Robotics & Automation News
Covers robotics and automation industries worldwide, focusing on industrial sectors like logistics and manufacturing
Kodiak AI Adds Haas Alert’s ‘Safety Cloud’ to Its Autonomous Trucking Solution
Kodiak AI has integrated Haas Alert’s Safety Cloud digital‑alert platform into its autonomous trucking solution, enabling real‑time safety notifications to nearby drivers via cellular networks. The alerts, displayed on infotainment screens, Waze, Apple Maps and OEM‑compatible systems, have been shown to reduce driver speed by 17 percent. This addition complements the FMCSA’s recent waiver allowing cab‑mounted beacons, providing a safety layer beyond current regulations. Future plans include receiving alerts from other vehicles and first responders to further enhance decision‑making.
Michigan State University Scientists Use AI to Grow Gigantic Diamond Worth Trillions in Lab
Michigan State University, partnered with Fraunhofer USA, received a $3 million NSF grant to use artificial intelligence for growing high‑quality laboratory diamonds via microwave plasma. By analyzing hyperspectral and infrared images, AI models aim to predict and prevent defects during layer‑by‑layer...
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...
Cognibotics Helps Advance Motion Layer for AI-Guided Surgical Robotics in CAISA
Cognibotics is providing the motion‑control layer for the Vinnova‑funded CAISA project, linking AI perception and path‑planning modules in a paediatric heart‑surgery testbed. The collaboration, involving Region Skåne, Lund University and Cobotic, moves into a demonstrator phase using a 350 m² simulated...
Motiv Space Systems and PickNik Robotics Collaborate on Software for NASA’s Fly Foundational Robotics Mission
Motiv Space Systems has signed a contract with PickNik Robotics to develop software for NASA’s Fly Foundational Robotics (FFR) mission, which aims to demonstrate on‑orbit robotic manipulation for the agency’s In‑space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) goals. PickNik will deliver...
Yokogawa and ANYbotics to Integrate OpreX Robot Management Software with Robotic Inspection Solutions
Yokogawa Electric and Swiss robotics firm ANYbotics announced a partnership to embed Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core software into ANYbotics’ ANYmal inspection robot lineup, including the explosion‑proof ANYmal X. The integration enables unified control of both explosion‑ and non‑explosion‑proof autonomous robots...
Engineering at the Edge: Nidec Powering the Future of Ship Loading at Dalrymple Bay
Nidec Drives Africa engineered a 1 MW variable frequency drive motor control centre (MCC) for the new SL1A ship loader at Dalrymple Bay Terminal, 4 km offshore in Mackay, Australia. The IP44‑rated, Form 4a‑compliant system integrates dual Active Front End units, a 600 Vdc...
When Robots Can’t Replace Humans: The Critical Role of Personal Protection in Robotic Law Enforcement Operations
Law‑enforcement robots are now routine for bomb disposal, surveillance and initial entry, but they cannot replace human officers for arrests, rescues and tactical decisions. The most hazardous moment occurs when officers transition from remote robot control to physical intervention, creating...
Physical AI Robotics Draws Millions in Funding as Digital Markets Face Correction
In 2025 venture capital redirected billions from speculative crypto to physical AI robotics, allocating $211 billion to hardware solutions. Global venture funding reached $425 billion, highlighted by Mimic Robotics’ $16 million seed round to develop dexterous robot end‑effectors for manufacturing. ETH Zurich researchers...
7 CNC-Machined Components Every Industrial Robot Depends On
Industrial robots consist of numerous CNC‑machined components, with seven parts—joint housings, gearbox casings, motor mounting plates, end‑effector interface plates, link structures, bearing seats, and encoder mounts—forming the core of every robot. These parts require tight dimensional tolerances (±0.01 mm to ±0.025 mm)...
Discontinued Electronic Products: In-Depth Analysis of PCB Reverse Engineering and IC Unlock Techniques
Planned obsolescence is pushing many electronic products into retirement, leaving users without official repair options. PCB reverse engineering and IC unlock techniques let engineers recreate schematics, bill‑of‑materials, and firmware from physical boards. The article outlines a step‑by‑step workflow, essential tools...
OnRobot to Host Automation Roadmap Event in Dallas as Manufacturers Face Labor Shortages
OnRobot is hosting a free, in‑person "Build Your Automation Roadmap" event in Dallas on February 19, 2026, targeting manufacturers in metal fabrication, CNC machining, aerospace, food & beverage, and other sectors. The event will feature live Fanuc robot demos, hands‑on workshops, and...
