Today's Autonomy Pulse
MIT and UPenn unveil MIGHTY, a fast trajectory‑planning system for drones
MIT and the University of Pennsylvania introduced MIGHTY, an open‑source trajectory‑planning system for unpiloted aerial vehicles. The planner reacts to obstacles in milliseconds while preserving smooth, time‑optimal paths, cutting computation to about 90% of leading methods.
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 as JP8 and JP5. Deliveries will span the next 12 months, supporting UAV and portable power applications while boosting production at RCV’s Ferndown facility. The deal also promises to sustain skilled jobs and stimulate the regional supply chain.
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...
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.
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...
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...