🎯Today's Robotics Pulse
Updated 3h agoWhat's happening: China sets first national standards for humanoid robots and embodied AI
China has released its inaugural national standard system governing humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence. The framework, organized into six components covering commonality, safety, ethics and the full product lifecycle, was drafted by more than 120 institutions under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The move aims to regulate the entire industrial chain from design to decommissioning.
Also developing:
- •Machina Labs secures $124M Series C to build an intelligent factory for defense and aerospace
- •BMW tests AI-driven visual inspection to boost vehicle quality control
News•Feb 5, 2026
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 IT/OT networks. Together they will create a sensorized environment that acts as a building’s digital nervous system, enabling robots to detect contamination, refill supplies, and predict failures in real time. The goal is to deliver adaptive infrastructure that reduces labor shortages and enhances safety across sectors.
By Robotics & Automation News
Social•Feb 5, 2026
Learn STEM & Robotics From an AI Avatar Professor
Let my AI Avatar Robotics Professor teach you key concepts in STEM and robotics #Robots #STEM #AI #NoireSTEMinist #Robots https://lnkd.in/gpe_5j9i
By Dr. Carlotta A. Berry
News•Feb 5, 2026
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...
By Robotics & Automation News
News•Feb 5, 2026
SMART and NUS Pioneer Neural Blueprint for Human-Like Intelligence in Soft Robots
SMART, NUS and MIT researchers unveiled a neuron‑inspired AI controller that lets soft robotic arms learn a full suite of motions once and instantly adapt to new conditions without retraining. The system combines offline‑trained structural synapses with online‑updating plastic synapses...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 5, 2026
The World's First 'Biomimetic AI Robot' Just Strolled in From the Uncanny Valley —and Yes, It's Super-Creepy
Chinese startup Droidup unveiled Moya, a humanoid robot it dubs the world’s first fully biomimetic AI robot. The machine features warm, skin‑like polymer that maintains a human‑like temperature and a Walker 3 skeleton that claims 92 % walking accuracy. Moya’s camera‑eyes and...
By TechRadar
News•Feb 4, 2026
AWS Prototyping Team Delivered a Tutorial for MassRobotics Residents
The AWS Prototyping Team delivered a hands‑on tutorial to MassRobotics residents and Physical AI Working Group participants, outlining its mission and showcasing AWS tools for building physical AI systems. The session highlighted a natural‑language interface that lets users command the...
By MassRobotics
News•Feb 4, 2026
The Lightning-Fast Reflexes of a Royal Navy Drone Pilot Prevented a £2.5m Aircraft Plunging Into the Ocean
Royal Navy drone pilot Lt Cdr Adrian “AJ” Hill earned the first Green Endorsement for a UAV operator after manually rescuing a £2.5 million Peregrine camcopter that suffered a computer error and began descending toward the Gulf of Oman. The 10‑foot surveillance drone...
By sUAS News
Social•Feb 4, 2026
Self‑driving Demo Shows Learned Competence, Not Scripted Automation
Keep coming back to this demo because it does something rare: It looks boring... in the best possible way. A vehicle drives itself around a facility, makes reasonable choices, and reaches a waypoint without any visible choreography. No dramatic edge cases or...
By Ilir Aliu
Podcast•Feb 4, 2026•33 min
Making Autonomous Cargo Work at Real-World Scale: Charles Acknin, CEO Skyways
In this episode, Charles Acknin, CEO of Skyways, discusses how his company is moving autonomous cargo drones from prototype to operational scale, highlighting real‑world missions that deliver substantial payloads for military and commercial clients. He explains the technical and regulatory...
By Drone Radio Show
News•Feb 4, 2026
Inside the Gaganyaan-1 Uncrewed Mission Scheduled for March 2026
India’s Gaganyaan‑1 uncrewed test flight is slated for March 2026, using the human‑rated LVM3 (HLVM3) launch vehicle. The mission will carry the humanoid robot Vyommitra to monitor cabin conditions and simulate astronaut activities in microgravity. It will execute a full launch‑orbit‑re‑entry‑recovery...
By New Space Economy
News•Feb 4, 2026
ETM Brings Its Transverse Flux Motor Technology to Robotics
Electric Torque Machines (ETM) announced the launch of its transverse flux motor (TFM) technology for robotics and advanced actuators. The company offers the TFM via a licensing model that lets OEMs manufacture the motors in‑house, preserving margins and roadmap control....
