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
Mujin Launches Software Subscription for Robotics, Shifting Automation to a Recurring Software Model
Mujin Corp. announced a subscription‑based model for its flagship MujinOS operating system, moving away from traditional one‑time licensing. The service delivers continuous software upgrades, dedicated remote support, and performance dashboards, initially for the Single SKU Palletizing application with Standard and Premium tiers. By converting the cost structure to an operational‑expense model, the offering lowers the entry barrier for manufacturers and logistics firms. Mujin will showcase the new model at MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, signaling a broader push toward software‑centric robotics solutions.
Smart Manufacturing: How IoT Is Transforming Industrial Operations
Smart manufacturing is reshaping factories by fusing IoT sensors, edge computing and advanced analytics into a unified, data‑driven architecture. Real‑time visibility enables predictive maintenance, production optimization and digital‑twin simulations, while private 5G and edge AI improve latency and reliability. The...
One Million Industrial Vehicles Charged in North America and Beyond by Delta to Advance Electrified Automated Logistics
Delta announced that its MOOV Series charging solutions have powered more than one million industrial vehicles across North America and globally. The portfolio spans 1‑30 kW conductive and inductive systems, including the MOOVair wireless chargers and the modular MOOVbase fast‑charging stations....
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Medline (Nasdaq: MDLN) has launched Pick Pack Pro™, an automated fulfillment system at its Montgomery, N.Y., distribution center. The technology combines robotics, conveyor sortation and right‑size packaging to handle high‑volume, narrow‑catalog orders for health plan members. By optimizing order batching...
Robotaxi Firms Refuse Senate Request for Remote‑operator Intervention Data
Seven robotaxi firms—Aurora, May Mobility, Motional, Nuro, Tesla, Waymo and Zoox—have refused Sen. Ed Markey’s request for data on remote assistance operator (RAO) interventions. The denial intensifies a Senate‑led probe into safety oversight and data transparency for autonomous‑vehicle platforms.
Stealth RQ-180 Drone Spotted Near Greece's Larisa Air Base, Confirming U.S. Recon Ops
A rare video released by The Aviationist shows the secretive Northrop Grumman RQ-180 stealth surveillance drone approaching Larisa Air Base in Greece. The sighting confirms the base as a forward operating location for the platform, underscoring heightened U.S. intelligence activity...
Tennant Rolls Out X16 SWEEP for Round-the-Clock Autonomous Sweeping
Tennant announced the X16 SWEEP, its first autonomous floor‑sweeping robot from a major cleaning brand, targeting warehouses, logistics hubs and light‑manufacturing sites. Powered by Brain Corp’s BrainOS, the machine combines AI‑driven path planning, visual intelligence and a DustShield system that...
Kraken Robotics Demonstrates KATFISH Autonomous Launch and Recovery From SEFINE USV
Kraken Robotics successfully integrated its KATFISH towed synthetic aperture sonar and autonomous launch and recovery system (LARS) onto SEFINE’s RD‑22 unmanned surface vessel during a Q1 2026 demonstration off Istanbul. The system delivered 3 cm × 3 cm resolution sonar imagery at a 200‑meter...
Beyond GenAI: How Agentic AI Is Redefining the Human-Machine Relationship in Food Manufacturing
Agentic AI is emerging as autonomous digital co‑workers on food‑manufacturing shop floors, moving beyond generative AI tools. These agents can assess conditions, troubleshoot issues, and detect anomalies, boosting uptime and operational insight. Manufacturers are adopting a human‑in‑the‑loop model to keep...
WUR Develops Simulated Greenhouse Environment for Faster Robot Development
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is building a simulated greenhouse digital twin to test tomato‑harvesting robots. The environment combines 3D plant models with robot dynamics, reproducing growth, leaf orientation and fruit placement variations. Partnering with DENSO and Certhon, the simulation...
From Spraying to Decision Support: How Data Turns UAVs Into Climate Tools
The piece outlines how commercial agricultural UAVs are evolving from simple sprayers to data‑driven decision‑support platforms. By systematically capturing flight, nozzle, weather and outcome data, operators can apply machine‑learning models to predict optimal parameters, reducing water, chemical and energy use...
