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 new models built on the CEA architecture starting in the second half of 2026. The system, powered by a locally trained large‑language model, goes beyond passive voice assistants to proactively manage parking, route adjustments and cabin preferences while keeping all data inside the vehicle.
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 merger of SpaceX and xAI in early February, positioning the combined entity to leverage aerospace expertise and advanced machine‑learning capabilities. Their participation marks a notable shift for Musk, who has previously warned against new killing tools powered by AI.
Let’s Be Straight on Deliveries
Online shoppers increasingly value reliable delivery dates, yet many experience shifting timelines and missed windows. A recent Avery Dennison survey shows 37% of consumers rank delivery delays as their top frustration, and 32% would abandon a favored brand after a single...
How Is the PLC Being Redefined?
Yokogawa introduced the OpreX Intelligent Edge Controller A8, a Linux‑based device that fuses traditional PLC functions with industrial‑PC and edge‑computing capabilities. The controller supports real‑time deterministic control while offering native connectivity to Profinet, EtherCAT, MQTT and OPC‑UA, positioning it for...
Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ Tried to Drive Owner Into a Lake, Viral Video Shows
A Tesla owner posted a video showing the car’s Full Self‑Driving software steering toward a lake before the driver intervened, sparking over a million views. The incident occurred on the latest FSD version 14.2.2.4, released in January 2026, and adds...
When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Control System?
Control system upgrades are back on plant executives' agendas as new capital budgets roll out for the year. The article highlights three primary risks of aging automation: hardware failure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the erosion of tribal knowledge. It urges decision‑makers...
When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Control System?
Plant managers face pressure to refresh aging control systems as new capital budgets roll out. Older PLCs and DCS platforms expose facilities to hardware failures, heightened cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and loss of tribal knowledge. Experts recommend a ten‑year upgrade cadence to...
Yaskawa Expands Proven Robotic Warehouse Solutions to North America
Yaskawa America announced the North American launch of its robotic warehouse solutions, extending technologies proven in Europe and early U.S. pilots. The offering centers on the PackMaster palletizing cell, delivering 800‑1,200 cases per hour, and a layer picker capable of...
US Manufacturing Pipeline Grows, Firms Plan $1B in New Factories
A wave of new manufacturing projects across the United States is driving roughly $1 billion in capital spending, spanning heavy equipment, advanced electronics, automation and industrial components. Companies such as John Deere, Rockwell Automation, and Applied Optoelectronics are breaking ground on...
USAF Integrates Open-Architecture for Mission Autonomy on CCAs
The U.S. Air Force announced that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program has incorporated an open‑architecture framework to support mission‑autonomous capabilities. The new architecture allows software modules to be added, updated, or replaced without redesigning the airframe, accelerating the deployment...
Ottonomy Showcases Made-in-India Autonomous Delivery Ecosystem at India AI Impact Summit
Ottonomy introduced its Made‑in‑India autonomous delivery ecosystem at the India AI Impact Summit. The solution combines Level‑4 Ottobot delivery robots, Arrive AI’s smart storage “Arrive Points,” and Skyeair Mobility’s drone logistics. Powered by an AI‑driven autonomy stack, the system can...
Tesla ‘Robotaxi’ Status Check: 8 Months in, 19% Availability, and All of Musk’s Promises Are Missing
Tesla’s much‑hyped Robotaxi pilot in Austin has stalled, fielding only about 42 Model Y vehicles instead of the promised 500. Availability sits at roughly 19% of operating hours, and the service shuts down in rain, while crash rates are nine times...
Blue Water Autonomy Unveils Liberty Class Autonomous Ship for U.S. Navy
Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston‑based tech and shipbuilding firm, announced the Liberty class, a 60‑metre autonomous vessel built on Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 platform. The ship features the proven Axe Bow hull, can carry over 150 tonnes, and boasts a...