By The Robot Report
News•Feb 4, 2026
Machina Labs Raises $124M to Scale Manufacturing Infrastructure for Defense and Advanced Mobility
Machina Labs closed a $124 million Series C round to build its first large‑scale Intelligent Factory in the United States. The 200,000‑square‑foot facility will host up to 50 RoboCraftsman robotic cells, enabling rapid, software‑defined production of complex metal structures. Investors include Lockheed...
By The AI Insider
News•Feb 4, 2026
Hesai and Grab Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate LiDAR Deployment Across Southeast Asia
Hesai Technology and Grab announced a strategic cooperation making Grab the exclusive distributor of Hesai’s LiDAR sensors across Southeast Asia. The deal gives Hesai access to Grab’s extensive sales, support and marketing network, while securing a reliable LiDAR supply for...
By The AI Insider
News•Feb 4, 2026
Robot Orders Grow 6.6% in 2025 as General Industries Drive Broader Automation Adoption
North American robot orders rose 6.6% in 2025, reaching 36,766 units worth $2.25 billion, a 10.1% revenue gain over 2024. Growth was driven primarily by non‑automotive sectors such as food, consumer goods, semiconductors and life sciences, while automotive component orders lagged...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 4, 2026
Bedrock Robotics Raises $270 Million in Series B Funding to Accelerate the Future of Autonomous Construction
Bedrock Robotics announced a $270 million Series B round, valuing the autonomous construction startup at $1.75 billion. The funding, led by CapitalG and Valor Atreides AI Fund, brings total capital raised to over $350 million and will support scaling of fleet‑level autonomy across excavation,...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 4, 2026
Apeiron Labs Gets $9.5M to Flood the Oceans with Autonomous Underwater Robots
Apeiron Labs announced a $9.5 million Series A round to scale its low‑cost autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that sample temperature, salinity and acoustics across the water column. The three‑foot, 20‑pound AUVs can be launched from boats or aircraft, operate in 10‑20 km spaced...
By TechCrunch Robotics
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
Video Wednesday
Johnson & Johnson’s Verb Surgical unveiled OTTAVA, a six‑armed robotic platform designed for minimally invasive procedures. The system integrates advanced imaging, AI‑driven guidance, and modular instrument arms to enhance surgeon precision. OTTAVA targets complex abdominal and thoracic surgeries, promising reduced...
By SurgRob
News•Feb 4, 2026
HighRes and Opentrons Announce Partnership to Launch AI Agent-to-Agent Lab Automation Workflow
HighRes and Opentrons have formed a strategic partnership to create the industry’s first AI agent‑to‑agent laboratory automation workflow, linking software‑driven experiment design directly to physical execution. The integration combines Opentrons’ modular robotic platforms and AI‑enabled protocol tools with HighRes’ orchestration...
By The AI Insider
News•Feb 4, 2026
AVSS Successfully Completes Avalanche Product Validation Testing in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada
AVSS announced the completion of its first on‑mountain avalanche control test of the Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS) in Jasper National Park, Alberta. The trial deployed SnowDart hardware and flight‑planning software to drop low‑cost, eco‑friendly explosives onto a designated avalanche...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 4, 2026
AirX Signs Firm Order Agreement with Eve Air Mobility for Two eVTOL Aircraft
Eve Air Mobility has signed a second binding order with Tokyo‑based AirX for up to 50 eVTOL aircraft, with an initial delivery of two units slated for 2029 and an option for 48 more as demand grows. The agreement expands...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 4, 2026
U.S. Senate Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles to Include Testimony From Tesla, Waymo
The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on autonomous vehicles, featuring testimony from Tesla and Waymo executives, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association chief, and a transportation law professor. Lawmakers aim to address the fragmented state‑by‑state regulatory...
By The AI Insider
News•Feb 4, 2026
Wasting the Public Purse: How the CAA Litigates Against the Very Innovators the UK Government Funds
Dr Chris Crockford, a UK‑funded drone researcher, publicly resigns his CAA licences after the Civil Aviation Authority’s Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) banned him from operating drones over 250 g despite no violations. He alleges the CAA spent hundreds of thousands of...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 4, 2026
Announcing the Multi-Sensor Edge-to-Cloud MatrixSpace AI Software Platform
MatrixSpace unveiled an upgraded MatrixSpace AI Software Platform that links edge‑based AiEdge sensors with AiCloud SaaS for real‑time, multi‑sensor drone detection. The solution fuses radar, Remote ID, ADS‑B and optical feeds, delivering threat assessment and early warning for both on‑site...