New Ukrainian Armed Sea Drone Spotted Near Russian Base
A previously unseen Ukrainian sea drone equipped with a remote‑controlled machine‑gun mount was observed during an attempted attack on Russia's Novorossiysk naval base. Russian footage shows the unmanned surface vessel being hit and destroyed by a Lancet loitering munition, with...
PASCO Marks 50 Years in Industrial Automation
PASCO, founded in 1976 to automate heavy drum handling, has evolved from a single hydraulic palletizer into a full‑line automation integrator. By embracing robotics in the early 2000s, the company now embeds robots in 97% of its systems, dramatically boosting...
Airbility, iBuzz, KILSA Partner to Develop High-Speed Security eVTOLs
South Korean eVTOL developer Airbility has signed an MoU with Thailand’s NT iBuzz, SmartOkO Thailand, and Singapore‑based KILSA Global to develop high‑speed, security‑focused unmanned aircraft. The partnership will combine Airbility’s high‑speed eVTOL platform with iBuzz’s secure communications, SmartOkO’s AI video‑analytics,...
Is Private 5G the Key to Scaling AI in Manufacturing
Manufacturers are hitting a data‑connectivity ceiling that limits AI adoption, and private 5G is emerging as the solution. The technology offers ultra‑low latency, high capacity, and secure coverage for thousands of sensors and cameras, enabling real‑time automation and digitalization at...
Humanoid AI Must Earn Trust in Real‑World Life
Humanoid robots are improving fast. What’s changing isn’t just capability, it’s proximity. AI is moving from screens into physical spaces, where it can act, assist, and interact in real environments. That raises a different set of questions. Not about performance in demos. But about reliability...
Indian Navy Probing Feasibility of Drones for Reloading VLS at Sea
The Indian Navy has issued a problem statement, REARM‑D, seeking a multi‑rotor drone capable of reloading surface‑to‑air missiles into vertical launch system (VLS) cells at sea. The UAV must carry over 900 kg, stay aloft for more than two hours, and...
The Hidden System Turning Chinese Tech Companies Into Military Suppliers
Chinese robot maker Unitree, which controls over 60% of the global quadruped market, has been quietly integrated into China’s military‑civil fusion system despite an earlier anti‑weaponization pledge. State designations, tax breaks and university procurement channels have funneled its affordable robot...
T-MOTOR Launches MN11-13 Series for Industrial Heavy-Lift Drones
T‑Motor has introduced the MN11‑13 series, a line of heavy‑lift motors designed for industrial multirotor drones weighing 50 kg to 140 kg. The motors feature an IP45 dual dust‑proof net, an integrated die‑cast heat sink that lowers winding temperatures by 5‑8 °C, and...
Big-D Expands Construction Operations with FieldAI as Robotics Adoption Accelerates
US construction firm Big‑D Construction is scaling its partnership with robotics provider FieldAI, moving from pilot tests to broader deployment across multiple sites. FieldAI’s map‑free, GPS‑independent robots can perform inspection, documentation, and material handling, integrating with Big‑D’s existing digital platforms....
HII and GMR Join Forces on Physical AI for Manned and Unmanned Shipbuilding
HII and GrayMatter Robotics (GMR) signed an MOU to embed GMR’s Physical AI into HII’s shipbuilding lines, targeting tasks such as sanding, grinding, blasting, coating and inspection. The partnership will explore autonomous shipbuilding, technology integration, workforce training, and scaling of...
First Defeat, Then Half a Billion Losses for Russia. Shield AI Targets Poland
Shield AI CEO Brandon Tseng admitted early UAV failures in Ukraine’s 2022‑23 electronic‑warfare environment, but the company has since fielded AI‑piloted V‑BAT drones that can operate without GPS or communications. With $1.7 billion invested, Shield AI now offers Poland a cost‑effective,...
DJI Confirms End-of-Support Timeline for Mavic 2, Matrice 600 Drones
DJI announced that support for the Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Enterprise Zoom, Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual and the Matrice 600 Pro will end by May 29 2026, with the Mavic 2 Pro lasting until August 31 2026. After those dates the company will stop providing technical assistance, repairs, and parts. These models have...
