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.
Staged Rollouts Become Safety Evidence
Vehicle software updates are shifting from a single release mindset to staged rollouts that serve as safety evidence. Emerging regulations such as UN Regulation 156 and ISO 24089 require a software update management system, and a progressive rollout with measurable health gates satisfies auditors. By using canary cohorts, eligibility manifests, and predefined recovery procedures, manufacturers can detect performance regressions early and pause or roll back updates before they affect the entire fleet. This disciplined approach turns deployment risk into an auditable, controllable process.
Rivian's Decade: AI-Driven Autonomy Redefines Humanity
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe: "The next 10 years will be the most important period in human history." The full interview: 2:45 Rivian’s big 2026 moment 4:23 The origin of Rivian 6:25 The pivot that changed Rivian 7:21 Rivian’s core mission 9:06 Obsessing over details 9:57 Why R2...
Search Robot Thinks for Itself
Researchers at TUM have built a broom‑shaped robot that fuses 3‑D image recognition with large language models to understand and search real‑world spaces. By constructing centimeter‑accurate spatial maps and translating internet knowledge into robot‑specific cues, it can locate misplaced items...
VIDEO: Three Ships Struck in New Iranian Attacks
Video footage released on March 12 showed two crude oil tankers, the U.S.-owned Safesea Vishnu and the Greek‑owned Zefyros, ablaze after being struck by Iranian suicide surface drones during an STS transfer south of Al Basrah. The coordinated attacks killed...
Dual-Use Autonomous Unmanned Helicopter for Long-Endurance & Heavy-Lift Missions
Swiss firm Roze Mobility has introduced the SH-917, an autonomous unmanned helicopter designed for both civilian and military missions. The platform delivers up to eight hours of endurance and can lift 250 kg, thanks to a carbon‑fiber airframe and a turbocharged...
Able Innovations Deploys ALTA Robotic Patient Delivery Platform in the U.S.
Able Innovations, a Canadian medical robotics firm, has partnered with Lahey Hospital & Medical Center to launch its ALTA robotic patient‑handling platform in the United States, marking the first U.S. deployment. The system automates lateral patient transfers, allowing a single...
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía Will Ensure the Safe Cross-Domain Operation of UAS to Protect and Safeguard Lives Through Advanced Hidden Threat...
UAV Navigation‑Grupo Oesía is joining the EU‑funded TICHE project to enable safe cross‑domain operation of UAV and UGV swarms for hidden‑threat detection. The consortium will integrate advanced sensors, AI‑driven data fusion and the company’s guidance, navigation and control (GNC) expertise...
DIU, Navy Tap Anduril to Prototype Dive-XL Autonomous Submarine
Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Navy have awarded Anduril a contract to prototype the Dive-XL autonomous submarine under the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP) program. Anduril must conduct a long‑range, operationally representative demonstration within four months, using a vehicle...
A Bicycle Robot that Can Drive Fast and Jump over Obstacles
Researchers at the Robotics and AI Institute unveiled the Ultra Mobility Vehicle (UMV), a bicycle‑based robot that can drive at 8 m/s, hop over 1‑meter obstacles, and perform flips using only five actuated degrees of freedom. The platform uses a heavy...
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UL Solutions granted its first UL 3300 safety certification to Simbe’s Tally autonomous shelf‑scanning robot. The certification, covering fire, electric‑shock and autonomous mobility hazards, confirms Tally can operate safely in busy public retail aisles. Simbe becomes the inaugural company to receive...
Coding for Underwater Robotics
Ivy Mahncke, an Olin College robotics undergraduate, spent her MIT Lincoln Laboratory summer internship developing a collaborative navigation algorithm for divers and underwater vehicles. The algorithm addresses the lack of GPS by fusing acoustic and sensor data, and was field‑tested...