By AiThority
News•Feb 4, 2026
War Department Announces Vendors Invited to Compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program
The U.S. War Department unveiled the 25 companies invited to Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program, a fast‑track acquisition effort to field low‑cost, one‑way attack drones. The Phase I "Gauntlet" will start on 18 February at Fort Benning, with about $150 million in...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 4, 2026
£1.85 Million Competition Launched to Counter Illegal UAS Use Around Prisons and Sensitive Sites
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has launched a £1.85 million competition to develop low‑collateral counter‑drone technologies for prisons and other sensitive sites. The programme, backed by the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, MOD and other security agencies, offers funding across two challenge...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 4, 2026
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...
By Robotics & Automation News
News•Feb 4, 2026
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...
By Robotics & Automation News
Social•Feb 4, 2026
Editor Shares Insights at Nanotech Conference Plenary
Wrapping up two days at the 10th biennial International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology here in Sydney, Australia. Highly engaging event, where my participation involved serving on a panel discussion with other journal editors and delivering a plenary presentation on our...
By John A. Rogers
Social•Feb 4, 2026
HSST Passes NASA Authorization Bill, Rejects Drone Detection Amendment
HSST unanimously adopted (37-0) the NASA auth bill, HR 7273, as amnded. List of adopted amndmnts: https://t.co/DpUjGFOTeA. One (Rep Stevens) rejected by recorded vote (18-19) to improve NASA's ability to detect drones entering its airspace. Opponents said not right bill...
By Marcia Smith
News•Feb 3, 2026
A Programmable, Lego-Like Material for Robots Emulates Life's Flexibility
Mechanical engineers at Duke University have created a Lego‑like material whose individual cells can be switched between solid and liquid states, enabling on‑demand changes in stiffness and damping. By arranging these programmable blocks, the team demonstrated a robotic fish tail...
By Tech Xplore Robotics
Social•Feb 4, 2026
Robot Faces Now Sync Lips Across 12 Languages
Scientists have designed a framework that enables a humanoid robot face to produce realistic lip-audio synchronization across 12 different languages, including English, Russian, Korean, and Arabic. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/Sk4UElC3o8 https://t.co/geXyInLY89
By Science Robotics
News•Feb 3, 2026
Road to Rail: Slashing Costs and Carbon with Automation
In Episode 229 of The Robot Report, Kevin Damoa, founder and CEO of Glid Technologies, discusses the company’s autonomous road‑to‑rail vehicle designed to dramatically lower freight costs and carbon emissions. Glid, launched in 2022, recently secured $3.1 million in pre‑seed funding to...
By The Robot Report
News•Feb 3, 2026
Advanced Drone Motor: British Designed Propulsion for Demanding UAV Applications
PMW Dynamics has unveiled its Advanced Drone Motor (ADM), a purpose‑engineered propulsion unit aimed at high‑performance UAVs. The motor delivers 2.6 Nm peak torque, 1.1 kW peak power and a compact 90 mm diameter package at 48 V DC. All design, development and manufacturing...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 3, 2026
IPR40: Stabilus Presents Custom-Made Electromechanical Drives
Stabilus has launched a “Customized to Order” program for its IPR40 electromechanical spindle drives, allowing customers to specify connections, forces, stroke lengths and speeds. The IPR40 offers compact, IP67‑rated units with 12 V or 24 V options and can be paired with...
By RoboticsTomorrow
Blog•Feb 3, 2026
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems Evolve
Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are shifting toward modular, AI‑driven designs to meet rising demands for throughput, flexibility, and smaller footprints. New cube‑based galleries and scalable tote/pallet solutions replace static racks, while cloud‑native controls and digital twins enable real‑time...
By Mobile Robot Guide
News•Feb 3, 2026
Exotec Opens Imaginarium, Its New Global Headquarters
Exotec has inaugurated its new 25,000 m² headquarters, Imaginarium, in Northern France, consolidating design, production and support for its warehouse robotics portfolio. The facility houses over 700 employees and features an 8,560 m² production floor equipped with 11 operational Exotec systems. Imaginarium...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 3, 2026
New Brochure for High-Precision Motion Control, Nanopositioning Automation & Piezo Solutions
Physik Instrumente (PI) has issued a new brochure positioning the company as a long‑term OEM partner for high‑precision motion control, nanopositioning and piezo solutions. The catalogue highlights fast steering mirrors, 6‑DoF hexapods, granite‑based multi‑axis platforms and nano‑focus motors tailored for...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 3, 2026
Geekplus Powers Live Warehouse Robotics for Immersive, Shoppable Fashion Runway
Geekplus is sponsoring the world’s first AI‑driven, immersive shoppable runway hosted by THG Studios and Topshop on Feb. 26, 2026 in Manchester. The event blends a fashion catwalk with a live Fulfilment Zone where Geekplus’ autonomous P‑series mobile robots perform real‑time picking...
