Today's Robotics Pulse
Spirit AI tops global robot AI leaderboard, secures $222M funding
Chinese robotics startup Spirit AI’s embodied intelligence model, Spirit v1.6, achieved the highest score of 1,924 on the RoboArena benchmark, overtaking Nvidia’s Cosmos3‑Nano‑Policy. The company also announced ¥1.5 billion (≈$222 million) of funding to accelerate its technology.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Shifters raises $10.2M seed round
How YC-Backed Bucket Robotics Survived Its First CES
Bucket Robotics, a Y Combinator Spring 2024 graduate, made its CES debut after founder Matt Puchalski drove 12 hours to Las Vegas to avoid flight delays. The startup showcased a vision‑based surface‑inspection system that generates simulated defects from CAD files, enabling rapid, label‑free quality checks. Attendees from automotive and defense sectors engaged in technical discussions, signaling early interest in the dual‑use technology. Post‑show, the team is focused on converting leads into commercial contracts and scaling the business.
The Hidden Technology Behind Fluid Robot Motion
Fluid robot motion is reshaping automation by replacing rigid, jerky mechanisms with smooth, adaptable actuation. The article highlights five core technologies—pneumatic artificial muscles, strain‑wave gears, central pattern generators, electroactive polymers, and shape‑memory alloys—that enable softer, more precise movements across sectors...
HexRunner Hits 33 Mph, New Record for Untethered Legged Robots
#HexRunner, developed under DARPA’s FastRunner program, set a land speed record for untethered legged robots at 33 mph. #Robot #Robotech #Robotics #Tech #AI #artificialintelligent @SpirosMargaris @PawlowskiMario @mvollmer1 @gvalan @ipfconline1 @LaurentAlaus @Shi4Tech @Fisher85M @kalydeoo @Ym78200 @Nicochan33 @chboursin @3itcom @Fabriziobustama @sallyeaves @helene_wpli @ahier...
Simple Transfer Plate Enables 2D Motion Without Robots
Simple transfer plate that moves in… two directions. This kind of mechanism can enable flexible 2D movement for boxes or parts without complex robotics. Simple mechanical design. Can move items both X and Y. Easier than full mobile robots in...
Parrot – Programs Coordinator NORTH AMERICA (F/M)
Parrot, a global leader in professional drone solutions, is hiring a Programs Coordinator for North America. The role bridges customer success, technical enablement, and programme delivery, guiding high‑value defence, law‑enforcement and enterprise clients through onboarding, deployment, training and ongoing operations....
Manna Software Engineer Airspace
Manna, a fast‑growing drone‑delivery startup, is hiring a Software Engineer for its Airspace team to build the core backend that powers routing, deconfliction, and real‑time airspace management. The role involves designing, implementing, and operating services in Java, C++, and Python,...
Even Skeptics Are Wowed by Flawless Autonomous Rides
Overcoming pioneer skepticism. The other night had a dinner with autonomous vehicle pioneer @AdrianKaehler1 who wrote the computer vision system for the Stanford team that became @waymo. He told me at dinner that he didn’t believe @elonmusk could finish Robotaxi. I answered “let’s...
XVN Autonomous Robots Transform Commercial Cleaning Industry
Revolutionizing the Cleaning Industry with XVN-Powered #Autonomous Floor #Robots via @WevolverApp #TechForGood #Robotics #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/OjKN9o0K8x
Oshen Built the First Ocean Robot to Collect Data in a Category 5 Hurricane
Oshen, founded by Anahita Laverack and Ciaran Dowds, has built the first autonomous ocean robot to collect data inside a Category 5 hurricane. Their C‑Stars can operate for up to 100 days and were deployed in a swarm of fifteen during...
Robotic Arm Rows Boat Without Human Guidance
When #Robots Take the Oars: A #Robotic Arm Rows a Boat #Autonomously via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robot #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/FfrGSDphXK
Robot Dogs Join Firefighters on Frontlines
Firefighting #Robot Dogs: Brave Machines on the Frontline by @chris_j_paxton #TechForGood #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech https://t.co/8ebrMXz6ms
Soft Robotic Hand 'Sees' Around Corners to Achieve Human-Like Touch
Researchers at Zhejiang University unveiled FlexiRay, a soft robotic hand that uses a multi‑mirror optical system to maintain visual contact while bending around objects. The finger’s deformation redirects light, enabling a single internal camera to capture tactile data such as...
Menteebot Introduces Agile Humanoid Automation Vision
Menteebot Unveiled: Mentee #Robotics’ Vision for Agile Humanoid #Automation by @MenteeBot #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML https://t.co/bvRxZEhgrR
Humanoid Robots Fail Commercially, Fit only Entertainment
The simple reality that everyone is finally is waking up to is that humanoid robots actually suck for commercial applications. They’re slow, they’re weak, they’re expensive, they’re power hungry, and they’re dangerous. They’re at best entertainment robots for...