Manufacturer Revives De-Commissioned System to Advance Production
A de‑commissioned seal‑coating system was recertified and now produces 500,000 tablets per hour, matching the output of brand‑new equipment. The revival required a modern HMI, a upgraded Allen‑Bradley PLC, and enhanced cybersecurity hardware. Surveys show 48% of North American manufacturers...
Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider
Shield AI has been chosen to supply mission‑autonomy software for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, entering the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase after a competitive evaluation. Its Hivemind AI pilot has been integrated into...
How DJI Drone Systems Cut Ski Resort Snow Costs
Planai‑Hochwurzen‑Bahnen in Austria has partnered with KIONIQ to deploy DJI’s Dock 3 and Matrice 4TD drones for automated snowmaking inspections. The drones use thermal imaging to map snow distribution, allowing immediate gun adjustments and reducing energy waste. Snow production typically consumes about...
Caterra Launches Fully Autonomous Laser Weeding Robot Honeybee
Swiss firm Caterra AG has introduced Honeybee, a fully autonomous electric robot that uses high‑precision lasers to eradicate weeds in organic and high‑value vegetable crops. The system can mount up to five 0.3‑metre laser modules, covering roughly 0.5 hectares in...
Gremsy & Sierra BASE to Showcase Integrated Bridge Inspection Solution at Drone Show Korea 2026
Gremsy and South Korean UAV maker Sierra BASE announced a technical collaboration to showcase an integrated drone system at Drone Show Korea 2026. The solution pairs Gremsy’s VIO gimbal payload with Sierra BASE’s SIRIUS Wing v2 airframe, aiming to deliver...
Yard Automation and the Future of the Yard
In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, host Kevin interviews Darin Brannan, CEO of Terminal Industries, about the emerging importance of yard automation in modern supply chains. Brannan explains how yards have traditionally lagged behind warehouses in technology adoption...
WXYZ-TV & ResilienX to Pilot ORION-X for Automated Aerial Newsgathering
ABC‑affiliated WXYZ‑TV in Detroit is partnering with ResilienX to pilot the ORION‑X platform for automated aerial newsgathering. The managed‑service model lets the station request live or recorded drone footage while ResilienX handles flight operations, regulatory compliance, and safety. Initial missions...
This California Garage Parks And Charges Your EV Automatically
A new residential garage in Menlo Park, California, uses a robotic arm to automatically park and charge electric vehicles. The three‑level system, developed by Sofetin and installed by Parkworks, offers over 450 spaces and moves cars to free charging bays...
AALTO Targets Australia for Zephyr’s Next Operating Site, Launching Call to National Payload Industry
AALTO HAPS, an Airbus subsidiary, announced that northern Australia will host its second Zephyr launch and landing site, dubbed AALTOPORT, following the successful 67‑day stratospheric flight in 2025. The company is calling Australian payload developers to join bilateral talks at...
Brightpick Advances Logistics While Others Dream of Humanoids
Everyone: humanoids will accelerate logistics. Meanwhile Brightpick …
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...
Here CEO: AI and SDV Prompt “Tough Battle” For Dominance
Here Technologies’ CEO Mike Nefkens says AI and software‑defined vehicles (SDVs) are sparking a fierce battle for market dominance. He emphasizes that high‑precision location data is the linchpin for navigation, autonomous driving, asset tracking and logistics optimisation. Here is leveraging...
MIT Breakthrough Lets Rescue Robots Map Spaces Instantly
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...
Everdrone to Deploy Emergency Response Drones in Stockholm
Everdrone and the Ambulance Services Administration in Region Stockholm have signed an agreement to roll out an autonomous emergency‑response drone system. The drones will transport defibrillators to suspected cardiac arrests and deliver early situational awareness at accident scenes. Placement of...
Cellula Robotics Among Shortlisted Companies for Vimy Forge Black Flight Cohort I
Cellula Robotics, a maker of fuel‑cell powered autonomous underwater vehicles, has been shortlisted for Vimy Forge’s inaugural Black Flight Cohort I. The accelerator, Canada’s sovereign defense‑innovation hub, helps SMEs overcome market entry barriers such as limited end‑user access and fragmented...
