🎯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 24, 2026
XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit Showcases an Industry Ready to Scale
XPONENTIAL 2026, held May 11‑14 in Detroit, is the world’s largest showcase for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomy across air, ground and maritime sectors. The event emphasizes production‑ready technology, with exhibitors demonstrating integrated platforms, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable deployment at scale. Detroit’s historic manufacturing ecosystem provides the ideal backdrop for testing credibility and aligning buyers, OEMs, and regulators. Attendees can evaluate solutions, network, and accelerate real‑world adoption through live demonstrations and curated pavilions.
By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
News•Feb 24, 2026
SteerAI Launches xRift Autonomous & Versatile Flat-Deck Platform for Rugged Terrain
SteerAI unveiled xRift, an autonomous flat‑deck all‑terrain vehicle at Abu Dhabi's Unmanned Systems Exhibition. The platform replaces a traditional cab with a modular deck, supporting up to 500 kg of payloads ranging from ISR kits to weapon systems. Powered by the...
By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
News•Feb 24, 2026
Titan Dynamics Joins Department of War’s Drone Dominance Gauntlet I
Titan Dynamics Inc. has been named one of the top 25 firms to compete in Gauntlet I of the U.S. Department of War’s Drone Dominance Program, the first live‑testing phase for small unmanned aerial systems. The initiative evaluates performance, production readiness,...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 24, 2026
CCAs Start Carrying Inert Missiles, Live Fire Shots Expected Later This Year
The U.S. Air Force has equipped its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes – General Atomics' YFQ-42A and Anduril's YFQ-44A – with inert AIM‑120 missiles, marking the first weapons‑carriage milestone for the uncrewed fighter program. Live‑fire testing is scheduled for later...
By Air & Space Forces Magazine
News•Feb 24, 2026
Inside Pakistan’s Pivot: From Assembling Kits to Designing Advanced Defence Solutions
At the 2026 World Defence Show in Riyadh, Pakistan’s defence industry announced a strategic shift from licence‑based kit assembly to indigenous design and systems integration. State‑run firms displayed a range of home‑developed products, including GIDS’s Shahpar UAVs and Blaze loitering...
By Quwa – Defence News & Analysis
Blog•Feb 23, 2026
DHL Supply Chain Completes 1B Picks with Locus Robotics
Logistics giant DHL Supply Chain announced it has completed one billion picks using Locus Robotics’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) across more than 40 global sites. The deployment, which began in 2017, has delivered 30%‑180% higher pick rates and an 80%...
By Mobile Robot Guide
News•Feb 23, 2026
Chinese Ship Completes First Autonomous Docking and Cargo Handling
Four years after launching the world’s first autonomous electric feeder, China’s 300‑TEU vessel Zhi Fei completed its first fully autonomous docking at Qingdao Port, completing the maneuver in just 30 seconds. The ship, capable of crew‑managed, remote‑controlled or unmanned navigation, operates...
By The Maritime Executive
News•Feb 23, 2026
Ottonomy Unveils Platform Connecting Robots, Drones and Smart Infrastructure on NVIDIA
Ottonomy unveiled Ottumn.AI, a cloud‑based platform that orchestrates autonomous robots, drones, and smart infrastructure across healthcare, manufacturing, and commerce. The solution runs on NVIDIA AI hardware, leveraging Jetson edge devices, Isaac Sim digital twins, and cloud GPUs for sub‑30 ms decision...
By Robotics 24/7
News•Feb 23, 2026
Picogrid and Guardian RF Partner to Deliver Drone Defense for Space Launch Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base
Picogrid and Guardian RF have secured a joint contract to protect Vandenberg Space Force Base from unauthorized drone activity. The deal integrates Guardian RF’s low‑SWaP Scout passive RF sensors with Picogrid’s Expeditionary Command and Control Nodes, creating a unified, real‑time...
By sUAS News
Blog•Feb 23, 2026
Robodock: Autonomous Depots For Robotaxis
Robodock, a startup founded by two Stanford graduates, is automating robotaxi depot operations with mobile charging robots and AI‑driven visual inspections. The system docks with vehicles to manage power transfer and scans exteriors for damage, aiming to cut manual labor...
By The Last Driver License Holder
News•Feb 23, 2026
Uber Autonomous Solutions Turns AV Innovation Into Real-World Operations
Uber Technologies unveiled Uber Autonomous Solutions, a turnkey suite that equips partners with data, mapping, regulatory access, financing and operational tools to commercialize autonomous vehicles worldwide. The offering bundles a high‑resolution multisensor data fleet, dynamic geospatial APIs, an AV‑first in‑car...
By Autonomous Vehicle International
News•Feb 23, 2026
What Capabilities Are Being Tested Under AUKUS Pillar II?