Europe’s First Robotaxi Service Set for Zagreb via Uber, Pony.ai & Verne
Uber, Pony.ai and Verne have formed a three‑way partnership to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb. The rollout will use Pony.ai’s Gen‑7 autonomous driving system on Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles, with Verne handling fleet ownership, regulatory approvals and day‑to‑day...
Red Cat & Ukraine’s Spetstechnoexport Partner to Advance Multi-Domain Robotics
Red Cat Holdings has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine’s state‑owned Spetstechnoexport (STE) to co‑develop multi‑domain unmanned and robotic systems. The partnership creates a formal framework for joint technology integration, production scaling, and export coordination across aerial, ground and...
DroneShield Advances Decision Advantage with Q2 2026 Software Release as Drone Threats Scale Globally
DroneShield released its Q2 2026 software suite, adding a new ATAK‑CIV plugin that lets users receive RfLink data without installing additional software. The update expands the RfAI emitter library, improves Remote ID performance, and introduces emitter prioritization and frequency‑band power control...
Designing Supply Chains for Measurable ROI, Improved Automation
Warehouse leaders are rushing into robotics and high‑density storage without first defining success metrics, cleaning processes, or ensuring data integrity. This strategic misalignment leaves 92% of supply‑chain executives reporting that automation investments fall short of expected ROI. Experts advise a...
Ukrainian Troops Flew a Cat and a Dog 7.5 Miles by Drone to Evacuate Them From the Front Lines, Animal...
Ukrainian troops used a small FPV drone to transport a cat and a dog 7.5 miles from the front lines to a shelter, according to animal‑rights group UAnimals. The operation followed the injury of a soldier who had been caring...
Ocado Calls Police on Trade Show Booth After Patent Injunction
Ocado, the UK‑based online grocery leader, secured a German preliminary injunction against Brightpick's Gridpicker technology, alleging patent infringement. The company brought police to Brightpick's LogiMAT trade‑show booth to enforce the order, forcing the startup to halt its live demo. Brightpick...
Ultrasound Wristband Enables Direct Robot Control
This wristband uses ultrasound to control robots 👀 #trendingshorts https://t.co/qFOxJ5YxOp via @YouTube #humanoidtech #humanoid #robot #Robotics #AI #TechRevolution #TechInnovation #ArtificialInteligence #PhysicalAI #robothand @SpirosMargaris @PawlowskiMario @mvollmer1 @gvalan @ipfconline1 @LaurentAlaus @Shi4Tech @Fisher85M @kalydeoo @Ym78200 @Nicochan33 @chboursin @3itcom @Fabriziobustama @sallyeaves @helene_wpli @ahier @rwang0 @EvanKirstel...
Ways to Automate Changeover for the Era of Mass Customization
Manufacturers are turning manual changeovers into a strategic advantage by deploying recipe‑driven control systems, servo‑motor adjustments, and MES‑linked automation. These technologies shrink changeover cycles from hours to minutes, delivering consistent line performance and higher overall equipment effectiveness. Faster, repeatable changeovers...
General Atomics Pauses Drone Wingman Flight Tests After Crash
General Atomics halted flight testing of its YFQ‑42A “Dark Merlin” after a crash on take‑off at its California airport, launching a formal investigation. No injuries were reported, and the company said testing will resume once safety is assured. The incident...
Union Power Stalls NYC Subway Automation Promises
“The 1960s version of Abundance bros was saying, ‘It’s inevitable that there will be fully automated operation of the New York City subway. Forward flash 60 freaking years, and there’s still a two-person train crew on the subway cars in...
Automating Tasks Creates a Need for Evaluation Agents
“as soon as you create an agent to automate some task, you will need a second agent to evaluate the work done.” https://t.co/Bw6gVndmBW #AI #CIO
Webinar | Which Drone Applications Are Reaching Commercial Maturity?
IDTechEx hosted a webinar on February 19, 2026, where analyst Shihao Fu examined which drone applications are moving from pilot projects to large‑scale commercial operations. The discussion highlighted how clearer regulations, advanced automation, and integrated sensors are unlocking scalability for...