Proteus Completes Maiden Flight
Leonardo’s Proteus, the UK’s first fully autonomous full‑size helicopter, completed its maiden flight from Predannack airfield in Cornwall. The flight validates a £60 million programme aimed at integrating uncrewed rotorcraft into the Royal Navy’s “hybrid air wing” for anti‑submarine and maritime...
Qijia Q1 Enhances Home and Facility Elderly Care
RobotGym’s Qijia Q1 Supports Elderly Care at Home and in Facilities by @IntEngineering #AI #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML https://t.co/dN3dIs9XrV
Real‑time High‑Resolution Touch Empowers Robot Teleoperation
Humans usually guess what robots feel. This system actually lets you feel it. This is an end-to-end high resolution touch teleoperation demo built with Samsung. Real tactile signals from a robot hand were streamed directly into a human fingertip display...
Spencer Krause: Why Hardware Is the New Engineering Frontier
In this episode, host Spencer Krause argues that hardware development has become the next frontier for engineering, emphasizing the shift from software‑centric innovation to tangible, physical products. He discusses how advances in AI, sensor technology, and manufacturing are driving new...
Estimating Assembly Time for Large CNC Gantry Machines
💡How long does it take to assemble a large CNC gantry machine tool in a new location❓ #CNC #machinery #tools #assembly
Bercankilic Supplies World’s Top Robotics Video Data
The world model builder, or the guy who is keeping America competitive with China in robotics AI. Most people don't know @bercankilic but you should. Almost every robotics company in San Francisco/Silicon Valley buys his data. Video data. He is largely seen...
NEURA Robotics Partners with Bosch to Advance German-Made Robotics
NEURA Robotics announced a strategic partnership with Robert Bosch GmbH to co‑develop AI‑driven software and collect real‑world production data in Bosch facilities, feeding the Neuraverse robotics ecosystem. The collaboration aims to accelerate industrial deployment of humanoid and legged robots across...
GRPO Shows Robots Need Comparative Learning, Not More Rules
Robots don’t need more rules. They need better ways to learn: RL with synthetic data. Group Relative Policy Optimization, or GRPO, is not just another RL trick. It points to a different learning philosophy. Instead of giving a robot one...
AI Drones Track Strawberry Factory Health and Yield
#AI #Drones Monitor Strawberry Plant Factories for Yield, Health, and Harvest Readiness via @ZappyZappy7 #AgriTech #Innovation #Technology #TechForGood https://t.co/GkPqJHGDeR
The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds: A Busy Time For Robotics, Defense Tech And AI
The week’s top ten U.S. funding rounds highlighted a surge in capital for robotics, AI hardware, and defense technologies. Skild AI led the pack with a $1.4 billion raise, pushing its valuation above $14 billion. Other notable deals included Etched.ai’s $500 million for...
Robots Create Nighttime Digital Twins of Dm Stores
Nighttime #Robots Build #Digital Twins of dm-Drogerie Markt Stores by @lukas_m_ziegler #Robotics #ML #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/MuUFRXQ26Z
Atlas Upgrades: From Walking to Shelf Tasks and Tire Flips
Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Evolves: From Walking to Shelf Work, Tire Flips, and Even Folding Spot #Robots by @lukas_m_ziegler #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #MI #ML #Tech https://t.co/zOELNtJnif
GeoCue Partners with Coptrz to Expand TrueView LiDAR Across the UK Drone Market
GeoCue announced a distribution partnership with Coptrz, the UK’s leading commercial drone expert, to bring its TrueView LiDAR sensor lineup and LP360 processing software to British surveyors and engineers. The collaboration gives Coptrz access to the full range of GeoCue...
Spot Robot Uses AI to Precisely Stack 15 Kg Tires
Boston Dynamics’ Spot Masters Whole-Body Manipulation — Using AI to Drag, Roll, and Stack 15 kg Tires with Precision by @rai_inst #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/zyWCK9iULG
AI Robot Cleaner Maps Every City Corner
Meet the Street-Smart Cleaner: Cowa’s #AI #Robot Navigates Every Corner of the City by @Robo_Tuo #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/HQmisjcs7y
Shearwater Aerospace Joins DARPA’s Albatross Program to Advance Autonomous Soaring for UAVs
Shearwater Aerospace has been selected as a subcontractor for DARPA’s Albatross program, which aims to enable UAVs to harness atmospheric energy through weather‑informed mission planning and real‑time wind sensing. Shearwater will contribute its Smart Flight™ system, an AI‑driven micro‑weather forecasting...
Tiny Bipedal Robot Achieves 10 Steps per Second
World’s Smallest #Autonomous Bipedal #Robot Walks at 10 Steps per Second via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robotics #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/yevqfp5ajC
ARV-I: Smart System Tracks Cage Environment Conditions
ARV-i: Intelligent System Monitoring the Environment Inside the Cage by @boxfishrobotics #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech https://t.co/5UAepFbhJz
Humanoid and Siemens Complete Logistics Robot Proof of Concept
Humanoid and Siemens completed a proof of concept using Humanoid’s HMND 01 Alpha mobile manipulator in Siemens’ Erlangen electronics factory. The robot autonomously de‑stacked totes, transporting them to a conveyor at a rate of 60 moves per hour while maintaining...