ABB Showcases the Future of Lab Automation at SLAS 2026
ABB Robotics is highlighting its Autonomous Versatile Robotics (AVR) platform at the SLAS 2026 conference in Boston, demonstrating AI‑driven collaborative robots that increase laboratory throughput and reproducibility. The company showcased three process‑cell demos, including multi‑step analytical workflows with Mettler Toledo...
From Demos to Daily Transport: How Las Vegas Is Turning Autonomy Into Real Urban Infrastructure
Las Vegas is rapidly converting autonomous technology from pilots to everyday infrastructure, with Amazon‑owned Zoox launching a public robotaxi service on the Strip. Remote‑driving startup Vay now delivers rental cars via teledrivers, while the Regional Transportation Commission runs autonomous shuttles...
Nvidia Launches Robotics Hackathon with $5,000 Top Prize to Spur Physical AI Development
Nvidia has launched the Cosmos Cookoff, a global virtual hackathon aimed at accelerating robotics and physical AI development. Participants must build applications using Nvidia’s Cosmos foundation models, with registration open Jan 29 to Feb 19 and submissions due Feb 26. The competition offers...
ABB Launches ‘Automation Extended’ to Help Industries Modernize Control Systems without Disruption
ABB unveiled Automation Extended, a new architecture that lets industrial operators upgrade control systems without costly shutdowns or full equipment replacement. The solution builds on ABB’s existing DCS portfolio—800xA, Symphony Plus, and Freelance—while adding AI, advanced analytics, and IoT capabilities through a...
The Rise of Collaborative Robots and Human-Robot Teams in Modern Factories
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are increasingly deployed in factories to work side‑by‑side with human operators, delivering flexibility and rapid reconfiguration. Unlike traditional isolated robots, cobots handle delicate assembly, inspection and quality‑control tasks, demanding high positional accuracy. Manufacturers are turning to...
The View From Zasche: Where Human Skill Meets Smart Automation – the Case for Semi-Automated Bin Picking
Zasche Handling promotes semi‑automated bin picking as a middle ground between manual handling and full‑scale robotics. The approach lets operators retain judgment while machines perform the physically demanding lifting and positioning tasks, improving safety and productivity. Flexible grippers and modular...
RC Mowers Awarded Canoe Procurement Group Cooperative Contract
RC Mowers has secured a cooperative purchasing contract with Canoe Procurement Group, granting Canadian municipalities, public agencies and nonprofits streamlined access to its autonomous mowing systems. The agreement reduces procurement cycles from months to weeks and aligns with Canoe’s partnership...
Micropolis Robotics Appoints AfricAI as Its Exclusive Continental Partner
Micropolis Robotics has granted AfricAI exclusive, multi‑year rights to commercialise, deploy and scale its advanced robotics platforms across Africa. The partnership prohibits direct sales or other distributors, positioning AfricAI as the sole gateway for autonomous systems in security, logistics, industrial...
Comau Deploys in.Grid Robot Monitoring Platform at Iveco Plant to Advance Smart Manufacturing
Comau has installed its cloud‑based in.Grid Robot Monitoring platform on the Door Ring and Mascherone lines at Iveco’s Valladolid plant in Spain. The system autonomously captures production data, flags anomalies, and tracks user‑defined KPIs to boost robot utilization and cut...
Oil and Gas Robotics Deployment Expands as Global Market Heads Toward $205 Billion in 2030, Says GlobalData
Robotics in oil and gas is entering a rapid expansion phase, propelled by AI and cloud computing that enable autonomous decision‑making and navigation. GlobalData projects the overall robotics market to climb from $90.2 billion in 2024 to $205.5 billion by 2030, with...
NūMove Robotics & Vision Partners with KPI Solutions to Develop New Robotic Order Picking System for Beverage Warehousing
NūMove Robotics & Vision and KPI Solutions have teamed up to launch RAPTOR, a dual‑robot order‑picking system designed for beverage warehousing. The vision‑guided solution occupies roughly 2,500 sq ft and separates depalletizing from palletizing using temporary SKU‑specific buffer lanes. RAPTOR can handle...
New Generation of Robotic Cells to Drive Flexible, Zero-Emission Aerospace Manufacturing
The ROBOCOMP project, led by the DANOBAT cooperative and supported by IDEKO, has created a new generation of flexible, sensorised robotic cells for aerospace component manufacturing. These cells can machine carbon‑fibre parts vertically, improving access to complex geometries while cutting...
