Today's Robotics Pulse
Spirit AI tops global robot benchmark and secures $222M funding
Chinese robotics startup Spirit AI's embodied intelligence model, Spirit v1.6, achieved the highest score on the RoboArena leaderboard, beating Nvidia's offering. The company also announced a ¥1.5 billion (≈$222 million) financing round to accelerate its technology.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Shifters raises $10.2M seed round
Department of War Launches Phase Two of $1.1bn Drone Dominance Programme
The U.S. Department of War has opened Phase II of its $1.1 billion Drone Dominance Program, targeting the rapid fielding of low‑cost, one‑way attack sUAS. The solicitation promises at least $300 million in prototype delivery orders for 30,000 drones, priced at $4,500 for long‑range and $3,500 for close‑quarters variants. Vendors will compete through a four‑stage, performance‑based process that culminates in a live‑fire Gauntlet II evaluation. Successful firms could secure orders ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 units per mission area.
Blueprint for a Robotic Workforce: Can the UK Close Its Automation Gap?
A panel of industry leaders in London highlighted the UK’s stark automation gap, noting robot density of just 104 units per 10,000 manufacturing workers—well below the G7 average. While the country boasts world‑class research, 74% of manufacturing SMEs still operate...
Humanoid Robot Chases Boar In Warsaw
A Chinese‑made Unitree G1 humanoid, dubbed Edward Warchocki, was filmed chasing a herd of wild boar through Warsaw’s streets, a stunt that amassed over 14 million Instagram views. The video sparked public approval as the city grapples with a surge to more...
Kooiman Supplies Camera-Guided Hoeing Machine Farming GT
Dutch firm Kooiman Mechanisation has begun supplying the Farming GT, a camera‑guided hoeing machine from German maker Farming Revolution. The system leverages a database of over 100 crops to differentiate crops from weeds, using GNSS RTK and real‑time camera correction...
Adapting Automation for Higher‑Viscosity Middle Eastern Bread
🔷 💯Automation equipment for bread production. This type of bread is usually produced in the Middle East. What changes do you think could make it possible to produce bread with higher viscosity doughs with this equipment❓ #automation #bread #machinery
Tele‑Operated Micro‑Robot Delivers Ultra‑Precise Minimally Invasive Surgery
Tele-Operated Micro-#Robot Enables Ultra-Precise Minimally Invasive Surgery by @VicariousSurg #HealthTech #Tech #Technology #EmergingTech #TechForGood https://t.co/bVGDoHbWui
Chess Dynamics Expands Nordic Regional Support & Technical Capability
Chess Dynamics signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CHSnor to provide in‑country support and maintenance for its defence systems in Norway. The agreement centers on training, technical expertise, and lifecycle support, moving more maintenance activities locally and giving CHSnor control...
Embodied AI Humanoids Reach 310 Units/Hour in China
Watch ‘world-first embodied AI’ humanoid robots take on manufacturing tasks in China 🇨🇳 🤖 💬 System hits 310 units/hour, 19–20 sec cycles, 99 percent success; integrated in 36 hours, producing about 3,000 units per shift. Source: 👉 https://t.co/dQjEBnhTy6 https://t.co/VHcBYyiAN0
Wireless EMG Bionic Hand Achieves Independent Finger Control
Wireless EMG-Controlled Bionic Hand with Independent Finger Movement by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/gaGcSxExhU
Gremsy Marks 15 Years with Strategic Roadmap & Unicorn Ambitions for 2030
Gremsy marked its 15‑year anniversary by unveiling a strategic roadmap that targets unicorn status—$1 billion valuation—by 2030. The plan shifts the company from steady UAV growth to accelerated global expansion, emphasizing a multi‑environment autonomous ecosystem that includes ground robotics, USVs and...
