Today's Robotics Pulse
Chinese startup Spirit AI tops global AI robot leaderboard, beating Nvidia
Spirit AI’s embodied intelligence model, Spirit v1.6, achieved a score of 1,924 on the RoboArena benchmark, surpassing Nvidia’s Cosmos3‑Nano‑Policy. The company also disclosed a ¥1.5 billion (≈$222 million) funding round to accelerate its robotics AI platform.
Also developing:
By the numbers: OneRobotics acquires Nanoleaf for $40M
Dynamic Liquid Crystal Elastomers Drive Adaptive Soft Robotics at Liquid Interfaces
Researchers at Chengdu and Sichuan Universities, together with the Université de Sherbrooke, have created a 3D‑printed soft robot that operates at the air‑water interface and can switch among three distinct propulsion modes using only a near‑infrared light beam. The robot’s liquid crystal elastomer body, infused with 0.5 wt % carbon nanotubes, converts light to heat, enabling Marangoni gliding, vapor‑bubble thrust, or flapping locomotion depending on light intensity and illumination position. Dynamic disulfide bonds give the structure reversible shape‑reconfiguration, allowing it to navigate mazes or grasp cargo after fabrication. Performance tests show speeds from 1.3 mm/s up to 16.8 mm/s and thrust orders of magnitude higher for the vapor mode.
Chef Robotics Hits 100 Million Servings Milestone, Aims to Scale Kitchen Automation
Chef Robotics announced it has crossed 100 million robot‑served portions, marking a breakthrough after early‑stage failures in food‑service robotics. The company now serves large manufacturers and an airline catering giant, positioning itself for broader market expansion.
Kawasaki Heavy to Develop Shipbuilding AI Robot Amid Welder Shortage
Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced it is building an AI‑driven shipbuilding robot that could double welding productivity. The system will adapt technology from the company’s Corleo quadrupedal robot to automate arc‑welding tasks. Development targets the chronic shortage of skilled welders in...
Tesla Deploys AI5 Chip to Accelerate Optimus Humanoid Robot Rollout
Tesla announced that its custom AI5 processor will power the first batch of Optimus humanoid robots, shifting the chip’s debut from cars to robotics. The move sparked an 8% stock surge and underscores Musk’s strategy to turn Tesla into an...
U.S. Army Secures AI‑Assisted Bumblebee V2 Interceptor Drone as Ukraine Deploys Similar Systems
The U.S. Army’s Joint Interagency Task Force announced a February agreement to acquire the Bumblebee V2 AI‑assisted interceptor drone from Perennial Autonomy, mirroring Ukraine’s deployment of the original Bumblebee drone. The low‑cost, hard‑kill system uses AI‑guided targeting to knock hostile...
MODEX 2026: MyBull Showcases Indoor-Outdoor Automation Technologies
MyBull Robotics showcased two new autonomous machines at MODEX 2026, unveiling the TMN-FP20 two‑ton forklift and the TMN‑T50US five‑ton AMR‑capable tugger. Both units are engineered for seamless indoor‑outdoor operation, featuring sensor‑fusion navigation that eliminates the need for QR codes or...
Two‑person Robotaxi Doubles Efficiency by Shedding Front Seats
The Lunar is a two-person Robotaxi that achieves nearly double the efficiency of a typical four-seat electric SUV. If passengers don’t sit in the front of a taxi, then a driverless taxi can remove that row, explains Zach Walker, Lucid’s...
MODEX 2026: Cainiao Debuts ZeeBot Climbing Robot
Cainiao unveiled its first self‑developed rack‑climbing robot, ZeeBot, at MODEX 2026. The robot is already operating in a Guangdong warehouse, where it reportedly doubled storage and retrieval productivity. ZeeBot can ascend a five‑level rack in about 10 seconds, merging floor...
Analysts Say Tesla's Robotaxi Push Will Shape Its Next Three Years
Wall Street analysts project Tesla's robotaxi strategy could swing its earnings per share between $1.81 and $11.29 by 2028, making the next three years pivotal. Elon Musk’s vision of a low‑cost Cybercab used 50‑60 hours a week underpins the upside,...
