Today's Autonomy Pulse
Volkswagen to Deploy Full-Domain AI Agents in New Models by H2 2026
Volkswagen announced that its Agentic AI for All roadmap will see full deployment in vehicles built on the CEA architecture starting in the second half of 2026. The locally trained large-language-model system moves beyond passive assistants to proactively manage parking, route adjustments and cabin preferences while keeping all data inside the vehicle.
From Segment Anything (Virtual AI) to Autonomous Trucks (Physical AI)
Bot Auto’s VP of Engineering and AI, Tete Xiao—co‑author of the seminal Segment Anything paper—explains how the company is shifting from virtual AI models to physical AI for autonomous trucking. By leveraging foundation models that generalize across data, Bot Auto treats truck autonomy as a compute‑driven problem, using reinforcement learning to master complex driving physics. The firm employs an aviation‑inspired triple‑redundancy architecture with dual onboard computers and independent software stacks to ensure safety. This spring, Bot Auto will launch fully driverless commercial operations on the Houston‑Dallas corridor with Ryan Transportation, eliminating safety drivers and observers.
Tesla Sold ‘Self-Driving’ Software for $10,000. Now It Faces a Legal Fight
Tesla is being sued in Australia after selling its Full Self‑Driving (FSD) software for about AU$10,100 (≈US$6,600) to owners of Model 3 and Y vehicles equipped with older HW3 hardware that cannot access the feature’s full capabilities. Owner Andy Young filed...
MSI Defense Integrates Korean Interceptor Into EAGLS System
MSI Defense Solutions and South Korea’s Nearthlab have signed an MOU to embed the KAiDEN autonomous interceptor drone into MSI’s EAGLS counter‑UAS platform. The integration adds a kinetic, hard‑kill layer to an otherwise detection‑and‑tracking focused system, expanding its ability to...
Leonidas Autonomous Vehicle Demonstrates Dual-Use Physical AI
I’m proud to share @KodiakRobotics, @epirus and @GD_LandSystems are leading the way in showcasing what Physical AI looks like on the front lines. We unveiled the Leonidas autonomous ground vehicle this morning at AUSA’s Global Force. This is a defining moment...
Cars Blocking Street and Fire Engine in Birmingham
The article highlights growing concerns over robotaxis blocking streets while waiting for passengers, noting that San Francisco issued 589 parking tickets to Waymo in 2024. Cities are creating dedicated pick‑up and drop‑off (PUDO) zones, yet curb‑side rules remain impractical. The piece...
Tesla FSD Mirrors Human Drivers in Complex Bike Lanes
I like the extra help Tesla's FSD provides while navigating the bike lanes in downtown. The bike lanes are intertwined with car lanes so the additional "eyes" are useful. It's also interesting that, just like human drivers, crossing the double yellow...
Circa Resort & Casino Teams with VenHub on Autonomous Smart Store
Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas has partnered with VenHub to install a 66‑by‑10‑by‑10‑foot autonomous smart store. The robot‑powered kiosk will let guests browse and buy food, snacks, alcohol and smokeless‑tobacco around the clock, eliminating checkout lines and...
Beyond Connectivity: High Lander and Dimetor Sign StrategicAgreement to Secure the Future of Global Airspace
High Lander and Dimetor have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to embed cellular intelligence into uncrewed traffic management (UTM) and beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The deal upgrades their earlier partnership, merging High Lander’s Vega UTM with Dimetor’s AirborneRF, NAVSentry and...
COTS & Custom Battery Management Systems for Drones & Robotics
Eberspaecher Vecture, a Toronto‑based developer of battery management systems, has joined Unmanned Systems Technology’s supplier ecosystem as a Silver partner. The company offers commercial‑off‑the‑shelf, custom and build‑to‑print BMS solutions for drones, robotics and autonomous vehicles, covering voltage ranges from 12 V...
Cheap DIY Drones Undermine US Defense, AI Threat Looms
Cheap drones, using mobile phone components, commercial off-the-shelf electronics, guidance sensors and a cheap 550cc two-stroke petrol engine, have literally defeated the entire might of US defence spending. When cheap cameras, and more autonomous scalable AI capabilities emerge, we're in real...