Japan Unveils ARCHAX, Giant Piloted Industrial Robot
Meet ARCHAX: Japan’s Giant Piloted #Robot Designed for Real Industrial Use by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #RPA #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/1P07UMoea8
Shape‑shifting Drone Conquers Both Land and Sky
Land-Air Dual-Use Variable-Form #Drone: A Shape-Shifting Hybrid for Ground and Sky Mobility via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/fGv3qDCjIX
Meet Norah Kimathi, Who Trains Robots to Teach STEM Subjects in Sign Language
Norah Kimathi, a Kenyan technologist, is training artificial‑intelligence robots to deliver STEM lessons in sign language for deaf students. The robots translate complex concepts in math, science and engineering into visual gestures and captions, enabling real‑time classroom interaction. Partner schools...
Intelligent Automation Boosts Supply Chain Efficiency
Enhancing #SupplyChain Operations with Intelligent Process #Automation by @antgrasso #DigitalTransformation #Logistics #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/6GR15257rT
Exoskeleton Hand Captures Human Motion for Smarter Humanoids
GenRobot’s Exoskeleton Hand Captures Human Motion for Smarter Humanoids by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #EmergingTech #TechForGood #Technology #Tech https://t.co/0QjasIebcR
UiPath Rolls Out AI-Powered Connectors on Salesforce AgentExchange to Streamline Sales Workflows
UiPath announced two AI‑driven connectors—Maestro and CX Companion—on Salesforce AgentExchange on April 16. The tools embed robotic process automation directly into Salesforce’s CRM, aiming to cut manual steps, improve SLA compliance and give sales teams real‑time context. The launch signals...
Telexistence Launches Massive Robotic Motion Data Hub for AI
Telexistence Introduces Large-Scale #Robotic Motion Data Factory for #AI Training via @ZappyZappy7 #ArtificialIntelligence #MI #ML #Tech #Innovation https://t.co/yjY3A8mxtm
Robot Vacuum Conquers Stairs, Redefining Home Cleaning
The #Robot Vacuum That Defies Stairs via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robotics #Innovation #TechForGood #EmergingTech #Technology https://t.co/RgGwdzu8AY
QBotica Acquires Automatiga to Boost Global Agentic AI Automation Platform
qBotica announced the acquisition of automation specialist Automatiga, creating a single platform that combines agentic AI, hybrid decisioning and RPA. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal expands qBotica’s global delivery footprint and deepens its AI‑first strategy for enterprise...
Pentagon Requests $75 B for FY27 Drone Programs, DAWG Gets $54.6 B Boost
The Pentagon’s FY27 budget request earmarks $75 billion for unmanned and counter‑unmanned systems, with the Defense Autonomous Working Group (DAWG) slated to jump from $225.9 million to $54.6 billion. The surge, described as the largest year‑over‑year boost of any defense program, will draw...
China's Lingyi Launches Mass Production at Beijing Embodied Intelligence Super Factory
Lingyi Manufacturing has begun mass production of its Ultra and 3.0 humanoid robots at the newly built Beijing Embodied Intelligence Super Factory. The factory delivered its first batch after a two‑month build‑out, marking the first fully integrated line for humanoid...
Tien Kung 3.0 Wins Inaugural Beijing Yizhuang Robot Warrior Challenge with Full Autonomy
Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics (X‑Humanoid) saw its Tien Kung 3.0 humanoid robot complete the inaugural Beijing Yizhuang Robot Warrior Challenge on April 18 without any human control. The win highlights a breakthrough in whole‑body coordination, perception and decision‑making...
Robot Valet Eliminates Parking Stress Completely
No More Parking Stress: This #Robot Valet Handles It All by @IntEngineering #Robotics #Engineering #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/mN4c8e6t8f
China Tests 11,400‑ft Deep‑Sea Cable‑Cutting ROV, Raising Stakes for Global Telecom Infrastructure
China announced that its Haiyang Dizhi 2 research vessel has successfully trialed a remotely operated vehicle capable of slicing undersea fiber‑optic cables at 11,483 feet (3,500 m). The device, which also repairs cables, uses aerospace‑grade electro‑hydrostatic actuators and a diamond‑coated cutter, giving Beijing...
