Know What's Happening in Autonomy
Know What's Happening in Autonomy
ClassNK certifies first autonomous container ship navigation system
ClassNK has granted its AUTO-Nav2 (All) notation to the container ship Genbu, marking the world’s first certification for autonomous navigation on medium‑ to long‑distance routes. The vessel, built by Kyokuyo Shipyard and operated by Suzuyo Marine, is part of the Nippon Foundation’s MEGURI2040 fully autonomous program.
Roboteon has introduced a free Robotics Investment Impact Analysis that leverages its vendor‑independent simulation platform to model warehouse automation scenarios. The service promises detailed insights into robot‑human staffing, cost per pick, throughput, and ROI within a 2‑3 week timeframe. It arrives as demand for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) surges, with Interact Analysis projecting a 20.1% annual shipment growth to 259,000 units in 2026. Companies can use the analysis to build data‑driven business cases amid ongoing labor shortages.
Vector announced that its Longbow VTOL drone platform has cleared both the Department of Defense’s Blue UAS and the AUVSI‑run Green UAS certification programs. The dual clearance confirms the system meets stringent cybersecurity, supply‑chain and foreign‑component standards required for government...
Oshkosh Corp., led by EVP Jay Iyengar, is championing a "moments of autonomy" strategy that embeds physical AI into high‑value, repetitive or hazardous tasks rather than pursuing full automation. The company is rolling out autonomous jet‑bridge docking systems that align...
Oshkosh is championing a hybrid autonomy model that delivers physical AI where it adds the most immediate value, such as automating repetitive, hazardous tasks. The company has deployed AI‑driven solutions ranging from airport jet‑bridge alignment to on‑demand trash‑collection robots and...
Caterpillar announced a strategic investment in a Serbian lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturer, earmarking a multi‑million‑dollar stake to bolster its energy storage capabilities. The move secures a domestic source of LFP cells for Caterpillar’s heavy‑equipment line, reducing reliance on Chinese suppliers....
DeltaQuad, a pioneer in long‑range electric VTOL drones, is hiring a Design / Creative Engineer for its Resilience Department. The role focuses on designing, prototyping, and validating mechanical components that improve UAV reliability and field reparability, using advanced materials and...
Teledyne FLIR OEM unveiled the Lepton XDS at Mobile World Congress, a compact dual‑thermal‑and‑visible camera module that pairs a 160 × 120 radiometric Lepton 3.5 sensor with a five‑megapixel visible imager. The device embeds FLIR’s patented MSX technology, which overlays visible‑image edges onto thermal...
NASA has convened the Routine Autonomous Multi‑Aircraft Operations (RAM‑AO) Working Group to tackle technical and regulatory obstacles preventing large‑scale autonomous drone fleets from sharing U.S. airspace. Led by Aptima under a NASA contract, the group will meet March 3‑5 at...
Torc Robotics announced that its autonomous trucks will now be tested on public roads in Michigan, using the latest‑generation Daimler Truck Freightliner Cascadia chassis. The expansion builds on existing test sites in Dallas‑Fort Worth and Blacksburg and moves development from the...
Stäubli Robotics unveiled the next‑generation Sterimove at INTERPHEX 2026, positioning it as the world’s first mobile robot certified for Grade A, B, C and D cleanroom environments. The platform combines sealed, cleanroom‑compatible construction with advanced collision‑avoidance sensing, dual emergency stops...
Innoviz Technologies released Part I of an expanded white paper titled “Innoviz and the Rise of Physical AI: Bringing World Models to Life.” The document argues that AI is transitioning from software‑only models to Physical AI, where high‑fidelity, real‑time 3‑D perception...
Flo Mobility has introduced AI‑driven autonomous mobile robots that transport construction materials without manual labor, promising up to 45% faster delivery and 50% cost reductions. The Bengaluru startup raised a $2.5 million pre‑Series A round, bringing its total funding to roughly ₹23 crore,...
Big appointments for Wayve: Welcome Girish Venkataramani (VP AI Platform) and Brandon Basso (VP AI Simulation, Data, Eval & Validation). Scaling embodied AI isn’t just about better models. It’s about platform, data and evaluation that earns trust.
The article argues that Vehicle‑to‑Everything (V2X) communication, especially Vehicle Ad‑hoc Networks (VANET), can fill critical gaps in autonomous‑vehicle (AV) sensor performance, particularly in adverse weather and low‑visibility conditions. It outlines three physical‑layer candidates—Dedicated Short‑Range Communications (DSRC), Wi‑Fi‑based devices for pedestrians...