Under AUKUS Pillar II, Australia, the UK and the US are testing next‑generation autonomous and uncrewed maritime capabilities. The latest Maritime Big Play exercise in Australia featured live‑fire trials of C2 Robotics’ Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle and involved around 30 emerging systems....
By Shephard Media
News•Feb 23, 2026
Creating the 'Ecosystem of Worker and Machine' With 5G
The mining sector is moving toward fully autonomous operations, with 5G networks emerging as the backbone for real‑time worker‑machine collaboration. Newmont’s Cadia mine has deployed teleremote dozers that are controlled over a private 5G slice, delivering sub‑10 ms latency. Early performance...
By Mining Magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
Neolix Sets Robovan Test Miles Record
Neolix announced its autonomous robovan fleet has exceeded 100 million kilometres of real‑world driving, becoming the first company in the segment to reach this milestone. The record validates its self‑driving technology at massive scale and demonstrates reliability across diverse environments. The...
By Autonomous Vehicle International
News•Feb 23, 2026
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Win Innovation Title at Army’s Best Drone Warfighter Competition
A Pennsylvania National Guard team from the 28th Infantry Division captured the innovation prize at the Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition. Their Project R.E.D. uses AI‑driven object recognition and a 3‑D‑printed carbon‑fiber robotic arm to retrieve downed drones for intelligence...
By U.S. Army – News
News•Feb 23, 2026
GA-ASI and USAF Demonstrate Manned-Unmanned Teaming With F-22 and MQ-20 In Joint Autonomy Exercise
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Air Force completed a joint autonomy exercise at Edwards AFB, pairing an F‑22 Raptor with the MQ‑20 Avenger unmanned jet. The test used government‑reference autonomy software and a tactical data link to let...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Schiebel to Establish a UK Entity to Support Expanding Defense Opportunities
Schiebel announced the formation of a dedicated UK legal entity to capitalize on growing British defence opportunities. The move follows the successful deployment of its Peregrine rotary‑wing UAV with the Royal Navy, delivered in partnership with Thales UK. Schiebel also...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 23, 2026
UK Joins European Air Defence Project Despite DIP Hold-Up
The United Kingdom has signed onto the Low‑Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) programme, a five‑nation European effort to field an affordable, AI‑driven surface‑to‑air weapon capable of neutralising drones and missiles by 2027. The move comes as the long‑awaited Defence...
By Army Technology
News•Feb 23, 2026
UK Drone Rules Risk Splintering Sector and Stalling Innovation
The UK Civil Aviation Authority plans to enforce new drone rules from January 2026, requiring a UKCA conformity mark and conspicuity devices on drones as light as 100 g. Industry leaders warn that the lack of a transition period and the...
By Air Cargo Week
News•Feb 23, 2026
Eurogate and Embotech Launch Second Autonomous Terminal Tractor Pilot in Hamburg
Eurogate and Embotech have launched a second autonomous terminal tractor pilot at the Hamburg marine terminal, moving containers between the railway and quay. The six‑month trial shifts focus from technical feasibility, proven in Wilhelmshaven, to operational performance metrics such as...
By Autonomous Vehicle International
News•Feb 23, 2026
NATO Is Not Ready for Drone Warfare in the Arctic
NATO’s Arctic defence plans are outpaced by Russia’s rapid expansion of uncrewed systems, with Moscow now producing over 1.5 million drones a year and fielding Arctic‑adapted platforms. The alliance’s ambition to secure the High North is hampered by a shortage of...
By Defense News
News•Feb 23, 2026
An MQ-20 Drone Just Teamed up with an F-22 for Mock Combat Missions
General Atomics demonstrated its MQ-20 drone operating under direct orders from an F‑22 pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, using Autonodyne’s Bashi pilot‑vehicle interface. The test showed the drone executing tactical maneuvers, waypoint changes, combat patrols and threat‑engagement tasks autonomously....
By Defense One
News•Feb 23, 2026
Stride Dynamics – Flight Test Engineer
Stride Dynamics, an early‑stage robotics startup in Rajkot, India, is hiring a Flight Test Engineer to build, configure, and rigorously test UAV systems. The role spans bench, simulation, and field testing, data analysis, and client demonstrations, requiring hands‑on experience with...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Robin Radar to Support Counter-UAS Operations at FIFA World Cup 2026
Robin Radar Systems announced that its IRIS plug‑and‑play radar will be deployed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state agencies and FEMA for counter‑UAS operations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The system offers 360‑degree, 12‑km detection,...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Review: Robotic Weed Control in Rice Shifts Toward AI, Sensor Fusion and Amphibious Platforms
A new review of 191 papers highlights that robotic weed control in rice is moving toward AI‑driven sensor fusion and amphibious platforms. Paddy fields pose extreme challenges—water, mud, glare and plant similarity degrade detection and mobility. Researchers argue that edge...