Superhuman-Handed General-Purpose Robots Arriving Soon
General-Purpose #Robots With Superhuman Hands Are Coming Fast by @TheHumanoidHub #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/x7TPKXFHMF
LS ELECTRIC Q1 Net Income Jumps 73% on Automation Sales Surge
LS ELECTRIC reported a 73% increase in first‑quarter net income to 121.1 billion won (about $93 million), driven by a jump in sales of industrial automation solutions to 1.4 trillion won ($1.08 billion). The earnings lift highlights accelerating demand for smart‑factory and IoT equipment...
US Southern Command Stands up Autonomous Unit
U.S. Southern Command announced the creation of the Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC), a new element designed to integrate autonomous, semi‑autonomous and unmanned platforms across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains. The initiative, mandated by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, seeks...
This High-Tech Drone Could Autonomously Scope Out Undersea Mines
Ulysses Maritime Technologies unveiled the Mako autonomous underwater drone, designed to locate and neutralize undersea mines. The modular platform can be reconfigured for agility—maintaining position in strong currents—or endurance, extending speed and range. Equipped with 2D/3D radar, cameras and payload...
Robotic Mower Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Use
Robotic lawn mowers require regular upkeep to stay reliable and efficient. The guide outlines routine cleaning, blade replacement, wheel and sensor inspections, and battery care, emphasizing weekly tasks during peak growth. It also covers software updates, seasonal adjustments, proper storage,...
Pentagon Wants $54B for Drones, More than Most Nations’ Military Budgets
The Pentagon’s FY 2027 budget request includes a historic $53.6 billion for drone production, operator training, logistics and counter‑drone systems, plus an additional $20.6 billion for one‑way attack drones and the MQ‑25 refueler. This investment would outpace the defense spending of most nations,...
Up to £2 Million Available for Riverine Relief
The UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), together with the British Army, has launched the third phase of its "Map the Gap" competition, offering up to £2 million (≈ $2.54 million) in funding. The challenge seeks autonomous solutions that can measure ground...
MIT and Symbotic’s AI Cuts Warehouse Robot Bottlenecks, Boosts Throughput 25%
Researchers at MIT and logistics tech firm Symbotic introduced an AI‑driven traffic‑control system that lifts simulated warehouse robot throughput by roughly 25%. The hybrid deep‑reinforcement‑learning and planning approach can adapt to new layouts and robot counts, offering a scalable path...
Cobot IP Fight: What the Universal Robots Ruling Means for U.S. Manufacturers
Teradyne Robotics, the parent of Universal Robots, won a temporary injunction from a German court prohibiting Elite Robots Germany from distributing software that allegedly copies Universal Robots' PolyScope 5 platform. The order also compels Elite to disclose customers and signals Teradyne’s...
K1000ULE UAS Maintains Continuous ISR Coverage Using Ground-to-Air Laser Power Link
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace and PowerLight Technologies successfully demonstrated a ground‑to‑air laser power‑beaming system that supplied nearly one kilowatt to the K1000ULE UAS at altitudes up to 5,000 feet during a flight at Shaw Air Force Base. The test, hosted by the...
From 1907 Gyroplane to 2010 Parrot: Quadcopter Era Begins
The very first quadcopter prototype was the Breguet-Richet Gyroplane No. 1, created in 1907 by Breguet Aviation in France. The first consumer quadcopter drone was the Parrot AR.Drone, released in 2010 by French company Parrot SA. It was also the first...
Fine‑tuned Large Models Boost Robot Task Learning Efficiency
A new Science #Robotics study finds that “fine-tuned” large behavior models are more data-efficient and successful than single-task policies at teaching robots complex new tasks like coring and slicing an apple. @ToyotaResearch https://t.co/T6OugH8W0f https://t.co/m1iLz1mKf7
Foxglove Launches Unified Data Search and Curation Capabilities
Foxglove unveiled Data Search and Curation, tools that let robotics teams query multimodal logs directly and tag high‑value events without building separate warehouses. The company also introduced a free Basic Seat tier to broaden visualization access across non‑engineering roles and...
