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.
DriveOhio Data Keeps Eyes on Road Assets
Honda and DriveOhio completed a two‑year pilot of a Proactive Roadway Maintenance System in Ohio, using test vehicles equipped with vision and LiDAR sensors to scan roughly 5,000 km of roads. The system achieved 99% accuracy detecting damaged or obstructed signs, 93% for guardrails, and 89% for potholes, while also measuring road roughness and ride quality. Edge AI processed the data in real time, feeding a cloud platform that generated prioritized work orders for the Ohio Department of Transportation. The pilot suggests the technology could save ODOT over $4.5 million annually by reducing manual inspections.
JFB and XTEND Announce $1.5B Business Combination to Establish AI-Driven Autonomous Defense Robotics Company
JFB Construction Holdings will merge with defense‑software firm XTEND in an all‑stock deal, creating a Nasdaq‑listed AI‑driven autonomous defense robotics company named XTEND AI Robotics. XTEND shareholders will own roughly 70% of the new entity while JFB shareholders retain about...
NXP S32N79 Octa-Core Arm Cortex-A78E/12-Core Cortex-R52 “Super-Integration Processor” Targets Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV)
NXP announced the S32N79 “Super‑Integration” automotive processor, featuring up to eight Arm Cortex‑A78E application cores at 1.8 GHz and twelve Cortex‑R52 real‑time cores at 1.4 GHz, plus a RISC‑V accelerator and eIQ Neutron AI NPU. Built on a 5 nm TSMC process, it...
Waymo Overseas Human Assist Wasn't Secret, But Is It Secure?
Waymo disclosed that a single remote‑assist operator supports roughly 40 autonomous vehicles, a ratio that underscores its reliance on human fallback. The company confirmed that many of these operators are based overseas, a fact previously hinted at but not widely...
Waymo Looking to Buy 50,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Robotaxis for $2.5 Billion
Waymo is reportedly negotiating to purchase 50,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles for roughly $2.5 billion, aiming to expand its robotaxi fleet. The cars would arrive without Waymo’s lidar, radar and computing suite, implying a post‑delivery sensor retrofit. At an estimated $50,000-plus...
Hands‑free AI Driving Builds Trust, Fuels Future Sales
Our robot has driven me and the family for two hours in driving rain across one of USA’s most dangerous roads. Without my hands touching the wheel once. It is how it handled pudddles, two brown streams crossing the road that most...
IFR Releases Position Paper on AI in Robotics
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) published a position paper outlining how artificial intelligence is reshaping robotics, from enhanced vision and navigation to generative code creation. It highlights rapid advances in physical AI, deep‑learning perception, reinforcement learning, and natural‑language interfaces...
Ondas’ Sentrycs Secures German State Police Contract to Enhance Airspace Protection
Ondas’ subsidiary Sentrycs has delivered its protocol‑based counter‑drone system to a German State Police office, providing non‑disruptive mitigation for unauthorized UAVs. The deployment coincides with the upcoming launch of the man‑carried Sentrycs Scout at the Enforce Tac exhibition, expanding Ondas...
Autonomous Vehicles Steer Robotics Growth
Barclays analysts project the AI‑powered robotics market could reach a trillion dollars by 2035, with autonomous vehicles acting as the catalyst. The report identifies roughly 200 public companies, half of which already have corporate bonds, as potential beneficiaries. Automakers, logistics...
Autonomous Wheelchair Maps Home, Yet Cost Hurdles Remain
What if your wheelchair could map your house and drive you to specific spots on command? Strutt's EV1 does exactly that. It learns your space, lets you save waypoints, and navigates at 3 mph while avoiding obstacles. Manual override is...
Robot Hand Approaches Human-Like Dexterity with New Visual-Tactile Training
Researchers in China introduced a visual‑tactile pretraining framework that teaches a low‑cost four‑fingered LEAP Hand to manipulate objects with human‑like dexterity. By first watching extensive videos of human hand actions and then training in simulation using only a webcam and...