Humanoid Robots Hold First Live Unscripted Dialogue
First-ever live unscripted conversation between humanoid robots? https://t.co/G7glUF1ec0 #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation @AlbertoEMachado @Eli_Krumova @postoff25 @Khulood_Almani @anand_narang @NutritiousMind @baski_LA @TanyaSinha_ @devaang @AlAmadi1 @jeancayeux @enilev @efipm @mvollmer1 @Nicochan33 @RagusoSergio @FrRonconi @Shi4Tech @sallyeaves @LaurentAlaus @Fabriziobustama @smaksked @MargaretSiegien @PawlowskiMario @gvalan @Ym78200...
AI Guide‑Dog Robots Launch Trial in Shenzhen Metro
#AI Guide Dog #Robots Begin Trial Service in Shenzhen Metro via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/eNgmncsMhp
Number of the Day - 3,153,000
Intuitive Surgical announced that over 3 million da Vinci procedures were performed in 2025, marking a strong continuation of its market leadership. The company posted preliminary full‑year revenue of $10.06 billion, a 21% increase, and Q4 revenue of $2.87 billion, up 19% year‑over‑year....
Digitalize Factories Now to Enable Humanoid Robots
🤖 The future of factories doesn’t start tomorrow – it starts now. Humanoid robots are coming to industrial production. Not as demos, but as real contributors on the shop floor. 🔑 The key factor: access to data. A robot becomes...
Master Linear Algebra for Vision, Robotics, and AI
Linear Algebra for Computer Vision, Robotics, and Machine Learning https://lnkd.in/d-qgheRn Credit: University of Pennsylvania —- Weekly robotics and AI insights. Subscribe free: scalingdeep.tech
Automated Twist Bioscience NGS Library Prep Workflows Enabled on SPT’s Firefly
SPT Labtech has launched validated automated workflows for Twist Bioscience’s next‑generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation kits on its firefly® liquid handling platform. The initial offering supports the FlexPrep™ UHT kit and integrates the Twist Enzymatic Fragmentation Kit 2.0, delivering higher‑throughput,...
Robot Talk Episode 140 – Robot Balance and Agility, with Amir Patel
In Robot Talk episode 140, UCL Associate Professor Amir Patel discusses designing robots that emulate the cheetah’s remarkable speed and agility. He explains how sensor fusion, computer vision, mechanical modelling, and optimal control are combined to decode high‑speed predator locomotion and...
Episode 140: Robot Balance and Agility - Amir Patel
In this episode, Claire interviews Associate Professor Amir Patel about his work replicating the cheetah's speed and agility in robotic systems. Patel explains how sensor fusion, computer vision, mechanical modeling, and optimal control are combined to study high‑speed animal locomotion...
Precision, Not Speed, Solves Robots' Last Millimeter Gap
Most robots fail at the last millimeter. That’s where precision, not power, decides everything. I’ve seen production lines where operators still guide fragile parts by hand because robots couldn’t hold the tolerance. This system aims to close that gap. It...
Humanoid Robot Boosts Chinese Automaker's Car Sales
This Humanoid #Robot Is Helping a Chinese Automaker Sell More Cars by @CyberRobooo #AI #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML #MI #Innovation https://t.co/9QYE0PvrSE
Augmented Autonomy Powers Unsupervised Farming Robots
Augmented Autonomy Enables Unsupervised #Robotic Operations in Agriculture by @naiotech #AgriTech #Robotics #Innovation #Technology #TechForGood https://t.co/N3NCYOnqUk
Autonomous Microsurgical Robot Delivers Precise Retinal Injections
Scientists have developed a #microsurgical robot that can perform #autonomous and precise retinal injections in animal models. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/EdjxTYp5lA https://t.co/WrUZgKjYOT
Robot Autonomously Swaps Batteries for Nonstop Operation
Self-Sufficient #Robot Swaps Its Own Batteries for Continuous Operation by @UBTECHRobotics #AI #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML https://t.co/gfVH1yzPcU
Humanoid Robots Run Modular Store Serving Coffee, Ice Cream
Modular Retail Store Where Humanoid #Robots Serve Coffee, Ice Cream, and Chat with Customers via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robotics #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/kHZxzXwwXR
Beihang Unveils 2 Cm Microbot Achieving Ultrafast Untethered Speed
Beihang University Unveils 2 cm Microbot with Ultrafast Untethered Speed via @WevolverApp #AI #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence https://t.co/pAe0yPIBka
HexRunner Reaches Stable 30 MPH Through Speed‑Focused Design
Designing for Speed: How HexRunner Achieved Stable 30 MPH Locomotion by @lukas_m_ziegler #EmergingTech #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/8JGp4rOlYa
Wheeled Humanoid Robot Trains to Serve Plates
Hubei GuangGuDongZhi wheeled humanoid #Robot is practicing serving plates by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #RPA #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/Hr1Nex0OwQ