Exotec and Komar Launch ‘Next-Generation’ Automated Fulfilment Centre in Savannah
Exotec is deploying its Skypod robotic system at Komar Distribution Services' 760,000‑square‑foot Savannah fulfillment centre. The modular solution promises up to 50% higher throughput and 30% greater storage density while handling both case and single‑item picking. Full automation is slated...
Fortescue Advances CAS Capability as First Step in Its HaulX Technology Suite
Fortescue has rolled out its Collision Avoidance System (CAS) as the first publicly showcased component of the HaulX technology suite. The system, already active on more than 400 Pilbara assets, automatically brakes heavy equipment when a light vehicle breaches a...
Serve Robotics and White Castle Launch Autonomous Delivery via Uber Eats
Serve Robotics and White Castle have teamed up to ship the chain’s sliders and other menu items using autonomous sidewalk robots through Uber Eats. The rollout adds Serve’s third‑generation delivery bots to the existing Uber Eats network, which already operates in major...
Uber, Nissan, Wayve Launch Scalable Robotaxis in Tokyo
Big news from Tokyo 🇯🇵 @Uber and @NissanMotor and @wayve_ai have signed an agreement to deploy supervised robotaxis in Tokyo from late 2026, bringing the Nissan Leaf powered by the Wayve AI Driver to riders through Uber. This is what scalable autonomy...
CES 2026: Connected Vehicles Accelerate the Pace of AI
At CES 2026 the spotlight shifted from prototype showcases to production‑ready connected vehicles, underscoring the convergence of robotics, AI and automotive electronics. Qualcomm announced a partnership with Chinese startup Leapmotor to equip the D19 with a dual Snapdragon Elite platform, marking the...
Aerowash Selected by IAG to Supply Aircraft Washing Robots to British Airways at Heathrow
Aerowash has been awarded a multi‑year leasing contract by International Airlines Group to provide aircraft‑washing robots for British Airways at London Heathrow. The deal follows a competitive tender and will see several automated washers deployed across BA’s Heathrow operations. CEO...
Embention Integrates Veronte Autopilot with Gotonomi SATCOM for Enhanced BVLOS Operations
Embention has integrated its Veronte Autopilot 1x with Gotonomi SATCOM terminals, creating a plug‑and‑play BVLOS solution that leverages Viasat’s L‑Band satellite network. The new hardware version 4.12 adds a native Ethernet port, removing RS485‑to‑Ethernet converters and reducing UAV weight. VeronteLink...
Gremsy & Sierra BASE Unveil Integrated UAV Solution for South Korean Bridge Inspection
Gremsy and Sierra BASE demonstrated an integrated UAV solution for bridge inspection in South Korea, pairing Gremsy's Pixy LR gimbal with a Sony LR1 camera on Sierra BASE's SIRIUS UAV. The system delivers stable, high‑resolution imagery in windy, GPS‑challenged environments,...
Honeywell Chosen by U.S. Air Force to Design Prototype Engine System for CCA
Honeywell Aerospace secured a U.S. Air Force prototype contract to design a propulsion system for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) using its new SkyShot 1600 engine. The SkyShot 1600 can operate as a turbojet or turbofan, delivering 800‑2,800 pounds of...
First Encounter with a Driverless Waymo Ojai
On March 11, 2026, Mario Herger captured a driverless Waymo Ojai cruising Fremont Street in San Francisco. The vehicle, part of Waymo’s latest robotaxi generation, was observed without any passengers and still featured a traditional steering wheel. Waymo has recently...
AI Still Needs Human Bodies to Act Physically
A new platform claims to let AI “rent” human bodies. The idea sounds futuristic, but it highlights a deeper challenge: robots and AI still depend heavily on humans to interact with the physical world. Until machines achieve full autonomy, human bodies...
Smart Robots Poised to Become Everyday Like Phones
Smart Robots Will Be Everywhere Like Smartphones: Here's Who Will Run the Next Machine Era #ArtificialDecisions #MCC @Ken_Goldberg @willknight https://t.co/ML9iLMrvpl
The Autonomous Battlefield
Autonomous warfare is moving from theory to practice, with Ukraine deploying millions of drones and AI‑assisted systems that operate even when communications are jammed. The conflict has demonstrated that autonomous formations can execute coordinated attacks without human pilots, compressing the...