Czech Firm TRL Drones Introduces GCS Counter-Drone System
Czech firm TRL Drones has launched a Ground Control Station (GCS) that fuses sensor data, AI analysis and autonomous interceptor drones to provide a kinetic, hard‑kill layer against unmanned aerial threats. The system can shift from electronic jamming to physical...
GPU Power Makes Real-Time Visual SLAM Practical
cuVSLAM: Accelerating Real-Time Visual SLAM With GPU Power In this episode of Artificial Intelligence: Papers and Concepts, we explore cuVSLAM, NVIDIA’s GPU-accelerated solution for visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Designed for real-time applications like robotics, AR/VR, and autonomous systems, cuVSLAM...
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Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has expanded its partnership with Corvus Robotics, deploying more than 40 Corvus One autonomous drones across nine distribution centers nationwide. The drones have completed roughly 5,000 flights, uncovering over 35,000 inventory discrepancies and shifting cycle...
Agile Robots and Google DeepMind Partner to Bring Intelligence to Robotics
Agile Robots and Google DeepMind have announced a strategic research partnership to embed DeepMind's Gemini Robotics foundation models into Agile's scalable industrial hardware. The collaboration will create adaptable, reasoning robots for high‑value manufacturing tasks, leveraging a data‑driven feedback loop that...
Dexory and Multipowr Advance Next-Generation Warehouse Robotics With Integrated Wireless Charging
Dexory has teamed with Multipowr to embed high‑power wireless charging into its next‑generation autonomous warehouse robots, allowing longer run times and flexible battery management. The integrated system supports a wide power range and multiple battery configurations, making it adaptable to...
Rivian Secures $1.25 B Uber Investment to Deploy 50,000 Autonomous R2 Vehicles
Rivian announced a $1.25 billion investment from Uber that includes a commitment to field as many as 50,000 autonomous R2 trucks on Uber’s platform. The rollout will begin in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 and could expand to 25 cities by...
Study: Driver Assistance Systems Increase Distraction, ‘False Sense of Security’
A new study cited by Electrek finds that advanced driver‑assistance systems, including Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) mode, can create a “supervision trap” that distracts drivers and gives a false sense of security. The research, referencing data from the Insurance Institute...
From Dublin to Dallas: How Manna Aero Is Building Drone Delivery That Scales
Irish drone logistics firm Manna Aero, founded in 2018, now operates in Dublin, Finnish cities, Dallas and Oklahoma, delivering items up to 8.5 pounds within three minutes of order. The company has logged 300,000 flights and aims for two million by year‑end,...
The Best Things Come in Small Packages as RoboTrex Compact Set to Make UK Debut at MACH 2026
Lang Technik UK will unveil the RoboTrex Compact at the MACH 2026 trade show in Birmingham, marking the system’s UK debut. The compact automation cell occupies just 2 square‑metres, handles workpieces up to 95 mm and 7 kg, and incorporates a Fanuc M‑10iD‑16s robot...
Figure 03 Humanoid Outperforms Unitree G1 in Package Sorting
Truly impressive video of the Figure 03 humanoid autonomously sorting deformable packages and placing them labels-down for the scanner down the line. It is far better than the Unitree G1 version humanoid that I currently have at home. And they are...
AVL and Ansible Advance Vehicle Validation with Integrated Simulation and Driver-in-the-Loop Testing
AVL Mobility Technologies and Ansible Motion have teamed up to fuse AVL’s VSM real‑time vehicle simulation platform with Ansible’s driver‑in‑the‑loop simulators. The integrated solution lets manufacturers model components, systems and full vehicles, then immediately test chassis dynamics, power‑train behavior, ADAS...
Xpeng Sets up Standalone Robotaxi Unit
Xpeng has launched a standalone robotaxi business unit that will coordinate product definition, integration, R&D testing and daily operations. The division aims to begin real‑world passenger trials in the second half of 2026, with fully autonomous, safety‑operator‑free rides expected by...
