating cost reductions of up to 18 percent by minimizing traffic overlap, congestion, and manual intervention, Chosun Biz reported. The company has also invested in robotics and embodied AI firms developing humanoid control and robot foundation models. Currently, LG CNS is conducting proof-of-concept projects with 20 customers across industrial sectors while deploying the platform in South Korea’s Busan Smart City pilot project to manage patrol, cleaning, delivery, and service robots through a single system. Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages. Premium Follow
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| La française Genesis AI automatise les gestes complexes des robots | https://www.objetconnecte.com/la-franca… | 1 | May 10, 2026 00:00 | active | |
La française Genesis AI automatise les gestes complexes des robotsURL: https://www.objetconnecte.com/la-francaise-genesis-ai-automatise-les-gestes-complexes-des-robots/ Description: Genesis AI dévoile GENE-26.5 pour automatiser les manipulations robotiques complexes. La start-up française cible les usages industriels, scientifiques et domestiques. Content:
Par Prisca R. 8 mai 2026, 19 h 30 min 4 minutes de lecture Genesis AI signe une avancée majeure dans la robotique en automatisant les gestes complexes des robots. La start-up française dévoile un modèle de fondation révolutionnaire, le GENE-26.5, pour doter les robots d’une agilité inédite. Cette innovation promet de transformer les secteurs industriels et domestiques. Depuis Paris jusqu’à la Silicon Valley, Genesis AI structure une infrastructure d’IA appliquée à la robotique généraliste. Elle répond ainsi aux défis liés à l’automatisation de tâches manuelles complexes. Ces avancées s’inscrivent dans un contexte où 95 % des gestes manuels restent non automatisés. Genesis AI lance le GENE-26.5, un modèle articulé autour d’une main robotique à 20 degrés de liberté. Cette conception permet au robot d’exécuter des mouvements précis et indépendants, reproduisant la dextérité humaine. La main est équipée d’un matériau mimant la peau humaine, apportant un sensation tactile réelle. Cette innovation positionne Genesis AI au cœur des avancées robotiques. Le modèle inclut un moteur de données exploitant des vidéos à point de vue subjectif capturées lors d’interactions physiques réelles. En combinant ces données à des volumes massifs de vidéos en ligne, Genesis AI a su accroître l’efficacité de son apprentissage. Des gants équipés de capteurs tactiles et de suivi électromagnétique permettent de collecter jusqu’à 200 000 heures de données. Cette méthode surpasse, de cinq fois, les performances des téléopérations classiques. De ce fait, la start-up offre une plateforme d’apprentissage robotique d’une précision remarquable. Genesis AI illustre l’étendue de ses capacités dans des domaines aussi variés que les laboratoires, la cuisine ou le jeu. La mécanique du GENE-26.5 autorise le pipetage, le transfert de liquides, ou encore le scellage précis de tubes en environnement scientifique. Les robots peuvent même casser des œufs d’une main ou manipuler jusqu’à quatre objets simultanément. Cette polyvalence révèle une flexibilité jamais atteinte par les robots traditionnels. Les démonstrations incluent également des gestes complexes comme la résolution de Rubik’s Cube ou la préparation complète d’un smoothie. Ce niveau de précision illustre l’ambition de réaliser l’automatisation manuelle intégrale, bridée jusqu’ici par des contraintes techniques. En ce sens, le modèle dépasse largement les systèmes spécialisés et rigides dominants dans l’industrie robotique classique. Cette avancée ouvre des perspectives nouvelles pour les secteurs où la manipulation fine est cruciale. Genesis AI implémente une plateforme alliant simulation haute fidélité et collecte massive de données réelles. La start-up a mis au point un moteur physique en Python capable d’exécuter des simulations jusqu’à 80 fois plus rapides que les solutions GPU classiques. Cette innovation réduit drastiquement le temps d’entraînement des modèles, tout en conservant une précision exceptionnelle. Comparativement, ce moteur génère des résultats 430 000 fois plus rapidement que la simulation en temps réel traditionnelle. Cette infrastructure sim-to-real facilite la transposition des compétences acquises en environnement virtuel vers le monde physique. En combinant données synthétiques et données récoltées via les gants à capteurs, Genesis AI optimise le développement de ses modèles. Cette approche révolutionne la manière dont l’intelligence physique est entraînée. Elle offre un avantage stratégique dans l’industrie, notamment face aux limites des modèles d’apprentissage automatisés standard. Genesis AI bénéficie d’un soutien solide avec une levée de fonds de 105 millions de dollars, pilotée par Eclipse et Khosla Ventures. Xavier Niel et Eric Schmidt, ancien CEO de Google, comptent parmi les investisseurs influents. Ce financement permet à la start-up d’accélérer la conception de son premier robot généraliste, intégrant les technologies développées. La société vise la création d’une nouvelle génération de robots plus robustes, flexibles et économiquement accessibles. Théophile Gervet, cofondateur, souligne l’importance du vivier technologique français pour l’innovation en robotique. Le développement local s’accompagne d’une forte implantation aux États-Unis, point névralgique des avancées en intelligence artificielle. Enfin, Genesis AI prévoit d’ouvrir certains éléments clés en open-source. Cette ouverture vise à stimuler la recherche collaborative et à accélérer la généralisation de ces technologies de pointe. Ce projet s’inscrit dans un contexte où l’évolution des industries dépendra de l’automatisation intelligente et adaptative. Les tâches manuelles représentent entre 30 000 et 40 000 milliards de dollars du PIB mondial. Pourtant, 95 % de ces activités restent hors de portée des robots actuels, limités par des solutions rigides et coûteuses. Genesis AI ambitionne de combler cette lacune avec une robotique généraliste capable d’interagir efficacement dans des environnements complexes. Cette révolution robotique offre un potentiel économique colossal. Le ratio actuel entre robots et humains dans les usines dépasse rarement un robot pour trente employés. Cette situation reflète les difficultés liées à la mobilité, la dextérité et le raisonnement contextuel en environnement réel. L’intégration d’IA physique aux machines permettrait d’augmenter significativement les capacités d’automatisation. Ce point est crucial au regard des tensions persistantes sur le recrutement au niveau mondial. Offrir des solutions robotisées intelligentes répond à des besoins économiques et sociaux pressants, en assurant une efficacité durable et une diminution des coûts. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas publiée. Les champs obligatoires sont indiqués avec * Commentaire * Nom * E-mail * La start-up américaine 1X franchit une étape majeure dans la robotique domestique. Son usine californienne […] Plus Le robot de tennis de table Ace, développé par Sony AI, vient de franchir une […] Plus SoftBank mise sur la robotique pour transformer le secteur des data centers. La firme japonaise […] Plus La Chine franchit une nouvelle étape dans l’intégration des robots policiers. Le déploiement de 1000 […] Plus Découvrez les technologies qui transforment votre quotidien aux côtés de 30 000 passionnés Accueil > Business > Robotique > La française Genesis AI automatise les gestes complexes des robots Découvrez les technologies qui transforment votre quotidien aux côtés de 30 000 passionnés🔥 Copyright © 2026 Groupe Publithings. Tous droits réservés. Découvrez les technologies qui transforment votre quotidien aux côtés de 30 000 passionnés🔥
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Genesis AI unveils GENE-26.5 robotic brain for human-level manipulation | … | https://www.foxnews.com/tech/new-ai-bra… | 1 | May 09, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Genesis AI unveils GENE-26.5 robotic brain for human-level manipulation | Fox NewsURL: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/new-ai-brain-lets-robots-move-like-humans Description: Genesis AI unveils GENE-26.5, a robotic brain designed to help general-purpose robots perform complex physical tasks with human-level dexterity and coordination. Content:
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. Genesis AI, a global full-stack robotics company, has unveiled GENE-26.5, a robotic brain designed to help general-purpose robots perform complex physical tasks with human-level manipulation. The company says the system pairs a robotics foundation model with a human-scale dexterous robotic hand. It also includes a new data engine. Together, these pieces help robots learn from human movement and handle tasks that require precision and coordination. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report ROBOTS LEARN 1,000 TASKS IN ONE DAY FROM A SINGLE DEMO Genesis AI says its robotic hand can learn from human motion data to complete detailed, multistep tasks such as cooking an omelet. (Genesis AI) Theo Gervet, co-founder and president of Genesis AI, says the easiest way to understand GENE-26.5 is to think of it as the system guiding the robot's actions. "Think of GENE-26.5 like a robotic brain that takes in information and tells the robot what to do," Gervet said. "It is the industry's most advanced robotic brain, with the most advanced capabilities. We've proven this by releasing a few videos showing GENE-26.5 powering the most complex tasks ever performed by robots." He says that matters because most robots still struggle with detailed hand movements. They often repeat one task in a controlled setting, but real life is less predictable. "We've developed a way to feed GENE-26.5 massive amounts of data about how human hands move, so it can tell our robotic hands exactly how to move like a human's hands," Gervet said. "GENE-26.5 can also tell our robotic hands how to do tasks with many, many steps." He pointed to a cooking example to show the difference. "For example, powered by GENE-26.5, our robotic hands can follow a 20-step process to make a full omelet from start to finish," Gervet said. "That's why we're obsessed with innovating across the full-stack, from AI to hardware. By controlling every layer, we can build a cohesive system and solve the problem holistically. Our approach gives us a huge competitive advantage by harnessing unprecedented amounts of data, as that ultimately defines what foundation models can achieve." Human hands constantly adjust, even during simple actions. That level of control has been hard for robots to replicate. To explain, Gervet used a Rubik's Cube as an example. "Imagine you're playing with a Rubik's Cube. You have to hold it with the perfect grip strength. If you grip it too loosely, you'll drop it." He said people make small adjustments without noticing. "You may not even realize it, but your brain is taking notice of how the cube feels. Even if you're just holding the cube, your hands are never perfectly still." Those small movements are constant. "They're constantly making micro adjustments to make sure the cube doesn't slip and stays balanced," he said. "It takes a lot of complicated, intentional and coordinated movements that involve over 20 joints in your fingers, knuckles and wrists. Our robotic hands can do exactly that." Genesis AI built a robotic hand that mirrors the human hand in form and function. It pairs with a glove that captures motion and pressure. "The glove system helps us directly transfer information about how human hands move to our robot hands," Gervet said. He explained how the system captures detail. "When a human wears the gloves as they interact with objects or do their work, we can capture details about the exact movements their fingers and wrists make. Our robotic hands are built to exactly match a human's hands, so that data works extremely well." Genesis AI says the glove is 100 times cheaper than typical options. It has also shown up to five times greater data collection efficiency compared with traditional methods. AI VIDEO TECH FAST-TRACKS HUMANOID ROBOT TRAINING Genesis AI unveiled GENE-26.5, a robotic brain designed to help general-purpose robots perform complex physical tasks with humanlike precision. (Genesis AI) Robots have lacked usable training data for physical tasks. "Robots have always had a data problem," Gervet said. "When you think about the AI chatbots you use on your computer, they have the entire internet to access." Robots did not have that advantage. "The big problem comes from the fact that unless the robot's hand exactly matches a human's hand, any information you capture about how human hands move won't translate well," Gervet said. He said matching the human hand solves that gap. "We've solved this problem by creating a robotic hand that exactly matches a human hand." Genesis AI also uses other sources of data to train its system. "In addition to data from the glove, we use videos from humans wearing camera headbands so we can see how their hands move," Gervet said. "We also use massive amounts of internet videos." The company says its simulation system is a major accelerator, allowing AI to train itself in a fully virtual environment before moving into the real world. This helps teams test and improve systems much faster than traditional physical testing, which can be slow and expensive. For now, Genesis AI expects the first use cases to be in workplaces such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities. "We see our technology being used in industrial settings to start and then later in the home," Gervet said. He described a phased rollout. "To start, it can be deployed for industrial use in warehouses and for manufacturing logistics. We're already having conversations with industrial customers." After that, the technology could expand further. "After the industrial phase, we'll offer our technology to the service industry. Next, it can be offered to consumers in their homes." Gervet went on to say that "In addition, we’re hoping that in a home setting, our technology will be able to help handle daily chores, freeing up time for people to spend doing what they actually enjoy. Robots have been humans’ biggest fantasy for years. This is our collective hope, and we want to be the company to get us there." ROBOTS PERFORM LIKE HUMAN SURGEONS BY JUST WATCHING VIDEOS The company says its glove-based data system captures finger, wrist and pressure movements to train robots more efficiently. (Genesis AI) Gervet says safety testing is a core part of development. "Our technology goes through extensive testing and validation, first in simulation running millions of scenarios, then in controlled real-world environments," he said. "It has to earn its way into the room." He added that the company also follows established safety standards and industry regulations designed to govern how robots operate around people. He went on to say the company is currently showcasing individual components, including the robotic brain, robotic hands and data collection system and plans to unveil a full general-purpose robot that brings everything together. Early, small-scale deployments with select partners could begin later this year. This technology will likely show up first in places like warehouses, factories and service environments where the work is repetitive or physically demanding. Gervet says, "In the future, we see our technology being able to fill some of the critical labor gaps there are today. Our hope is that this will increase productivity, while creating space for people to focus on meaningful, creative and high-value work." Over time, that could change. Robots that can use the same tools as people may fit into existing spaces more easily, without needing everything redesigned around them. "The beauty of the technology is that it’s meant to fit seamlessly into the human world," Gervet said. "Humans will still lead, but our reach won’t be limited by what we can do with our own hands." Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com. This can feel like another robot demo, but the difference is how these robot hands move. They are starting to handle objects more like people do, using the same kinds of motions and tools. That is what makes this worth paying attention to. If robots can work in spaces built for humans without everything being redesigned, that is when things start to change in a more noticeable way. It also raises a bigger question about where this shows up first and how quickly it spreads. Not everything will change overnight, but this is the kind of progress that tends to build quietly and then suddenly feel like it is everywhere. So, be on the lookout for general-purpose robots that can suddenly handle objects more like human hands and start showing up in places you might not expect. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP As robots move and handle objects more like humans, do you want one helping you at home, or would that feel like a step too far at this point? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Get a daily look at what’s developing in science and technology throughout the world. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Meta koopt AI-bedrijf voor robots - Emerce | https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/meta-koopt… | 1 | May 09, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Meta koopt AI-bedrijf voor robots - EmerceURL: https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/meta-koopt-aibedrijf-robots Description: Meta neemt de medewerkers en technologie over van een start-up die software bouwt voor intelligentie in mensachtige robots. Content:
Meta neemt de medewerkers en technologie over van een start-up die software bouwt voor intelligentie in mensachtige robots. Dat melden Amerikaanse media, waaronder Techcrunch en Quartz. Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI) bouwt sinds vorig jaar aan systemen die robots in staat stellen menselijk gedrag in complexe en dynamische omgevingen te begrijpen, te voorspellen en zich daaraan aan te passen. Het overgenomen team wordt onderdeel van Meta’s AI-lab, Superintelligence Labs. De start-up bouwt zogeheten foundation models voor mensachtige robots. Waar ChatGPT in de basis een taalmodel is, richt het werk van ARI zich op de bouw van een wereldmodel. Machines die de modellen en software gebruiken, moeten als het ware al kijkend de wereld om zich heen begrijpen. Met de overname slaat Meta hetzelfde pad is als Tesla, dat in samenwerking met xAI aan vergelijkbare robotische systemen werkt met wereldmodellen. Foto: Possessed Photography / Unsplash Uw e-mailadres wordt niet op de site getoond Een robot als maatje op de werkvloer wordt steeds minder een vergezicht en steeds vaker praktijk van de dag. In China zijn ze al redelijk betaalbaar en lopen de... PostNL houdt experimenten met bezorgrobots ter ondersteuning van de menselijke pakketbezorger. Na deze initiële testfase gaat de pakketbezorger de kaders stellen waar binnen het nieuwe technologie kan opschalen. Volgens een nieuw rapport zullen er over tien jaar naar schatting twee miljoen mensachtige robots aan het werk zijn, en driehonderd miljoen in 2050.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Meta Acquires Robotics Startup To Boost Humanoid AI | https://www.techjuice.pk/meta-acquires-… | 1 | May 09, 2026 00:00 | active | |
Meta Acquires Robotics Startup To Boost Humanoid AIURL: https://www.techjuice.pk/meta-acquires-assured-robot-intelligence-humanoid-ai-2026/ Description: Meta has acquired Assured Robot Intelligence to accelerate its push into humanoid robotics and AI-driven machines. Content:
Meta Platforms completed the acquisition of Assured Robot Intelligence on May 1, 2026 for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition brings the startup developing artificial intelligence models for robots into Meta’s Superintelligence Labs research division as part of a major initiative to build humanoid technology. Meta described the San Diego and New York-based startup as operating at the frontier of robotic intelligence designed to enable robots to understand, predict and adapt to human behaviors in complex and dynamic environments. The Assured Robot Intelligence team including co-founders Lerrel Pinto, Xiaolong Wang and Xuxin Cheng will join Meta’s artificial intelligence research division where they will bring deep expertise in designing models and frontier capabilities for robot control and self-learning to whole-body humanoid control. Wang previously worked as a researcher at NVIDIA while Pinto co-founded Fauna Robotics before departing in 2025, with Amazon acquiring Fauna in March 2026 demonstrating broader industry momentum toward physical artificial intelligence applications. Meta’s robotics team is working on in-house humanoid hardware along with the underlying artificial intelligence that powers it, developing sensors, software and other technology for robots that the company plans to make available to others in the industry. Rather than competing primarily in end-user robot sales, Meta envisions its role as an enabling platform for the robotics industry comparable to the role Android and Qualcomm’s processors played in mobile computing. The acquisition aligns with Meta’s broader investment in artificial intelligence following the company’s announcement in late April 2026 raising its capital spending forecast to between $125 billion and $145 billion for the year. The startup had been building foundation models for humanoid robots to perform various types of physical labor including household chores, addressing critical challenges in high-value labor markets where physical automation could provide significant economic value. Abdul Wasay explores emerging trends across AI, cybersecurity, startups and social media platforms in a way anyone can easily follow. Bangladesh-based travel platform GoZayaan announced it will exit Pakistan after four years, citing strategic realignment toward markets with stronger long-term potential. The company entered Pakistan. Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has traditionally been dominated by fintech, e-commerce and software companies, but a new category is slowly beginning to emerge: defense and aerospace. Pakistan is preparing to launch a new platform to connect green startups with global investors. The initiative aims to bridge the funding gap for climate-focused. Pakistan and Japan are expanding technology cooperation through the “GO GLOBAL” event in Tokyo. The forum connects startups, investors, and industry leaders to explore collaboration. Premier Pakistan technology news website with special focus on startups, entrepreneurship and consumer products. © 2026 TechJuice.PK – All rights reserved.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Georgia Tech robots learn complex tasks faster than ever before | https://newatlas.com/robotics/sail-robo… | 1 | May 08, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Georgia Tech robots learn complex tasks faster than ever beforeURL: https://newatlas.com/robotics/sail-robots-human-scale-tasks/ Description: Georgia Tech's new AI system lets robots perform delicate tasks like folding towels and packing food with speed and accuracy exceeding human capabilities. Content:
Thanks to researchers at Georgia Tech, robots have taken several new steps towards replacing human labor – and not simply for dangerous tasks such as mining the depths of the Earth and exploring the Moon, or difficult tasks such as high-speed mass-assembly of thousands of cars. Instead, picture fine-motor, subtly complex tasks that have generally been beyond robotic dexterity and coordination: stacking cups, folding towels, packing food, and placing fruit onto plates – that is, the tasks of workers at hospitals, senior care facilities, child care centers, and restaurants. Now, if you’re a business owner who wants to pay nobody to do that work and pocket all the profit, you’ll be thrilled. If you’re the person who does such work, or your family members do, or you own a business serving people who do, or you live in a city whose tax-base depends on tax-payers who do such labor, you may see the replacement of humans differently. But first, let’s examine the genuinely remarkable technical breakthrough. In a recently-presented paper, Georgia Tech researchers Nadun Ranawaka Arachchige, Zhenyang Chen and colleagues explain how they have improved robots to perform domestic and retail work as accurately as, but more quickly than, people can. According to Shreyas Kousik, co-lead author on the study, he and his colleagues want to create a “general-purpose robot that can do any task that human hands can do." To make that work outside the lab, speed really matters – hence their innovation: the AI-based Speed Adaptation of Imitation Learning (SAIL) system. Drawing upon robotics, mechanical engineering, and machine learning, SAIL combines an algorithm to preserve consistent, smooth motion at high speed, high-fidelity motion tracking, self-adjusting speed based on motion complexity, and “action-scheduling” for latency in the real world. Compared to demonstration speeds in experiments of 12 simulated and two actual tasks, two different types of SAIL-enabled robotic arms worked up to four times faster in simulation and up to 3.2 times faster in reality. While designers have previously imbued camera- and sensor-using robots with offline Imitation Learning (IL) and Behavior Cloning to perform human-scale tasks, those systems had a limit: the speed of the human demonstration of the task for imitation. In turn, the demonstration speed limits bandwidth or throughput (the ratio of data output to data input) that industrial automation demands. SAIL smashes that barrier. Previously, working human-scale tasks more quickly that humans did was difficult for robots, because small environmental changes and robotic physical performance can change at high speed, resulting in errors and damage. As Kousik explains, “The challenge is that a robot is limited to the data it was trained on, and any changes in the environment can cause it to fail.” For instance, one of the experimental SAIL tasks was erasing a whiteboard. A stand-mounted whiteboard wobbles when wiped too quickly, but a human would automatically adjust for that change. Until now, robots didn’t adjust (which this barely related and hilarious video sort of demonstrates). “Understanding where speed helps and where it hurts is critical. Sometimes slowing down is the right decision,” explains Kousik, to which co-author Joffe adds, “The goal is not just to make robots faster, but to make them smart enough to know when speed helps and when it could cause mistakes.” To fulfill that goal, SAIL’s modules coordinate acceleration beyond training data, thereby maintaining smooth, fast, accurate motion and tracking, while adjusting speed as-needed and scheduling tasks according to hardware lag. So far, SAIL isn’t a panacea for robotic assimilation and acceleration of human activity, but it’s a significant step toward that goal. Which brings us back to the beginning, and the robotic job-pocalypse. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, by 2030, robots, AI, and other automation will terminate between 400 and 800 million jobs worldwide, which Robozaps says means “forcing up to 375 million workers (roughly 14% of the global workforce) to switch occupations entirely.” In the US alone, notes McKinsey, “30 percent of hours worked today could by automated by 2030” – that is, almost a third of the country. While some people claim that robots are no threat to employment, and if operating for public benefit could be a route towards universal basic income, other analysts highlight the complexity of trying to make such a technotopia possible. And that assumes the powers that be want such a world. If they don’t, who’s going to create 375 million jobs to prevent a global depression? As the Economic Policy Institute notes, when companies delete 100 retail jobs, an additional 122 people lose their jobs because those 100 retail workers can no longer buy as many goods and services. It’s even worse in manufacturing, because when corporations blow up 100 jobs, they indirectly double-tap another 744. Ultimately, robots won’t need to look or act like The Terminator to destroy civilization. They might just need to fold your towels. Source: Georgia Tech Sign up for our FREE daily New Atlas newsletter!