NHTSA Forum Highlights Growing Support for Zoox AVs
This week, I joined @NHTSAgov Administrator Jonathan Morrison, @TechTekedra, and @chris_urmson for a discussion at the @NHTSAgov National AV Safety Forum. Thank you @USDOT, @SecDuffy, and everyone else involved for your continued support of @Zoox and the future of AVs...
Tesla FSD's First Cannonball Run Shows Driving's Future
The BTS of the 1st successful Tesla FSD Cannonball Run, and my take on the future of human driving. https://t.co/nmJtF5Cw0S
Nuro Is Testing Its Autonomous Vehicle Tech on Tokyo’s Streets
Nuro, the Silicon Valley startup known for low‑speed delivery bots, is testing its autonomous‑driving software on Tokyo’s public roads using Toyota Prius vehicles with human safety operators. The trial marks Nuro’s first overseas deployment and reflects its recent pivot from...
Uber Launches Global Robotaxi Platform for Street Deployment
Uber Technologies Launches Uber #Autonomous Solutions to Scale Global Robotaxi Services from Lab to Street by @IntEngineering #SelfDrivingCars #AutonomousVehicles #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Automation #Automotive #Transport https://t.co/4uUQgbfSGz
Guide to Building Embedded Autonomous AI Agents
How to Build an Embedded and #Autonomous #AIAgents by @Khulood_Almani #GenAI #LLM #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML https://t.co/OA50F6xiCS
Wayve Vehicle Spotted in Sunnyvale
Wayve’s autonomous‑driving team was observed operating a Ford Mustang Mach‑E equipped with its perception stack on a public road in Sunnyvale. The sighting occurred on March 11, 2026 at roughly 11:30 am PDT near the company’s headquarters and the southbound Central Expressway. The...
Tiny Bipedal Robot Achieves 10 Steps‑per‑Second Walk
World’s Smallest #Autonomous Bipedal #Robot Walks at 10 Steps per Second via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robotics #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/kcsTLXIfqI
Ming Maa Warns: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Creates Risky Dependency
Should autonomous vehicles be able to talk to each other? “NO” says Ming Maa , Founder/ CEO of Moove. Having self-driving cars talking to each other creates a dependency that the industry should not rely on! What do you think?...
Autonomous Mobile Robots Mature in the Warehouse
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are moving from pilot projects to full‑scale warehouse deployments as labor shortages and falling hardware costs drive demand. Integration of fleet management with warehouse management systems and the addition of AI capabilities are enhancing robot navigation,...
One Crash Could Freeze the Self‑Driving Industry
Here’s how one safety incident could crumble the self-driving car industry. Following the Cruise Incident (where a pedestrian was struck and dragged in San Francisco), or the Kit-Cat incident (where a Waymo killed a cat in San Francisco), even a...
Figure’s Humanoid Robot Picks Up Toys, Wipes Surfaces in New Demo
Figure AI unveiled a new demo where its humanoid robot, powered by the Helix 02 AI system, tidied a cluttered living room. The robot integrated walking, tool use, and object handling without task‑specific programming, relying on a single neural model. Helix 02...
SYOS Autonomous Uncrewed Heavy-Lift Helicopter Aces Trials, Now Ready for Serial Production
SYOS Aerospace announced its SA200 heavy‑lift uncrewed helicopter has successfully completed fully autonomous take‑off and landing trials from moving platforms, clearing it for serial production. The aircraft can lift up to 200 kg, fly 180 km (extendable to 300 km) and uses the...
FAA Steps Up Drone Enforcement in 2025
The FAA intensified drone enforcement in 2025, issuing fines and suspending or revoking licenses for unsafe and unauthorized flights near sporting events, emergency response operations, and restricted airspace. Penalties ranged from $1,771 to $36,770 across 18 violations, with the agency...