The African Drone Forum (ADF) Announces First-Ever ‘Africa Pavilion’ at XPONENTIAL Europe 2026
The African Drone Forum (ADF) announced the debut of an Africa Pavilion at XPONENTIAL Europe 2026, the continent’s first unified presence at the premier uncrewed systems exhibition. The pavilion, running March 24‑26 in Düsseldorf, is backed by Germany’s BMZ and...
NHTSA Expands Probe to 3.2 M Teslas, Raising Robotaxi Timeline Risks
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has broadened its investigation of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software to 3.2 million vehicles, intensifying safety concerns that could delay the company's robotaxi rollout. Analysts warn a forced recall could erode the premium investors have...
Robots Detect Microscopic Rail Flaws, Prevent Outages
Railway maintenance is becoming precise, fast, and increasingly automated. In China, a robot is now repairing track cracks at up to 10,000 RPM, while detecting flaws as small as 0.1 mm. That level of accuracy changes the game. Instead of reacting to visible damage, systems...
Appliance Makers Place the Future of Home Robots on Display at AWE 2026
At the 2026 Appliance & Electronics World Expo in Shanghai, traditional appliance manufacturers pivoted toward embodied intelligence, unveiling a range of home‑service robots. Companies such as Dreame, Ecovacs, Haier, TCL, Hisense and Tesla demonstrated prototypes for chores, elder care, and...
Deals in Brief: QCraft Raises Series D Funding, Grab Acquires Foodpanda’s Taiwan Delivery Business, Seven China Investments, and More
QCraft closed a $100 million Series D round to push its Level 4 autonomous‑driving platform and world‑model AI research, targeting deployment in over 50 vehicle models by 2026. Grab agreed to buy Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda Taiwan operation for $600 million, marking its first expansion...
Saving the Planet From Humans: How Robots Are Transforming Environmental Monitoring and Cleanup
Robotics and autonomous systems are rapidly becoming the backbone of environmental monitoring and cleanup, shifting the industry from periodic, reactive actions to continuous, data‑driven operations. Drones, autonomous surface vessels, and underwater robots now provide real‑time intelligence on air quality, methane...
Fanuc to Invest $90 Million in US Robot Manufacturing Capacity Expansion
Fanuc America announced a $90 million investment to build an 840,000 sq ft robot manufacturing plant in Michigan, slated for completion in late 2027. The expansion will add 225 jobs and bring Fanuc’s U.S. footprint to 3 million sq ft, reflecting nearly $300 million invested since 2019. The...
Oracle Fusion Agentic Applications Signal Shift Toward Autonomous Enterprise Software
Oracle unveiled Fusion Agentic Applications, embedding autonomous AI agents into its Fusion Cloud suite. The initial rollout includes 22 applications that can reason, decide, and act across finance, HR, supply chain, and customer experience workflows. Agents operate either as recommendation...
AutoSens and InCabin Return to Convene AV, ADAS & Sensing Experts
AutoSens and InCabin will reconvene in Detroit from June 9‑11, 2026, gathering over 3,000 engineers, academics, and industry specialists focused on autonomous vehicles, ADAS, and in‑cabin sensing. The three‑day event features multiple stages, an extensive exhibition, technical tutorials, and roundtable...
ROBOTAXI WAR – TESLA VS NVIDIA. ELON VS JENSEN
Nvidia reports 19 automotive partners working on robotaxi technology, though most currently only field driver‑assist systems. The partners lack sufficient robotaxi‑grade Lidar units and the billions of miles of driving data needed to train the new AI chips. Consequently, they...
Oxford Spinout Raises From Amadeus Capital and OSE to Solve Long-Term Memory Problem in Robotics
Stateful Robotics, an embodied‑AI spinout from the University of Oxford, announced a $4.8 million pre‑seed financing round. The round was led by Amadeus Capital Partners and Oxford Science Enterprises, with angel investor Stan Boland also participating. The capital will be used...
