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
KUKA to Highlight Advanced Automated Welding Solutions at FABTECH Canada 2026
KUKA will showcase its new arc_cellerate Index robotic welding cell and the mobile Edu_ArcWelding training cart at FABTECH Canada 2026 (June 9‑11). The Index is a compact, pre‑engineered solution for high‑mix, low‑volume welding, featuring real‑time Xiris weld cameras and a KR CYBERTECH nano HW robot. Edu_ArcWelding brings hands‑on robotic welding instruction to schools and factories, tackling the skilled‑labor shortage. KUKA also highlights its $4 bn annual sales base, underscoring confidence in automation growth.
How Manufacturers Are Testing Physical AI Before Making Big Investments
Manufacturers are turning to dedicated AI testing labs—such as TCS’s Gemini Experience Centers, Microsoft’s AI Co‑Innovation Lab, and Deloitte’s Smart Factory—to evaluate physical AI before committing to costly deployments. These sites let firms experiment with robots, sensors and data‑ops platforms...
MODEX 2026: SiLC Technologies Launches Eyeonic Trace Ultra for Industrial Automation and Inspection
SiLC Technologies unveiled the Eyeonic Trace Ultra at MODEX 2026, the next generation of its laser line scanner family. The new sensor delivers 100‑micron precision—three times the accuracy of the original Trace—while retaining a compact, eye‑safe design and a 5‑meter...
Quadruped Robot Uses Vision and Proprioception for Real‑Time Terrain Navigation
A new quadrupedal robot integrates visual and proprioceptive sensing to autonomously assess terrain, select efficient routes, and adapt its locomotion in real time, demonstrating agility and decision-making across challenging environments. robotics
This Robot Sees Danger, Decides Its Route and Powers over Obstacles While Carrying Loads
KAIST researchers unveiled DreamWaQ++, a quadrupedal‑robot control system that fuses camera, LiDAR and proprioceptive data to anticipate terrain and adjust its gait in real time. The multimodal reinforcement‑learning architecture lets the robot climb 35° slopes, traverse stairs and clear obstacles...
Korean Manufacturers Cut Labor Hours by Up to 92% with Digital Twins
Kia, Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Hyundai Steel have deployed digital‑twin platforms that reduced labor hours by as much as 92%, saving 3,750 hours a year at Kia's Gwangmyeong plant. The move forces HR and operations teams to rethink staffing,...
Ouster Launches Stereolabs ZED X Nano: A Wrist-Mount Stereo Camera Built for Robotic Manipulation and Physical AI
Ouster announced the Stereolabs ZED X Nano, a wrist‑mount stereo camera designed for robotic manipulation and Physical AI. The 40 % smaller unit packs a 2.3 MP global‑shutter sensor that captures 1920×1200 RGB and depth at up to 120 fps, with sub‑millimeter neural depth accuracy. A...
YMX Logistics Introduces The First Autonomous Yard Operating System
YMX Logistics unveiled an expanded Yard Operating System (YMX OS) that automates data capture, AI‑driven decision making, and autonomous yard trucks across multi‑site networks. The platform combines an embedded Yard Management System, computer‑vision sensors, a digital‑twin engine, and integrated electric‑vehicle...
Build Your Virtual Warehouse Before Spending a Single Dollar
GreyOrange unveiled GreyMatter Foundry, an AI‑powered immersive simulator that lets users design, size, and layout warehouse automation without spending capital upfront. The platform integrates with GreyOrange’s existing GreyMatter orchestration, which already manages over 130,000 agents and processes 250,000 trips daily....
Reinventing Supply Chains With Gabi Gantus, CFO Of Mytra
Gabi Gantus, CFO of Mytra, is leading a push to overhaul warehouse automation with bots that move inventory in any direction, including vertically, promising higher density and throughput. Drawing on a decade at Tesla, she applies FP&A rigor and a...
MODEX 2026: Gartner Predicts Half of New Warehouses Built in Developed Markets Will Be Human-Optional Facilities by 2030
Gartner’s latest supply‑chain research predicts that by 2030 half of all new warehouses built in developed markets will be designed as robot‑centric facilities where human labor is optional. The forecast reflects mounting labor shortages and rising wage pressures that are...