By RoboticsTomorrow
News•Feb 3, 2026
SunRobi Becomes First Certified Operator of Cosmic Robotics’ Autonomous Solar Installation Systems
SunRobi, Sunstall’s robotic‑assisted construction arm, became the first certified operator of Cosmic Robotics’ autonomous module‑installation system, Cosmic‑1A, after multiple live utility‑scale deployments across the United States. The certification confirms SunRobi’s ability to embed the robot into end‑to‑end EPC workflows, delivering...
By The AI Insider
Social•Feb 3, 2026
Open‑source 3D‑printed Robot Wrist Showcases Early Sharing
3D printed differential robot arm wrist. [👇 GitHub Link - Open Source ] High demand, so they open sourced it early. A differential mechanism released as a test fixture for future robots. Built around their Spectral micro BLDC driver. Parts, STL files, example code...
By Ilir Aliu
Social•Feb 3, 2026
Robotic Hand Achieves Humanlike Dexterity via Multitask Policy
A new Science #Robotics study highlights a multitask policy that enables a robotic hand to manipulate objects with humanlike dexterity, such as turning a bottle cap or sliding a snack sleeve out of a box. https://t.co/MUene2lPpC https://t.co/J8Bz5scShY
By Science Robotics
News•Feb 3, 2026
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,...
By Robotics & Automation News
Social•Feb 3, 2026
Few In‑Domain Demos Still Outperform Broad Models in Robotics
Maybe the bitter lesson for robotics that goes against all the current narratives is that a small amount of in-domain demos is really hard to beat, especially when it comes to e.g. industrial use cases, where variability is limited.
By Tony Zhao
News•Feb 2, 2026
The RaaS Blueprint: Key Insights From a Conversation with RobCo’s Roman Hölzl
RobCo, the Munich‑based modular robotics firm, opened a U.S. headquarters in San Francisco and announced a $100 million Series C round to accelerate its AI‑driven automation roadmap. The company commissioned Sapio Research to survey 400 U.S. industrial decision‑makers, publishing the Automation Readiness...
By The Robot Report
News•Feb 2, 2026
A Mathematical Framework for Optimizing Robotic Joints
Harvard SEAS researchers unveiled a mathematical framework that designs rolling‑contact joints—curved surfaces that roll and glide like a human knee—to meet specific force trajectories. The optimization simultaneously shapes each joint component, embedding task‑specific mechanics directly into hardware. Prototypes demonstrated a...
By Tech Xplore Robotics
News•Feb 2, 2026
Quickly and Precisely Localizing Radioactive Material with Drones and Robots
Fraunhofer FKIE has built a highly automated unmanned aerial system that can locate radioactive sources within a few metres in just minutes. The drone combines a gamma detector with electro‑optical and infrared cameras, an Intel NUC processor, and advanced sensor‑fusion...
By Tech Xplore Robotics
News•Feb 2, 2026
Wingtra Launches Comprehensive Training Programme for WingtraRAY Drone Operators
Wingtra has launched a comprehensive training programme for WingtraRAY drone operators, covering the full workflow from equipment setup through flight planning with WingtraPRO to post‑flight data processing using WingtraUNLIMITED. The curriculum emphasizes safety protocols, repeatable accuracy, and user experience, and...
By sUAS News
Social•Feb 2, 2026
Open-Source Python Robotics Algorithms for Localization & Planning
A collection of Python robotics algorithms (localization, SLAM, path planning, motion planning). (📍GitHub ) Python sample codes and textbook for robotics algorithms. GitHub: https://lnkd.in/eBZXA22n —— Weekly robotics and AI insights. Subscribe free: scalingdeep.tech
By Ilir Aliu
Social•Feb 2, 2026
Seeking SF Unitree Go2 EDU for RL Testing
Anyone in SF have a Unitree Go2 EDU I can test deploy a few RL policies to? https://t.co/whZVHLj59P
By Aaron Ng
Social•Feb 2, 2026
IROS2026 Convenes Top Robotics Leaders in Pittsburgh
#IROS2026 will convene in Pittsburgh from Sept 27 – Oct 1! As one of the largest & most dynamic robotics conferences, IROS brings together world-leading researchers, educators, govt. leaders, startups, industry innovators, practitioners, & investors👇 https://t.co/zWIb6SZtCO https://t.co/A12L5450Aw
By Carnegie Mellon RI