Neura Robotics and Drees & Sommer Launch Strategic Partnership for Robotics-Ready Buildings
Neura Robotics and Drees & Sommer have formed a strategic partnership to develop robotics‑ready buildings, beginning with automated sanitary facilities. The collaboration blends Neura's cognitive robotics and AI with Drees & Sommer's expertise in planning, sensor technology, digital twins, and...
Nightfood Holdings: Transforming Hotels and Guest Experiences Through Robotics
Nightfood Holdings announced the launch of a dedicated hospitality robotics vertical, combining two owned hotels with its newly acquired TechForce Robotics and RoboOp365 companies. The firm is deploying autonomous pallet‑style robots for linens and trash, and culinary assistants for 24/7...
FedEx Agrees Multi-Year Contract with Berkshire Grey for Its Robotic Trailer Unloader
FedEx has signed a multi‑year agreement with Berkshire Grey to deploy the company’s Scoop robotic trailer unloader across its hub network. The AI‑enabled system automates the unloading of mixed‑package trailers, delivering continuous flow while allowing human intervention for exceptions. Pilot units...
Tennant Acquires One of Its Long-Time Distributors to Accelerate Growth in Sweden
Tennant Company announced the acquisition of two long‑time Swedish distributors, Clean Machine Falkenberg AB and Repax AB, to accelerate its growth in the region. The deal, closed on February 1, 2026, adds a sizable customer base, experienced sales force, and extensive service...
Ency Launches New Version of Its CAD Software with ‘120 Improvements’
Ency has released version 2.7, delivering 120 enhancements across workflow, usability, and stability. The update introduces a Power parameter for non‑planar slicing and Cladding 5D, giving users finer control over bead formation and surface finish. It adds support for several new...
Interstuhl Automates Seat Coating with Dürr’s Robotic Mould-Surface Technology
Interstuhl Büromöbel has integrated Dürr’s EcoSupply2 Core robotic coating system to automate the interior coating of foam moulds used for its industrial and laboratory chairs. The solution combines an EcoGun AS Auto pro spray gun, a 2K EcoAUC control unit and six compact paint‑supply stations,...
Richtech Robotics Partners with Microsoft to Advance Agentic AI in Real-World Robotics Applications
Richtech Robotics has teamed with Microsoft’s AI Co‑Innovation Labs to embed Azure‑powered agentic AI into its flagship Adam robot. The upgrade adds vision, voice and contextual reasoning, letting the robot factor in time of day, weather, promotions and equipment status....
Cyngn Triples Autonomous Vehicle Orders as Patent Portfolio Continues to Expand
Cyngn announced that autonomous vehicle orders for its DriveMod Tugger platform tripled in 2025 versus the prior year, reflecting accelerating enterprise adoption across manufacturing and industrial sites. The surge was driven by extensive on‑site demonstrations, software upgrades and fleet‑readiness work performed...
CES 2026 Highlights Shift From Humanoid Hardware to Real-World Behavior, Says IntBot
CES 2026 demonstrated that robot hardware has reached a performance plateau, with machines easily executing complex movements like dancing and back‑flipping. The real challenge, according to IntBot, is now social intelligence—robots must understand context, people, and environments autonomously. IntBot highlighted its...
Stuff MFG Launches US Silicone Molding Factory to ‘Bring Manufacturing Back to the US’
Stuff Manufacturing has opened a silicone‑molding facility in Lake Elsinore, California, to provide U.S. brands with a domestic alternative to Chinese production. Founder Hans Dose launched the plant after 25% tariffs and shipping delays eroded margins for his own product...
Libiao Robotics Installs 240 Robots at Parcel Hub in Argentina
Libiao Robotics has installed 240 autonomous robots at Correo Argentino’s Monte Grande parcel hub, the first AI‑driven robotic sorter in Latin America. The system, based on the T‑Sort Sorting System, can process up to 9,000 parcels per hour, tripling the facility’s previous...
State of Louisiana Partners with Persona AI on Humanoid Robotics Pilot at Steel Fabrication Plant
Louisiana’s economic development agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Persona AI to launch a humanoid‑robotics pilot at SSE Steel Fabrication’s plant in St. Bernard Parish. The program will collect real‑world data on human movement and task execution in a...
GlobalLogic and Elektrobit Partner to Accelerate Software-Defined Vehicle Development
GlobalLogic, a Hitachi Group digital‑engineering firm, has broadened its 15‑year partnership with automotive‑software leader Elektrobit to speed the creation of software‑defined vehicle (SDV) platforms. The expanded alliance adds GlobalLogic’s high‑performance computing, functional‑safety and cybersecurity capabilities, ensuring compliance with ASPICE 4.0 and...