CIS News
The latest CIS roundup highlights a wave of innovations linking imaging, robotics, and artificial intelligence in the operating room. GE HealthCare has integrated intra‑operative ultrasound into Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS surgical robot, while a systematic review finds Japan’s Hinotori system effective for...
Corvus Robotics Launches Corvus Trident, an AI Powered Device That Tracks Every Pallet From Dock Door to Departure
Corvus Robotics unveiled the AI‑powered Corvus Trident at MODEX 2026, a device that mounts on forklifts and other material‑handling equipment to automatically capture every pallet movement from dock to departure. The system uses onboard AI and industrial‑grade scanners to read multiple...
Humanoid Robots Show Off Their Language and Boxing Skills in Hong Kong
More than 100 humanoid robots were on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, including AGIBOT Innovation’s X2 Ultra that can speak Mandarin and English and answer audience questions. The exhibition highlighted a range of capabilities—from singing and...
Vic Court Fines Operator $15,000 for Drone Spray Drift
A South‑West Victorian drone‑spraying company was convicted and fined AUD 15,000 (≈ US $9,900) after spray drift damaged a neighboring property. The drift affected about 4 ha, incurring roughly AUD 26,000 (≈ US $17,200) in resowing, hay, seed, fertilizer and lost income. Agriculture Victoria highlighted that drone...
MODEX 2026: Dexory Unveils DexoryView Adapt for Warehouse Operations
Dexory unveiled DexoryView Adapt at MODEX 2026, adding an AI reasoning layer to its existing DexoryView digital‑twin platform. The new capability transforms real‑time warehouse sensor data into autonomous, evidence‑backed operational decisions. By linking robot‑collected signals, site‑specific rules, and a growing...
Creepy Elon Musk ‘Robot Dog’ Spotted Roaming San Francisco Streets
A hyper‑realistic silicone head of Elon Musk was mounted on a four‑legged robot dog that roamed San Francisco’s Oracle Park and SoMa districts. The stunt promoted Beeple’s upcoming "Infinite Loop" exhibition, opening April 18 at the Node digital art center in Palo Alto. The...
Kuka Outlines ‘Automation 2.0’ Strategy, Combining AI Software with Industrial Robotics
Kuka unveiled an "Automation 2.0" roadmap that blends artificial intelligence with its industrial robots, positioning the firm at the forefront of the emerging "physical AI" wave. The centerpiece is Kuka AMP, a software‑defined platform that layers AI‑driven decision‑making over existing hardware....
Managing Commercial Drone Fleets Across Multiple Locations: Why Inventory Tracking Matters
Scaling commercial drone operations across multiple sites introduces logistical friction that basic spreadsheets cannot resolve. Centralized inventory tracking systems consolidate aircraft, batteries, pilots, and maintenance records into a single, real‑time view, enabling rapid deployment decisions. The unified platform also automates...
Chinese Automaker Chery Begins Selling Humanoid Robot to Consumers for $42,000 Each
Chinese automaker Chery has launched its self‑developed Aimoga humanoid robot for roughly $41,830 through JD.com, shifting the device from a showroom assistant role to a consumer‑available product. The robot, previously deployed in overseas dealership showrooms, can greet visitors, answer questions...
Taiwan Launches National Robotics Center with $629 Million Startup Funding Plan
Taiwan has inaugurated the National Center for AI Robotics (NCAIR) and unveiled a NT$20 billion ($629 million) funding program slated for 2026‑2029. The initiative targets the creation of at least three home‑grown robotics startups and aims to accelerate testing, talent development, and...
Polybee Scales Physical AI Agents for “Immediate, Bankable ROI” In Specialty Crops
Polybee, a Singapore‑based agtech startup, deploys fleets of self‑charging drones that act as "physical AI agents" to monitor crop health, forecast yields, and perform pollination in specialty vegetables and fruits. The drones autonomously scan every plant, delivering data‑driven harvest timing...