Naver Deploys 100 AI Service Robots Across 28‑Floor Headquarters in South Korea
South Korean internet giant Naver has installed roughly 100 AI‑powered service robots, called “Rookie,” across its 28‑floor Seongnam headquarters. The fleet can navigate elevators, security gates and multiple floors, marking one of the most extensive autonomous robot deployments in a...
MODEX 2026: VCO Systems Introduces LumiRover
VCO Systems unveiled LumiRover, an autonomous mobile robot‑enabled pick‑to‑light cart at MODEX 2026. The solution blends pick‑to‑light accuracy with AMR mobility, letting pickers stay in fixed zones while carts navigate to items, which lifts throughput and labor efficiency. LumiRover adds...
Ukraine to Acquire 25,000 UGVs by Mid‑2026
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 25,000 UGVs in the first half of 2026, which is more than were procured in all of 2025. The Ukrainian Defense Procurement Agency has already signed 19 contracts worth 11 billion UAH (more...
First International Consensus on How to Design, Test and Evaluate Robotic Systems for Stroke Treatment
A new position statement published in the Journal of the American Heart Association establishes the first international consensus on designing, testing, and evaluating robotic systems for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in stroke care. The framework, created by a multidisciplinary panel of...
Spanish Army Tests Destinus Interceptor Container Launch System
The Spanish Army’s TEC 3 exercise in Almería showcased Destinus’s Hornet B1 autonomous counter‑drone interceptor, which successfully performed a live container‑launched interception in front of King Felipe VI and more than 20 domestic defense firms. The Hornet B1 offers a low‑cost alternative to traditional...
No 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing
The RAF Regiment’s 34 Squadron transitioned in summer 2022 into a dedicated counter‑uncrewed aerial systems unit, forming the core of the No 2 Counter‑Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing at RAF Leeming. The wing, alongside 63 Squadron and the 609 Royal Auxiliary Air...
Cities Deploy Modern Surveying Tech to Fast‑Track Housing Development
U.S. cities are rolling out advanced surveying tools—including mobile‑mapping vehicles, drone photogrammetry and digital twins—to reduce permitting timelines and get housing projects built faster. Officials say the technology improves accuracy, cuts costs and helps address the nation’s housing shortage.
China’s AgiBot G2 Completes 8‑Hour Marathon Livestream, Demonstrating Embodied AI Reliability
AgiBot, a Shanghai‑based embodied AI firm, streamed its G2 robot operating continuously for more than eight hours at Longcheer’s Nanchang plant. The robot hit a 99.5% task‑success rate and processed 310 units per hour, proving that AI‑driven machines can sustain...
OneArc Update on Latest Deals and a New FPV Drone Trainer
OneArc, created in December 2025 from the merger of Bohemia Interactive, Pitch and Terrasim, announced its latest deals and the debut of its FPV drone trainer, Flowstate, at the ITEC exhibition in London. The company highlighted the rapid migration of roughly...
I Visited Drone Factories in Ukraine
During a recent visit to Kyiv, the author observed Ukrainian drone factories where designs evolve in days, with engineers and soldiers collaborating on the floor. Rapid prototyping, 3D‑printing and continuous software updates allow cheap UAVs to be built, tested, lost...
New FAA DETER Program Offers Fast-Track Penalties for First-Time Drone Offenders
The FAA unveiled the Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response (DETER) program to accelerate civil penalties for first‑time small‑UAS violators. Under DETER, operators receive a detailed notice and have ten days to pay a reduced fine, complete corrective actions, or...
Going to NAB? Don’t Miss DJI’s Booth
DJI is turning its NAB Show 2026 booth into an immersive experience, offering hands‑on demos and workshops from April 19‑22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company will showcase its full creative ecosystem, from high‑end Ronin cinema rigs to...
China Uses Humanoid Robots for Power Grid Maintenance
China Deploys Humanoid Robots To Maintain Power Grid | Future Of Energy https://t.co/TnqjCgv6ye via @YouTube #electricity #energy #powergrid #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation #ArtificialInteligence #PhysicalAI @lexfridman @KirkDBorne @Ronald_vanLoon @erikbryn @antgrasso @sallyeaves @Nicochan33 @HaroldSinnott @mvollmer1 @marcusborba @CatherineAdenle @vinod1975 @YuHelenYu @ingliguori @fogoros...