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| At the 2026 AGIBOT Conference: Embodied AI Is Moving Into … | https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/at-the-20… | 1 | May 07, 2026 08:00 | active | |
At the 2026 AGIBOT Conference: Embodied AI Is Moving Into Deployment Phase - Geeky GadgetsDescription: The conversation around embodied AI (Robot as a physical interface for Artificial Intelligence) is evolving. While previous years focused on whether Content:
Geeky Gadgets The Latest Technology News 9:25 am April 25, 2026 By Roland Hutchinson The conversation around embodied AI (Robot as a physical interface for Artificial Intelligence) is evolving. While previous years focused on whether robots could move, perceive, and interact, the current question is whether these systems can operate reliably enough to integrate into real-world production. At its 2026 Partner Conference, the robotics company AGIBOT announced a shift toward an embodied AI “deployment phase,” moving the company toward developing systems built for reliable, real-world performance. The focus was on a cohesive, layered strategy that integrated products, models, deployment techniques, and ecosystem infrastructure. At the technical level, AGIBOT’s architecture is built around locomotion, interaction, and manipulation. The premise is that these capabilities cannot be treated in isolation if robots are to operate in real-world workflows. Movement enables access, interaction enables coordination, and task execution generates value. The company’s approach ties these together into a unified stack spanning hardware, perception, control systems, operating systems, and embodied AI models, with the aim of reducing fragmentation and speeding up iteration across the system. That integration is reflected in its current updated third-gen product lineup. AGIBOT has built a range of robot products covering humanoid, wheeled, and quadruped forms, each aligned with different operational environments. The positioning matches the form factor to the task. Alongside this, the company introduced six AI models aligned with the three intelligence layers, including motion-control models, multimodal interaction systems, and task-oriented models designed to handle longer, more complex operations. AGIBOT presented seven production solutions spanning manufacturing, logistics, commercial services, inspection, and cleaning, all framed as already operating in real environments. The distinction is important. These are not custom integrations, but standardized, repeatable solutions designed to scale. To support that shift, AGIBOT is building out infrastructure layers that extend beyond the robot itself. Its AIMA (AI Machine Architecture) ecosystem is intended to function as a full-stack development environment, lowering the barrier for deploying and customizing embodied AI systems. At the same time, the company introduced a large-scale data initiative and a global robot rental network, Sharebot, which allows partners to access robots as a service rather than through ownership. It reduces upfront costs, accelerates adoption, and creates a continuous loop in which deployment generates data, data improves models, and improved models feed back into deployment. Underlying all of this is a clear attempt to define the industry’s direction. AGIBOT outlined an “XYZ curve” as a framework for embodied AI development, with the past few years representing a phase where robots learned to move, and the coming years focused on whether they can consistently perform useful work. The company positions 2026 as the beginning of that transition. What APC 2026 ultimately presented was a system-level view of embodied AI. Robots do not operate in isolation, and neither can the systems that support them. The result is a reframing of what progress looks like, a system that can be deployed, iterated, and scaled. In that sense, the industry may be entering a phase where we finally get to see Artificial Intelligence becoming readily available in the physical world. Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Reconova targets embodied intelligence with robots deployed in airports | https://kr-asia.com/reconova-targets-em… | 1 | May 07, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Reconova targets embodied intelligence with robots deployed in airportsURL: https://kr-asia.com/reconova-targets-embodied-intelligence-with-robots-deployed-in-airports Description: The company builds on its background in computer vision technology. Content:
Written by Cheng Zi Published on 30 Apr 2026 5 mins read On April 29, at the third China Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry Conference and Exhibition, Reconova delivered a keynote on breaking through bottlenecks in the scenario-based commercialization of embodied intelligence. For the company, which has spent 14 years in artificial intelligence, the message was clear: machines are improving in their ability to understand the world, and may soon be ready to perform physical work. At a time when much of the industry emphasizes general-purpose capability and scale, it is positioning itself around real-world deployment and practical execution. Reconova was founded in 2012. Since then, it has operated through two distinct eras of AI. In the early phase, the central technical challenge was perception: enabling machines to interpret images, recognize objects, and understand scenes. This period coincided with the rapid expansion of deep learning, and intense competition among computer vision companies. Over time, that segment underwent a sharp consolidation. At its peak, thousands of companies claimed to compete in the space, capital flowed aggressively, and valuations rose quickly. A prolonged correction followed, marked by tighter financing, limited commercialization at scale, and increasingly homogeneous competition that compressed margins. Around 2019, many companies began to falter. Former unicorns were sold at discounts or shut down, outcomes that became increasingly common. At the time, security and finance were among the most targeted sectors. Reconova instead focused on less prominent use cases: passenger processing in civil aviation airports, commercial real estate applications in shopping malls, and driver assistance safety systems for commercial freight vehicles. From the outside, that appeared to be a conservative choice. That restraint, however, helped Reconova survive a period of high attrition while maintaining a leading market position, the company said. That focus appears to have translated into a defensible position. According to Frost & Sullivan, by 2024 revenue, Reconova ranked first in China’s visual intelligence products market for civil aviation enterprises, with an 8.9% share. Its products are deployed in roughly one-third of China’s civil airports. Among large hub airports handling more than ten million passengers annually, coverage rises to two-thirds. In the current AI cycle, the technical focus has shifted. Large models have expanded capabilities beyond perception to include action. For Reconova, this marks an inflection point. Jhan Dennis, founder and chairman of Reconova, described the transition: “Over the past 12 years, we have been building eyes, using vision to perceive and understand the physical world,” he said. “But now we are starting to move forward, toward the brain and the hands. On the basis of understanding the world, we are starting to make decisions, carry out execution, and help people get things done.” The company is expanding its focus from perception and cognition to decision-making and execution, with the aim of building a closed-loop system. It is positioning itself as a provider of embodied intelligence products for commercial scenarios and complex operations. Much of the current narrative around embodied intelligence emphasizes general-purpose capability. Systems that can adapt across multiple scenarios tend to attract stronger investor interest. That framing can disadvantage companies focused on vertical applications. Jhan takes a different view. General-purpose capability, he said, defines competition among platform companies and depends on scale, ecosystems, and early data network effects. In contrast, barriers in vertical scenarios are built through detailed understanding of workflows and repeated problem-solving with customers, not through model size alone. On the technical front, Reconova outlines a three-layer framework: Reconova’s commercialization strategy reflects these constraints. Jhan said complex, unstructured, and specialized scenarios are likely to reach commercial viability before general-purpose applications. General-purpose robots face dual constraints of technical capability and cost. They must generalize across tasks while meeting procurement thresholds for enterprise customers. Achieving both simultaneously remains difficult. In contrast, specialized systems can be optimized within known constraints, making them more viable commercially. Civil aviation is Reconova’s initial entry point for embodied intelligence. Its first deployment scenario is baggage handling. Baggage handling is among the most labor-intensive processes in aviation. Recruitment is difficult, turnover is high, and efficiency varies with weather and shift schedules. Airports have struggled with these issues for years. In practice, the environment presents multiple challenges. Baggage varies widely in shape and material, from rigid suitcases to soft bags and irregular items. Each requires different handling approaches. The physical environment is also inconsistent, with narrow pathways and tight equipment spacing, requiring real-time navigation. In addition, operations require close coordination between humans and machines, where delays in perception or decision-making could introduce safety risks. These constraints limit the effectiveness of general-purpose robots in such settings. While they may function across multiple scenarios, consistent performance in demanding environments remains difficult. Cost structures also limit their return on investment in labor-replacement use cases. Reconova has responded by developing a robot designed specifically for airport baggage handling. At the 2025 International Airport Expo, its AntOne robot demonstrated the ability to move and stack baggage of varying shapes in a simulated transfer zone. The company said the system incorporates a human-machine collaborative operating model. The robot performs repetitive transport and stacking tasks, while human workers intervene in edge cases. According to Reconova, this division of labor improves overall efficiency compared with fully manual operations. Jhan said pilot deployments at airports indicate that AntOne reduces labor dependence and physical strain on workers. He added that system throughput has increased by 30%, while baggage damage rates have declined to 0.12%. Reconova is conducting trials at multiple airports and plans to begin commercial deployment in the second half of the year. It is also exploring international markets, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where similar operational challenges exist. In a field often defined by broad ambitions, Reconova has taken a narrower approach, focusing on a specific problem and measurable outcomes in real environments. Within the embodied intelligence landscape, it does not fit neatly into either general-purpose robotics or traditional computer vision. It positions itself as a provider of systems designed for complex scenarios and precise physical operations. As with previous technology cycles, interest in robotics may fluctuate. Systems that demonstrate reliability in demanding conditions are more likely to persist. Reconova’s strategy, centered on depth over breadth, reflects that view and defines its position in the current market. KrASIA features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr. Loading... Subscribe to our newsletters KrASIA A digital media company reporting on China's tech and business pulse.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| New social pet robot uses local AI to learn complex … | https://interestingengineering.com/ai-r… | 1 | May 05, 2026 16:00 | active | |
New social pet robot uses local AI to learn complex human behaviorURL: https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/familiar-robot-consumer-physical-ai-reveal Description: The Familiar companion robot uses expressive movement and multimodal AI to interact with people beyond traditional task-based machines. Content:
From daily news and career tips to monthly insights on AI, sustainability, software, and more—pick what matters and get it in your inbox. Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience. All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc. Follow Us On Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience. All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc. Colin Angle’s robot features a touch-sensitive coat, vision system, and microphones to interpret and respond to people. A new kind of robot is taking shape, and it is not built for factories. It is designed for people. At the Future of Everything conference, robotics pioneer Colin Angle unveiled a quadruped machine that focuses on interaction and companionship. The system, called a “Familiar,” represents a shift in how engineers approach physical AI. Angle, best known for cofounding iRobot and launching the Roomba, now leads Familiar Machines & Magic. The company has operated in stealth until now. The first Familiar is a four-legged robot designed to engage with people. It does not rely on a screen. Instead, it uses motion, sound, and touch. The machine features 23 degrees of freedom for expressive movement. Engineers added a touch-sensitive outer layer, along with cameras and microphones. These systems help the robot interpret its surroundings and respond naturally. Its onboard AI runs locally, using a compact multimodal model. This setup combines vision, audio, language, and memory in real time. The goal is to create behavior that evolves through repeated interaction. Angle said, “The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form – it’s about machines that can build and sustain human connection.” He added, “Today, we’re emerging from stealth to share our vision for systems that move beyond task execution and become a natural part of daily life.” Most investment in physical AI targets industrial use. Companies focus on robots that lift, sort, or transport goods. That market continues to grow rapidly. Angle’s team sees a different opportunity. They aim to build machines that people interact with daily. That requires a different design philosophy. Consumer-facing robots must understand context and emotion. They must respond in ways that feel intuitive. According to the company, physical presence plays a key role in this. FM&M argues that embodied systems can outperform screen-based AI in emotional tasks. People respond more strongly to physical agents than to chatbots. The team behind the project brings experience from major tech and robotics groups. Their background includes work at Disney Research, MIT, Amazon, and Boston Dynamics. Angle positioned the new robot as a step beyond earlier consumer machines. “iRobot proved that robots could deliver value at scale,” he said. “But they were still task machines.” “My goal has always been to create systems that understand context, remember interactions, and behave with consistency over time. That’s what we’re doing at Familiar Machines & Magic.” Unlike humanoid robots, the Familiar avoids human-like form. Engineers chose a quadruped design to improve approachability and movement. The focus remains on presence and interaction. The company has not announced a release timeline. It also has not detailed specific use cases. Today’s reveal marks a technology preview, not a product launch. Still, the direction is clear. FM&M wants to scale robots that people choose to live with. The company emphasizes on-device AI to reduce latency and protect privacy. The Familiar suggests a shift in robotics. Instead of machines that complete tasks, engineers are building systems that build relationships. Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity. Premium Follow
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| POCO soft robot companion rethinks human-AI connection | https://www.designboom.com/technology/p… | 1 | May 05, 2026 16:00 | active | |
POCO soft robot companion rethinks human-AI connectionDescription: poco is a soft robotic companion that examines alternative relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. Content:
POCO is a soft robotic companion developed by designer Mehrnaz Amouei that examines alternative relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. The project focuses on interaction models based on presence, responsiveness, and clearly defined limitations, rather than systems that interpret or direct emotional states. As AI increasingly operates within personal and emotional contexts, questions emerge around dependency, interpretation, and control. POCO addresses these concerns by proposing a relational framework in which the system functions alongside the user without assuming authority. Instead of diagnosing or guiding behavior, the device is designed to respond, reflect, and maintain boundaries that remain visible to the user. The project is informed by a year-long research process involving qualitative interviews, interdisciplinary input, and iterative prototyping. Findings indicated a preference for systems that offer availability and responsiveness without projecting certainty or control. In response, the design introduces the concept of ‘constructive interdependence,’ where limitations are embedded as part of the interaction model. The system communicates what it can and cannot do through its behavior and states. POCO’s form remains ambiguous, between object, creature, and companion | all images courtesy of Mehrnaz Amouei Physically, POCO is developed as a soft, tactile object that connects to a smartphone, which functions as its computational component. Interaction is based on touch, using capacitive sensors that respond to gestures such as holding or stroking. Movement is expressed through slow, rhythmic actions that resemble breathing, reinforcing a sense of presence without relying on mechanical articulation. Engagement with the device is structured as a reciprocal process. The system does not initiate interaction independently but responds to user input, establishing a shared rhythm. States of activity and rest are visibly communicated, reinforcing awareness of the system’s operational boundaries. Through its integration of material, behavior, and interaction logic, POCO robot companion positions AI as a participant within a relational system rather than a directive tool. The project frames trust not as a function of expanded capability, but as a result of transparency, limitation, and balanced interaction between user and device. robot’s variations adapt to users, environments, and emotional preferences while maintaining a consistent identity a soft textile body wraps around the device, transforming rigid technology into a huggable presence at human scale, POCO moves through spaces as a quiet presence, less a device and more a companion that belongs a soft robotic companion designed as a quiet emotional presence that integrates into everyday life a prototype setup showing the robotic device’s tactile interface a working prototype explores tactile interaction, and how AI can exist in a physical, touchable form project info: name: POCO | Soft Robotic Companion for Everyday Life designer: Mehrnaz Amouei | @minazez designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom happening now! florim brings a sense of handcrafted authenticity to contemporary architectural surfaces, presenting sensicolore.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Whale Cloud and AGIBOT Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Global … | https://en.antaranews.com/news/413431/w… | 1 | May 05, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Whale Cloud and AGIBOT Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Global Expansion of Embodied AI - ANTARA NewsDescription: Whale Cloud, a global leader in providing full-stack digital and intelligent capabilities for telecommunications and enterprise customers, and AGIBOT, a ... Content:
© 2020 Reporter: PR WireEditor: PR Wire Copyright © ANTARA 2026
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Meta compra Assured Robot Intelligence para avanzar en robots humanoides … | https://pisapapeles.net/meta-compra-ass… | 1 | May 04, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Meta compra Assured Robot Intelligence para avanzar en robots humanoides con IADescription: Meta suma talento en robótica para desarrollar sistemas que permitan a futuros humanoides moverse y adaptarse a entornos reales. Content:
Dispositivos que han pasado por nuestras manos. Aquí podrás encontrar todo lo nuevo en tecnología móvil. ¿Tienes dudas? Estás en el lugar indicado. Rumores del mundo móvil. Nada está confirmado. Entrevistas a personas notables dentro del mundo de la tecnología ¿Te gusta jugar? Aquí podrás revisar reviews, noticias y más. Meta compró Assured Robot Intelligence, una startup que desarrolla IA para robots, como parte de un plan más amplio para entrar en el mercado de robots humanoides, según detalló Bloomberg. La operación se cerró el viernes y no se revelaron los términos financieros. La adquisición suma a Meta un equipo especializado en crear sistemas capaces de ayudar a los robots a entender lo que ocurre a su alrededor, anticipar conductas humanas y adaptarse a espacios cambiantes. La compañía busca avanzar en máquinas con forma humana que puedan moverse como personas y apoyar tareas físicas. Assured Robot Intelligence le permitirá a Meta sumar experiencia en IA aplicada al control de robots humanoides. La compañía pretende desarrollar máquinas capaces de coordinar movimiento, percepción y aprendizaje, en un sector donde también están trabajando empresas como Tesla, Google y Amazon. El equipo de la firma adquirida, incluidos sus cofundadores Lerrel Pinto y Xiaolong Wang, se integrará a Meta Superintelligence Labs. Del mismo modo, trabajarán junto a Meta Robotics Studio, grupo creado el año pasado para desarrollar la tecnología base de futuros robots. La compra no apunta solo a investigar robots dentro de Meta, sino que, además, la firma también trabajaría en hardware humanoide propio, sensores, software y sistemas de IA que podrían quedar disponibles para otras compañías del sector. La trayectoria de los fundadores refuerza el interés de Meta por sumar experiencia directa en robótica avanzada: Meta va más allá de fabricar sus propios robots; además, buscará crear una base tecnológica que otros fabricantes puedan adoptar, como ocurrió en los teléfonos móviles con Android y los chips de Qualcomm.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Meta acquires Assured Robot Intelligence to build the Android of … | https://thenextweb.com/news/meta-acquir… | 1 | May 04, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Meta acquires Assured Robot Intelligence to build the Android of humanoid robotsURL: https://thenextweb.com/news/meta-acquires-assured-robot-intelligence-humanoid Description: Meta bought ARI, a robotics AI startup, and folded it into Superintelligence Labs. The goal: be the platform every humanoid manufacturer needs. Content:
TL;DRMeta acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup co-founded by former Fauna Robotics co-founder Lerrel Pinto and former Nvidia researcher Xiaolong Wang, to bolster its humanoid robotics platform strategy. The deal, which brings whole-body robot control models and tactile sensor technology into Meta Superintelligence Labs, reveals Meta’s ambition to be the Android of humanoids: provide the intelligence layer and let others build the machines. Meta acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup co-founded by former Fauna Robotics co-founder Lerrel Pinto and former Nvidia researcher Xiaolong Wang, to bolster its humanoid robotics platform strategy. The deal, which brings whole-body robot control models and tactile sensor technology into Meta Superintelligence Labs, reveals Meta’s ambition to be the Android of humanoids: provide the intelligence layer and let others build the machines. Lerrel Pinto co-founded Fauna Robotics, a startup that built an approachable bipedal robot called Sprout. He left in 2025. Amazon acquired Fauna in March, along with its 50 employees and its $50,000, three-and-a-half-foot-tall dancing humanoid, to enter the consumer robotics market. Pinto then co-founded Assured Robot Intelligence with Xiaolong Wang, a former Nvidia researcher and associate professor at UC San Diego who won the MLSys 2024 Best Paper Award for work on AI model optimisation. On Friday, Meta acquired ARI and both founders joined Meta Superintelligence Labs. The acquisition closed the same day it was announced. Financial terms were not disclosed. The interesting question is not what Meta paid for a startup whose employees were concentrated in San Diego and New York. It is what Meta intends to do with the technology, and what that intention reveals about the company’s theory of how the humanoid market will develop. Meta’s stated goal for robotics is to replicate what Google’s Android operating system and Qualcomm’s chips did for the smartphone industry: build the foundation that everyone else builds on. The company launched Meta Robotics Studio last year, hired former Cruise CEO Marc Whitten to lead the effort, and began recruiting roughly 100 engineers to develop in-house humanoid hardware alongside the AI models that power it. CTO Andrew Bosworth has described humanoid robots as Meta’s next bet of comparable scale to augmented reality, a category in which Meta has already spent tens of billions through its Reality Labs division. The ARI acquisition adds a specific capability to this effort: robot control models that enable humanoids to understand, predict, and adapt to human behaviour in unstructured environments. The platform strategy is explicit. Meta intends to develop sensors, software, and AI models for robots and make them available to the rest of the industry, meaning the technology could be used by manufacturers that Meta does not own or control. This is the Android model applied to physical machines. In smartphones, Google gave away the operating system and captured value through search, advertising, and the Play Store ecosystem. In robotics, Meta would give away the intelligence layer and capture value through the data, the model ecosystem, and the integration with Meta’s existing platforms, where 3.3 billion people already interact daily. Meta has been acquiring AI talent aggressively, hiring five founding members of Thinking Machines Lab, including a researcher whose six-year package reportedly reached $1.5 billion. The ARI acquisition fits the same pattern: small team, frontier capability, immediate integration into the Superintelligence Labs research division. TNW City Coworking space - Where your best work happens A workspace designed for growth, collaboration, and endless networking opportunities in the heart of tech. ARI’s technical contribution centres on what the company calls “robotic intelligence designed to enable robots to understand, predict and adapt to human behaviors in complex and dynamic environments.” In practice, this means AI models for whole-body humanoid control, the ability to coordinate a robot’s limbs, balance, and movement in response to real-time sensory input from an unpredictable physical world. Wang’s award-winning work on activation-aware weight quantisation, the same technique that made Nebius’s $643 million acquisition of Eigen AI valuable this week, is relevant here: compressing AI models so they run efficiently on the limited compute available inside a robot, rather than requiring a connection to a remote data centre. The company also developed e-Flesh, a tactile sensor that measures deformations in 3D-printable microstructures using magnets and magnetometers. Tactile sensing is one of the unsolved problems in humanoid robotics. A robot that can see its environment through cameras and lidar still cannot feel the difference between gripping an egg and gripping a tennis ball without tactile feedback. The gap between how robots learn in simulation and how they perform in the physical world remains the central obstacle to deployment at scale. ARI’s work on self-learning for robot control, combined with its sensor technology, addresses both sides of that gap: better models and better sensory input. The humanoid robotics market has moved from speculative to competitive in the span of 18 months. Tesla plans to begin large-scale production of its Optimus V3 humanoid between July and August, with annual capacity targets of one million units by late 2026 and a price point between $20,000 and $30,000. 1X Technologies has opened a factory in Hayward, California, to produce 10,000 NEO humanoid robots in its first year, with first-year production capacity selling out within five days of preorders opening. Apptronik has raised $520 million at a $5 billion valuation, partnering with Google DeepMind and its Gemini Robotics models. Amazon has made two robotics acquisitions in a single month. Unitree is targeting 20,000 humanoid shipments in 2026. Morgan Stanley projects the global humanoid robot market will reach $38 billion by 2035 and $5 trillion by 2050. The competitive dynamics are clarifying into three tiers. The first tier is vertically integrated manufacturers, companies like Tesla and 1X that design, build, and sell the complete robot. The second tier is platform providers, companies that supply the intelligence layer, the operating system, or the key components that multiple manufacturers use. The third tier is the component suppliers, chipmakers and sensor companies that sell to both. Meta is positioning itself in the second tier, and it is not alone. Google, through DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics programme and its partnership with Apptronik, is pursuing a similar platform strategy. Europe is developing its own approach to the humanoid race, with companies and research institutions pursuing strategies that emphasise safety, industrial precision, and regulatory compliance over the speed-to-market approach favoured by American and Chinese competitors. Meta’s history with hardware platforms is instructive. The company missed mobile. Facebook Home, its 2013 attempt to become the default interface on Android phones, was discontinued within a year. The company then spent more than $50 billion on Reality Labs attempting to own the next computing platform through virtual and augmented reality, a bet that has yet to produce returns at anything approaching the scale of its advertising business. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are the closest the company has come to a successful hardware product outside of its core social media platforms, and even those are essentially an accessory for Meta’s AI assistant rather than a standalone computing device. The robotics bet is different in one respect. Meta is not attempting to manufacture the hardware at scale itself. It is attempting to provide the intelligence, the models, the sensor technology, and the software stack, and let others build the machines. This is a lower-capital, higher-leverage strategy than the Reality Labs approach, and it plays to Meta’s genuine strengths in AI research, open-source model distribution, and platform economics. But it depends on the humanoid market developing the way the smartphone market developed: with hundreds of manufacturers needing a common software platform. If the market instead consolidates around a few vertically integrated players, each with proprietary AI, the Android model does not apply. Tesla is not looking for an operating system. Neither is 1X. The companies that might want Meta’s intelligence layer are the ones that do not yet exist, the humanoid equivalents of Samsung and Xiaomi and Oppo, manufacturers that can build bodies but need someone else to provide the brain. Meta is betting those companies are coming. The ARI acquisition is the latest investment in making sure that when they arrive, Meta’s technology is what they reach for first. Alina Maria Stan builds connections that people actually feel. As co-founder and COO of Tekpon, she turns product intuition into real moment (show all) Alina Maria Stan builds connections that people actually feel. As co-founder and COO of Tekpon, she turns product intuition into real moments of discovery, shaping how teams find and adopt SaaS every day. Since 2020, she has led Tekpon’s brand voice, media strategy, and growth plays with a clear focus on human outcomes behind every metric. Before Tekpon, Alina followed curiosity across industries and countries. She was CEO of King Casino Bonus and led affiliate and brand strategy at Extremoo Media and Fable Media in Denmark, where she learned how to build partnerships that last. Early on, she sharpened her CRM and pricing instincts at K.H. ApS, always asking why customers choose what they choose. Her approach is rooted in more than a decade of international experience and two master’s degrees, one in Sustainable Consumption from the Technical University of Munich and one in Consumer Affairs Management from Aarhus University. Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. The heart of tech A Tekpon Company Copyright © 2006—2026, Cogneve, INC. Made with <3 in Amsterdam.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Meta compra Assured Robot Intelligence para construir el Android de … | https://wwwhatsnew.com/2026/05/04/meta-… | 1 | May 04, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Meta compra Assured Robot Intelligence para construir el Android de los robots humanoidesURL: https://wwwhatsnew.com/2026/05/04/meta-adquiere-assured-robot-intelligence-humanoides/ Description: Meta acaba de adquirir Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI), una startup especializada en IA para robots, con el objetivo declarado de resolver "los desafíos críticos de los mercados laborales de alto valor". Lo publica Mariella Moon en Engadget este 2 de mayo. El precio de la operación no se ha revelado, pero el movimiento es estratégico: Meta compra Assured Robot Intelligence para construir el software que gobierne humanoides. El equipo fundador se une a Superintelligence Labs. Sin precio revelado. Content:
Publicado el 4 mayo, 2026 Meta acaba de adquirir Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI), una startup especializada en IA para robots, con el objetivo declarado de resolver «los desafíos críticos de los mercados laborales de alto valor». Lo publica Mariella Moon en Engadget este 2 de mayo. El precio de la operación no se ha revelado, pero el movimiento es estratégico: el equipo al completo de ARI, incluidos sus tres cofundadores, se incorpora a los Superintelligence Labs de Meta, el nuevo laboratorio de IA que dirige Alexandr Wang. Mark Zuckerberg quiere construir el sistema operativo de los robots humanoides. Y va en serio. ARI es una startup fundada por Xiaolong Wang, Xuxin Cheng y Lerrel Pinto, tres investigadores de robótica con perfiles académicos notables. Pinto también cofundó Fauna Robotics, que fue adquirida por Amazon para su propio proyecto de robots humanoides, lo que da idea del nivel del equipo que Meta se acaba de llevar. El objetivo de la empresa era construir lo que Wang llama un «agente físico de propósito general», es decir, un sistema capaz de aprender directamente de la experiencia humana y ejecutar tareas en el mundo real con un cuerpo humanoide. En un post en X, Wang explicó que desde el principio sabían que ese agente tendría que ser humanoide y que el escalado llegaría a través del aprendizaje directo de lo que hacen las personas. La arquitectura técnica de ARI se centra en el control de todo el cuerpo (whole-body humanoid control) y en el aprendizaje autónomo, los dos problemas más difíciles de resolver en robótica moderna. No es visión por ordenador clásica: es enseñar al robot a moverse como un humano, con toda la complejidad que eso conlleva. El CTO de Meta, Andrew Bosworth, lleva al menos desde 2025 articulando una visión muy clara: Meta quiere ser el Android de la robótica. No fabricar robots, sino crear el software que otros fabricantes puedan licenciar. La misma apuesta que hizo Google con los móviles, pero para humanoides. «El software es el cuello de botella», dijo Bosworth, que proyectaba empezar con una mano robótica con destreza y escalar desde ahí. La adquisición de ARI encaja perfectamente en esa hoja de ruta: el equipo trae experiencia profunda en cómo diseñar modelos y capacidades de frontera para el control robótico. Meta no parte de cero. Cuenta con Superintelligence Labs, liderado por Alexandr Wang (el mismo que antes dirigía Scale AI), ya investido como Chief AI Officer. Tiene recursos de infraestructura masivos, acceso a datos a una escala que pocas empresas en el mundo pueden igualar y una estrategia de IA abierta (familia Llama) que le ha granjeado una comunidad de desarrolladores. Para un problema que requiere aprender de la experiencia humana, eso es un activo enorme. El momento no es casual. Hay al menos tres competidores directos con movimientos relevantes en los últimos meses. Amazon acaba de quedarse con Fauna Robotics, cofundada por el mismo Lerrel Pinto que ahora se va a Meta, para construir su propia flota de robots en almacenes y centros de distribución. Tesla lleva años desarrollando el robot Optimus y ha tomado la decisión, anunciada este año, de dejar de producir los modelos S y X en su fábrica de Fremont, California, para reconvertir ese espacio en líneas de producción de robots humanoides. Figure AI, 1X y Apptronik también están en carrera, con rondas de inversión multimillonarias en los últimos dos años. El hardware de los robots mejora rápido. Según el razonamiento de Bosworth, eso hace que el software sea el diferenciador real. Quien resuelva primero el control general del cuerpo humanoide a escala tendrá una ventaja estructural difícil de replicar. Llevo cubriendo movimientos de Meta en IA desde que se llamaba Facebook AI Research en 2013, y pocas veces he visto a la empresa comprar algo tan claramente alineado con una estrategia a diez años. La adquisición de ARI no es una apuesta especulativa: es la pieza que faltaba para darle credibilidad técnica a la visión del Android robótico. Lo que más me convence es la coherencia del equipo. Pinto viene de fundar Fauna Robotics (Amazon lo quiso), Wang ha publicado trabajo puntuado en NeurIPS y Cheng ha trabajado en sistemas de locomoción de última generación. Cuando los tres se van juntos a la misma empresa, es porque creen en la visión. Lo que más me preocupa es el timing competitivo. Meta ya recortó 8.000 empleados en mayo de 2026 y reorientó toda su estructura hacia la IA, apostando a que los ahorros de plantilla financian la infraestructura futura. Si el negocio de robots tarda más de cinco años en generar ingresos reales, la narrativa interna se complica. Y Amazon, con la distribución de Fauna Robotics y una cadena de suministro que ya existe, tiene una ventaja operativa real sobre una empresa que arranca desde el software. La pregunta a doce meses no es si Meta puede construir buenos modelos para robots. Es si puede construirlos más rápido que Tesla, que tiene hardware propio, instalaciones de producción reconvertidas y un dataset de conducción autónoma que lleva años generando datos del mundo físico. La vigilancia de los empleados de Meta para entrenar agentes de IA y el plan de Superintelligence Labs son señales de que Zuckerberg entiende que el dato es el moat. Si consigue que los humanoides aprendan de las interacciones humanas a escala, la apuesta puede funcionar. Si no, habrá pagado muy caro por talento que tardará años en producir algo con nombre. ARI desarrolla IA para control de robots humanoides, con foco en el control de todo el cuerpo y en sistemas de aprendizaje que permiten al robot aprender directamente de la experiencia humana, sin depender de programación manual de cada movimiento. No se han revelado los términos económicos de la adquisición. Engadget confirmó el movimiento a través de un portavoz de Meta que citó Bloomberg como primera fuente. Tesla apuesta por el hardware propio con el robot Optimus y una planta de producción dedicada, mientras Meta quiere desarrollar el software que licenciar a fabricantes terceros, siguiendo el modelo Android. Son estrategias complementarias, aunque ambas compiten por el mismo talento y los mismos datos de entrenamiento. por Natalia Polo Análisis diario, herramientas y tutoriales sobre IA en wwwhatsnew.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| GitHub - amitb-quantum/roboapi: The unified API layer for robotics. Connect … | https://github.com/amitb-quantum/roboapi | 1 | May 03, 2026 16:00 | active | |
GitHub - amitb-quantum/roboapi: The unified API layer for robotics. Connect any robot, any brand, with one SDK. Like Stripe, but for robots. · GitHubURL: https://github.com/amitb-quantum/roboapi Description: The unified API layer for robotics. Connect any robot, any brand, with one SDK. Like Stripe, but for robots. - amitb-quantum/roboapi Content:
We read every piece of feedback, and take your input very seriously. To see all available qualifiers, see our documentation. The unified API layer for robotics. Connect any robot, any brand, with one SDK. Every robot manufacturer ships a different SDK, a different protocol, and a different data format. A Boston Dynamics Spot speaks nothing like a Universal Robots UR5. A Figure humanoid has nothing in common with an Agility Robotics Digit. Every team building on top of robots rewrites the same integration layer from scratch. This is a multi-billion dollar tax on the robotics industry. RoboAPI is the Stripe for Robotics — a single unified API that abstracts every robot into one clean developer experience. One SDK. One API key. Every robot. That's it. No ROS knowledge required. No brand-specific SDKs. No protocol translation. Browse the full interactive API docs at http://localhost:8000/docs RoboAPI connects to any ROS2 robot via rosbridge. The turtle draws a full circle — driven entirely through the unified RoboAPI layer. 🐢 RoboAPI uses a pluggable adapter pattern. To add any robot: Register it in adapters/__init__.py and it's immediately available through the full API. RoboAPI is in early development and we welcome contributions — especially: See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines. The robotics industry is at its Stripe moment. Before Stripe, every company built custom payment integrations. Before Twilio, everyone wrote their own SMS stack. The pattern is always the same: fragmented, complex, infrastructure problem → one abstraction layer wins → everything builds on top. Robotics is there right now. Dozens of manufacturers, dozens of protocols, thousands of teams rebuilding the same middleware. RoboAPI is the abstraction layer. MIT — see LICENSE 🚧 Early development — API may change. Not yet recommended for production. ⭐ Star this repo to follow progress. 💬 Open an issue to request a robot adapter or report a bug. Built with FastAPI · ROS2 · roslibpy The unified API layer for robotics. Connect any robot, any brand, with one SDK. Like Stripe, but for robots. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. Please reload this page.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Think Robots Are Impressive Now? Just Wait Until They Have … | https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/thi… | 1 | May 03, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Think Robots Are Impressive Now? Just Wait Until They Have 6G - CNETURL: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/think-robots-are-impressive-now-just-wait-until-they-have-6g/ Description: This next-generation network technology won't just make our phones faster; it'll unlock new capabilities in robots, turning them into all-sensing, always-learning fleets. Content:
This next-generation network technology won't just make our phones faster; it'll unlock new capabilities in robots, turning them into all-sensing, always-learning fleets. The confluence of two seemingly distinct technologies will result in new capabilities for robots. Why are there so many robots at a show focused on phones? This is the question I asked myself as I roamed the halls of Mobile World Congress, on the lookout for the most exciting technology that will define the next few years. The first and most obvious answer is that robots draw crowds. A dancing humanoid is an easy way to attract people to your booth. But to see the robots at this year's MWC purely as a publicity stunt would be to ignore the bigger conversation happening around robots and connectivity. Already in 2026, we've seen major leaps forward in robotics, with companies including Boston Dynamics and phone-maker Honor showing off humanoid robots designed for industry and home environments. But there is yet another level to unlock, and it relies on 6G -- the next-generation network technology set to succeed 5G in 2030 and beyond. On the surface, 6G and robotics might seem distinctly unrelated -- beyond being technologies of a future that we're not living in quite yet. But in this future, 6G will open new doors for humanoid robots that'll transform them from clunky, standalone mechanical figurines into efficient fleets, where individuals will form part of an all-sensing, always-learning ecosystem. This will happen first in industry, then in hospitality and care environments, before potentially landing in our homes. It's an exciting prospect, but as the experts I spoke to at MWC last month cautioned, there'll be some big leaps in technology required before they, and we, are ready for that. To understand how 6G will unlock new possibilities for robots, let's start with the special capabilities the network technology will have. The first is that 6G will act as a sensor network, with sensors embedded into both the robots and their environments, Qualcomm's executive vice president of Robotics Nakul Duggal told me. This allows the 6G radio to act like radar -- constantly scanning and mapping its surroundings in real time to detect obstacles. Imagine a robot attempting to navigate a crowded environment: The 6G network should quickly and cheaply help create a kind of virtual map for it to do so safely. Second, there's the pure speed at which 6G will communicate vast reams of data. The 5G networks we currently use aren't necessarily built to handle AI requests, but the 6G networks will be, providing a consistent, low-latency, relatively low-power way to process intelligence and deliver that intelligence to robots, according to Frank Long, associate director of intelligent services at deep tech research firm Cambridge Consultants. Private 5G networks combined with edge AI (relying on devices for computing, not just the cloud) can fill the gap for now, but public networks, not so much. By contrast, Long said, "with 6G you can pretty much have that quality of service guarantee." Cambridge Consultants brought a demo of an autonomous humanoid robot to MWC that can pick up and place down a box based on where it sees you pointing. The gesture recognition, plus the ability to react in real time, while varying its grip to pick up something that might be on an angle, requires an enormous amount of compute power. (The demo was powered by a private 5G network.) The robot was able to pick up this box and place it on a spot I pointed to. Whether robots are connected to the cloud, or to each other in a peer-to-peer fleet, the network will need to handle their intelligence demands at speed. For robots to be constantly talking to the infrastructure around them -- and to each other -- a strong, reliable uplink will be required, explained Anshuman Saxena, general manager of robotics at chipmaker Qualcomm. He gave the example of two robots working in a retail environment where one is unloading soda cans from a truck, and another is restocking shelves. They'll need to align on how to read the space around them to complete each task, including understanding how many cans will need placing, and when they'll be ready. "The only way is this robot, while shelving, goes to the back door entry of the truck that is getting unloaded and sees what is available," said Saxena. "Or the robot that's unloading is communicating the bigger picture to every other robot, so that we have a view of where the things are placed, so that they can plan." This is what's known as long-horizon planning, where a robot isn't just focusing on the immediate task but thinking about how that task fits into a broader context over a longer timeframe within a dynamic and unstructured environment. In other words, it's performing the kind of ongoing mental multitasking that humans do on a daily basis, reacting at speed to what's going on around us, while also considering what's next. In the Cambridge Consultant demo, the robot was capable of thinking 16 steps ahead. Meanwhile, lightning-fast 6G will help robots make split-second decisions, based on feedback not just from their own sensor-packed bodies, but from other robots and tech in the environment. "The retail stores have cameras," said Saxena. "It's not a robot, but it can be the eyes of the robot." In your own home, you might have only a single humanoid robot. But that won't be as different from the retail scenario as you may think. That's because many of the devices you own, including your phone and security cameras, can already communicate with each other, and the robot will be just another one in the mix. Or maybe you'll have one humanoid and a bunch of smaller robots designed for specific tasks. "There is a fleet aspect in the products that we use," Duggal said. "You don't feel that, but that is exactly how the product is working." Keep in mind that your phone is both a physical object itself and all the software and data that are managed elsewhere. The phone also provides feedback to refine that software, as will the 6G-equipped robots. "So a robot is going to be performing a certain physical task, and while it may perform it in your home, if it's also performing the same task in many other homes, there is this aspect of learning and deployment," Duggal said. This continuous learning is perhaps one of the biggest challenges that 6G is expected to help solve in robotics. Robots and AI will need massive amounts of real-world data that today's networks can't keep up with, even for mundane tasks. For example: picking up and serving you a cup of coffee, which involves dexterity and balance, with the added element of heat. A robotic arm might not care about the temperature. "But if it is hot, how would we react?" said Saxena. "We would just quickly leave it, which is a very fast reaction time." The speed of 6G networks will be essential. By the time a robot arrives in our homes, we will want to know that it shouldn't hand us a scalding-hot drink and how to protect itself from damage. Much of this learning might have taken place in hotels or restaurants, where overnight, robots load and unload dishwashers and reset the kitchen. The robot will bring that training into your home, where it'll still need to further learn about your unique layout and routine. This will likely be a time-consuming process. Qualcomm is working with several robotics companies, including Neura Robotics, which develops robots for both industrial and home use. "It's going to be incredibly challenging," said Long. "Put it this way, members of my immediate family still struggle with opening the baby gate in my stairs, even after extensive training. So a robot, I think, might be a few years away from opening that baby gate." But 6G is not expected to roll out widely until at least 2030. What are the robots that companies are already building and deploying to do until then? They're making the leaps and bounds they can with the networks of today. "So you're not waiting for 6G," Saxena said, "but when the connectivity comes along, you are talking about experiences which can be way beyond what robotics can do [today]." While the confluence of robotics and 6G will indeed unlock some hitherto unseen next-level robotics, there is plenty that robots can learn in the meantime -- particularly when it comes to improving dexterity -- to prime them to take advantage of better connectivity. That's especially true if we're ever to consider inviting humanoids into our homes, an idea that feels, at least for now, like something worth delaying until at least the 6G-enabled 2030s -- if not beyond.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Robots in Chinese literature circa 1902 | The Tangled Woof | https://andrewbatson.com/2022/06/07/rob… | 1 | May 03, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Robots in Chinese literature circa 1902 | The Tangled WoofURL: https://andrewbatson.com/2022/06/07/robots-in-chinese-literature-circa-1902/ Description: The concept of the "robot," a mechanical replacement for a human worker, seems to have been one of those things that was just in the air at the turn of the twentieth century, across the world. As is now well known, the English word was coined by the Czech writer Karel Capek (who credited his… Content:
The concept of the “robot,” a mechanical replacement for a human worker, seems to have been one of those things that was just in the air at the turn of the twentieth century, across the world. As is now well known, the English word was coined by the Czech writer Karel Capek (who credited his brother Josef for the inspiration, from the Czech word robota, forced labor). In the interesting short article, “Techno-Utopias And Robots In China’s Past Futures” in the new, free anthology Proletarian China: A Century of Chinese Labour, Craig A. Smith details the early history of robots in Chinese literature, which is not completely unlike the Western science fiction of the day. Here are some excerpts: The idea of animated or mechanical humanoid servants and labourers appeared in classical Chinese texts. Mozi, a utilitarian philosopher active in the fifth century BCE, even created mechanical birds and beasts, and is now the namesake of a technology company. However, the concept of a ‘machine-man’ (机器人, the modern Chinese word for robot) only made its way from elite texts into the popular imagination towards the end of the Qing Dynasty. Around the turn of the century, the entire world became fascinated with the idea of humanoid automatons and their potential for labour. The most memorable example of this in the West is the Tin Woodman from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), a depressed cyborg lumberjack yearning for a heart. Chinese fiction was in step and introduced labour automatons but with decidedly Chinese characteristics. In 1905 and 1906, the newspaper Southern News serialised a lengthy novel by Wu Jianren entitled The New Story of the Stone (新石头记). Although other Chinese science fiction writers penned stories with automatons at the time, Wu’s novel was a wonderland, its plot following Jia Baoyu, the protagonist of the eighteenth-century Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), China’s most famous novel, into a twentieth-century technological utopia. Passing through a technological device called a ‘civilisation mirror’ (文明镜), Jia enters this utopia and is immediately served tea by a talking automaton ‘boy’ servant. The journey then proceeds through a melange of advanced technologies, including flying machines and submarines. It might have been around this time that Kang Youwei wrote the Book of Great Unity (大同书). The complete volume did not appear in regular print until 1935, eight years after his death, leading to controversy and numerous studies on the dating of the text. Tang Zhijun’s extensive research has shown that Kang most likely finished his manuscript in 1902, a finding corroborated by Wang Hui. Building on a few short chapters from [the Confucian classic] The Book of Rites (礼记), and contextualising these ideas within the modern reality of nation-states and new political economies, Kang envisioned a future world with no suffering. He saw robots playing an important role in his Confucian utopia, yet his position as a member of the literati class shaped his understanding of how robots would bring an end to the traditional hierarchies: ‘There will be no slaves or servants, but their functions will be performed by machines, shaped like birds and beasts.’ Kang imagined that ‘in the time of the Great Peace, there will be no suffering. Labourers will only find enjoyment.’ This will be possible because they will only put their skills to use in creating works ofart, as the heavy lifting will all be done by robots. Like H.G. Wells, Kang saw technological advancements bringing an end to toil and opening the door to universal leisure: ‘One will order by telephone, and food will be conveyed by mechanical devices—possibly a table will rise up from the kitchen below, through a hole in the floor. On the four walls will be lifelike, “protruding paintings”.’ This great trust in the emancipatory potential of science continued throughout the twentieth century, and revolutionaries, including Mao Zedong in his youth, found Kang’s work inspirational. However, largelydue to his promotion of constitutional monarchy, Kang is now remembered as a conservative opponent of revolution. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| AI + Robotics: The Next Evolution After LLMs | https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/a… | 1 | May 02, 2026 00:00 | active | |
AI + Robotics: The Next Evolution After LLMsURL: https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/ai-robotics-the-next-evolution-after-llms/ Description: Explore the convergence of AI and robotics! Discover how AI is transforming robots into intelligent systems, enabling autonomous action and real-world impact. Content:
Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from simple rule-based systems to powerful large language models (LLMs). Now, the next major shift is happening at the intersection of AI and robotics. Companies like Google, Tesla, and Boston Dynamics are leading this transformation by combining intelligent software with physical machines.This convergence is enabling machines not just to think—but to act in the real world.What is AI + Robotics?AI + Robotics refers to the integration of:Artificial intelligence (decision-making, learning)Robotics (physical interaction, movement)Together, they create systems that can:Perceive their environmentMake decisionsPerform physical actionsThis goes beyond traditional automation by enabling adaptive and intelligent behavior.From LLMs to Physical IntelligenceLLM EraFocus on language understandingText generation and reasoningVirtual interactionsAI + Robotics EraReal-world perceptionPhysical task executionAutonomous systemsThis shift marks the transition from digital intelligence to physical intelligence.Key Components of AI-Powered Robotics1. Computer VisionRobots use AI to:Recognize objectsUnderstand environmentsTrack movement2. Motion PlanningAI helps robots:Plan pathsAvoid obstaclesOptimize movements3. Sensor IntegrationRobots rely on sensors such as:CamerasLiDARGPSAI processes this data to make decisions.4. Learning and AdaptationRobots can:Learn from experienceImprove performance over timeAdapt to new environmentsHow AI is Transforming RoboticsAutonomous Decision-MakingRobots can make decisions without human control, enabling:Self-driving vehiclesAutonomous dronesSmart manufacturing systemsReal-Time ProcessingAI allows robots to:Analyze data instantlyRespond to changesOperate efficiently in dynamic environmentsHuman-Robot CollaborationAI enables robots to:Work alongside humansAssist in complex tasksImprove productivityReal-World Use CasesManufacturingAutomated assembly linesQuality inspection systemsPredictive maintenanceHealthcareSurgical robotsPatient care assistanceMedical diagnostics supportLogistics and WarehousingAutonomous delivery robotsInventory managementWarehouse automationAutonomous VehiclesSelf-driving carsDelivery dronesSmart transportation systemsAdvantages of AI + RoboticsIncreased efficiency and productivityAbility to perform dangerous tasksReduced human errorContinuous operation without fatigueScalability across industriesChallenges and RisksHigh development and deployment costsSafety concerns in real-world environmentsEthical issues around automationDependency on high-quality dataComplex system integrationDevelopers must consider these challenges when building robotic systems.AI + Robotics vs Traditional RoboticsFeatureTraditional RoboticsAI-Powered RoboticsFlexibilityLowHighDecision MakingPre-programmedIntelligentAdaptabilityLimitedContinuous learningUse CasesRepetitive tasksComplex environmentsEfficiencyModerateHighAI is transforming robots from rigid machines into intelligent systems.Impact on DevelopersNew Skill RequirementsDevelopers need to learn:AI and machine learningRobotics frameworksSensor integrationReal-time systemsCross-Disciplinary KnowledgeAI + Robotics requires understanding of:Software engineeringHardware systemsData processingOpportunities for InnovationDevelopers can build:Autonomous systemsSmart devicesIntelligent applicationsFuture of AI + RoboticsThe future of this field is highly promising. We can expect:Fully autonomous factoriesAdvanced humanoid robotsSmart cities with robotic infrastructureAI-driven logistics and transportationIntegration with IoT and cloud systemsAI + Robotics will redefine industries and everyday life.SummaryAI + Robotics represents the next major evolution after large language models. By combining intelligent decision-making with physical capabilities, these systems can interact with the real world in ways that were not possible before.For developers, this opens up new opportunities to build innovative and impactful solutions. While challenges exist, the potential of AI-powered robotics makes it one of the most exciting areas in modern technology. Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from simple rule-based systems to powerful large language models (LLMs). Now, the next major shift is happening at the intersection of AI and robotics. Companies like Google, Tesla, and Boston Dynamics are leading this transformation by combining intelligent software with physical machines. This convergence is enabling machines not just to think—but to act in the real world. AI + Robotics refers to the integration of: Artificial intelligence (decision-making, learning) Robotics (physical interaction, movement) Together, they create systems that can: Perceive their environment Make decisions Perform physical actions This goes beyond traditional automation by enabling adaptive and intelligent behavior. Focus on language understanding Text generation and reasoning Virtual interactions Real-world perception Physical task execution Autonomous systems This shift marks the transition from digital intelligence to physical intelligence. Robots use AI to: Recognize objects Understand environments Track movement AI helps robots: Plan paths Avoid obstacles Optimize movements Robots rely on sensors such as: Cameras LiDAR GPS AI processes this data to make decisions. Robots can: Learn from experience Improve performance over time Adapt to new environments Robots can make decisions without human control, enabling: Self-driving vehicles Autonomous drones Smart manufacturing systems AI allows robots to: Analyze data instantly Respond to changes Operate efficiently in dynamic environments AI enables robots to: Work alongside humans Assist in complex tasks Improve productivity Automated assembly lines Quality inspection systems Predictive maintenance Surgical robots Patient care assistance Medical diagnostics support Autonomous delivery robots Inventory management Warehouse automation Self-driving cars Delivery drones Smart transportation systems Increased efficiency and productivity Ability to perform dangerous tasks Reduced human error Continuous operation without fatigue Scalability across industries High development and deployment costs Safety concerns in real-world environments Ethical issues around automation Dependency on high-quality data Complex system integration Developers must consider these challenges when building robotic systems. AI is transforming robots from rigid machines into intelligent systems. Developers need to learn: AI and machine learning Robotics frameworks Sensor integration Real-time systems AI + Robotics requires understanding of: Software engineering Hardware systems Data processing Developers can build: Autonomous systems Smart devices Intelligent applications The future of this field is highly promising. We can expect: Fully autonomous factories Advanced humanoid robots Smart cities with robotic infrastructure AI-driven logistics and transportation Integration with IoT and cloud systems AI + Robotics will redefine industries and everyday life. AI + Robotics represents the next major evolution after large language models. By combining intelligent decision-making with physical capabilities, these systems can interact with the real world in ways that were not possible before. For developers, this opens up new opportunities to build innovative and impactful solutions. While challenges exist, the potential of AI-powered robotics makes it one of the most exciting areas in modern technology. ©2026 C# Corner. All contents are copyright of their authors.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Zalando to install up to 50 AI-powered Nomagic robots in … | https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/20/… | 0 | May 01, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Zalando to install up to 50 AI-powered Nomagic robots in its European fulfilment centresDescription: Zalando is supercharging its logistics backbone with the roll-out of up to 50 AI-driven Nomagic robots across its European fulfilment network. This expansion al... Content: |
|||||
| Dogonić legendę. Chiński humanoid od Unitree biega niemal tak szybko … | https://www.chip.pl/2026/04/chinski-hum… | 1 | Apr 30, 2026 00:00 | active | |
Dogonić legendę. Chiński humanoid od Unitree biega niemal tak szybko jak Usain BoltURL: https://www.chip.pl/2026/04/chinski-humanoid-od-unitree-biega-niemal-tak-szybko-jak-usain-bolt Description: Jesteśmy coraz bliżej momentu, w którym roboty zaczną poruszać się z gracją i prędkością profesjonalnych lekkoatletów. Jedną z firm, która w niebezpiecznie Content:
Najnowsze nagranie jest tego dowodem. Widzimy na nim robota, który podczas testów na bieżni lekkoatletycznej osiągnął zawrotną prędkość sprintu wynoszącą 10 metrów na sekundę. Na tym oczywiście nie koniec, bo cel firma ma ambitny – pobić rekord ustanowiony przez Usaina Bolta. Osiągnięcie prędkości 10 m/s (co przekłada się na około 36 km/h) to wynik, który oszałamia i niebezpiecznie zbliża maszynę do rekordu świata, który Usain Bolt ustanowił w 2009 roku – 100 metrów w 9,58 s ze średnią pęskością 10,44 metrów na sekundę. Robot Unitree jest więc o krok od dorównania legendzie. Co ciekawe, urządzenie pomiarowe na bieżni wskazało w pewnym momencie nawet 10,1 m/s, choć firma zachowuje chłodną głowę i zaznacza, że mogło dojść do drobnego błędu pomiarowego. Żeby jeszcze lepiej uzmysłowić Wam skalę postępu w tej dziedzinie – zaledwie rok temu rekord świata dla pełnowymiarowych humanoidów wynosił skromne 3,3 m/s. Skok wydajności, jakiego dokonało Unitree w ciągu kilkunastu miesięcy, jest po prostu bezprecedensowy. Firma zdetronizowała słynnego Atlasa od Boston Dynamics, który poruszał się z prędkością około 2,5 m/s. Ale plany firmy są jeszcze większe, bo zgodnie z zapowiedziami, jeszcze w tym roku zobaczymy, jak ich maszyny złamią barierę 10 sekund w biegu na 100 metrów. Czytaj też: Robot z AliExpress? Unitree wprowadza model R1 na globalny rynek Unitree nie jest jednak jedyną firmą, która chce uczynić ze swoich robotów prawdziwych sprinterów. Rywalizacja w Chinach przypomina prawdziwe igrzyska olimpijskie dla maszyn. Podczas World Humanoid Robot Games 2025, model Tien Kung Ultra wygrał bieg na 100 metrów z czasem 21,50 sekundy, a w kwietniu zeszłego roku ten sam robot ukończył pierwszy na świecie półmaraton dla humanoidów w czasie 2 godzin i 40 minut. Z kolei w lutym tego roku firma MirrorMe zaprezentowała model Bolt, który przy wzroście 175 cm również potrafi rozpędzić się do 10 m/s. Czytaj też: Panther to pierwszy robot humanoidalny, który naprawdę posprząta Twój dom Na tym nie koniec, bo już 19 kwietnia odbędzie się druga edycja Humanoid Robot Half Marathon w Pekinie, gdzie ponad 70 zespołów przeprowadzało nocne testy na torach w strefie technologicznej. Eksperci przewidują, że masowy start kilkudziesięciu robotów biegających ramię w ramię będzie widokiem, który na stałe zmieni nasze postrzeganie robotyki. Źródło: Unitree Portal technologiczny z ponad 29-letnią historią, piszący o nauce i technice, smartfonach, motoryzacji, fotografii. Technologie mamy we krwi!