DMP Expands North American HD Maps to 970,000 Miles
Dynamic Map Platform (DMP) has finished high‑definition mapping of all ten Canadian provinces, adding Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island to reach 120,636 miles of coverage. This brings DMP’s total North American HD map footprint to over 970,000 miles. The LiDAR‑based...
Covestro Materials Feature in SUE Autonomous Minibus
UE | STUDIOS unveiled the SUE autonomous electric minibus, a self‑driving urban shuttle built with Covestro’s Makrolon polycarbonate glazing and recyclable interior monomaterials. The vehicle features a 381 cm panoramic windshield, sensor‑transparent Makrolon AX ST, and Arfinio‑based interior components designed for durability and circularity. Funded...
EACON Auto BEV Fleet Delivers Cost & Emissions Reduction for Shougang
EACON’s autonomous battery‑electric haul trucks have been operating at Shougang Group’s Shuichang iron‑ore mine for a year, logging over 350,000 km and moving more than 11 million tonnes of material. The fleet’s regenerative‑braking system recovered 386,000 kWh of energy, equating to roughly 185 tonnes...
Making the Business Case Amidst the Rapid Proliferation of Advanced Fleet Technology and Digital Innovations
Commercial fleets are entering a rapid digital transformation, with AI‑driven analytics, connected‑vehicle platforms, and software‑defined trucks promising predictive maintenance, condition‑based service, and over‑the‑air updates. Operators can now forecast failures days in advance, shift from fixed service intervals, and make data‑backed...
Former Sales Chief at Drone Giant DJI Detained in Bribery Investigation
Former DJI sales vice‑president Yuan was detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of accepting large bribes. The investigation, reported by Jiemian News, alleges "huge amounts of illicit gains" during his 2019‑2024 tenure overseeing global sales. This follows DJI’s 2019 internal...
Tesla Robotaxi Likely by 2026, Timeline Remains Uncertain
Tesla will get to a working robotaxi eventually, but it's difficult to say when. My 50th percentile is end of 2026, but the variance is high. It could be in a few months. It could be a few years. We'd...
Has Waymo Finally Solved Robotaxi Supply?
Waymo has reportedly struck a $2.5 billion agreement with Hyundai to purchase 50,000 vehicles by 2028, pricing the cars at roughly $50,000 each including sensor packages. The deal promises to slash autonomous‑vehicle costs and address the chronic supply bottleneck that has...
MicroVision's Solid-State Lidar Targets Automotive ADAS Market
From $100,000 spinning sensors to compact solid-state units built for automotive scale, lidar has come a long way. MicroVision is betting its high-resolution sensing device can win over skeptics—and automakers. Lidar #ADAS https://spectrum.ieee.org/solid-state-lidar-microvision-adas?share_id=9165326
True Agentic AI Needs Orchestration, Memory, Planning, and Tools
Chatbot ≠ Agentic. RPA ≠ Agentic. RAG ≠ Agentic. Agentic AI = orchestrator + memory + planning + tools + feedback, plus multi-agent specialists (retrieval/coding/citations). The board question: where do we allow autonomy—and with what guardrails? https://t.co/AEnajJZeEP
A Suddenly Unavoidable Podcast
The episode examines recent Waymo incidents, including a school‑child collision and repeated passes of stopped school buses, to illustrate how “unavoidable” crashes are often a product of flawed risk models rather than true inevitability. It reviews The Autonomous’s safety‑architecture report...
NAVAIR Issues RFI for Marine Corps Medium Range Tactical UAS
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued a Sources‑Sought notice seeking a Medium‑Range Tactical (MRT) unmanned aircraft system for the U.S. Marine Corps. The RFI calls for a rugged, VTOL‑capable platform under 20 lb gross weight, with at least 2.5 hours endurance,...
