Today's Robotics Pulse
ROBOTIS’s AI Sapiens learns K‑POP dance from a phone video
South Korean robotics firm ROBOTIS showcased its AI Sapiens humanoid robot mastering a complex K‑POP routine using only a smartphone video. The approach leverages video‑based motion capture, reinforcement‑learning simulation and Sim2Real transfer, removing the need for costly motion‑capture studios. The 1.3‑meter, 34‑kg robot is equipped with 23 DYNAMIXEL‑Q actuators.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Waymo acquires Apple’s Arizona Proving Ground for $220M
Revolutionising Autonomous Airfreight Through Smart Ground Integration
Grasshopper Air Mobility is developing the GH e350, an autonomous heavy‑cargo drone that can transport palletised loads up to 350 kg and dock directly with warehouse charging and loading stations. The platform consolidates multiple logistics hand‑offs into a single, standardized transfer, allowing a single operator to oversee dozens of drones and potentially replace 5‑20% of conventional ground fleets. Early pilots target time‑critical B2B shipments such as pharmaceuticals and just‑in‑time manufacturing parts across 200‑km electric and 600‑km hybrid‑hydrogen ranges. The company aims for a commercial launch by 2028 after completing a seed round, certification work, and pilot projects in less‑dense industrial corridors.
Industry 5.0: Why Human-First AI and Smarter Automation Are Reshaping the Future of Industrial IoT
Industry 5.0 reframes industrial IoT by placing human judgment at the core of AI‑driven automation. The model introduces design principles such as human‑first copilots, bounded AI autonomy, clean data pipelines, and stepwise scaling. A three‑layer reference architecture—cognitive, digital, physical—integrates governance, security,...
Ned Marine Launches Drone and Subsea ROV Inspection Services
Ned Marine, a Dutch non‑destructive testing specialist, has introduced combined aerial drone and subsea ROV inspection services for vessels, offshore installations, and industrial assets. The offering merges visual and ultrasonic NDT techniques with robotics, enabling faster surveys of confined spaces,...
DJI’s Mini 4K Successor Beginner Drone Already Has Its First Discount at a Major UK Retailer
DJI has introduced the Lito 1 and premium Lito X1 drones as successors to the Mini 4K, and the Lito X1 is now 5% cheaper on Amazon UK, dropping from £369 to £349 (about $444). The X1 weighs under 249 g, placing it in the...
Lotte Hotel Seoul Feeds AI Robot with Napkin‑Folding Data to Automate Service
Lotte Hotel Seoul has wired ten food‑and‑beverage staff with body cameras to record napkin‑folding motions for South Korean AI startup RLWRLD. The data will train a robotics foundation model that could power service robots in hotels and other industries by...
SAP and Cyberwave Deploy Fully Autonomous AI Robots in Live German Warehouse
SAP SE and Cyberwave announced the successful rollout of fully autonomous, AI‑powered robots in SAP's St. Leon‑Rot logistics center in Germany. The deployment demonstrates that Physical AI can operate at scale in a live fulfillment environment, promising faster training and...
IRobot Unveils Eight New Roomba Models After Picea Acquisition, Prices $291‑$1,016
iRobot announced eight new Roomba robot vacuums following its bankruptcy filing and acquisition by Picea. The lineup, priced between $291 and $1,016 in the U.K., promises up to 25% smaller dimensions, 9 cm clearance capability, and AI‑enhanced navigation. The launch signals...
U.S. Sugar Launches Largest Commercial Autonomous Tractor Fleet in American Sugar Industry
U.S. Sugar has deployed the largest commercial autonomous tractor fleet in the American sugar sector, operating five John Deere tractors equipped with Autonomous Solutions Inc.’s Vehicle Automation Kit across its 255,000‑acre South Florida operation. The fleet runs 24 hours a day, seven days...
China Unveils Hyper‑realistic Robotic Face with True Vision
Ex Machina is no longer sci-fi. China has finally built it. The company is AheadForm, founded in Shanghai. The product is the world's most hyper-realistic robotic face. Silicone skin you can't tell from human, 25 micro motors hidden underneath pulling the face...