DHL Express and LODD Autonomous have signed an MoU to explore integrating LODD’s Hili unmanned aircraft into DHL’s express network. The Hili UAV can lift up to 250 kg, carry two Euro pallets, and fly 700 km with VTOL capability. Both parties...
Certis Group has signed a strategic partnership with FieldAI to roll out autonomous security robots across multi‑site operations worldwide. The collaboration blends FieldAI’s Field Foundation Models—general‑purpose AI that navigates without pre‑mapped routes—with Certis’ Mozart orchestration platform that synchronises robots, human...
Cross Water Production introduces a modular aluminium RIB that combines a long‑life hull with interchangeable deck modules, enabling current crewed missions and a stepwise path to unmanned capability. The hull is built for 25‑plus years of service with 1.5× buoyancy,...
Leonardo UK announced optimism about securing additional funding for its Proteus autonomous‑system demonstrator ahead of the UK Defence Investment Plan. The programme, backed by a £60 million MoD contract awarded in 2022, completed its maiden flight in January 2026, proving key...
Industrial water treatment is shifting from manual oversight to a continuously monitored, data‑driven asset within automated factories. Sensors on reverse‑osmosis units feed pressure, conductivity and flow data into PLCs and SCADA systems, allowing real‑time alignment of water quality with production...
The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command announced a €15 million purchase of Parrot ANAFI UKR micro‑UAV systems, with deliveries slated for early 2026. The contract builds on years of Finnish experience with Parrot’s ANAFI Thermal SE and ANAFI USA platforms, extending the force’s ISR...
Four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drones have shifted from hobbyist tools to core combat assets. Ukrainian forces rapidly adapted FPV drones for reconnaissance, targeting and defense, compressing development cycles that normally take years into weeks. The conflict spurred...
ACUA Ocean’s Pioneer is a 14.2‑metre SWATH‑based uncrewed surface vessel that prioritises stability and endurance over speed. Certified by Lloyd’s Register within 16 months, it can operate in sea state 5, carry up to 7 tonnes of payload through a central moonpool,...
RCT has installed Epiroc’s AutoNav Tele on an Aramine L350D loader at the Reward Gold mine in New South Wales, enabling remote operation in narrow‑vein underground conditions. The loader arrived from France and required a custom‑built mini AutoNav hut due...
Whitehaven Coal partnered with Caterpillar to install autonomous haulage system (AHS) trucks at its Daunia underground mine, expecting a significant boost in productivity. The AHS rollout delivered lower than projected tonnage and frequent downtime, undermining the anticipated efficiency gains. These...
XPONENTIAL 2026, held May 11‑14 in Detroit, is the world’s largest showcase for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomy across air, ground and maritime sectors. The event emphasizes production‑ready technology, with exhibitors demonstrating integrated platforms, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable deployment at...
SteerAI unveiled xRift, an autonomous flat‑deck all‑terrain vehicle at Abu Dhabi's Unmanned Systems Exhibition. The platform replaces a traditional cab with a modular deck, supporting up to 500 kg of payloads ranging from ISR kits to weapon systems. Powered by the...
Titan Dynamics Inc. has been named one of the top 25 firms to compete in Gauntlet I of the U.S. Department of War’s Drone Dominance Program, the first live‑testing phase for small unmanned aerial systems. The initiative evaluates performance, production readiness,...
Logistics giant DHL Supply Chain announced it has completed one billion picks using Locus Robotics’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) across more than 40 global sites. The deployment, which began in 2017, has delivered 30%‑180% higher pick rates and an 80%...
Four years after launching the world’s first autonomous electric feeder, China’s 300‑TEU vessel Zhi Fei completed its first fully autonomous docking at Qingdao Port, completing the maneuver in just 30 seconds. The ship, capable of crew‑managed, remote‑controlled or unmanned navigation, operates...
Ottonomy unveiled Ottumn.AI, a cloud‑based platform that orchestrates autonomous robots, drones, and smart infrastructure across healthcare, manufacturing, and commerce. The solution runs on NVIDIA AI hardware, leveraging Jetson edge devices, Isaac Sim digital twins, and cloud GPUs for sub‑30 ms decision...
Built an MCP server recently? Did developers actually use it, or is it collecting dust? 😵 I'll be speaking at @theleaddev London (June 1-2) about why "connecting AI to everything" doesn't work and what actually does when building tools that...
Picogrid and Guardian RF have secured a joint contract to protect Vandenberg Space Force Base from unauthorized drone activity. The deal integrates Guardian RF’s low‑SWaP Scout passive RF sensors with Picogrid’s Expeditionary Command and Control Nodes, creating a unified, real‑time...