Avride Self-Driving Car Kills Mother Duck in Austin, Sparking Safety Outcry
An Avride self‑driving car struck and killed a mother duck near Mueller Lake Park in Austin, Texas, then continued without stopping. The incident has ignited resident backlash, raised doubts about perception technology, and forced Avride to pause testing near the...
Self-Driving Firms Face $300K‑$500K Salary Surge as Defense Startups Poach Talent
Base compensation for engineers at self‑driving vehicle firms has surged to $300,000‑$500,000 as defense‑tech startups aggressively poach talent. The trend threatens startups and automakers, while venture firm Eclipse fuels the competition with a new $1.3 billion physical‑AI fund.
This U.S. State Just Banned Public Funding for Port Automation
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5995, permanently prohibiting the use of public funds for fully automated container‑handling equipment at the state’s ports. The ban applies to both port districts and development authorities, including Seattle and Tacoma, which together...
How Jabil Uses AI and Robotics to Bolster Its Decarbonization Agenda
Jabil is allocating $500 million in 2025 to revamp its factories with AI and robotics, part of a broader push to slash its carbon footprint. Since 2019, AI‑driven process changes have already cut operational emissions by 47%, positioning the contract manufacturer...
ROS 2: The Next Generation for Robust and Scalable Robotics Applications
ROS 2 is the next‑generation version of the Robot Operating System, redesigned for commercial robotics. It replaces ROS 1's centralized master with the decentralized Data Distribution Service (DDS), adding real‑time support, QoS controls, and built‑in security. The platform is gaining traction in...
Table Tennis Legend Teams Up With Humanoid Robots
Chinese table tennis legend and US guests rally with humanoid robots 🤖 https://t.co/hV5N6YEMqf via @YouTube #tabletennis #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation #ArtificialInteligence #PhysicalAI @AlbertoEMachado @Eli_Krumova @postoff25 @Khulood_Almani @anand_narang @NutritiousMind @baski_LA @TanyaSinha_ @devaang @AlAmadi1 @jeancayeux @enilev @efipm @mvollmer1 @Nicochan33 @RagusoSergio...
Satair Deploys ASRS in Singapore
Satair, an Airbus Services subsidiary, has commissioned an AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) at its Singapore hub, marking the company’s third global deployment after Hamburg and Dulles. The Swisslog‑installed solution packs 23 robots and 60,000 bins into a...
Southeastern Researchers Demo Support-Free Five-Axis Robotic FFF
Southeastern Louisiana University researchers demonstrated a six‑axis robotic fused filament fabrication (FFF) system that employs non‑planar slicing and five‑axis toolpaths to print support‑free parts. By integrating a UFACTORY xArm 850 robot with a custom Rhino‑Grasshopper slicer, the workflow generates point‑to‑point motions...
Robotic Hands Achieve Precise, Adaptive Fine Motor Control
Robotic hands are getting seriously capable. BrainCo’s new version shows how much progress has been made in fine motor control - handling objects with more precision and adaptability. That’s a big deal. Because in robotics, the challenge isn’t just moving. It’s interacting with the...
Bipedal Robot Mimics Human Moves, Moonwalks and Kicks
This Bipedal #Robot Can Moonwalk, Kick, and Move Like a Human via @ZappyZappy7 #Robotics #EmergingTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/rCgRdKLKUd
Boskalis Marks First Successful ROV Deployment From Its New Remote Operations Center in Aberdeen
Boskalis announced the first successful deployment of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from its new Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Aberdeen, concluding an 18‑month development effort. The project involved a £40 million (≈ $51 million) investment in ROVs and the shore‑based control hub. The...
Modular Store Deploys Humanoid Robots for Service
Modular Retail Store Where Humanoid #Robots Serve Coffee, Ice Cream, and Chat with Customers via @ZappyZappy7 #AI #Robotics #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/k1WmDPiodV
HexRunner Reaches Stable 30 MPH Through Speed‑Focused Design
Designing for Speed: How HexRunner Achieved Stable 30 MPH Locomotion by @lukas_m_ziegler #EmergingTech #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/ti4JvhVlZh
Zero Entry: The Next Frontier of Mining Robotics and Automation
Jake Harris’s latest column introduces "zero entry" mining, a vision where underground operations run entirely without human presence. He outlines how advances in autonomous drilling rigs, AI‑driven fleet management, and sensor‑rich environments are converging to make human‑free production zones feasible....