FCC’s DJI, Autel Ban Ignores How Drones Actually Work
The FCC is moving toward broad restrictions on foreign‑made drones, targeting DJI and Autel, while thousands continue to operate daily. The Drone Service Provider’s Alliance, representing over 33,000 U.S. pilots, argues the agency’s approach is inconsistent, urging a risk‑based framework...
ET200MP: Ideal IO Extension for Large Centralized Systems
🏗️ Many people know the Siemens Industry AG S7 1500 CPUs in the control cabinet. But often overlooked is the ET 200MP, which uses the exact same form factor and can be a very powerful IO extension for larger systems....
RCT – Powered by Epiroc AutoNav Lite Solution Improving Stabilisation, Remediation Activities at Gold Mine
RCT – Powered by Epiroc quickly deployed AutoNav Lite semi‑automation on two Caterpillar D10 dozers at a northern Canada gold mine, enabling remote operation for stabilisation and remediation. The project moved from approval to commissioning faster than typical automation cycles....
Open‑Source 3D‑Printed Robot Wrist Accelerates Innovation
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,...
Compute Layer Balances Power, Efficiency, and Cost in Robotics
A practical question for #robotics teams: how do you improve performance and energy efficiency without making the design too complex or expensive? That’s where the compute layer matters. @ASRockcomputer using #IntelCoreUltra Series 3 shows how robotics design is increasingly about balancing...
Robinson Unmanned Supports U.S. Marine Corps MARV-EL Program with Sikorsky
Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky has secured a $15.5 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps for the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle‑Expeditionary Logistics (MARV‑EL) Increment 2 program, centered on the R66 TURBINETRUCK autonomous cargo helicopter developed with Robinson Unmanned. The R66 combines Sikorsky’s MATRIX...
TARS Unveils Dual Humanoid Robots for Manufacturing and Versatile Tasks
Beijing Startup TARS Debuts Two Humanoid #Robots for Precision Manufacturing and General-Purpose Tasks by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/MfxxXPZ2Nu
Modular Quadrotors Dock Mid‑Air to Form Cooperative Robot
ModQuad: Modular Quadrotors That Dock Mid-Air to Fly as One Cooperative #Robot by @lukas_m_ziegler #Drone #Innovation #EmergingTech #Tech #Technology https://t.co/wbN93ZOMhE
Reliable Robotics Advances Safety-Critical UAS Datalinks
Reliable Robotics is field‑testing its C2 Link System, a safety‑critical datalink that lets uncrewed aircraft operate under Instrument Flight Rules within the National Airspace System. The hardware leverages Iridium and Viasat satellite terminals and uAvionix air‑to‑ground links, eliminating the need...
Unmanned Chinese Rotary Tiller Conquers Muddy Fields
Remote-Controlled Power: Unmanned Chinese Rotary Tiller Masters Muddy Farmland by @XueJia24682 #Robotics #AgriTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Tech #Technology https://t.co/BQWhq34n2Q
Ensuring Robot Safety and Security: Key Strategies
Robot Talk Episode 149 – Robot safety and security, with Krystal Mattich by @RobotTalkPod https://t.co/SgEG2OpmR5
Will Investors Embrace China’s Humanoid Robot Champion?
Chinese humanoid‑robot maker UBTech, the sector’s de‑facto champion, is preparing a high‑profile public listing as investors weigh the firm’s rapid product rollout against lingering regulatory risk. The company recently secured a $200 million Series C round, valuing it near $1 billion, and is...
Embroidery Robot Tackles Automation’s Hardest Stitching Challenge
This Embroidery #Robot Is Solving One of #Automation’s Toughest Challenges by @XRoboHub #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/WzQyUQRnjY
Humanoid Robots Transform Elementary Classroom Learning
Humanoid #Robots Bring Interactive Learning to Elementary Classrooms via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #RPA #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/Ot6VC7bS78
Smart Shooter Lands $10 Million U.S. Military Contract for SMASH Drone‑interception System
Israeli defense company Smart Shooter announced a $10 million contract to provide its SMASH drone‑interception system to the U.S. military. The award highlights the United States’ continued procurement of allied counter‑UAS technology and deepens the defense partnership between the two nations.