Manifest 2026 Recap
In episode 230 of The Robot Report podcast, hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre recap the Manifest 2026 supply‑chain trade show in Las Vegas and interview eight robotics CEOs, including leaders from Gather AI, Robust.AI, Slamcore, Slip Robotics, Ambi Robotics, Corvus Robotics, Glid Technologies and AutoPallet. The episode...
Manifest 2026 Recap
Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre recap their experience at the Manifest 2026 tradeshow, highlighting cutting‑edge developments in warehouse and supply‑chain robotics. The episode features rapid‑fire news, a Zoox autonomous‑taxi demo, and in‑depth interviews with CEOs and executives from Gather AI,...
US Army to Debut FPV Bumblebee V2 Drone Interceptor Next Month
The U.S. Army’s Global Response Force will start evaluating the Bumblebee V2 drone interceptor in March after a $5.2 million contract with Perennial Autonomy. The FPV quadcopter uses AI to autonomously detect and physically collide with hostile UAVs, delivering a kinetic...
Podcast: Tesla Semi Price, Toyota Highlander EV, Rivian R2, Ferrari Luce, and More
The Electrek Podcast highlighted a slate of headline‑making EV developments, including Tesla’s $290,000 quote for its 500‑mile Semi truck and the launch of a three‑phase Powerwall 3P. Toyota unveiled the Highlander EV, the first three‑row electric SUV with a 320‑mile range, while...
Build with Ukraine: Wingcopter and TAF Industries Establish Joint Venture to Scale Production of Reconnaissance Drones in Germany for Ukraine
Wingcopter and Ukraine’s TAF Industries signed an MoU at the Munich Security Conference to create a joint venture that will produce reconnaissance drones in Germany for Ukraine. The partnership combines TAF’s licensed battlefield‑proven designs with Wingcopter’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities,...
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Receives First Ukrainian Drone Manufactured in Germany by Quantum Frontline Industries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the first Linza 3.0 drone manufactured in Germany by the newly formed Quantum Frontline Industries (QFI) joint venture. The handover, attended by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, marked the opening of a production line that aims to deliver...
In Person Interview: Brian Alexander of Symbotic
Symbotic senior vice president Brian Alexander outlines the current robotics landscape, contrasting autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with high‑density automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). He emphasizes the shift from traditional automation to AI‑powered solutions that can make decisions, predict demand...
Robotics & Automation News Publishes In-Depth Trend Analysis on the Future of Drone Logistics
Robotics & Automation News has released a premium trend analysis titled "Drone Logistics: Infrastructure, Economics and Market Outlook (2026‑2032)" that evaluates the operational realities and economic constraints of drone delivery. The report finds that drones will serve as a specialised...
![Glydways Looks to ‘Redefine Mass Transit’ with Autonomous Electric Vehicles on Dedicated Guideways [Video]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Glydways-autonomous-transit-render.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Glydways Looks to ‘Redefine Mass Transit’ with Autonomous Electric Vehicles on Dedicated Guideways [Video]
Glydways announced two major milestones: a 0.5‑mile autonomous electric vehicle pilot in South Metro Atlanta and a memorandum of understanding with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to deploy guideway‑based transit in the Bluewaters district. The Atlanta demonstration will connect the...
Agentic AI: Systemic Design Beats Single‑Prompt Models
“How Agentic AI works” — this diagram gets one thing very right: Agentic AI is not a model. It’s a system. Here’s the deeper reading most people miss 👇 1️⃣ Inputs are not prompts — they’re signals Agentic AI doesn’t...
Robots Share Power to Rescue Failed Neighbors
A new Science #Robotics study describes a method that enables robotic modules to share their resources with a “dead” neighbor, overcoming failure to ensure the reliability of robot collectives. @robotician @RRL_EPFL https://t.co/NRPlam3xZS https://t.co/pNiqhfqVwD
India’s Industry Confederation Releases Phased Roadmap for AAM
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) released a phased roadmap to embed advanced air mobility (AAM) into India’s urban transport, using a hypothetical Gurugram‑Connaught Place‑Noida corridor as a test case. The plan prioritises high‑social‑impact missions such as medical logistics and...