AI Counts Potatoes Instantly with Minimal Training
#AI on the Assembly Line: Instant Potato Counting with Minimal Training by @IlirAliu_ #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML #MI https://t.co/Z0HPxgGqY6
Anduril’s Fury Drone Completes Contested‑Ops Test, Air Force Takes Lead
Anduril Industries’ autonomous YFQ-44 Fury fighter drone finished a contested‑operations test at Edwards Air Force Base, where Air Force Experimental Operations Unit personnel conducted launch, recovery, weapons handling and flight tasks without Anduril staff. The exercise, part of the Air...
Solar FarmBot Automates Gardening with Zero Effort
Effortless Gardening: Solar-Powered FarmBot Handles It All by @BusinessInsider #AgriTech #Robotics #Innovation #Technology #TechForGood https://t.co/IApH3GsWmj
Laser Robotics and NVIDIA Enable Chemical-Free Farming
Laser Weeding Revolution: Carbon #Robotics and NVIDIA Redefine Chemical-Free Farming by @kimmonismus #AgriTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Tech #Technology https://t.co/sASQ68ypFS
U.S. Army Arms Hunter Wolf UGV with .50‑Caliber Machine Gun, Expanding Combat Role
The U.S. Army has fitted its Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with a .50‑caliber machine gun during a 101st Airborne Division exercise, shifting the platform from pure logistics to a security‑focused combat configuration. The move signals a broader push...
Russia's 2025 UAS Adaptations Detailed by @RALee85
When @RALee85 writes, I read. Fascinating and detailed information on Russia’s UAS adaptations across the line in 2025. Link to the substack article in his thread.
Autonomous 2‑ton Drone Delivers Fresh Tea Across Mountains
Massive 2-ton autonomous cargo drone flies 75 miles across mountains carrying fresh tea without an onboard pilot. https://t.co/NTQJ8aUMpX
Cadence Commits $65 M to Deepen AI and Robotics Ties with Nvidia and Google Cloud
Cadence Design Systems announced a $65 million investment to broaden AI and robotics partnerships with Nvidia and Google Cloud. The funding will fuel joint design initiatives, integrate Nvidia’s Omniverse and CUDA‑X libraries, and launch a cloud‑based AI agent for chip layout,...
Ukrainian FPV Drones Hit Russian Msta‑S, D‑30 Howitzers
Video from Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade of FPV strikes on Russian Msta-S and D-30 howitzers. https://t.co/UZSicJJMsZ https://t.co/s91BoQcH7F
DJI Avata 360 vs Antigravity A1: Which Wins?
There are now two 360 drones available to buy, but is the DJI Avata 360 or the Antigravity A1 the better of these flying panoramic cameras? https://t.co/VMAcUgrNtl
Ulysses Secures $46 Million to Accelerate Ocean‑Tech Fleet, Led by A16z’s American Dynamism
Ulysses announced a $38 million Series A, led by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism fund, pushing total capital raised to $46 million including an earlier $8 million seed round. The funding will fund production of its Mako underwater vehicle, Leviathan surface craft, and Kraken...
CATL Launches Autonomous Robot for On-Demand EV Charging
CATL Unveils #Autonomous #Robot That Drives to Your #EV for On-Demand Charging by @IntEngineering #Robotics #Engineering #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/DHLkTbuFk2
108‑Arm Robot Harvests Cotton 120× Faster Than Humans
108-Armed Cotton Picking #Robot Harvests 120× Faster Than Humans via @ZappyZappy7 #AgriTech #Robotics #Innovation #Technology #TechForGood https://t.co/dtBjyXkefI
Human Helpers Rescue Finnish Delivery Robots After Curb Mishap, Fueling Safety Debate
Two autonomous food‑delivery robots in Turku, Finland, failed to clear a curb on April 15, 2026, and were manually lifted by nearby pedestrians. The incident has reignited debate over the safety and regulatory framework for sidewalk robots, echoing bans in...