Viral Video of Humanoid Robots Fighting Fuels Bay Area Robot Combat League Launch
A viral video of two humanoid robots sparring in San Francisco has spotlighted the debut of the city’s first robot combat league, set to open a storefront in Nob Hill this summer. The clip, posted by virtual‑reality firm Cix Liv,...
Air Force MQ-9 Downs Aerial Targets with Cheap Air-to-Air Missiles
General Atomics announced that an Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper equipped with the laser‑guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) successfully downed aerial targets during a Nevada Test and Training Range demonstration. The APKWS costs roughly $25,000‑$40,000 per missile, a fraction...
Heyman Tech Unveils Waterproof Humanoid Hand for Deep‑sea Robotics
Heyman Tech Introduces Waterproof Humanoid Hand Built for Extreme Depths by @TheHumanoidHub #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML #Innovation https://t.co/0G6RzkmuOo
Manufacturing Automation’s ‘Blind Spot’ Remains at the Cut, Says Sandvik Coromant
Sandvik Coromant warns that manufacturing automation still lacks visibility at the cutting interface, even as factories adopt robotics and connected dashboards. The company promotes sensorized tooling—cutting tools equipped with force, vibration and chatter sensors—to deliver real‑time data that can trigger...
Police Drone Programs Raise Questions About Use of AI, Facial Recognition
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are rapidly expanding drone programs beyond emergency response, integrating them into broader surveillance networks. Funding streams—from municipal budgets, federal grants, and private donations—often bypass thorough public oversight, allowing vendors to bundle drones with AI...
VinMotion Unveils Motion 2: Next‑Gen Industrial Humanoid
Motion 2 Arrives: VinMotion’s Next-Gen Humanoid for Industrial #Logistics by @CyberRobooo #AI #Robotics #Engineering #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/YlIqrISIBJ
COMAU and OMRON Robotics to Collaborate on Expanding Advanced Industrial Automation Solutions Across Light Industry, Electronics, and Medical Manufacturing
COMAU and OMRON Robotics have signed a strategic collaboration to jointly develop advanced industrial automation solutions for light‑industry, electronics, semiconductor, and medical manufacturing. The partnership merges COMAU’s robot hardware with Omron’s control and software platforms, aiming to deliver flexible, scalable...
Colin Angle Launches “Familiar,” A Lifelike AI Companion Robot
Colin Angle, the co‑founder of iRobot, announced the upcoming launch of “Familiar,” a furry, AI‑driven domestic robot that will sell next year. The device aims to provide genuine companionship through on‑device generative AI, positioning itself as a pet alternative in...
STARTS Corp Posts 4% Profit Rise on B2B Manufacturing Wins
STARTS Corp reported a full‑year profit of ¥25.311 bn, up 4% from the prior year, as revenue rose 8.1% to ¥251.911 bn. The gains stem from expanded B2B manufacturing solutions and a refreshed go‑to‑market strategy that secured larger enterprise contracts.
IKO to Showcase Crossed Roller Bearings, Mechatronics and More at Automate 2026
IKO International will exhibit at Automate 2026 in Chicago, showcasing its crossed‑roller bearings, NT Series positioning tables, and a new Fast Track production program. The company highlights the high rigidity, accuracy, and compactness of its CRBs, while the NT tables combine...
Smart Shooter Receives Follow-On U.S. Army Award for SMASH 2000LEFire Control Systems for Individual C-sUAS
Smart Shooter secured a follow‑on U.S. Army contract worth roughly $10.7 million for its SMASH 2000LE fire‑control system, slated for delivery in the third quarter of 2026. The award, processed through PAE Defensive Fires and Atlantic Diving Supply, expands the Army’s fielding...
Robots for America Launches National Coalition to Advance U.S. Robotics Deployment Policy
Robots for America (RFA) unveiled a national coalition of 21 robotics firms on May 8, 2026, at the SCSP AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C., responding to a direct request from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Commerce, SBA and...