Mobile Robot Maps Environment Instantly in Real Time
Watch a Mobile #Robot Map Its Environment in Real Time by @lukas_m_ziegler #EmergingTech #Innovation #TechForGood #Technology https://t.co/NIqSp8bLDQ
Driving Exams May Boost Trust in Autonomous Cars
Can driving exams for autonomous cars increase the trustworthiness of these systems? A recent Focus discusses whether this model could build trust without shifting responsibility away from manufacturers. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/iwDfY6PZZb
Investigating Platoon Formation and Retention Using Reduced-Scale Mobile Robots with Controllers Based on Established Car-Following Models
A July 2026 study published in Transportation Research Part C examined platoon formation and retention using reduced‑scale mobile robots (RSMRs) equipped with controllers derived from five classic car‑following models. The researchers implemented the Gazis‑Herman‑Rothery, Gipps, Intelligent Driver Model (IDM), PID,...
X7 Humanoid Robot Streamlines Hospital Medication Dispensing
Meet X7: The Humanoid #Robot Helping Dispense Medicines in Hospitals by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology #AI #ML https://t.co/XwQfzq5NNf
Humanoid Robot Steals Spotlight at Thanksgiving Dinner
Smart Humanoid #Robot Becomes the Star of Thanksgiving Dinner by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #AI #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/mM7yWSfypW
From Folding Boxes to Fixing Vacuums, GEN-1 Robotics Model Hits 99% Reliability
Generalist unveiled GEN‑1, a physical AI robot that reaches 99% success on delicate, repetitive tasks such as folding boxes, packing phones, and servicing robot vacuums. The system leverages over half a million hours of human‑captured manipulation data via wearable "data...
Drone Autonomously Matches Live Imagery to Terrain Maps
“At the final stage of the attack, the drone turns off communication and becomes fully autonomous. It compares images from its cameras with a pre-loaded map of heights and terrain in real time.” - this is non-generative AI btw
Humanoid Robot Shipments Surge, Scale Beats Tech Race
14,500 humanoid robots shipped in 2025. Amazon’s 100,000+ don’t count. They’re task specific systems in controlled workflows. Humanoids function in unpredictable, human environments. China: 90% Top 2: 10,000+ units Tesla Optimus: 150 Not a tech race. A scale race. Chart @VisualCap
UK Develops Robotic Lab to Study Moon and Mars Rocks
The University of Leicester’s Space Park has unveiled a Double‑Walled Isolator (DWI), an ultra‑clean robotic laboratory designed to store, handle and analyse lunar and Martian samples without contamination. NASA and ESA officials toured the facility and observed the system unpack,...
Humanoid Robots Set to Transform Hospitals and Homes
Humanoid #Robots Designed to Enhance Daily Life in Hospitals and Homes via @ZappyZappy7 #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #TechForGood https://t.co/Mbb3aFNNLo
Zhejiang University Unveils Jet‑Powered Humanoid Robots
Jet-Propelled Humanoids? Zhejiang University Pushes #Robot Flight Forward by @XRoboHub #Robotics #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/xw9XhYVEpw
Japanese Makers Accelerate AI‑Powered Robot Rollout to Counter Shrinking Workforce
Japanese manufacturers are fast‑tracking AI‑enabled industrial robots to keep factories and warehouses running with fewer workers. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry aims for a 30% global market share by 2040, while firms like Mujin and investors cite demographic...
Active Exoskeletons Amplify Industrial Worker Strength and Safety
exoIQ Active Exoskeletons: Boosting Worker Strength and Safety in Industrial Environments via @WevolverApp #Innovation #Technology #Engineering https://t.co/DgAZITnqx6
Compact Six-Axis PiPER Arms Deliver Industrial Precision
PiPER #Robotic Arms: Compact Powerhouses with Six-Axis Precision and Industrial Versatility by @IntEngineering #Robots #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation https://t.co/DnnQrtejJz
Too Many Cooks, or Too Many Robots? Finding a Goldilocks Level of Randomness to Keep Robot Swarms Moving
Harvard researchers led by L. Mahadevan and Ph.D. student Lucy Liu discovered that adding a calibrated amount of randomness to robot swarm movement can prevent gridlock and boost efficiency. Using simulations and physical wheeled robots, they identified a Goldilocks zone where...