GEN-1 Robot Achieves 99% Reliability Across Tasks
From folding boxes 📦 to fixing vacuums, GEN-1 robotics model hits 99% reliability 🤖 | AI Robotics https://t.co/XGfowsKMR2 https://t.co/YxjNYeUARh
Drone Delivery Is Taking Off in the US, Could 2026 Be the UK’s Breakthrough Moment?
Walmart announced a 150‑store expansion of its Wing‑partnered drone delivery program, bringing the total to 270 stores by the end of 2027 and putting roughly 40 million Americans within reach of ultra‑fast aerial shipments. The move underscores a shift from pilot...
Uber Delivery Robots Defaced In Sheffield
Uber Eats’ autonomous delivery robots, operated by Starship Technologies, began service in Sheffield’s Meersbrook neighbourhood on March 20, 2026. Within a week, the devices were vandalised with spray‑paint messages, bent poles, gaffer tape and traffic cones placed to block movement. Residents...
860: Making a Mechatronic Tremor Suppression Glove for People with Parkinson's Disease - Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos
In this episode, Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos, an associate professor at Western University, discusses her work in mechatronic systems engineering, focusing on a wearable glove designed to suppress hand tremors in Parkinson’s patients. She explains how the glove integrates lightweight sensors and...
Drone Soccer Soars: 5v5 Robot Matches Ignite Competition
#Drone Soccer Takes Flight with Intense 5v5 #Robot Matches via @ZappyZappy7 #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/wKBgEPnnCs
SORA Is Choking the Drone Industry…And We Need to Say It Out Loud
The EU's Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) was designed to enable complex drone missions, but in practice approval times now stretch from three to twelve months. The lengthy, inconsistent process stems from a resource‑heavy framework that few fully understand, creating...
Robots Gain Touch Sensation with TactileAloha
TactileAloha: Empowering #Robots with the Sense of Touch by @IntEngineering #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #EmergingTech #Innovation https://t.co/SA7jbU2fVq
PDW Attritable Multirotor Strike Drone Moves Into Production
Performance Drone Works (PDW) announced that its Attritable Multirotor strike drone has entered full‑scale production. The system is built for rugged, contested environments and offers interchangeable 5", 7" and 10" arm configurations with a universal payload interface. It can carry...
Nokia Drone-in-a-Box Systems Support Yonkers Police Newly Launched DFR Program
Yonkers Police have launched a citywide Drone‑as‑First‑Responder (DFR) program using two Nokia Drone‑in‑a‑Box systems. Integrated with Motorola Solutions’ CAPE software and the AWARE Crime Control Center, the drones can be dispatched to any incident in under three minutes, streaming high‑resolution...
Robotic Hand Outpaces Human Reflexes
Faster Than Human Reflexes: A #Robotic Hand Redefining Speed and Precision by @sciencegirl #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/4X4y81bSFt
Redefining Industrial Robotics with Learned Physical Intelligence
Generalist AI firm unveiled GEN‑1, a multimodal model that can perform simple physical tasks with near‑perfect reliability. The system reports success rates above 99 %, completes tasks up to three times faster than previous state‑of‑the‑art robots, and needs only about one...
Mouse‑Inspired Robot Mimics Brain’s Place Recognition
How a Mouse-Inspired Robot Learns to Recognize Places Like a Brain by @lukas_m_ziegler #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/EPjRBzZMwn
Robotics and AI Boost Facility Safety and Speed
#Robotics and #AI Transform Facility Operations with Safer, Faster, #Data-Driven Insights by @BostonDynamics #Robots #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/Z68uv3Jww3
China’s Humanoid Robot Output to Nearly Double in 2026
The global humanoid robot market is set to surge in the second half of 2026, with China driving a 94% increase in annual output. TrendForce identifies Unitree Robotics and AgiBot as dominant players, together accounting for almost 80% of shipments....