New “Cope Cage” Shields Russian Boat Against Drones
Anti-Drone “Cope Cage” Appears On Russian Patrol Boat Ukrainian drone attacks on naval targets are driving the development of new defenses, but overhead screens alone have dwindling efficacy. https://t.co/ntZu2XQ8Sh
Army Uses Ground Robots & Combat Vehicles in First Assault Warfare Test
The U.S. Army’s airborne units conducted the first assault‑warfare test using ground robots and combat vehicles during the African Lion 26 exercise in Morocco. Dozens of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) were paired with infantry squads and platforms such as the...
Public Safety Drones Are Becoming Essential Tools for Emergency Response
Public safety agencies are rapidly adopting drones as mission‑critical tools for law enforcement, fire, and emergency management. Advances such as beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight FAA waivers, autonomous obstacle avoidance, and AI‑powered analytics have expanded capabilities from simple aerial views to real‑time intelligence and...
China Wants More Robots but Not Fewer Workers
China is accelerating robot adoption while pledging to keep workers employed, promoting a human‑first automation model. Recent policy papers stress that robots should handle repetitive tasks, freeing humans for supervision, maintenance, and data analysis. The city of Qingdao serves as...
Russia Expands Alabuga Drone Hub by 340 Hectares and Restarts Re‑exports to Iran
Russia has enlarged the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan by 340 hectares, adding new hangars and worker housing, while also restarting the re‑export of Geran strike drones to Iran. The expansion underscores Moscow’s push to boost high‑tech defense output...
China Pushes Level‑4 Autonomous Robovans Into Urban Delivery and Long‑Haul Freight
China is moving Level‑4 autonomous logistics from test beds to commercial fleets, with MINIEYE's Bamboo Robovan T5 Pro and Carl Dynamics' KargoBot Space slated for delivery within months. The rollout targets 18 cities and long‑haul routes, promising rapid payback through...
Skyports Launches Daily Drone Delivery Across NYC’s East River for Medical Supplies
British firm Skyports has started daily weekday drone trips across New York City’s East River, ferrying light medical paperwork for an unnamed health‑care system. The pilot, run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the NYC Economic...
Sereact Secures $110 Million Series B to Accelerate AI Robotics Platform
German AI robotics firm Sereact raised $110 million in a Series B round led by Headline, with participation from Bullhound Capital, Daphni and Felix Capital. The funding will scale its Cortex 2.0 AI brain and fund a U.S. market entry, adding to...
Self‑aware Robots Share Skills Across Joint Constraints
A Science #Robotics study classifies robots according to their joint constraints and endows them with this self-awareness, enabling diverse robots to learn the same skill safely and without retraining. https://t.co/fAPjb5AcEl https://t.co/ttO8voua0w
Flytrex and Little Caesars Launch Drone Pizza Delivery in Texas
Flytrex has teamed up with Little Caesars to roll out autonomous drone pizza delivery in Wylie, Texas, promising two 16‑inch pizzas at customers' doors in about four and a half minutes. The service uses the new Sky2 octocopter, which can...
DJI Mini 3 Bundle Hits Record Low: $499
Fly more for less – this DJI Mini 3 bundle has been slashed to its lowest-ever price of $499 at Amazon. https://t.co/nB6se1vncj
Why I Started Testing Automation Scripts Through Residential Networks
A warehouse‑automation engineer struggled with datacenter proxies that triggered CAPTCHAs and silent bans, limiting data‑collection reliability. By routing requests through residential and mobile proxies, the success rate jumped from 61% to over 95% and content accuracy improved. The new setup...
Fujitsu Joins IROS2026 as Gold Partner
🎉 Welcome Fujitsu as a Gold Partner of #IROS2026! Learn more about the conference: https://t.co/lB6cktJwgW Interested in sponsoring? 🔗 https://t.co/TueQi1u7Dl https://t.co/xkGuCKnX3f
The Iceberg Fallacy
The "iceberg fallacy" describes how software firms undervalue the future cost of maintaining features, treating every shipped API as a liability rather than a free marginal expense. Athenahealth’s dense API change log illustrates the relentless maintenance burden that EHR vendors...