ARM Institute Opens Project Call for Military Supply Chain Technology
The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Institute has issued a member‑only project call to modernize the Department of Defense’s organic industrial base (OIB) supply chain. The call seeks proposals that combine digital operations, AI‑driven robotic process planning, real‑time sensors, in‑situ...
Anzu Discontinues Raptor Drone Series Amid Supply Chain Crisis
Anzu Robotics announced the discontinuation of its Raptor drone series after persistent component shortages halted production. The line, launched in 2024 as a U.S.-focused alternative to DJI, saw rapid demand driven by NDAA 2025 considerations, which depleted inventory faster than...
German Grocery Retailer REWE Deploys Cimcorp Solution for New Automated Fulfillment Center
German retailer REWE has opened an automated fulfillment center in Oranienburg, deploying Cimcorp’s robotic handling and Warehouse Control System to manage fresh produce distribution. The facility serves over 370 supermarkets and 580 shops in the Berlin region, processing roughly 29,000...
What Happens to a Car when the Company Behind Its Software Goes Under?
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on cloud‑based software to operate core functions, making them vulnerable if the underlying service provider collapses. Recent bankruptcies of Fisker and Better Place left owners with bricked cars and no recourse, highlighting a new failure mode...
AI Agents Gaining True Autonomy for Business
Agentic AI Explained: The Future of Autonomous AI Systems in Business & Technology 📽️ https://t.co/9GBCWdMbfw What if AI could set its own goals and make independent decisions — just like a human? Agentic AI represents the next evolution of artificial...
Making the Warehouse a Better Place to Work
Warehouse automation promises easier picking and safer loading, yet it alone cannot solve the talent crunch. Industry leaders argue that career growth, cross‑training, and clear development pathways are essential to retain workers. Honeywell highlights training on new technology as a...
Waymo Ojai Spotted in Scottsdale
Waymo’s Ojai engineering vehicle, previously observed in San Francisco and Los Angeles, was photographed in Scottsdale, Arizona. The sighting confirms that Waymo is extending its autonomous‑driving tests beyond California to the Southwest. Scottsdale’s streets provide a new data set of urban...
AtkinsRealis and Anduril UK Partner on Autonomous Aircraft
AtkinsRéalis has entered a teaming agreement with Anduril UK to speed the development and fielding of autonomous aircraft for British defence programmes. The partnership focuses on safety, assurance and navigating emerging certification pathways with the Military and Civil Aviation Authorities....
Delivery Robot Asks Human to Press Traffic Signal Button
Serve Robotics unveiled a sidewalk delivery robot that pauses at a traffic signal and asks a passerby to press the crossing button on its screen. The robot displays a "Thank you" message and a brief light show after the human...
What the Headlines About Waymo’s “Offshore Drivers” Are Getting Wrong
In this episode, John Deniston, co‑founder of AI startup Repair Ally and former autonomous‑vehicle engineer, clarifies misconceptions around Waymo’s use of “offshore drivers.” He explains that remote human assistants are not controlling cars like video‑game drivers but are instead providing...
The Economic Impact of Robotaxis on Ridesharing
The 2026 Gridwise Analytics report finds robotaxis are eroding ridesharing volume and driver earnings in markets where they operate. Trips per hour and average ride duration have dropped in cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco, leading to lower...
CAN Networks Can Meet EU CRA Requirements, but Security Levels Matter
The CAN in Automation (CiA) group warns that all CAN‑based products sold in the EU now fall under the European Union Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA) unless covered by sector‑specific rules. Compliance hinges on achieving the appropriate IEC 62443 security level (SL),...
An Inside Look Into DARPA’s RACER Program
DARPA’s RACER program is advancing high‑speed autonomous vehicles that operate in unstructured off‑road terrain without relying on maps or GPS. The initiative has field‑tested modified Polaris RZR and Textron M5 platforms across the Mojave Desert, Camp Roberts, and Fort Hood....