Oracle Endows Fusion Applications with More AI Autonomy
Oracle unveiled a new generation of Fusion Agentic Applications, adding over 20 AI‑autonomous modules across ERP, HCM, SCM and CX. The agents can reason, decide and act on business goals by leveraging existing transactional data, policies and approval hierarchies, while...
Optimus Robot Serves Water in Downtown Austin
Optimus serving water in Austin Downtown. #optimus #tesla #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation #ArtificialInteligence #PhysicalAI @sonu_monika @enilev @Jagersbergknut @TysonLester @chidambara09 @labordeolivier @BetaMoroney @tlloydjones @Nicochan33 @jeancayeux @RLDI_Lamy @pierrepinna @pierrecappelli @pchamard @JeromeMONANGE @thierry_pires @MaiaGabunia @amalmerzouk @NewsNeus @mary_gambara @PawlowskiMario @XavierAncelin @drsharwood @kalydeoo...
Vision AI Robot Inspects Car Chassis Efficiently
How Han’s #Robot Uses Vision #AI to Inspect #Automobile Chassis via @WevolverApp #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/Y77DaMYQ0a
Forge Photonics Signs Navigation Systems Deal with Mission Systems for Subsea Drones
Canberra‑based Forge Photonics has inked a deal with Sydney defence firm Mission Systems to equip its undersea drones with fibre‑optic gyroscope navigation modules. The technology, spun out of Australian National University research on gravitational‑wave detection, delivers GPS‑free, low‑detectability positioning using...
Jeff Wilke Reveals Amazon’s Trillion‑dollar Scaling and Physical AI
Deployed Episode 1 is live. @jeffawilke scaled Amazon’s operations from a billion to a trillion dollars. We got into things he's rarely talked about publicly -- drones, lights-out factories, the future of Physical AI. Link below. https://t.co/BLWpc9TdvS
108‑Arm Robot Harvests Cotton 120× Faster Than Humans
108-Armed Cotton Picking #Robot Harvests 120× Faster Than Humans via @ZappyZappy7 #AgriTech #Robotics #Innovation #Technology #TechForGood https://t.co/TzDi7FfyrZ
Smarter Ships: Automation, AI, and the New Strain on Seafarers
Automation and AI are rapidly reshaping modern vessels, replacing traditional watchkeeping with unmanned machinery spaces and predictive analytics. While sensors and alarms improve efficiency, they also erode engineers' sensory familiarity with equipment, leading to reduced situational awareness. The surge of...
China Deploys Autonomous Spherical Police Robot
China Unveils High-Speed Spherical Police #Robot Capable of Netting Criminals Autonomously by @Rainmaker1973 #Innovation #EmergingTech #TechForGood #Technology https://t.co/xA0m1PRrQv
Zurich Startup Creates Physical AI to Teach Robots Human Skills
Zurich-Based Startup Builds Physical #AI to Teach #Robots Human Skills by @mimicrobotics #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/gVymMFNGjp
Inspection Robots Are Revolutionizing Maintenance Across Industries
Why Inspection and Maintenance #Robots Are Taking Over by @lukas_m_ziegler #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/zfzsEpnq8O
Robot Turns Pixels Into Torque for 30+ Motors
this is fully autonomous...the robot is reasoning from camera pixels and computing torque to control it's 30+ motors
Robotic Kitchen Lets Chefs Automate Skills Solo
#WhosNext? Sous Chefs? @GoodBytz Robotic Kitchen's latest stations enable head chefs to replicate and #Automate their abilities effortlessly. No further assistance or assistants required. #Automation https://t.co/f3wNQtNefZ
XBot‑L Becomes First Humanoid to Scale Great Wall
#WhosNext? Chinese border patrol guards? Meet XBot-L, the first humanoid robot to climb the Great Wall. #Robots #Robotics https://t.co/PpRvpEFWT2
Robotic Vessels Skim Waves Like Water Striders
These #Robotic vessels glide over waves like water striders by @gigadgets_ #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/CwrgjcQYes