By Future Farming
Blog•Feb 23, 2026
AMD VEK385 Versal AI Edge Gen 2 FPGA Evaluation Kit Plugs Directly Into a PCIe Gen5/Gen4 Slot
AMD unveiled the VEK385 evaluation kit built around the Versal AI Edge Gen 2 XC2VE3858 SoC FPGA. The board combines eight Cortex‑A78AE cores, ten Cortex‑R52 cores, a Mali‑G78AE GPU, 144 AI Engine‑ML v2 tiles delivering up to 184 INT8 TOPS, and 20 GB...
By CNX Software – Embedded Systems News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Ascend Engineering Strengthens PX4 Ecosystem Through Upstream Contributions & Flight Testing
Ascend Engineering has delivered a suite of upstream contributions to the PX4 open‑source drone ecosystem, including a new UAVCAN hardpoint command node, a major QGroundControl joystick refactor, and drivers for the Lightware GRF‑500 rangefinder. The company also fixed a critical...
By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Cellula Robotics Joins Canadian Technology Accelerator for UK Maritime Defense & Security
Cellula Robotics has been chosen for the Canadian Technology Accelerators Maritime Defence and Security program in the United Kingdom. The initiative, led by the Canadian High Commission and BMNT, connects Canadian ocean‑technology firms with UK defence and industry stakeholders. In...
By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Function-First Robot To Redefine Factory Automation
Midea Group unveiled the MIRO U, a six‑arm robot mounted on a mobile wheeled base that prioritizes function over humanoid form. The platform can perform parallel operations, reducing cycle times and consolidating tasks traditionally spread across multiple fixed robots. Its mobility...
By Metrology News
Blog•Feb 22, 2026
Shark-Inspired Electronic Skin Gives Robotic Hands the Ability to Sense Objects without Touching Them
Researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology have created a shark‑inspired electronic skin that combines electrostatic non‑contact scanning with tactile triboelectric sensing. By embedding a pre‑charged ePTFE electret within a stretchable Ecoflex matrix, the e‑skin amplifies the electric field, achieving detectable...
By Nanowerk
Blog•Feb 22, 2026
Flickstop
NVIDIA has introduced the SimReady Medical Assets library, a collection of high‑fidelity virtual models designed to train surgical robots across a range of procedures. The assets simulate realistic tissue behavior, instrument interaction, and operating‑room environments, allowing AI algorithms to practice...
By SurgRob
Social•Feb 22, 2026
Toyota's Digit Robot Works Without Coffee Breaks
Meet Digit: Toyota’s newest worker doesn’t need coffee breaks? https://t.co/LlWBpCwmlz via @YouTube #Toyota #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation #ArtificialInteligence #AI Q@PawlowskiMario @chidambara09 @Ym78200 @CurieuxExplorer @efipm @bigfundu @sayedflah @Ronald_vanLoon @cyngn @belindabeibi @odisseiaalfa @DigitalColmer @MyCompanionsAI @KirkDBorne @patricegorissen @jeffkagan @EdwardKens50830 @enilev...
By Amitav Bhattacharjee
News•Feb 22, 2026
Comau Expands Wearable Robotics Portfolio with MATE-XT GO Exoskeleton
Italian automation leader Comau unveiled the MATE‑XT GO, a lightweight wearable exoskeleton aimed at improving arm and shoulder ergonomics. Weighing less than 3 kg, the device can be donned in 30 seconds and removed in 10, delivering up to 50 % reduction in perceived...
By Robotics 24/7
News•Feb 22, 2026
Israeli Firm Develops Shadowfax Drone with SAURON Turret
Israeli robotics firm Macushla unveiled the Shadowfax unmanned ground vehicle equipped with the SAURON remote‑controlled weapon station ahead of the Enforce Tac Nuremberg 2026 exhibition. The platform is lightweight, highly modular and can be re‑configured for combat, engineering or rescue missions. Demonstrations...
By Defence Blog
Social•Feb 22, 2026
Robots Achieve Zero Downtime Through Autonomous Swapping
Running 24/7 without any human babysitters has been really hard We want robots operating at all times - even at 2am, on weekends, or on Christmas Day The robots run until their battery is low. When one heads to dock for recharging,...
By Brett Adcock
Social•Feb 22, 2026
CMU's RPL Enables Robots to Conquer Complex Terrain
In my career I visited many of the world's best universities. One stands out: Carnegie Mellon and particularly its robotics lab. So when I see it releasing research about robotics I pay extra attention and so should you.
By Robert Scoble
Podcast•Feb 21, 2026•0 min
Hype Vs. Deployment: Derek Yan on Humanoid Robotics, KOID ETF, and the Global AI Arms Race
In this episode, Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares, explains why humanoid robotics is moving from hype to real-world deployment, highlighting current enterprise pilots in factories and logistics that address chronic labor shortages. He stresses that investors should focus...