Jevons Robotics Deal with Newmont to Deploy Auto Pre-Split Loading Robot
Jevons Robotics has signed an agreement with Newmont Australia to deploy an automated pre‑split loading robot built on the ARTEV1000 rugged, battery‑electric platform. The deal marks the first payload extension of the ARTEV1000, targeting highwall mining where it will substantially...
Infineon to Supply Semiconductors for BMW Neue Klasse Platform
Infineon Technologies will equip BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform with a suite of core semiconductors, including AURIX and TRAVEO microcontrollers, BRIGHTLANE Ethernet, OPTIREG power‑management ICs, and PROFET smart‑power switches and eFuses. The platform adopts a centralized, zonal E/E architecture featuring...
PLP ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH FULCRUMAIR TO DEVELOP NEXT-GENERATION ROBOTIC INSTALLATION SYSTEMS FOR POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION
PLP and FulcrumAir have launched a multi‑year strategic partnership to co‑develop next‑generation robotic installation systems for overhead power line construction. The collaboration builds on prior joint products such as the LineSpider™ and LineFly™ robots, aiming to boost efficiency, safety, and...
How to Integrate Decades-Old Modbus Devices Without Regret
Modbus remains the dominant industrial communication protocol, with the market expected to grow from $1.2 billion to $2.5 billion by 2033. Integrating legacy devices is cost‑effective using gateways, historians, or edge gateways, avoiding expensive rip‑and‑replace projects. Security must be addressed at the...
AGVs You Can Trust at MODEX 2026
MasterMover will exhibit its heavy‑duty automated guided vehicles and electric tuggers at MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, highlighting the TOW300 AGV capable of moving up to 44,000 lb across indoor and outdoor environments. The TOW300 combines BlueBotics ANT navigation and SICK safety scanners to...
First Speakers Announced for This Year’s Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo Conference
Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo Europe will take place in Stuttgart, Germany, from June 23-25, 2026. The three‑day event combines a free‑to‑attend exhibition of the latest autonomous driving and ADAS solutions with a paid conference featuring industry experts. Among the first...
“Robot, Make Me a Chair”
MIT researchers unveiled an AI‑driven robotic assembly platform that turns natural‑language prompts into physical objects. A generative AI creates a 3‑D mesh, while a vision‑language model determines component placement, enabling a robot to assemble furniture from reusable parts. The system...
Ant Robotics Introduces Autonomous Platform Valera Cube
Ant Robotics has launched the Valera Cube, an autonomous tool carrier designed for polytunnels, vineyards, tabletops, and field crops. The robot features a portal‑style chassis, side‑mounted sprayers, UVC lamps, and modular attachments for insect distribution and monitoring. It navigates using...
Skyeton Upgrades Raybird UAS with Satellite Communications
Skyeton has integrated satellite communications into its Raybird tactical UAV, eliminating data link range constraints and enabling continuous real‑time transmission throughout 28‑plus hour missions. The SATCOM‑enabled Raybird can now operate beyond 2,500 km, supporting deep ISR tasks in contested environments. The...
Tampa International Airport Showcases Three Agentic AI Breakthroughs Ahead of IAR London Breakfast Briefing
Tampa International Airport will unveil three agentic AI breakthroughs at the International Airport Review breakfast briefing in London, developed with Sotereon.ai’s Underwing Overwatch platform. The first solution uses live LiDAR data to automate aircraft turnaround, continuously tracking underwing tasks and...
Australia Prepares for Next Batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ Warplane Buddy Drones
Australia is expanding its collaborative combat aircraft program by adding seven more Boeing MQ‑28A Ghost Bat drones, a AUS $754 million investment that brings the fleet toward ten operational units by 2028. The RAAF already operates eight Block 1 aircraft and is testing...
The Forces Rewiring Modern Manufacturing
Manufacturing is undergoing a digital overhaul where connectivity, data and automation dictate factory efficiency, product consistency, and uptime. Unplanned downtime now averages $260,000 per hour, contributing to roughly $1.5 trillion in global losses each year. Tata Communications frames the CIO agenda...