Here's the recording from my lecture where I posed the question I started working on a decade ago at @Cambridge_Uni: "how to build Embodied AI that can drive any vehicle, anywhere in the world." https://t.co/kYuUhiCs0n
Alphabet has reached an agreement to embed its Gemini AI model in Apple’s upcoming Siri, creating a new licensing revenue stream. Simultaneously, Waymo clarified that its robotaxis are never remotely driven, with remote staff providing only high‑level guidance to address...
Robodock, a startup founded by two Stanford graduates, is automating robotaxi depot operations with mobile charging robots and AI‑driven visual inspections. The system docks with vehicles to manage power transfer and scans exteriors for damage, aiming to cut manual labor...
This is where AI + IoT + #robotics become mission-critical. Robots that understand their environment don’t just move faster, they save lives. MIT just unveiled a breakthrough that lets search-and-rescue robots rapidly map large, unpredictable spaces in real time. @MITAeroAstro @MITEngineering #MWC26...
Waymo announced it has accumulated 200 million miles of fully autonomous driving on public roads. The milestone comes as the company prepares to launch additional robotaxi fleets in about a dozen cities, including Boston, Sacramento, and London, later this year....
Uber Technologies unveiled Uber Autonomous Solutions, a turnkey suite that equips partners with data, mapping, regulatory access, financing and operational tools to commercialize autonomous vehicles worldwide. The offering bundles a high‑resolution multisensor data fleet, dynamic geospatial APIs, an AV‑first in‑car...
Motive introduced the AI Dashcam Plus, an edge‑AI device powered by Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QCS6490 processor that runs over 30 neural models simultaneously. The dashcam fuses stereo vision, audio, telematics, GPS and motion sensors to deliver real‑time risk detection with reduced latency and...
French mining group Imerys announced that its British Lithium (IBL) project will be placed into “care and maintenance,” effectively pausing development. The decision comes as the UK seeks to build a domestic battery supply chain, and the move signals a...
Under AUKUS Pillar II, Australia, the UK and the US are testing next‑generation autonomous and uncrewed maritime capabilities. The latest Maritime Big Play exercise in Australia featured live‑fire trials of C2 Robotics’ Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle and involved around 30 emerging systems....
The mining sector is moving toward fully autonomous operations, with 5G networks emerging as the backbone for real‑time worker‑machine collaboration. Newmont’s Cadia mine has deployed teleremote dozers that are controlled over a private 5G slice, delivering sub‑10 ms latency. Early performance...
British engineering firm BMT has opened the Digital Innovation & Simulation Centre (DISC) in Fareham, consolidating its maritime simulation, digital twin, and autonomy capabilities. The centre features the DNV‑accredited REMBRANDT navigation simulator, two 360‑degree pod simulators, a Remote Operations Centre,...
Neolix announced its autonomous robovan fleet has exceeded 100 million kilometres of real‑world driving, becoming the first company in the segment to reach this milestone. The record validates its self‑driving technology at massive scale and demonstrates reliability across diverse environments. The...
Collins Aerospace successfully demonstrated its Sidekick mission‑autonomy software on a General Atomics YFQ‑42A uncrewed jet, completing a four‑hour autonomous flight controlled from the ground. The test, part of the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, proved seamless integration...
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Air Force completed a joint autonomy exercise at Edwards AFB, pairing an F‑22 Raptor with the MQ‑20 Avenger unmanned jet. The test used government‑reference autonomy software and a tactical data link to let...
The quest for driverless cars began over a century ago, when Leonardo Torres Quevedo’s 1904 Telekino remotely steered a three‑wheeled vehicle. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s American inventors demonstrated radio‑controlled cars, and General Motors showcased infrastructure‑based autonomy at the 1939 World’s...
Eurogate and Embotech have launched a second autonomous terminal tractor pilot at the Hamburg marine terminal, moving containers between the railway and quay. The six‑month trial shifts focus from technical feasibility, proven in Wilhelmshaven, to operational performance metrics such as...
Qualcomm Technologies and Tata Electronics have signed a partnership to produce Qualcomm Automotive Modules at Tata's new semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Assam, India. The $3 bn greenfield plant will integrate Snapdragon Digital Chassis system‑on‑chips into ready‑to‑deploy automotive modules...
Umovity has bolstered its leadership roster with three senior appointments, adding Hans M. Molin as CTO of the ITS division, Hilary Aylesworth as chief product and technology officer for the software arm, and Matthew May as senior vice president of...