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Walmart-backed robotics group Symbotic in $4.5bn talks to merge with … | https://news.sky.com/story/walmart-back… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Walmart-backed robotics group Symbotic in $4.5bn talks to merge with SoftBank SPACDescription: A supplier of robots to Walmart distribution centres is in talks to merge with a SoftBank-sponsored special purpose acquisition company that would value it at a... Content: |
|||||
| Subscribe to read | https://www.ft.com/content/e1da7cbc-5c1… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Subscribe to readURL: https://www.ft.com/content/e1da7cbc-5c12-4d82-bfc8-de3d80e4475a Description: Japanese investor has raised multiple Spacs and has been looking for a deal as market cools Content:
Then €69 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial. Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%. FT Weekend newspaper delivered Saturday plus complete digital access. Check whether you already have access via your university or organisation. Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content. See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| SoftBank to acquire ABB’s robotics arm in $5.4 billion deal: … | https://www.livemint.com/companies/news… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank to acquire ABB’s robotics arm in $5.4 billion deal: All about Masayoshi Son's latest AI push | Company Business NewsDescription: SoftBank Group will buy ABB's robotics business for $5.4 billion, aiming to integrate robotics with artificial intelligence. The move follows ABB's struggles in sales and profitability within the robots unit. Content:
SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire the robotics business of Swiss engineering group ABB for $5.4 billion, marking a major step in the Japanese investor's strategy to merge robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), which Founder and CEO Masayoshi Son calls “Physical AI.” This acquisition, announced on Wednesday, is the latest effort by CEO Son to establish Softbank as a core player in the development of artificial intelligence. Although SoftBank pushed into humanoid robotics a decade ago with its Pepper robot before scaling back, its recent investments in the sector include Berkshire Grey and AutoStore, alongside leading a $40 billion funding round in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and $6.5 billion purchase of chip design company Ampere in March, news agency Reuters reported. The deal means ABB has abandoned its original decision to spin off and separately list its industrial automation business, which competes with Japan's Fanuc and Yaskawa, as well as Germany's Kuka, in the manufacturing of factory robots. The decision is the first major move under ABB CEO Morten Wierod, who took charge last year, following years of struggling sales and falling profitability within the robots unit. The robotics division, which employs 7,000 people and generated sales of $2.3 billion last year or 7% of ABB's total revenues — saw limited operational crossover with the rest of the company, which primarily focused on electrification and automation. ABB announced to shareholders in April its decision to spin off robotics but decided to sell instead because the SoftBank deal provided money immediately, Wierod told Reuters. The acquisition is expected to close in mid- to late-2026 and will generate cash proceeds of roughly $5.3 billion, ABB told Reuters. "We always said that robotics is a market with much higher volatility. And that's what we've seen over the years, both when it comes to growth, but also margins," Wierod said. “So it is a bit of a different market than, say, the rest of ABB today, which is focusing on electrification and automation.” ABB will spend the proceeds from the sale on developing new technology and production capacity in electrification and automation, and may also consider funding new acquisitions, Wierod said. "We do have firepower to also do bigger acquisitions, so we're not excluding bigger deals," he added. Catch all the Business News , Corporate news , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates. Download the Mint app and read premium stories Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. It'll just take a moment. Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Softbank Takes Over ABB Robotics In A $5.4 Billion Deal … | https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/25/10/4809… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Softbank Takes Over ABB Robotics In A $5.4 Billion Deal To Bolster AI Portfolio - ABB (OTC:ABBNY), ARM Ho - BenzingaDescription: SoftBank Group (OTC: SFTBY) (OTC: SFTBF) said on Wednesday it will buy the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB (OTC: ABBNY) in a $5.4 billion deal, as the Japanese firm looks to boost its artificial intelligence portfolio. Content:
“SoftBank's next frontier is Physical AI. Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence and robotics — driving a groundbreaking evolution that will propel humanity forward,” CEO Masayoshi Son said. The deal means ABB will no longer pursue plans to spin off its robotics division into a separate publicly listed company. The transaction is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026 and generate cash proceeds of roughly $5.3 billion from the divestment, ABB said in a statement. The expected separation costs related to the deal are around $200 million, about half of which has already been baked into the 2025 outlook, the company added. See Also: Mark Cuban Says ‘It’s F-Ed Up Neither Party Wants Healthcare’— Criticizes Dems For Backing Insurers & Republicans For ‘Rage Farming About Illegals’ Son has sought to beef up the group’s AI plays through investments and acquisitions in different areas of technology. SoftBank owns chip designer Arm (NASDAQ:ARM) and has a major stake in ChatGPT owner OpenAI. The company also announced a partnership with Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) in June to launch a $70 million AI memory project in Japan to address energy challenges in the data center market. The group is not new to robotics either. In 2012, SoftBank acquired a majority stake in French company Aldebaran and launched the humanoid robot Pepper in 2014—a venture that failed, though robotics has since become a major focus for the company. It also has investments in robotics-related firms like AutoStore Holdings and Agile Robots. READ NEXT: Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here. A newsletter built for market enthusiasts by market enthusiasts. Top stories, top movers, and trade ideas delivered to your inbox every weekday before and after the market closes. SoftBank Group (OTC:SFTBY) (OTC:SFTBF) said on Wednesday it will buy the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB (OTC:ABBNY) in a $5.4 billion deal, as the Japanese firm looks to boost its artificial intelligence portfolio. In September, SoftBank, along with OpenAI and Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL), announced a $500 billion Stargate project to power the next wave of AI.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Green Clean Commercial and SoftBank Robotics America Announce the Launch … | https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/24/… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Green Clean Commercial and SoftBank Robotics America Announce the Launch of Smart Building X (SBX), Advancing AI-Driven Facilities ServicesDescription: **media[986299]** Content: |
|||||
| SoftBank in talks to lead $500 million AI robotics funding | https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank in talks to lead $500 million AI robotics fundingURL: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/01/29/tech/softbank-ai-robotics-funding/ Description: The startup Skild is developing software that will allow robots to perform increasingly complicated tasks. Content: |
|||||
| SoftBank to buy ABB robotics unit for $5.4 billion in … | https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/08/softban… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank to buy ABB robotics unit for $5.4 billion in AI pushDescription: SoftBank Group on Monday said it had agreed to buy the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB for $5.4 billion. Content:
SoftBank Group on Monday said it had agreed to buy the robotics division of Swiss engineering firm ABB for $5.4 billion, as the Japanese giant looks to bolster its artificial intelligence plays. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval globally, means ABB will no longer look to spin off its robotics business as a separately listed company. "SoftBank's next frontier is Physical AI. Together with ABB Robotics, we will unite world-class technology and talent under our shared vision to fuse Artificial Super Intelligence and robotics — driving a groundbreaking evolution that will propel humanity forward," Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, said in a statement. Artificial Super Intelligence, or ASI, is Son's idea of AI that is 10,000 times smarter than humans. Son has looked to position SoftBank at the center of the potential AI boom through investments and acquisitions in different areas of technology. SoftBank owns chip designer Arm, for example, and has a major stake in OpenAI. SoftBank already has some robot-related investments, including AutoStore Holdings and Agile Robots. The Japanese conglomerate is not new to robotics. In 2012, SoftBank took a majority stake in a French company called Aldebaran. Two years later, the two companies launched a humanoid robot called Pepper — a bet that ultimately flopped, but robotics has now re-emerged as a key focus for the Japanese giant. Morten Wierod, who became CEO of ABB in August 2024, has pushed the spin-off of the company's robotics unit as a strategic move. ABB said in a statement that the sale "will create immediate value to ABB shareholders." The company said it will use the proceeds from the transaction "in line with its well-established capital allocation principles." ABB said it expected cash proceeds of approximately $5.3 billion. The expected separation cost is around $200 million, about half of which is already in ABB's 2025 guidance. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| SoftBank Robotics to Launch FLAMA Commercial Flame-Cooking Robot in Japan, … | https://jp.ibtimes.com/softbank-robotic… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank Robotics to Launch FLAMA Commercial Flame-Cooking Robot in Japan, With Orders Opening April 7 | IBTimes JPDescription: SoftBank Robotics said it will start sales of its commercial flame-cooking robot, FLAMA, in Japan, with exclusive domestic sales handled by subsidiary Gourmet X. Content:
Key Points SoftBank Robotics said it will begin selling its commercial flame-cooking robot, FLAMA, with applications in Japan opening on April 7, 2026. Domestic sales will be handled exclusively by Gourmet X, a SoftBank Robotics subsidiary. The Tokyo-based company said FLAMA was developed for the Japanese food-service market by combining its Food DX expertise with the "Multicooker" manufactured by Hestia Technology Limited. According to SoftBank Robotics, the product is aimed at addressing two issues in the restaurant industry: inconsistency in cooking quality and labor shortages. FLAMA is designed to automate multiple cooking processes in a single machine. SoftBank Robotics said the system covers the addition of ingredients and seasonings, stir-frying, mixing, thickening, plating, and cleaning after cooking. The company said this could reduce the burden on staff and help restaurants maintain stable cooking operations with fewer workers, allowing employees to focus on customer-facing tasks. A key part of the product positioning is that it can be introduced without significantly changing an existing kitchen. SoftBank Robotics described FLAMA as a cooking solution built for collaboration between people and robots rather than as a stand-alone replacement for kitchen staff. The company also said FLAMA can be linked with its recipe management software, SyncKitchen. Through that connection, recipes from well-known chefs and popular restaurants can be synchronized and reproduced in different locations. SoftBank Robotics said the software also supports recipe creation, management and updates, while storing development logs that could help improve menu development efficiency. The system supports Japanese, English and Chinese, according to the company. SoftBank Robotics plans to present FLAMA publicly at FABEX 2026, the 29th trade exhibition for prepared foods, deli products, boxed meals, takeout, food service, school and institutional meals, and meal delivery. The event is scheduled for April 15 to 17 at Tokyo Big Sight. At the exhibition, the company said it will run a live demonstration using three FLAMA units in a full-set configuration integrated with a refrigerator, a sauce machine and a conveyor. The demonstration is designed to automate the process from order to plating. Samples will also be offered. The FABEX showcase matters because it gives SoftBank Robotics a venue to demonstrate not only the robot itself but also a broader workflow built around kitchen automation. In the company's description, FLAMA is not limited to a single cooking task. Instead, it is positioned as part of a connected setup that combines automated cooking, recipe synchronization and menu development support. That framing also highlights the company's emphasis on repeatability. By linking hardware with software, SoftBank Robotics is presenting FLAMA as a tool that could help standardize output across locations while also supporting menu expansion. The company said this may create new sales opportunities for restaurant operators. SoftBank Robotics did not disclose pricing or sales targets in the announcement. It also did not provide details on overseas launch plans. The announcement was limited to the start of applications in Japan and the upcoming demonstration at FABEX 2026. SoftBank Robotics is headquartered in Tokyo's Minato ward. Its representative director, president and chief executive is Fumihide Tomizawa, who also serves as president of Gourmet X. 6. Why It Matters The launch brings together automation hardware and recipe-management software in a single commercial kitchen offering. Based on the company's description, FLAMA is aimed at helping restaurant operators stabilize cooking quality and address staffing constraints without major changes to existing kitchen layouts. © Copyright 2026 IBTimes JP. All rights reserved.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| SoftBank-backed Bear Robotics Raises $81 Million for Waitering Robot Rollout | https://gadgets360.com/internet/news/be… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank-backed Bear Robotics Raises $81 Million for Waitering Robot RolloutDescription: Food service robot startup Bear Robotics has raised $81 million (roughly Rs. 616 crore) in a Series B funding round with investors that include Cleveland Avenue... Content: |
|||||
| Softbank to merge with AI robotics company in which it … | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/softb… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Softbank to merge with AI robotics company in which it had investedDescription: SoftBank Group Corp. plans to buy the remaining portion of AI and robotics developer Berkshire Grey Inc. that it doesn’t already own in a roughly $375... Content: |
|||||
| SoftBank-backed Bear Robotics raises $81 mln for waitering robot rollout | https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/410… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank-backed Bear Robotics raises $81 mln for waitering robot rolloutURL: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4109529.html Description: SoftBank Group Corp-backed food service robot startup Bear Robotics has raised $81 million in a Series B funding round with investors that include Cleveland Ave... Content: |
|||||
| Canon Solutions America and SoftBank Robotics America Partner to Expand … | https://markets.businessinsider.com/new… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Canon Solutions America and SoftBank Robotics America Partner to Expand Workplace Health Portfolio with WhizDescription: MELVILLE, N.Y., June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to expanding its digital automation solutions and services, Canon Solutions... Content: |
|||||
| SoftBank Robotics поддерживает Matternet для расширения доставки дронами по всей … | https://pcnews.ru/news/softbank_robotic… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank Robotics поддерживает Matternet для расширения доставки дронами по всей территории США - PCNEWS.RUDescription: Все компьютерные новости на PCNews.ru. Вся новая информация, о компьютерах и информационных технологиях. Синдикация новостей, статей, пресс-релизов со всех сайтов компьютерной (ИТ или IT) тематики. Content:
Новое партнерство между Matternet и SoftBank Robotics America призвано вывести доставку дронами в повседневную логистику по всей территории Соединенных Штатов. Сотрудничество объединяет автономную платформу доставки дронами Matternet со способностью SoftBank Robotics America коммерциализировать и масштабировать новые технологии. Цель: ускорить внедрение в секторах, где скорость и надежность не просто желательны, а критически важны, начиная с здравоохранения и корпоративной логистики. На протяжении многих лет доставка «последней мили» находилась под давлением. Дефицит рабочей силы, растущие операционные расходы, городские пробки и ожидания потребителей по поводу практически мгновенной доставки создали систему, которую все труднее поддерживать. Доставка дронами, давно обсуждаемая как решение будущего, теперь позиционируется как практическое решение — способное обходить пробки, снижать зависимость от людей и уменьшать затраты при одновременном повышении уровня обслуживания. В рамках соглашения SoftBank Robotics America будет не просто продвигать технологию. Компания будет помогать в производстве, установке и обслуживании наземной инфраструктуры Matternet, фактически предлагая комплексную операционную поддержку корпоративным клиентам. Это ключевой элемент головоломки: превращение перспективных технологий доставки дронами в нечто, что реально работает в масштабе в реальных условиях. Matternet входит в это партнерство с солидным послужным списком в области регулирования. Компания остается первой компанией по доставке дронами, получившей как сертификацию типа FAA, так и сертификацию производства — две важные вехи, сигнализирующие не только о безопасности, но и о готовности к масштабированным операциям. Ее дроны уже совершили десятки тысяч полетов в городских и пригородных районах США и Европы, особенно в медицинских сетях, где быстрая транспортировка медицинских образцов может напрямую влиять на результаты лечения пациентов. Руководители компании рассматривают этот момент как поворотный. Генеральный директор Matternet Андреас Раптопулос описывает его как часть более широкого сдвига к «физическому ИИ» — системам, которые не просто обрабатывают информацию, но и перемещают товары в реальном мире. Тем временем руководители SoftBank Robotics America подчеркивают, что главная задача теперь — не сама технология, а ее последовательное и надежное внедрение в сложные логистические сети. Это различие имеет значение. В индустрии дронов нет недостатка в прототипах и пилотных программах. Чего не хватает, так это масштабируемой, воспроизводимой инфраструктуры. Это партнерство — попытка преодолеть этот разрыв, объединив проверенную технологию полетов с операционной мощью, необходимой для интеграции ее в больницы, цепочки поставок и системы коммерческой доставки. Больше: Камера DJI Pocket 4 стала первой реальной жертвой запрета FCC в США © DroneDJ.ru
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| SoftBank snaps up Bedford robotics firm Berkshire Grey | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/24/… | 0 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
SoftBank snaps up Bedford robotics firm Berkshire GreyDescription: Berkshire Grey builds robotic systems for moving merchandise for warehouses and large retailers, including Walmart, Target, and TJX. Content: |
|||||
| Three Sixty Seven Represents SoftBank Robotics America In Its Acquisition … | https://www.prweb.com/releases/three-si… | 1 | Apr 29, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Three Sixty Seven Represents SoftBank Robotics America In Its Acquisition of Green Clean CommercialDescription: /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Three Sixty Seven Advisors is pleased to announce the successful transaction between Green Clean Commercial, a leading national provider... Content:
Searching for your content... Contact Us 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday Mar 25, 2026, 11:15 ET Share this article Three Sixty Seven served as the exclusive advisor to SoftBank Robotics America for this transaction. TAMPA, Fla., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Three Sixty Seven Advisors is pleased to announce the successful transaction between Green Clean Commercial, a leading national provider of janitorial services, and SoftBank Robotics America. Three Sixty Seven served as the exclusive advisor to SoftBank Robotics America for this transaction. Brady Watkins, President at SoftBank Robotics America, stated: "This acquisition represents a significant strategic milestone for SoftBank Robotics America as we accelerate the integration of automation and robotics into the janitorial services sector. Establishing a strong operating platform was a critical first step in executing our long-term vision, and we were deliberate in selecting the right advisory partner to help us achieve that objective. We engaged Three Sixty Seven Advisors because of their recognized leadership within the middle-market facility services industry and their deep expertise in the commercial janitorial space. Their relationships, market insight, and disciplined execution were instrumental in identifying and securing the right platform for this initiative." Elliot Stipes, CEO at Green Clean Commercial, stated: "Smart Building X (SBX) represents an important strategic leap for the future of the company. The facility services industry is moving toward intelligent buildings, automation, and measurable outcomes. SBX allows us to deliver that future immediately, supported by advanced technology and aligned with a global innovation leader." Ryan Penna, Vice President at Three Sixty Seven, stated: "SoftBank Robotics America engaged Three Sixty Seven to identify and acquire a leading janitorial platform to anchor a transformative growth strategy; integrating SBRA's established automation and robotics capabilities into traditional facility services. This transaction represents a deliberate and forward-thinking move to redefine how technology and service delivery intersect within the industry. We are excited about the future of this partnership and look forward to seeing the meaningful growth, innovation, and industry impact this combination will generate. This transaction further reinforces Three Sixty Seven's role at the forefront of M&A across facility services." ABOUT SOFTBANK ROBOTICS AMERICA SoftBank Robotics America is the North American arm of SoftBank Robotics, driving technology forward by becoming a worldwide leader in robotics solutions. Headquartered in San Francisco, SoftBank Robotics America is a trusted partner and robot integrator that helps clients think beyond the technology, to incorporate the people and processes that solve the most pressing challenges and deliver best run operations. SoftBank Robotics America brings value and relevancy to senior living, hospitality, aviation, class A office space, multi-family, education, facilities management, and commercial cleaning. The goal is to develop a strong partnership and foundation for automation that will realize maximum strategic value on investment in robotics. ABOUT GREEN CLEAN COMMERCIAL Green Clean Commercial was founded in 2008, with the vision for transparency, trust in relationships, and successfully delivering results. Green Clean Commercial has consistently proven that people are at the heart of a great operation and when combined with innovative leading-edge technology, Green Clean Commercial makes it more efficient and effective. These winning principles have enabled GCC to expand nationally, serving public and private sectors including Fortune 500 and 100 clients ABOUT THREE SIXTY SEVEN ADVISORS Three Sixty Seven Advisors is a middle-market mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that leverages its industry experience and depth of relationships to assist their clients in helping realize the best outcome in every transaction. Its team of accomplished professionals has experience working across a wide array of industry verticals, creating a broad range of perspectives and viewpoints, which has helped deliver the top results for clients. Services provided by Three Sixty Seven include sell-side mergers & acquisitions, buy-side mergers & acquisitions, and corporate debt advisory for middle market companies & sponsors throughout the US from their headquarters in Tampa, FL. Media Contact Ryan Penna, Three Sixty Seven Advisors, 1 (516) 582-1046, [email protected], www.threesixtyseven.com SOURCE Three Sixty Seven Advisors Do not sell or share my personal information:
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Agility Robotics podnosi poprzeczkę. Zobacz, jak robot Digit dźwiga ciężary | https://www.chip.pl/2026/04/agility-rob… | 1 | Apr 28, 2026 08:00 | active | |
Agility Robotics podnosi poprzeczkę. Zobacz, jak robot Digit dźwiga ciężaryDescription: Dla człowieka 29 kg to nie jest jakiś wielki ciężar. Jasne, to zależy też od jednostki, ale większość z nas raczej nie miałaby problemu, gdyby musiała Content:
Humanoid przeszedł rygorystyczny test siły, wykonując martwy ciąg z obciążeniem wynoszącym 65 funtów (około 29 kilogramów). To było prawdziwe wyzwanie konstrukcyjne i programistyczne. Siła siłowników to jedno, ale kluczową rolę odegrała tutaj zaawansowana koordynacja całego „ciała”, która pozwoliła maszynie dynamicznie reagować na zmiany środka ciężkości. Martwy ciąg został wybrany przez inżynierów z Oregonu nie bez powodu. To ćwiczenie, które w świecie biologii angażuje niemal każdą grupę mięśniową, a w świecie robotyki wymaga perfekcyjnej synchronizacji ramion, nóg i tułowia. Każdy centymetr ruchu w górę to tysiące kalkulacji w czasie rzeczywistym, mających na celu utrzymanie stabilności i zapobieżenie wywróceniu się maszyny. Sekret sukcesu Digita tkwi w procesie szkolenia opartym na zaawansowanych symulacjach. Zamiast ryzykować uszkodzenie drogiego sprzętu w laboratorium, inżynierowie najpierw trenują „mózg” robota w środowisku wirtualnym. Tam cyfrowy odpowiednik Digita tysiące razy podnosi wirtualne ciężary o różnej masie i rozkładzie środka ciężkości. Dzięki temu system uczy się, jak korygować postawę, jak mocno zacisnąć chwytaki i jak balansować torsem jeszcze zanim realny robot dotknie fizycznego obciążenia. Pozwala to na odejście od sztywnego, ręcznego programowania ruchów na rzecz elastycznych zasad, pozwalających maszynie „czuć” ciężar i reagować na niego w sposób naturalny. To maszyna zaprojektowana do ciężkiej, powtarzalnej pracy w warunkach przemysłowych. Najnowsza iteracja robota przynosi szereg usprawnień, które mają uczynić go niezastąpionym elementem nowoczesnej logistyki: W wizji Agility Robotics, Digit ma uzupełniać autonomiczne wózki transportowe (AMR). Podczas gdy wózki zajmują się przewożeniem towarów na duże odległości, Digit przejmuje najbardziej precyzyjne zadania: zdejmowanie paczek z półek, układanie ich w stosy czy ładowanie wózków. Całość jest monitorowana przez platformę chmurową Arc, która pozwala zarządzać całą flotą robotów z jednego miejsca, dbając o ich konserwację i koordynację zadań. Czytaj też: Robotyczne mrówki z Harvardu. Budują i burzą bez planu, polegając na instynkcie otoczenia Pokaz siły Digita to jasny sygnał, że Chińczycy nie mają monopolu na robienie wrażenia w branży robotyki. Agility Robotics położyło właśnie kolejną cegiełkę pod przyszłość, w której to roboty będą wykonywać ciężkie prace w fabrykach, pozwalając ludziom skupić się na rzeczach mniej obciążających ich ciała. Oczywiście jak to zwykle bywa, na razie mieliśmy do czynienia z demonstracją w ściśle kontrolowanych warunkach, więc minie jeszcze trochę czasu, zanim komercyjne maszyny staną się równie silne. Źródło: Agility Robotics Portal technologiczny z ponad 29-letnią historią, piszący o nauce i technice, smartfonach, motoryzacji, fotografii. Technologie mamy we krwi!
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Figure 02 è il primo robot con la voce di … | https://www.ansa.it/canale_tecnologia/n… | 1 | Apr 27, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Figure 02 è il primo robot con la voce di ChatGpt - Future Tech - Ansa.itDescription: Figure AI, startup nel campo della robotica umanoide su cui ha investito anche OpenAI, ha svelato il suo ultimo progetto, Figure 02. (ANSA) Content:
Se hai scelto di non accettare i cookie di profilazione e tracciamento, puoi aderire all’abbonamento "Consentless" a un costo molto accessibile, oppure scegliere un altro abbonamento per accedere ad ANSA.it. Ti invitiamo a leggere le Condizioni Generali di Servizio, la Cookie Policy e l'Informativa Privacy. Puoi leggere tutti i titoli di ANSA.it e 10 contenuti ogni 30 giornia €16,99/anno Per accedere senza limiti a tutti i contenuti di ANSA.it Scegli il piano di abbonamento più adatto alle tue esigenze. Se hai cambiato idea e non ti vuoi abbonare, puoi sempre esprimere il tuo consenso ai cookie di profilazione e tracciamento per leggere tutti i titoli di ANSA.it e 10 contenuti ogni 30 giorni (servizio base): Se accetti tutti i cookie di profilazione pubblicitaria e di tracciamento, noi e 750 terze parti selezionate utilizzeremo cookie e tecnologie simili per raccogliere ed elaborare i tuoi dati personali e fornirti annunci e contenuti personalizzati, valutare l’interazione con annunci e contenuti, effettuare ricerche di mercato, migliorare i prodotti e i servizi.Per maggiori informazioni accedi alla Cookie Policy e all'Informativa Privacy. Per maggiori informazioni sui servizi di ANSA.it, puoi consultare le nostre risposte alle domande più frequenti, oppure contattarci inviando una mail a register@ansa.it o telefonando al numero verde 800 938 881. Il servizio di assistenza clienti è attivo dal lunedì al venerdì dalle ore 09.00 alle ore 18:30, il sabato dalle ore 09:00 alle ore 14:00. Temi caldi Sezioni Canali Regioni Siti internazionali Figure 02 è il primo robot con la voce di ChatGpt In evidenza In evidenza Temi caldi MILANO, 08 agosto 2024, 18:06 Redazione ANSA Condividi - RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA Figure AI, startup nel campo della robotica umanoide su cui ha investito anche OpenAI, ha svelato il suo ultimo progetto, Figure 02. Si tratta del primo robot del suo genere con integrato il modello di intelligenza artificiale Gpt di OpenAI, lo stesso che alimenta ChatGpt. Grazie a questo, il robot può comprendere e analizzare le immagini, come quelle in tempo reale dell'ambiente circostante, ma anche rispondere e comunicare attraverso la voce, in linguaggio naturale. La novità principale del più recente modello Gpt-4o ("omnia") di OpenAI è proprio la capacità di generazione multimodale di contenuti, da testo a immagini e audio. Il Figure 02 si distingue dal suo predecessore per un design più elegante e funzionale, caratterizzato da una finitura nera opaca che sostituisce la cromatura e da un'integrazione completa dei cavi all'interno degli arti. Queste modifiche estetiche non sono solo un vezzo estetico, ma servono a rendere il robot più robusto e affidabile. Il cuore dell'umanoide è l'unità di calcolo e inferenza IA, potenziata del triplo rispetto alla versione precedente, consentendo al Figure 02 di eseguire compiti complessi in completa autonomia. Sei telecamere e un sofisticato modello di visione e linguaggio permettono al robot di percepire l'ambiente e di interagire con esso in modo intelligente. Un altro elemento distintivo del Figure 02 sono le mani, dotate di 16 gradi di libertà e capaci di sollevare pesi fino a 25 kg. Figure AI ha già iniziato a testare i suoi robot in ambienti industriali reali, come dimostrato dalla recente sperimentazione in uno stabilimento Bmw in South Carolina. Con un finanziamento di 675 milioni di dollari, l'azienda californiana è ben posizionata per competere con altri importanti attori del settore, come Agility Robotics, Apptronik, Tesla e Boston Dynamics. Riproduzione riservata © Copyright ANSA Da non perdere Condividi 17:50 17:45 17:39 17:31 16:38 16:01 15:57 15:52 Condividi articolo O utilizza Newsletter ANSA Veloci, dettagliate, verificate. Nella tua casella mail. Periodicità quotidiana - Iscrizione al Registro della Stampa presso il Tribunale di Roma n. 212/1948 P. Iva IT00876481003 Copyright 2026 © ANSA Tutti i diritti riservati Sezioni Canali Regioni Siti internazionali Link utili Certificazione ISO 9001 I “processi di Produzione, distribuzione e pubblicazione di notizie giornalistiche in formato multimediale, servizi di informazione e comunicazione giornalistica” ANSA sono certificati in alla normativa internazionale UNI ENI ISO 9001:2015. Politica per la qualità Ultima ora 17:50 17:45 17:39 17:31 16:38 16:01 15:57 15:52
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Le robot Figure 03 s'occupe vraiment de la vaisselle | https://www.journaldugeek.com/2026/02/0… | 1 | Apr 27, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Le robot Figure 03 s'occupe vraiment de la vaisselleURL: https://www.journaldugeek.com/2026/02/01/le-robot-figure-03-soccupe-de-la-vaisselle/ Description: Vider un lave-vaisselle, ranger les assiettes, et recommencer. Rien de spectaculaire, et pourtant : c’est précisément par là que Figure AI veut convaincre avec Figure 03, son robot humanoïde de troisième génération. Pensé pour s’attaquer aux corvées du quotidien, l'humanoïde mise sur une nouvelle IA maison, Helix 02, et sur une conception taillée pour la production en série. Content:
Vider un lave-vaisselle, ranger les assiettes, et recommencer. Rien de spectaculaire, et pourtant : c’est précisément par là que Figure AI veut convaincre avec Figure 03, son robot humanoïde de troisième génération. Pensé pour s’attaquer aux corvées du quotidien, l’humanoïde mise sur une nouvelle IA maison, Helix 02, et sur une conception taillée pour la production en série. Faire la vaisselle n’a rien d’héroïque. Mais pour un robot, c’est un cauchemar : marcher, garder l’équilibre, attraper des objets fragiles, les déplacer sans les casser, tout en s’adaptant à un environnement qui change. C’est justement sur ce genre de scène très banale que s’est penché Figure AI pour son nouveau robot, Figure 03. Dans une démonstration vidéo, le robot traverse une cuisine, ouvre un lave-vaisselle, en sort assiettes et bols, les transporte jusqu’aux placards, les range, puis relance la machine. Le tout sans intervention humaine, ni script apparent. « Rien dans cette vidéo n’est opéré à distance [par un humain] », assure Brett Adcock, le patron de la start-up américaine. Figure 03 obéit à des commandes vocales simples : on lui demande quoi faire, il se débrouille pour le reste. Selon l’entreprise, il est capable de gérer escaliers, couloirs étroits et meubles déplacés sans aide extérieure. Sur le plan technique, le robot mesure 1,68 mètre, pèse 60 kg, peut porter jusqu’à 20 kg et se déplace à un peu plus d’un mètre par seconde. Son autonomie annoncée atteint cinq heures, avec une recharge sans fil via des plaques au sol sur lesquelles il peut venir se positionner seul. La grande nouveauté de Figure 03, c’est ce qui se passe dans sa tête. Le robot embarque Helix 02, une IA qui regroupe perception visuelle, toucher, équilibre, locomotion et manipulation dans un seul et même système. Là où beaucoup de robots enchaînent des modules distincts, Figure veut une coordination continue et plus fluide. Côté matériel, les caméras ont été revues : la fréquence des images est doublée, la latence fortement réduite, le champ de vision élargi. Des caméras ont aussi été intégrées directement dans les paumes des mains, ce qui est utile lorsque les bras masquent la vue principale, par exemple en attrapant un objet dans un placard. Les capteurs tactiles, développés en interne, seraient suffisamment précis pour détecter une pression équivalente au poids d’un trombone. Figure 03 serait le premier modèle réellement pensé pour être produit en série. Figure AI annonce une usine capable de sortir 12.000 robots par an dans un premier temps, avec un objectif de 100.000 unités à terme. Derrière la vaisselle bien rangée, beaucoup de questions sont en suspens. Aucun prix, aucune date de disponibilité, aucun test indépendant. Les vidéos sont certes impressionnantes, mais le grand saut vers les cuisines encombrées, les jouets qui traînent et les animaux imprévisibles reste à confirmer. 🟣 Pour ne manquer aucune news sur le Journal du Geek, suivez-nous sur Google et sur notre canal WhatsApp. Et si vous nous adorez, on a une newsletter tous les matins. Source : Figure AI Figure AI Vous avez une question ? Vous voulez nous soumettre un bon plan ? Une news ? Ou juste faire une remarque ? Pour la publicité (Espaces publicitaires, opérations spéciales, et autres...) Copyright © 2005 - 2026 Keleops France, Tous droits réservés Mode Suivez-nous Mode Suivez-nous
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| NASDAQ-Titel Tesla-Aktie: Das ist der neue Tesla-Roboter Optimus | https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/akti… | 0 | Apr 27, 2026 08:00 | active | |
NASDAQ-Titel Tesla-Aktie: Das ist der neue Tesla-Roboter OptimusDescription: Eine Zukunft, in der Menschen und humanoide Roboter Seite an Seite leben, rückt immer näher in den Bereich des Möglichen. Tesla hat nun die nächste Generati... Content: |
|||||
| Sony AI table tennis robot outplays elite human players - … | https://robohub.org/sony-ai-table-tenni… | 1 | Apr 27, 2026 00:00 | active | |
Sony AI table tennis robot outplays elite human players - RobohubURL: https://robohub.org/sony-ai-table-tennis-robot-outplays-elite-human-players/ Content:
Ace rotates its paddle as it prepares to return the ball back to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata, during a match in December 2025. Credit: Sony AI. In an article published today in Nature, Sony AI introduce Ace, the first robot to beat elite human players in competitive physical sport. Although AI systems have shown advanced performance in digital domains and board games (such as complex video games, chess and Go), translating this to physical performance has remained a significant challenge. Such a feat requires perception, planning, and control to work in a high-speed domain on the scale of milliseconds. Table tennis is a demanding and complex real-world test for robotics, requiring rapid decision-making, precise physical execution, and continuous adaptation to an unpredictable opponent. The ball’s high speed, spin, and complex trajectories are central to competitive play. Director of Sony AI in Zürich, and project lead for Ace, Peter Dürr said “this research has shown that an autonomous robot can, in fact, win at a competitive sport, matching or exceeding the reaction time and decision making of humans in a physical space. Table tennis is a game of enormous complexity that requires split-second decisions as well as speed and power. This research breakthrough highlights the potential of physical AI agents to perform real-time interactive tasks, and represents a significant step toward creating robots with broader applications in fast, precise, and real-time human interactions.” A complete view of table tennis robot, Ace, including arm and track. Credit: Sony AI. Ace combines event-based vision sensors and a control system based on model-free reinforcement learning, as well as state-of-the-art high-speed robot hardware. Ace was designed with three novel components: Members of the Ace research team and table tennis officials pose with the robot and its human opponent, Mayuka Taira, following an official match in December 2025. https://robohub.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Video-4_Sony-AI_Ace-Net-Bounce-Trajectory.mp4From Figure 4 in the Nature manuscript “Outplaying elite table tennis players with an autonomous robot” this film shows the robot making a split section change to its trajectory when the ball hits the net. Credit: Sony AI and Nature. For the results reported in the Nature publication, Ace was evaluated in matches against five elite players and two professional table tennis players, under International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) regulations. Ace achieved three victories in five matches against the elite players, along with competitive performances in the remaining matches. There were some interesting results from the evaluations, including the fact that Ace was able to return a wide range of spins, consistently achieving over 75% return rate up to spins of 450 rad/s. The control systems behind Ace also allowed for quick reaction to unusual shots, such as balls bouncing off the net. This behavior illustrates the ability of the approach to generalize to situations that are both rare and hard to model in simulation. Following submission of the Nature manuscript, the team conducted additional competitive matches in December 2025 and March 2026, beating professional players in the process. Compared with earlier evaluations, Ace demonstrated higher shot speeds, more aggressive placement closer to the table edge, and faster-paced rallies, reflecting continued performance gains under competitive conditions. Find out more about the project in this video from Sony AI.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| AWS and Neura Robotics Team Up to Close Physical AI's … | https://www.trendingtopics.eu/aws-and-n… | 1 | Apr 26, 2026 08:00 | active | |
AWS and Neura Robotics Team Up to Close Physical AI's Critical Data GapDescription: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Neura Robotics announced a strategic partnership at Hannover Messe aimed at taking Physical AI from development into global Content:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Neura Robotics announced a strategic partnership at Hannover Messe aimed at taking Physical AI from development into global deployment. AWS serves as the primary cloud provider for the German robotics company and hosts the Neuraverse platform — the infrastructure for AI training, real-time data processing, and shared intelligence across robot fleets. The collaboration connects three areas: cloud infrastructure, AI development, and real-world validation in Amazon fulfillment centers. The Neura Gym training environments will be integrated with Amazon SageMaker to accelerate AI training pipelines. In parallel, Neura is joining the AWS Partner Network and jointly opening up new go-to-market activities for cognitive robotics solutions. Amazon is simultaneously evaluating the deployment of Neura robotic systems in selected logistics centers. The partnership addresses one of the most critical problems in Physical AI: while large language models have access to trillions of data points from the internet, robots have only a fraction of that. The collaboration targets the central challenge of Physical AI directly: the lack of training data. Robots that are meant to perceive, think, and act in the real world require continuous learning loops between simulation and reality. Neura’s Intelligence Layer enables robots to adapt and reliably collaborate with humans. Combined with AWS’s global cloud infrastructure, this creates the full stack to scale Physical AI rapidly. The Neuraverse platform on AWS establishes the foundation to train, test, and continuously improve robotic intelligence across customer, partner, and internal use cases. As the world’s leading cloud provider, AWS brings not only computing power but a comprehensive portfolio of AI and machine learning services to the partnership. For Neura, this means faster, more efficient, and reproducible AI training across platforms and fleets. AWS was chosen for its unmatched compute availability and managed service networks that translate Physical AI from theory into practice. “Physical AI will only reach its full potential if intelligence can be trained, validated, and continuously improved in the real world. With AWS, we gain the infrastructure to scale the Neuraverse globally. With Amazon, we have the opportunity to bring Physical AI into one of the most advanced operational environments in the world. This is how Physical AI moves from vision to global reality – from Europe, together for the world,” said David Reger, CEO and founder of Neura Robotics. Jason Bennett, VP and Global Head of Startups and Venture Capital at AWS, adds: “Neura represents exactly the kind of transformative thinking required to unlock the full potential of Physical AI. Their open platform approach addresses the industry’s most critical challenge–the data gap–and we’re excited to support their mission with AWS’s scalable cloud infrastructure. As Neura scales production, AWS will provide the reliable, global foundation needed to power the Neuraverse and enable real-time intelligence sharing across their entire fleet.” The AWS partnership marks another milestone in Neura’s growing ecosystem of global technology partners — encompassing cloud infrastructure, AI, semiconductors, and industrial deployment. These include Kawasaki as well as industry giants such as Schaeffler, Bosch, and Qualcomm Technologies. The shared goal: to enable millions of cognitive robots by 2030. Aus Datenschutz-Gründen ist dieser Inhalt ausgeblendet. Die Einbettung von externen Inhalten kann in den Datenschutz-Einstellungen aktiviert werden: Datenschutz-Einstellungen