SiFly Drones Now Appear on ADS-B Exchange
SiFly Aviation announced that its cloud‑connected Q12 drones now appear on ADS‑B Exchange’s live airspace map, placing unmanned aircraft alongside traditional planes. The drones transmit telemetry via secure cloud connectivity, eliminating the need for onboard ADS‑B transponders. Live tests have shown...
Thales, Viasat and Partners Complete Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Connectivity Demo
Viasat, Thales, Dimetor, TTP plc and the European Space Agency completed successful Beyond‑Visual‑Line‑of‑Sight (BVLOS) flight trials at Cranfield University using a Bulldog light aircraft. The tests, part of ESA’s Iris RPAS airspace‑modernisation programme, demonstrated a trusted multi‑link architecture that blends...
Inside the Future of Drones: Policy, Security, and What XPONENTIAL 2026 Reveals – with Michael Robbins, AUVSI
In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, host Randy Goers talks with Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI, about the rapid evolution of the drone industry toward secure, scalable operations. Robbins highlights the shift from experimental prototypes to...
Wearable Robot Boosts Natural Walking and Running
Real-Time #Wearable #Robot Enhances Walking and Running Naturally via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #Engineering #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/Gj04PjXDpr
Putin’s Army of Drones
Russia’s four‑year war in Ukraine has accelerated a sweeping overhaul of its unmanned‑systems and artificial‑intelligence capabilities. By 2030 Moscow aims to employ one million specialists in the drone sector and boost AI graduate output by more than 400 percent. The Kremlin is...
Pentagon Requests $75B for Drones, Counter‑Drone Efforts
The Pentagon’s largest-ever budget request earmarks $75 billion for drones and technologies to counter them, mainly for a massive increase for a little-known office working with US commandos, according to defense officials
China Deploys Robot Dogs, Drones, and Humanoids to Run a ‘Full-Space’ Metro System
During February’s Spring Festival rush, Hefei’s metro deployed a coordinated fleet of robot dogs, drones and humanoid assistants, forming China’s first “full‑space” robot cluster for rail transit. Managed by a single AI‑driven dispatch platform, the machines handle platform patrols, tunnel...
Factory Humanoids Ready Now; Home Robots Five Years Out
Home-based robots are about 5 years away from mass adoption ... but factory-based humanoids are ready for serious work today. Inside Factories (today; $10 an hour) --> Last-Mile Delivery (3 years; $5 an hour) --> Inside Home (5 years; $1...
Autonomous Labs: America’s Edge in Manual Work
Robots are how the US wins in manual work long term. Including at the lab bench ! Need autonomous labs
GMEX Robotics Advances Autonomous Hospital Logistics Platform to Enhance Safety, Efficiency and Operational Workflow
GMEX Robotics announced an upgraded autonomous Hospital Logistics Robot designed to improve durability, ergonomics and safety in high‑traffic medical settings. The new chassis resists impacts while the delivery height is optimized to prevent staff from bending to retrieve supplies. Integrated...
A&K Robotics Raises $8 Million to Build Autonomous Mobility Infrastructure for Airports
A&K Robotics announced a CAD $8 million (~US$5.8 million) Series A round led by BDC Capital’s Industrial Innovation Venture Fund and Vantage Futures. The funding will accelerate deployment of its Cruz™ autonomous mobility pods, which already operate at Vancouver International Airport and Madrid‑Barajas Airport....
Intelligent Robots Streamline Operations in Modern Bakeries
Romias #Robotics Builds Intelligent #Robot System to Support Modern Bakeries by @lukas_m_ziegler #FoodTech #Innovation #EmergingTech #TechForGood https://t.co/4lqaHVMyH0
NHTSA Releases First Comprehensive Robotaxi Crash Data, Waymo Leads with 697 Incidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a dataset of 825 reported autonomous‑driving system incidents, showing Waymo with 697 crashes and Tesla with 18. The figures expose stark differences in fleet exposure, injury outcomes, and companies’ willingness to disclose crash...