LiDAR Vision and Kinematics Power Obstacle‑Crushing Robot
LiDAR Vision Meets Advanced Kinematics in Obstacle-Conquering #Robot via @WevolverApp #Innovation #EmergingTech #Tech #Technology #Robotics https://t.co/p2tUJNTXaE
Wall‑climbing Robot Mimics Spider Locomotion
Meet the #Robot That Runs on Walls Like a Spider via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #Innovation #EmergingTech #Technology https://t.co/9raQGG6Z51
Antioch Raises $8.5M to Become the ‘Cursor’ for Physical AI Simulations
Antioch, a New‑York‑based robotics simulation startup, announced an $8.5 million seed round that values the company at $60 million. Backed by A* and Category Ventures, the firm says its platform will let developers train autonomous robots in high‑fidelity virtual warehouses, cutting the...
Large AI Models Control Robots to Act Physically
a humanoid robot is kind of like computer use, but for the physical world you could have a large model running on the server that gives instructions to the smaller model on the robot to manipulate whatever physical objects are required...
AI-Powered Prosthetic Hand Adapts Through Daily Use
A Smarter Prosthetic: Esper Bionics’ #AI Hand Learns from Everyday Use by @EsperBionics #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/K70lFhcy74
Instawork Launches Robotics Data Lab as Physical Intelligence Unveils General‑purpose Robot Brain
Instawork announced its Instawork Robotics Lab and a certification program that has already enrolled more than 20,000 gig workers, projecting 20 million hours of robot‑training data in 2026. At the same time, Physical Intelligence published research on its new π0.7 model,...
Podcast: Editors Recap MODEX 2026
Episode 240 of The Robot Report podcast recapped MODEX 2026, the Atlanta‑based supply‑chain expo that drew more than 1,000 exhibitors and roughly 50,000 attendees. Editors Gene Demaitre and Sarah Wynn highlighted rising AI‑driven automation, new partnerships, and standout robots from...
MODEX 2026 Recap
In this episode of the Robot Report, hosts Mike Oitzman, Gene Dimitri, and guest Sarah Wynn recap MODEX 2026, highlighting its record attendance of 50,000 visitors, over a thousand exhibitors, and the growing prominence of robotics across supply‑chain, warehousing, and...
These Tiny Hunter-Killers Ram Shahed Drones Right From the Sky. America Wants Them, Too.
The Bumblebee family of quadcopter drones—Ukraine’s AI‑assisted interceptor and the U.S.‑bound Bumblebee V2—use artificial‑intelligence‑guided visual tracking to collide with and destroy hostile Shahed drones. Both systems are inexpensive, lightweight and rely on a “hard‑kill” kinetic strike rather than missiles. The Pentagon’s...
All-Robot Assault in Ukraine Boosts Drone Investing Case
Ukrainian forces announced they seized a Russian position using only ground and air robots, marking a milestone in fully autonomous combat. The claim, made by President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscores the rapid evolution of drone and robotics technology on the battlefield....
Medline to Implement Symbotic AI Robots in Healthcare Initiative
Medline Industries announced a strategic agreement to deploy Symbotic’s AI‑enabled robotics across its distribution network, becoming the first healthcare supplier to adopt the technology. The autonomous system will manage inbound and outbound pallets, storage, and order assembly, targeting faster, more...
Deep Rover Enables 1km Underwater Exploration in Acrylic Bubble
With Deep Rover, you could dive a kilometer underwater, gaze into the abyss from an acrylic bubble, and unravel the ocean's mysteries. https://spectrum.ieee.org/deep-sea-submersible
Robotics Streamline Warehouse Automation for Faster Operations
How to #Automate Your #Warehouse with #Robotics by @antgrasso #Robots #RPA #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/LYCHsW7agp
Weekly ROS Update: New Solver, NVIDIA, LEGO Packages
Here is your #ROS and open source #robotics news for the week of April 13th, 2026: 🌷ROSCon Global talk's due 4/26 🌷New ROS 2 Jazzy SO-101 IK Solver 🌷ROS Package for @nvidia Fast Foundation Stereo 🌷Jazzy Package for @LEGO_Group Mindstorms 🌷OSRA Technology Strategy for 2026 ⬇️...