By The Lead‑Lag Report – Blog
Social•Feb 21, 2026
NVIDIA Open‑Sources Robot World Model Trained on 44K Hours
NVIDIA releases open-source robot world model trained on 44,000 hours of human video https://t.co/RqlVawEDXa @NVIDIA #AI #MWC26 https://t.co/hQFacKuAkl
By Harold Sinnott
News•Feb 21, 2026
How Eyes Affect Our Perception of a Humanoid Robot's Mind
Researchers at Tampere University and the University of Bremen used AI‑generated images to compare humanoid robots with and without eyes. Participants consistently rated the eye‑equipped robots as possessing higher agency and experience, regardless of age‑like appearance or eye placement. The...
By Tech Xplore Robotics
News•Feb 21, 2026
Myanmar Passenger Plane Struck in Alleged FPV Drone Attack at Myitkyina Airport
On 20 February 2026 an ATR‑72‑600 operated by Myanmar National Airlines was struck by an alleged first‑person‑view (FPV) drone while preparing for take‑off at Myitkyina Airport. The impact caused minor damage to the nose, mid‑body and tail, but no passengers or crew...
By sUAS News
News•Feb 21, 2026
Visual Drone Detection Moves Into Critical Infrastructure Playbooks
Unauthorized drone activity around critical infrastructure is surging, prompting agencies like CISA to issue updated guidance for operators. Incidents have risen dramatically—over 217% across facilities and up to 300% at European airports—driving demand for specialized visual detection systems. The global...
By The Robot Report
Blog•Feb 21, 2026
Digital Twins and the New Warehouse Reality
Digital twins are emerging as a practical solution for warehouse managers to test automation, layout changes, and staffing scenarios without disrupting live operations. By integrating CAD drawings, inventory data, and historical performance, these virtual replicas provide a 360‑degree view of...
By Mobile Robot Guide
Social•Feb 21, 2026
Ukrainian UAVs Evolve Fast—NATO Should Buy Now
I think this is an additional argument for purchasing Ukrainian FPVs and other UAVs. Ukrainian companies update their UAVs regularly to meet the changing requirements on the battlefield and Russian adaptations. Makes sense for NATO members to benefit from these...
By Rob Lee
News•Feb 21, 2026
Video: Drone Aids N.J. PD in Locating Missing Teenager Evading Officers
Ocean Township police in New Jersey deployed an all‑weather DJI M30T drone equipped with a thermal camera to locate a 13‑year‑old runaway. Using Life360 data from the teen’s mother, officers narrowed the search and found the boy in a dense...
By Police1 – Daily News
News•Feb 21, 2026
U.S. Marine Corps Awards New ROGUE-Fires Missile Carrier Deal
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Oshkosh Defense a $16.8 million contract modification to procure ROGUE‑Fires autonomous missile carriers. The JLTV‑based, crew‑less launchers can fire Naval Strike Missiles or Tomahawk cruise missiles, supporting the Navy and Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. Fielding...
By Defence Blog
News•Feb 21, 2026
Tekniker Unveils Robotic Metrology System Combining Collaborative Robots and Digital Measurement at BIEMH 2026
Tekniker showcased a new robotic metrology system at BIEMH 2026, merging a Kuka 7‑axis collaborative arm with Zeiss’s DuraMax measuring head and Schunk handling tools. The integrated solution automatically identifies, picks, positions, measures and classifies parts of identical geometry, delivering in‑process...
By Robotics & Automation News
Podcast•Feb 20, 2026•1h 10m
Ghost Robotics: Innovating for Safety
In this episode, Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co‑founder of Ghost Robotics, walks listeners through the company’s evolution from a startup to a leader in legged robotics, highlighting how four‑legged platforms outperform wheeled robots on rough terrain. He explains the critical...
By The Robot Report Podcast
News•Feb 20, 2026
National Guard Team Clinches Award for Clawed Drone at Army Competition
Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division won the Best Innovation award at the U.S. Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition in Huntsville, Alabama. Their Project RED system employs AI and a 3D‑printed carbon‑fiber claw to locate, retrieve,...
By Military Times
News•Feb 20, 2026
National Guard Team Clinches Award for Clawed Drone at Army Competition
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division won the Best Innovation award at the Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition for Project RED, a system that locates, identifies, and retrieves downed drones using AI and a robotic claw. The solution employs...
By Defense News – Unmanned
Blog•Feb 20, 2026
EnVista Launches enMotion WES for Automated Warehouses
enVista unveiled enMotion WES+, a cloud‑based warehouse execution system designed for highly automated distribution centers. The platform integrates third‑party WMS, WCS and robotic assets, using a visual Material Flow Graph to model every process from inbound to outbound. Machine‑learning analytics...
By Mobile Robot Guide