New US Senate Proposed Legislation “Will Speed FAA Certification of US eVTOLs”
A bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators will introduce the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act to streamline the FAA's type‑certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft, including eVTOLs. The bill mandates transparent timelines, updated delegation guidance for novel technologies,...
Royal Navy Sees Hybrid Shift as Central to Future Force Mix
Britain’s Royal Navy is accelerating a transition to a ‘hybrid fleet’ that blends crewed warships with uncrewed and autonomous systems, a core element of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. First Sea Lord Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the priority is...
RCV Engines Secures £4 Million European Deal & Bolsters UK Manufacturing
RCV Engines has secured a £4 million supply agreement with a European partner to deliver its mission‑critical propulsion systems. The contract was awarded after a competitive evaluation, highlighting the company’s 4‑stroke rotary valve engines that can run on heavy fuels such...
Nature-Inspired Robot Mastering Fly, Roll, Walk, Crawl
Bioinspired robot Fly - Roll - Walk - Crawl Multi-Modal Mobility Morphobot (M4), a revolutionary robot inspired by nature's most adaptable creatures. > Capable of multiple forms of movement: flying, rolling, crawling, and more. > Features adaptive appendages that function...
Wisk Envisions Autonomous, Accessible Electric VTOL Air Taxis
Re-up! Autonomous and accessible - Wisk's vision for future electric VTOL air taxis #avgeek #Boeing #eVTOL #Wisk https://t.co/tpZctOS8e0
DSK 2026 Set to Showcase AI & Autonomous Defense Systems
The 2026 Drone Show Korea (DSK) opens Feb. 25 in Busan, covering 26,508 m² with 318 companies from 23 nations. The event’s AI‑centric theme showcases autonomous, manned‑unmanned combat systems, with dedicated Army, Navy and Air Force pavilions. Major players such as...
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
Micro-Magic Debuts High-Precision M3G-2XX Series Gyroscopes
Micro-Magic Inc. has launched the M3G-210 and M3G-220, high‑precision triaxial MEMS gyroscopes. The devices achieve a bias instability of 0.1 °/h and an angle random walk of 0.1 °/√h, with up to 2000 Hz sampling and 200 Hz bandwidth. Housed in rugged aluminum alloy,...
Deloitte: 95% of Indian Consumers Will Pay for SDVs
Deloitte’s 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that 95% of Indian car buyers are ready to pay extra for software‑defined vehicle (SDV) capabilities such as safety, security and health monitoring. The same respondents view SDVs as helpful (81%) and are...
Industrial AI Shifting as Enterprises Turn Analytics Into Autonomous Action
IFS posted 23% annual recurring revenue growth and a 114% net retention rate for FY 2025, indicating industrial AI is moving from pilot projects to large‑scale operational use. The company’s new IFS Nexus Black and Agent Studio platforms let enterprises...
All-in-One SLAM LiDAR, RTK and 360° Imagery Scanner Launched
Emesent has launched the GX1, an all‑in‑one SLAM LiDAR, RTK and 360° imaging scanner that delivers 5‑10 mm global accuracy. The system can cut survey time by up to 95 %, turning weeks of work into a single day. It integrates LiDAR,...
VLA Reasoning Lets Vehicles Safely Navigate Complex Edge Cases
VLAs can enable vehicles to better handle complex edge cases: a VLM can "think through" a complex interaction, deduce a common sense behavior, and then a VLA can carry that out to maintain safe(r) behavior even in unusual situations.
6th‑Gen AV Platform Costs Halve
The 6th gen platform reportedly costs ~$70k per vehicle ($50k base + $20k custom fit & sensors). The cost has room to fall by 50% in the next 2 years (>$30k vehicle + $10k sensors). Waymo currently does over 500,000 driverless...
SpaceX to Compete in Pentagon Contest for Autonomous Drone Tech
SpaceX and its AI subsidiary xAI have entered a classified Pentagon competition to develop voice‑controlled, autonomous drone‑swarming systems. The contest, part of a broader push for AI‑enabled weapons, pits the two Musk‑owned firms against other defense contractors. Musk announced a...