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Why Robots Are Studying Primates - The Economic Times | https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne… | 1 | Apr 25, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Why Robots Are Studying Primates - The Economic TimesDescription: Robots are evolving to become more socially intelligent. Scientists are studying primate behavior to enhance robot interaction. This involves teaching robots to use body language and sounds for communication and cooperation. Such advancements aim to make robots more predictable and emotionally engaging. Future developments may involve virtual robots replicating social environments. Content:
Robots are evolving to become more socially intelligent. Scientists are studying primate behavior to enhance robot interaction. This involves teaching robots to use body language and sounds for communication and cooperation. Such advancements aim to make robots more predictable and emotionally engaging. Future developments may involve virtual robots replicating social environments. Listen to this article in summarized format Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. From fun to functional: How the modern Indian kitchen is becoming smarter Food safety drive in Ayodhya targets carbide-ripened fruits 'Will rename Kannauj to Gorakhpur...': ‘Saas-Bahu’ row explodes 'Will not be Trump's puppet': Warsh vows to safeguard Fed independence Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Indian diaspora in Berlin Trump extends Iran ceasefire on Pakistan’s request FBI's Patel confronts reporter on allegations about drinking habit Sergio Gor marks 100 days in office, hails India-US ties Trump posts 'BIZARRE' farewell note as Tim Cook ... Shrinate jibes at PM Modi over 'Address to Nation' From fun to functional: How the modern Indian kitchen is becoming smarter Food safety drive in Ayodhya targets carbide-ripened fruits 'Will rename Kannauj to Gorakhpur...': ‘Saas-Bahu’ row explodes 'Will not be Trump's puppet': Warsh vows to safeguard Fed independence Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Indian diaspora in Berlin Trump extends Iran ceasefire on Pakistan’s request FBI's Patel confronts reporter on allegations about drinking habit Sergio Gor marks 100 days in office, hails India-US ties Trump posts 'BIZARRE' farewell note as Tim Cook ... Shrinate jibes at PM Modi over 'Address to Nation' Hot on Web In Case you missed it Top Searched Companies Top Calculators Top Slideshow Top Prime Articles Top Commodities Most Searched IFSC Codes Top Definitions Private Companies Top Story Listing Latest News Follow us on: Find this comment offensive? Choose your reason below and click on the Report button. This will alert our moderators to take action Reason for reporting: Your Reason has been Reported to the admin. Log In/Connect with: Will be displayed Will not be displayed Will be displayed Stories you might be interested in
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Travail social : que peut changer l’arrivée des robots humanoïdes … | https://dubasque.org/travail-social-que… | 1 | Apr 25, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Travail social : que peut changer l’arrivée des robots humanoïdes ? | Didier DubasqueURL: https://dubasque.org/travail-social-que-peut-changer-larrivee-des-robots-humanoides/ Description: Pour comprendre ce qui attend le travail social avec les futurs robots humanoïdes, il faut partir d’une scène en apparence banale : un jeune ingénieur indien Content:
Pour comprendre ce qui attend le travail social avec les futurs robots humanoïdes, il faut partir d’une scène en apparence banale : un jeune ingénieur indien qui plie des serviettes devant une caméra, des centaines de fois par jour. Dans la ville industrielle de Karur, au sud de l’Inde, Naveen Kumar fixe une GoPro sur son front, suit une chorégraphie minutieuse (prendre la serviette à droite, la secouer, la plier trois fois, la déposer à gauche) et recommence à la moindre erreur ou au moindre dépassement d’une minute. Ces gestes, corrigés, annotés, recombinés, servent à entraîner ce qu’on appelle désormais « l’IA physique » : des modèles capables de transformer des données et des mouvements en actions de robots humanoïdes dans notre monde matériel. Un article du Los Angeles Times montre comment des entreprises comme Objectways, Encord ou Micro1 produisent ces données. Il suffit de filmer des mouvements humains puis de les annoter, geste par geste, direction par direction, tout en tenant compte jusqu’à la couleur des objets sur la table. Des entrepôts en Europe de l’Est sont déjà prévus pour cette mission. C’est de là que des opérateurs guideront à distance des robots à l’autre bout du globe, joysticks à la main. Il s’agit dans un premier temps de leur apprendre à saisir une tasse ou plier un T-shirt. Derrière ces scènes très techniques se joue une question profondément sociale : dans quel monde du travail et dans quel paysage de l’action sociale ces robots humanoïdes vont nous faire entrer ? La dynamique actuelle reste d’abord industrielle. Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Nvidia, mais aussi une multitude de start-up moins connues, misent sur un marché des robots humanoïdes estimé à plusieurs dizaines de milliards de dollars dans la décennie à venir. La course est lancée pour produire des robots capables de manipuler des objets, se déplacer en milieu humain, exécuter une palette variée de tâches dans des entrepôts, des usines, des bureaux et à domicile. Pour l’instant, ces systèmes sont encore loin de l’autonomie totale. De nombreux robots présentés comme « humanoïdes » restent pilotés à distance. Aujourd’hui, ces capacités spectaculaires en mode téléopéré peuvent être impressionnantes. Mais l’intention des industriels est claire : accumuler des quantités massives de données de mouvement humain, de tentatives réussies et échouées, pour parvenir à des robots capables d’agir sans assistance humaine constante. Or, une fois cette étape franchie dans les chaînes logistiques, rien n’empêche ces mêmes technologies d’être testées ensuite dans le champ du soin, de l’accompagnement à domicile, de la gérontologie ou du handicap. Si les humanoïdes ne sont pas encore dans les services sociaux ou les foyers de l’aide sociale à l’enfance, des robots d’assistance sont déjà en phase de déploiement dans le secteur du care. Au Royaume-Uni, par exemple, une entreprise comme Cera annonce plusieurs milliers de visites hebdomadaires à domicile réalisées avec des robots d’assistance auprès de personnes âgées ou vulnérables. Ces dispositifs ne se présentent pas forcément sous la forme d’humanoïdes, mais ils collectent des données sur la santé et le bien-être, transmettent des alertes, et sont pensés comme des assistants domestiques capables de prendre en charge certains aspects du quotidien. Dans cette logique, les robots doivent permettre, selon leurs promoteurs, de réduire les coûts de prise en charge et de « libérer » du temps pour que les professionnels se concentrent sur les situations les plus complexes. C’est précisément là que les travailleurs sociaux, les auxiliaires de vie, les éducateurs spécialisés et les infirmiers ont un intérêt vital à être présents dans le débat : qui décide de ce qui est « simple » et de ce qui est « complexe » ? Qui détermine quelles interactions peuvent être confiées à des machines, et lesquelles nécessitent inconditionnellement une présence humaine ? Les chercheurs en robotique sociale alertent déjà sur un risque majeur : celui de substituer progressivement des robots aux relations humaines dans les contextes de vulnérabilité. Une revue récente sur les robots sociaux en soutien aux personnes âgées souligne que l’usage de ces technologies, lorsqu’il vise à pallier des manques de personnel, peut conduire à une forme de déshumanisation du care, en particulier dans les établissements sous-dotés. La tentation est grande, dans des systèmes déjà en tension, de compenser l’absence de professionnels par des dispositifs technologiques présentés comme « interactifs » ou « empathiques ». On voit bien comment, dans un contexte de pénurie de profesionnels et de difficultés de recrutement dans l’aide à domicile, les humanoïdes pourraient être avancés comme solution miracle. Il suffirait de les charger de tenir compagnie, de rappeler les rendez-vous, de surveiller les chutes, voire d’animer des activités. Or, les études sur les robots dits « sociaux » montrent que, s’ils peuvent soutenir certaines dimensions de l’accompagnement (rappels de traitement, mesure d’indicateurs, stimulation cognitive), ils ne peuvent ni comprendre la complexité d’un parcours de vie, ni assumer la responsabilité d’une décision dans une situation de danger ou de maltraitance. Le reportage du Los Angeles Times décrit un autre phénomène qui mérite un regard éthique : la capture massive de données sur les gestes quotidiens. Des entreprises paient des personnes pour porter des lunettes connectées qui enregistrent leurs actions ordinaires, dans leur cuisine, leur salon, leurs espaces de vie. Des accords passés avec de grands groupes immobiliers prévoient de filmer l’intérieur de milliers de logements pour collecter des données sur la façon dont les humains se déplacent et interagissent avec leur environnement domestique. Pour le travail social, cela pose au moins deux questions. D’abord, celle de la vie privée et du consentement : qui contrôle l’usage de ces images, leur conservation, leur combinaison avec d’autres données personnelles ? Ensuite, celle de la propriété du geste : à qui appartiennent ces mouvements, ces routines, ces façons singulières de plier du linge, de préparer un repas, de se lever d’un fauteuil quand on a mal aux genoux ? Quand ces gestes sont traduits en algorithmes et déployés à grande échelle dans des robots, l’expérience corporelle de personnes parfois précaires devient une ressource pour l’industrie, sans aucune reconnaissance sociale ni juridique. Car il faut bien comprendre que dans l’objectif d’aider les personnes fragiles ou handicapées, Il faudra d’abord capter leurs mouvements. Il s’agira d’intégrer ces données en vue de permettre des interactions qui soient adaptées. C’est assez difficile à croire, mais notre société va vers cela. Ce n’est pas pour demain en tout cas. Mais il est facile d’imaginer sans peine le discours qui ne manquera pas d’apparaître : pourquoi ne pas confier à un humanoïde les premiers accueils simples avec des questions standardisées pour orienter ou apporter une première réponse dans un contexte de files d’attente et de manque de personnels ? Des robots capables de poser des questions standardisées, de noter les réponses, de transmettre un résumé à un travailleur social humain. Des robots installés dans des halls de service social ou des établissements médico-sociaux pour « orienter » le public, filtrer les demandes, gérer les situations considérées comme administratives. Nous savons que personne n’est préparé ni prêt à accepter cela… Pour l’instant. Car qui imaginait il y a seulement dix ans que de nombreuses personnes se confieraient comme aujourd’hui auprès de chatbots boosté à l’intelligence artificielle ? Il a suffit de mettre sur le marché gratuitement des IA génératives pour que toute une population s’en empare pour leur confier certains aspects les plus intimes de leur vie. Les recherches en interaction homme-robot montrent déjà que des robots sociaux peuvent être utilisés pour collecter des informations sur la douleur, le handicap, l’état de santé, à travers des questionnaires standardisés, avec un certain niveau de satisfaction des usagers. Transposé à l’action sociale, cela pourrait conduire à externaliser à la machine la première interface avec les publics, au risque de dégrader la qualité de la relation d’accueil, d’invisibiliser des signaux faibles de détresse ou de danger, de renforcer la standardisation des réponses. Là encore, la question n’est pas uniquement technique : il s’agit de savoir ce que nous acceptons – ou refusons – de déléguer à un artefact dans la rencontre avec une personne en difficulté. Je crois que pour le moment la réponse est claire : c’est non. Nous considérons que cette perspective est éthiquement et humainement innaceptable. Mais qu’en sera-t-il demain ? En attendant rien ne vous empêche désormais d’acquérir un beau robot humanoïde chez ali-express. La version humanoïde éducatif H2 personnalisée alimentée par l’IA, tout-terrain, pour les applications industrielles, de recherche et de service vous coutera 37.600,99€ à l’heure où j’écris cet article. Mais quand on aime, on ne compte pas ! Sources : Lire aussi : Photo : © Roboto.fr Partager Articles liés : Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas publiée. Les champs obligatoires sont indiqués avec * Commentaire * Nom * E-mail * Site web Enregistrer mon nom, mon e-mail et mon site dans le navigateur pour mon prochain commentaire. Prévenez-moi de tous les nouveaux commentaires par e-mail. Prévenez-moi de tous les nouveaux articles par e-mail. Δ Ce site utilise Akismet pour réduire les indésirables. En savoir plus sur la façon dont les données de vos commentaires sont traitées. Je suis actuellement codirecteur de collection « Politiques & Interventions Sociales » aux presses de l’EHESP. À ce titre, j’audite les projets de publication des auteurs qui composent ou rejoignent la collection. Je suis aussi coanimateur de l’e-communauté « Inclusion Sociale » du CNFPT. (Agents de la fonction publique, n’hésitez pas nous rejoindre, l’inscription est gratuite) Auteur de deux livres, j’ai été personne qualifiée au sein du Conseil Supérieur du Travail Social puis du Haut Conseil du Travail Social (HCTS). J’ai exercé pendant 29 ans au sein du Conseil Départemental de Loire-Atlantique et présidé de l’Association Nationale des Assistants de Service Social de 2002 à 2005 (puis vice-président de 2008 à 2011). Adhérent de l’ARIFTS, le centre de formation des travailleurs sociaux en Pays de Loire, et du collectif « Changer de Cap », mon objectif est de témoigner des réalités et pratiques de travail social et de tenter, à ma mesure, d’enrichir la réflexion et la connaissance professionnelle des travailleurs sociaux. Saisissez votre adresse pour vous abonner à ce blog et recevoir une notification de chaque nouvel article par e-mail. Adresse e-mail Abonnez-vous Images de stock fournies par DepositPhotos Conception du site Armada Communication
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| China’s Humanoid Robots Are Now as Fast as Usain Bolt | https://www.odditycentral.com/news/chin… | 1 | Apr 25, 2026 08:00 | active | |
China’s Humanoid Robots Are Now as Fast as Usain BoltURL: https://www.odditycentral.com/news/chinas-humanoid-robots-are-now-as-fast-as-usain-bolt.html Description: At least two Chinese robotics companies have announced that their humanoid robots can now run at speeds of up to 10 meters per second. Content:
Usain Bolt is the fastest human being ever, but just like our jobs and probably our very existence, his incredible record is now under threat from AI-powered humanoid robots. Chinese robotics giant Unitree recently showcased footage of its H1 robot breaking the world record for the fastest 100-meter sprint by a humanoid robot, reaching 10 meters per second. During his phenomenal 2009 performance, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt reached a top speed of approximately 12.42 meters per second, but his average speed over the 100-meter race was 10.44 meters per second. Now, that incredible speed can be matched by humanoid robots! Unitree Robotics recently released new test footage of its H1 humanoid robot sprinting at speeds of up to 10.1 metres/s on a track, putting it in the same ballpark as the Jamaican sprinting legend. The company acknowledged that there may have been “minor measurement inaccuracies” during the test, but the performance of the H1 is still regarded as a major milestone in bipedal robot mobility. “10 m/s!! Unitree Breaks the World Record Again. With the physique of an ordinary person, running at a world champion’s speed,” Unitree captioned its viral video. Believe it or not, a couple of years ago, we wrote about Star1, the fastest bipedal humanoid robot at the time. It ran at a speed of 8 miles per hour. At its peak, the Unitree H1 reached a whopping 22 mph. It’s amazing how fast technology has improved. Interestingly, another Chinese firm, MirrorMe, showcased its own humanoid robot capable of running at incredible speeds. Named Bolt, it is also capable of reaching 10m/s, making it a direct competitor of the H1. For the world’s fastest quadruped robot, check out Mirror Me’s Black Panther. Get new posts by email. Subscribe
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| New Android development tool designed for robots, not humans • … | https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/20/… | 1 | Apr 25, 2026 00:00 | active | |
New Android development tool designed for robots, not humans • The RegisterURL: https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/20/google_previews_android_cli/ Description: : Google previews Android CLI as agentic development continues to snowball Content:
My Account The Register Home Page Google has introduced a new Android command-line interface built specifically for AI agents, claiming a 70 percent cut in token usage and three times reduction in task completion time. Using the Android CLI with Google Gemini to build and test an Android application (from official Google video) (click to enlarge) The primary Android development environment remains Android Studio, which has built-in support for AI agents, but the new CLI means that agents working outside Android Studio can more easily build Android applications. The CLI is not a replacement for Android Studio, and applications built with the CLI can also be opened in the IDE (integrated development environment). "You can start a prototype quickly with an agent using Android CLI and then open the project in Android Studio to fine-tune your UI," states the introductory post. The CLI itself is not powered by AI and is also suitable for use by scripts and other automation tools, or by developers who prefer working in a code editor rather than a full IDE. Installing the Android CLI, available for Apple silicon, AMD64 Linux and AMD64 Windows, enables the android command, with arguments for creating applications from templates, installing and managing the Android SDK and device emulators, and finding and listing Android skills, these being instruction files which assist agents to perform specific tasks. There is also a "describe" argument, which analyzes a project and generates descriptive metadata; and a "docs" argument, which searches and fetches documentation from the Android knowledge base. Android skills are available in a GitHub repository. Currently only 7 skills are listed but more are likely to follow. The terms of service reveal that Google collects Android CLI usage data by default, to "help improve the tool." Commands can be excluded from data collection by adding the --no-metric flag. The Android CLI including the data collection policy and available commands - click to enlarge Early reaction to the Android CLI is mixed, with some developers finding it too limited. "All it offers is some wrapper around the basic Android setup command that LLMs are already good at," said one. The CLI is likely to improve though, and more skills and templates will become available. Traditional IDEs are optimized for use by humans rather than AI agents, and Google is not the only vendor thinking about how AI will reshape development tools. Microsoft talked of a "fundamental shift in how we think about IDEs," in reference to a new agentic Visual Studio feature; and JetBrains has previewed Central as a system for agentic software development. One of the functions of an IDE is to make it easy to see and navigate all the code that forms a software project. Having AI agents work with the command line instead helps them to work more efficiently, but may further distance software development from the developer, as code is generated and compiled behind the scenes. ® Send us news Biting the hand that feeds IT Copyright. All rights reserved © 1998–2026
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Why engineers are teaching humanoid robots to move and groove … | https://www.foxnews.com/tech/why-engine… | 1 | Apr 24, 2026 00:00 | active | |
Why engineers are teaching humanoid robots to move and groove | Fox NewsURL: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/why-engineers-teaching-humanoid-robots-move-groove Description: A robot developed by the University of California San Diego can learn dance routines, wave, high-five and give people hugs while walking like a human. Content:
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Engineers have developed a humanoid robot that can perform a variety of expressive movements. Are you ready for a future where robots can dance, high-five and even hug humans? Well, that future might be closer than you think. Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a humanoid robot that can perform a variety of expressive movements while maintaining its balance on different terrains. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS - SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) This isn't your average clunky robot. We're talking about a machine that can learn simple dance routines, wave, high-five and even give hugs, all while walking steadily on surfaces like gravel, dirt and inclined concrete paths. Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) CHINA UNVEILS ITS FIRST FULL-SIZE ELECTRIC RUNNING HUMANOID ROBOT The secret sauce behind this robot's impressive moves is its training. The engineers taught the robot using a diverse array of human body motions, including motion capture data and dance videos. They even trained the upper and lower body separately, allowing the robot to perform complex gestures with its arms while its legs focused on keeping it upright and moving. Talk about multitasking. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) ELECTRIC HUMANOID ROBOT POISED TO SHAKE UP THE JOB MARKET While a dancing robot might sound like a fun novelty, the implications of this technology are far-reaching. This humanoid robot's enhanced expressiveness and agility could improve human-robot interactions in various settings, including factory assembly lines, hospitals, homes and hazardous environments like laboratories or disaster sites. Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) Professor Xiaolong Wang, who led the research, envisions robots that are more approachable and less intimidating. "Through expressive and more human-like body motions, we aim to build trust and showcase the potential for robots to co-exist in harmony with humans," he said. It's a far cry from the menacing robots we often see in science fiction. Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) HOW 1X'S HUMANOID ROBOT IS PUTTING A STOP TO YOU HAVING TO FOLD LAUNDRY Currently, the humanoid robot's movements are directed by a human operator using a game controller, which dictates its speed, direction and specific motions. However, the research team envisions a future version equipped with a camera, enabling the robot to perform tasks and navigate terrain autonomously. The engineers are now focused on refining the robot's design to tackle more intricate and fine-grained tasks, aiming to expand the robot's range of motions and gestures. Expressive humanoid robot diagrams (University of California San Diego) This research was recently presented at the 2024 Robotics: Science and Systems Conference, in Delft, Netherlands. The presentation marks an important step forward in the field of robotics, potentially reshaping public perceptions of robots as friendly and collaborative rather than intimidating. Expressive humanoid robot (University of California San Diego) GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE The development of this expressive humanoid robot at UC San Diego marks an interesting step forward in robotics. By combining advanced artificial intelligence training techniques with a focus on human-like expressiveness, the team is paving the way for robots that can interact more naturally and comfortably with humans. As this technology continues to evolve, we might see robots becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives as helpful assistants capable of expressing themselves in ways we can intuitively understand. The future of human-robot interaction is looking more dynamic, expressive and perhaps even a bit more fun than we might have imagined. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP What concerns you most about these humanoid robots? Do you worry they could be hacked or manipulated beyond their intended purposes? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover Follow Kurt on his social channels Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Get a daily look at what’s developing in science and technology throughout the world. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories - Japan … | https://japantoday.com/category/tech/ai… | 1 | Apr 23, 2026 16:00 | active | |
AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories - Japan TodayURL: https://japantoday.com/category/tech/ai-powered-robots-offer-new-hope-to-german-factories Description: A blue-eyed humanoid robot carefully opens a box and places a tool inside as a crowd of visitors watch the demonstration of "physical AI" skills at a major industrial trade fair in Germany. Made by German startup Agile Robots, it was among a host of robots showing off their moves… Content:
JapanToday Sotokanda S Bldg. 4F 5-2-1 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0021 Japan Tel: +81 3 5829 5900 Fax: +81 3 5829 5919 Email: editor@japantoday.com ©2026 GPlusMedia Inc. A blue-eyed humanoid robot carefully opens a box and places a tool inside as a crowd of visitors watch the demonstration of "physical AI" skills at a major industrial trade fair in Germany. Made by German startup Agile Robots, it was among a host of robots showing off their moves at the event, underlining hopes of a coming AI-powered boost for Germany's long-struggling factories. Embedding the technology into industrial processes, where Europe already has deep expertise, is seen as a key route for the continent to catch up in the artificial intelligence race against the United States and China. Such AI-boosted robots make it possible to "actually solve industrial problems", Rory Sexton, chief executive of Agile Robots, told AFP in an interview. From next year, he added, the company plans to begin fitting out German factories, particularly those in the automotive industry, a crucial sector for Europe's biggest economy. Artificial intelligence used for real-world, hands-on tasks -- so-called physical AI -- was in focus this year in Hanover at the world's biggest industrial technology fair, which brings together more than 3,000 exhibitors. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Agile Robots stand, where he talked to Zhaopeng Chen, the Chinese founder of the Munich-based startup. In a speech at the fair, Merz threw his support behind the drive to encourage German manufacturers, many of whom still rely on traditional techniques, to step up their use of AI. AI should be "embedded in the key sectors of our industry and especially" in small- and medium-sized firms, the backbone of the German economy, to create "industrial added value and high-quality jobs", he said. But, like in many other industries, German manufacturers are playing catch-up against China when it comes to making humanoid robots. Merz witnessed China's progress in the field first-hand during a visit to the country in February, when he saw displays of Chinese-made robots performing kung fu and boxing. The maker of those robots, Unitree, and other Chinese manufacturers were also out in force at the Hanover fair, as they have been in previous years. Still, Sexton of Agile Robots insisted that "we'll soon be able to do what (Unitree) are doing", and shrugged off such impressive public displays. Rather than dancing or martial arts, Agile Robots is focused on "value-added tasks for industry", such as electronic wiring in cars or phone assembly, he said. He emphasised that Germany offers an "ecosystem of suppliers" and "very strong expertise in mechanical engineering and automation", both crucial in the race for AI. Companies are also hopeful about the technological developments -- 58 percent of industrial firms surveyed by German digital business association Bitkom believe humanoid robots could help plug skilled labour shortages. The country also has deep pools of industrial data to draw on from its factories, according to Antonio Krueger, head of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). "This is something we have at a level of quality far superior to the United States or China," he told AFP. But, critics say, the use of this data is still often too piecemeal and isolated, with no overarching strategy to bring it together cohesively. Not everyone in Hanover was convinced that AI was the solution to the woes of Germany manufacturers, who have long been struggling with issues from high energy costs to weak demand. Jochen Heinz, an executive from German factory machinery maker SW Machines, cautioned that AI can sometimes make mistakes by, for instance, giving misleading instructions for repairs or incorrectly claiming to have detected problems. "With AI, I also see the dark side of the force," he said. Highlights from the CJPF Award Ceremony Learn More Highlights from the CJPF Award Ceremony Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts. Highlights from the CJPF Award Ceremony Learn More Highlights from the CJPF Award Ceremony A mix of what's trending on our other sites GaijinPot Blog
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories | https://www.thelocal.de/20260422/ai-pow… | 1 | Apr 23, 2026 16:00 | active | |
AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factoriesURL: https://www.thelocal.de/20260422/ai-powered-robots-offer-new-hope-to-german-factories Description: Humanoid robots were on full display at an industry trade fair in Hanover this week. Chancellor Merz endorsed AI technologies as key to reviving German industry, but China still dominates the sector. Content:
The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Humanoid robots were on full display at an industry trade fair in Hanover this week. Chancellor Merz endorsed AI technologies as key to reviving German industry, but China still dominates the sector. A blue-eyed humanoid robot carefully opens a box and places a tool inside as a crowd of visitors watch the demonstration of "physical AI" skills at a major industrial trade fair in Germany. Made by German startup Agile Robots, it was among a host of robots showing off their moves at the event, underlining hopes of a coming AI-powered boost for Germany's long-struggling factories. Embedding the technology into industrial processes, where Europe already has deep expertise, is seen as a key route for the continent to catch up in the artificial intelligence race against the United States and China. Such AI-boosted robots make it possible to "actually solve industrial problems", Rory Sexton, chief executive of Agile Robots, told AFP in an interview. From next year, he added, the company plans to begin fitting out German factories, particularly those in the automotive industry, a crucial sector for Europe's biggest economy. Artificial intelligence used for real-world, hands-on tasks -- so-called physical AI -- was in focus this year in Hanover at the world's biggest industrial technology fair, which brings together more than 3,000 exhibitors. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Agile Robots stand, where he talked to Zhaopeng Chen, the Chinese founder of the Munich-based startup. In a speech at the fair, Merz threw his support behind the drive to encourage German manufacturers, many of whom still rely on traditional techniques, to step up their use of AI. AI should be "embedded in the key sectors of our industry and especially" in small- and medium-sized firms, the backbone of the German economy, to create "industrial added value and high-quality jobs", he said. 'Dark side' of AI But, like in many other industries, German manufacturers are playing catch-up against China when it comes to making humanoid robots. Merz witnessed China's progress in the field first-hand during a visit to the country in February, when he saw displays of Chinese-made robots performing kung fu and boxing. The maker of those robots, Unitree, and other Chinese manufacturers were also out in force at the Hanover fair, as they have been in previous years. Still, Sexton of Agile Robots insisted that "we'll soon be able to do what (Unitree) are doing", and shrugged off such impressive public displays. Rather than dancing or martial arts, Agile Robots is focused on "value-added tasks for industry", such as electronic wiring in cars or phone assembly, he said. He emphasised that Germany offers an "ecosystem of suppliers" and "very strong expertise in mechanical engineering and automation", both crucial in the race for AI. Companies are also hopeful about the technological developments -- 58 percent of industrial firms surveyed by German digital business association Bitkom believe humanoid robots could help plug skilled labour shortages. The country also has deep pools of industrial data to draw on from its factories, according to Antonio Krueger, head of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). "This is something we have at a level of quality far superior to the United States or China," he told AFP. But, critics say, the use of this data is still often too piecemeal and isolated, with no overarching strategy to bring it together cohesively. Not everyone in Hanover was convinced that AI was the solution to the woes of Germany manufacturers, who have long been struggling with issues from high energy costs to weak demand. Jochen Heinz, an executive from German factory machinery maker SW Machines, cautioned that AI can sometimes make mistakes by, for instance, giving misleading instructions for repairs or incorrectly claiming to have detected problems. "With AI, I also see the dark side of the force," he said. Please sign up or log in to continue reading Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at news@thelocal.de. Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved. Please log in here to leave a comment. The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We will use your email address to send you newsletters as well as information and offers related to your account. 2026 The Local, All Rights Reserved.
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Naver showcases AI robots across ‘lab-like’ headquarters - UPI.com | https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News… | 1 | Apr 23, 2026 16:00 | active | |
Naver showcases AI robots across ‘lab-like’ headquarters - UPI.comURL: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/04/17/tech-company-naver-ai-robot/7561776463519/ Description: S. Korean tech company Naver is expanding its AI capabilities with robots operating throughout its headquarters, as the firm ramps up investment. Content:
April 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korean tech company Naver is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities with robots operating throughout its headquarters, as the firm ramps up investment in next-generation technologies. At the company's second headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, robots are deployed across the building, which spans from a basement level to 28 above-ground floors. The facility has been described by the company as functioning like a "living laboratory" for AI and robotics. About 100 service robots, known internally as "Rookie," assist employees by delivering food, beverages and packages, as well as transporting documents. Workers can summon the robots through a mobile application and verify their identity upon arrival. The robots are designed to move autonomously throughout the entire building. They can pass through security gates, use elevators and navigate between floors without human assistance, a capability that sets them apart from robots typically confined to a single floor or designated area. Related Airlines in South Korea face record fuel surcharges South Korea to receive 27 million barrels of crude oil in June South Korea watchdog flags 'revolving door' in agencies "The ability for robots to use elevators and travel across the entire building is a distinctive feature," a company official said, adding that the machines are positioned for easy access and operate based on time-specific tasks. The robotics technology is being developed by Naver Labs, a research subsidiary focused on advancing automation systems. Inside the facility, various robots - including wheeled service units and bipedal machines - are being tested as part of efforts to build a broader robotics ecosystem. A key component of the system is "ARC Brain," a cloud-based platform that allows centralized control and coordination of multiple robots. The system is designed to improve efficiency by enabling simultaneous management of a fleet of machines. "Improving productivity by having robots perform tasks traditionally done by humans is essential," the official said. "That requires an integrated system capable of managing multiple robots at once." Beyond robotics, the company is also strengthening AI features in its core search business. It plans to introduce an "AI tab" following the rollout of its AI briefing service last year. Naver reported record results in 2025, with revenue reaching 12.35 trillion won ($8.2 billion) and operating profit of 2.21 trillion won ($1.47 billion). Market forecasts suggest the company will post another record this year, with revenue projected at 13.41 trillion won ($8.9 billion) and operating profit at 2.45 trillion won ($1.63 billion). -- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited. Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260416010005223 Latest Headlines World News // 10 minutes ago From Ukraine to Taiwan: Drone warfare lessons meet Indo-Pacific reality April 23 (UPI) -- As tensions simmer across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan is quietly accelerating a shift toward a less costly, less-vulnerable drone-centric defense, World News // 1 hour ago Peru's F-16 purchase from U.S. sparks political crisis, resignations April 23 (UPI) -- Peru's planned purchase of 12 F-16 fighter jets from a United States firm has triggered a new political crisis in the South American nation. World News // 2 hours ago Britain, France sign $894M deal to stop migrant boats crossing Channel April 23 (UPI) -- Britain and France inked an agreement to tackle small boats carrying asylum seekers attempting to get to England, including the use of riot police. World News // 4 hours ago Trump says he is under 'no pressure' to bring an end to war with Iran April 23 (UPI) -- The extension to America's truce with Iran has no expiry date and there is no time pressure end the war, U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted. World News // 6 hours ago Mother sentenced to life for brutal abuse, murder of 4-month-old son A woman who brutally beat her four-month-old son and left him to die in a bathtub was sentenced Thursday to life imprisonment in a child abuse case that stunned the nation. World News // 6 hours ago S. Korean special envoy calls for safe Hormuz transit in meeting with Iran's FM South Korea's special envoy to Iran has met with Iran's foreign minister and called for efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. World News // 7 hours ago South Korea GDP surges as chip demand powers economy SEOUL, April 23 (UPI) -- South Korea's economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly six years in the first quarter, central bank data showed Thursday, beating expectations. World News // 13 hours ago Czech Republic deepens nuclear partnership with Korea April 22 (Asia Today) -- The Czech Republic said its nuclear power project with South Korea is progressing on schedule, signaling potential expansion of cooperation. World News // 13 hours ago Global nuclear leaders gather in Busan for AI-era energy April 22 (Asia Today) -- Global nuclear industry leaders gathered in Busan, highlighting the growing role of nuclear power in meeting surging electricity demand driven by AI. World News // 14 hours ago Remarks on North Korea site spark U.S. intel-sharing concerns April 22 (Asia Today) -- Comments by S. Korea's unification minister about a suspected N. Korean nuclear site have sparked controversy, with the issue expanding into concerns. April 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korean tech company Naver is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities with robots operating throughout its headquarters, as the firm ramps up investment in next-generation technologies. At the company's second headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, robots are deployed across the building, which spans from a basement level to 28 above-ground floors. The facility has been described by the company as functioning like a "living laboratory" for AI and robotics. About 100 service robots, known internally as "Rookie," assist employees by delivering food, beverages and packages, as well as transporting documents. Workers can summon the robots through a mobile application and verify their identity upon arrival. The robots are designed to move autonomously throughout the entire building. They can pass through security gates, use elevators and navigate between floors without human assistance, a capability that sets them apart from robots typically confined to a single floor or designated area. Related Airlines in South Korea face record fuel surcharges South Korea to receive 27 million barrels of crude oil in June South Korea watchdog flags 'revolving door' in agencies "The ability for robots to use elevators and travel across the entire building is a distinctive feature," a company official said, adding that the machines are positioned for easy access and operate based on time-specific tasks. The robotics technology is being developed by Naver Labs, a research subsidiary focused on advancing automation systems. Inside the facility, various robots - including wheeled service units and bipedal machines - are being tested as part of efforts to build a broader robotics ecosystem. A key component of the system is "ARC Brain," a cloud-based platform that allows centralized control and coordination of multiple robots. The system is designed to improve efficiency by enabling simultaneous management of a fleet of machines. "Improving productivity by having robots perform tasks traditionally done by humans is essential," the official said. "That requires an integrated system capable of managing multiple robots at once." Beyond robotics, the company is also strengthening AI features in its core search business. It plans to introduce an "AI tab" following the rollout of its AI briefing service last year. Naver reported record results in 2025, with revenue reaching 12.35 trillion won ($8.2 billion) and operating profit of 2.21 trillion won ($1.47 billion). Market forecasts suggest the company will post another record this year, with revenue projected at 13.41 trillion won ($8.9 billion) and operating profit at 2.45 trillion won ($1.63 billion). -- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited. Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260416010005223
Images (1): 
|
|||||
| Robots beat human records at Beijing half-marathon | TechCrunch | https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/19/robot… | 1 | Apr 23, 2026 00:00 | active | |
Robots beat human records at Beijing half-marathon | TechCrunchURL: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/19/robots-beat-human-records-at-beijing-half-marathon/ Description: The winning time is a massive improvement over last year’s race, when the fastest robot finished in two hours and 40 minutes. Content:
The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Posted: The winning runner at a Beijing half-marathon for humanoid robots finished the race today in 50 minutes and 26 seconds — significantly faster than the human world record of 57 minutes recently set by Jacob Kiplimo. Comparing human and robot running times may seem unfair; one social media user observed, “my car can outrun a cheetah too.” Still, the winning time is a massive improvement over last year’s race, when the fastest robot finished in two hours and 40 minutes. (Back then, I scoffed that this “would not be an impressive time for a human.”) The Associated Press reports that this year’s winner was built by Chinese smartphone maker Honor. It seems the winning robot wasn’t actually the fastest, as a different Honor robot finished in 48 minutes and 19 seconds. But that one was remote controlled — the 50:26 robot was autonomous and won due to weighted scoring. About 40% of participating robots competed autonomously, while the remaining 60% were remote controlled, according to Beijing’s E-Town tech hub. Not all of them did as well as Honor’s robots, with one robot falling at the starting line and another hitting a barrier. Topics StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
Images (1): 
|
|||||