Microsoft Research Unveils Rho-Alpha Robotics Model Combining Vision, Language, and Touch
Microsoft Research introduced Rho‑alpha, a vision‑language‑action‑plus (VLA+) robotics model that adds tactile sensing to interpret natural‑language commands for complex bimanual tasks. Built on the Phi series, the model relies heavily on synthetic data generated through Nvidia's Isaac Sim and reinforcement‑learning pipelines....
MassRobotics Reveals 11 Startups to Take Part in 5th Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program
MassRobotics, together with Festo, Novanta and Mitsubishi Electric Automation, announced the 11 startups selected for the fifth Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst cohort. The five‑month program, running January‑May 2026, pairs founders with senior experts, a medical advisory board, and a Boston‑based...
Serve Robotics to Acquire Diligent Robotics, Expanding Autonomy Platform Into Hospitals
Serve Robotics announced a $29 million stock acquisition of Diligent Robotics, bringing the Moxi autonomous hospital robot into its portfolio. The deal marks Serve’s first move from outdoor sidewalk delivery into indoor, human‑centric environments like hospitals. Moxi has completed over 1.25 million...
Sharpa Showcases Autonomous Fine-Manipulation Robot and New AI Model at CES 2026
Sharpa unveiled its full‑body robot North at CES 2026, where it played autonomous ping‑pong matches and completed long‑horizon tasks such as 30‑step windmill assembly and card dealing. The demonstrations, running eight hours a day for four days, highlighted the company’s progress...
Covvi Releases Two Lighter, Shorter Variants of Advanced Bionic Hand
Covvi announced two new wrist configurations for its advanced prosthetic, the Straight Wrist and the Friction Wrist, both lighter and shorter than the original Flex Wrist. The Flex Wrist still offers 27 degrees of lockable flexion, while the Straight Wrist...
NEOintralogistics Secures €3 Million to ‘Democratize Warehouse Automation’ Through RaaS
German robotics‑as‑a‑service startup NEOintralogistics closed a €3 million seed round, led by Amadeus APEX Technology Fund with participation from Cetus Holding. The company’s pay‑per‑pick RaaS platform promises to cut warehouse labor costs by up to 70% and remove the need for...
Omron Launches New High-Payload Collaborative Robots and Software Upgrade
Omron Robotics has broadened its TM S collaborative‑robot line with three new models—TM30S, TM20S and TM6S—each delivering higher payloads and longer reach. The hardware upgrades include IP65 protection and, for the larger units, an integrated joint‑6 force‑torque wrist sensor. Alongside the...
T2 and PlusAI Partner to Accelerate Rollout of Level 4 Autonomous Trucks in Japan
PlusAI and Tokyo‑based T2 have formed a strategic partnership to deploy Level 4 autonomous trucks across Japan. The collaboration merges T2’s deep knowledge of Japanese logistics and technology design with PlusAI’s proven commercial experience with major truck manufacturers in the US...
The View From Universal Robots: Four Physical AI Predictions for 2026 and Beyond
Universal Robots VP Anders Billesø Beck outlines four physical AI trends reshaping robotics through 2026. He predicts a shift from reactive control to predictive mathematics, enabling robots to anticipate impacts of motion. Imitation learning will turn isolated cobots into cooperative,...
Electric Air Taxis: Paris’ Future in the Skies and What It Means for Luxury Travel
Electric air taxi pilots missed their high‑profile Paris 2024 Olympic debut due to certification, technical and environmental setbacks. Vertiport infrastructure is already in place and test flights continue, positioning a commercial launch for around 2026. The technology promises to add...
Deepgram Raises $130 Million Series C at $1.3 Billion Valuation
Deepgram announced a $130 million Series C round that lifts its valuation to $1.3 billion, led by AVP and joined by strategic backers such as Twilio, ServiceNow Ventures, SAP and Citi Ventures. The capital will accelerate the expansion of its real‑time voice AI...
Konnex Raises $15 Million to Develop Autonomous Robotics Platform
Konnex, a software infrastructure startup for autonomous robots, secured $15 million from a consortium of venture investors including Cogitent Ventures and Liquid Capital. The funding will accelerate the expansion of its platform that treats robotic labor like app‑based services—contracted, verified, and...
Wing Launches Drone Delivery for Walmart in Greater Houston in Biggest Expansion Yet
Wing has launched its drone delivery service for Walmart customers across Greater Houston, marking the company’s most ambitious expansion to date. The service promises deliveries of everyday essentials, groceries, and OTC medicines in as little as 30 minutes using lightweight...