Duffy Touts Safety Potential for Autonomous Vehicles
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a series of DOT regulatory moves aimed at creating a consistent national framework for autonomous vehicles, with a focus on safety and innovation. The agency approved updates to safety standards that strip away unnecessary requirements,...
Torc Joins Virginia Autonomous Truck Training Grant
Torc Robotics has joined Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s Dock to Door Coalition under a one‑year Go Virginia Region 2 grant to shape training for autonomous Class 8 truck technicians and inspectors. The initiative will map workforce needs, identify curriculum gaps, and develop...
Latvian Company Develops Battlefield Logistics Vehicle
Latvian Brasa Defence Systems showcased its UNHUMAN unmanned ground vehicle at Finland’s Griffin Tech Days 2026, operating in Arctic temperatures as low as –27 °C. The 110‑kg robot can transport up to 200 kg of supplies, equipment or casualties and run for...
Waymo Depot in San Francisco on 3/10/2026
Waymo captured footage of its San Francisco depot on March 10, 2026, showing a large fleet of white driverless vehicles parked beside a warehouse structure. The video records activity at two distinct times—4:00 pm and 10:37 pm PDT—illustrating continuous operational flow. The...
Driverless Rides Turn LA Traffic Into Productivity
Getting around LA is annoying. But getting around LA in a Waymo while being productive opens up a lot of possibilities. So bullish on a driverless future. Will be great when there's less bad drivers around. Will be great when...
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Grubhub announced a three‑month pilot with Dexa to deliver food via drones from Wonder’s Green Brook location in New Jersey, marking the state’s first FAA‑certified commercial drone food delivery. Eligible customers within a 2.5‑mile radius can order through the Grubhub...
NVIDIA Showcases Hybrid AI Driving System at GTC
Gonna get my own ride next week at GTC. My Tesla just drove me for an hour around Silicon Valley. It is eight years old. Just was at a funeral of my son’s friend’s dad who was killed in a car wreck...
Tesla Cybertruck With Autopilot Engaged Tries To Drive Off An Overpass In Freaky Video
A Houston driver sued Tesla after her Cybertruck, operating with Autopilot engaged, missed a curve on an overpass and collided with a concrete barrier, sustaining severe neck, back and shoulder injuries. The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million, accusing Tesla of...
AI-Enabled Watch Towers Set to Proliferate Along the Border
The Department of Homeland Security will retrofit 148 uncrewed camera towers along the U.S. border with AI‑enabled sensors this year and add 50 next‑generation towers. GDIT’s Relocatable Autonomous Surveillance Tower brings longer‑range optics, radar, LIDAR and solar power, allowing edge...
Ferreyros on Ongoing Partnerships with Toromocho and Antapaccay
Ferreyros continues its strategic alliance with Minera Chinalco Peru, supporting the digitalisation of mining through the Integrated Operations Management (GIO) Center in Lima that remotely controls the Toromocho copper mine. The partnership introduced Caterpillar’s autonomous MD6640 electric drills and the...
Canopii Looks to Succeed Where Past Indoor Farms Have Not
Portland‑based Canopii has built a fully autonomous robotic greenhouse that can grow up to 40,000 pounds of herbs and specialty greens per year using only a single water spigot and standard household electricity. The company raised about $3.6 million, largely from...
Nvidia Announces Open-Source AI Agent Initiative
Very nice scoop by @ZoeSchiffer and @LaurenGoode on Nvidia's plan to introduce an open source agent. @WIRED biz desk be cookin. https://t.co/lxSjHVR6KX
HOJ Innovations’ New AMR Division Adds to Its Inventory Management Software History
HOJ Innovations, a Utah‑based warehouse inventory software veteran with over 60 years of experience, announced the launch of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) division in late October 2025. The new hardware arm integrates directly with its WarehouseOS platform, leveraging a...