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
Michigan Capitol Deploys Drone Traffic Platform to Monitor Skies
Michigan’s State Capitol has fully deployed Airspace Link’s AirHub Portal, a drone operations management system that provides real‑time monitoring of both unmanned and manned aircraft over the Capitol complex. The platform aggregates data from Remote ID, ADS‑B, radar, RF detectors and optical sensors into a single dashboard, enabling security teams to verify flight authorizations instantly. Multi‑agency access lets Capitol Police, State Police and local law‑enforcement share a common operating picture and coordinate responses. The system also manages the Capitol’s own inspection drones, illustrating a unified approach to airspace security and operational efficiency.
CIS News
The surgical robotics sector is witnessing a wave of activity, with multiple manufacturers announcing product launches, acquisitions, and market expansions across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Kawasaki Heavy Industries plans a European rollout of its next‑generation surgical robot, while...
WellSpan Health Launches 24/7, AI-Powered Robotic Kitchen with RoboEatz and ABB Robotics
WellSpan Health has opened “Fresh Take Eatery,” a 24/7 AI‑powered robotic kitchen at its York Hospital. The system uses RoboEatz’s Autonomous Robotic Kitchen (ARK) platform with ABB Robotics’ articulated arms, occupying just 400 sq ft. It runs four cooking modules, stores up...
Israeli Firm Confirms U.S. Order for Silent Drones
Israeli drone maker Aero‑Sentinel announced a new order from a returning U.S. customer for its low‑acoustic Aerosol G2 UAV. The system, praised for a 14.9‑decibel signature at one kilometre, will support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and rapid‑deployment missions. Aero‑Sentinel highlighted...
Shahed-136 Drones Evolve Into More Lethal, Adaptive Weapons
By the way, speaking of Shahed-136s. Back in 2022-2023, when Iran first supplied them to Russia and they were first used on a large scale against Ukraine, they were fairly simple loitering munitions -- a slow, buzzing two-stroke engine whining high...
MiTwell, MediaTek, and RGo Robotics Unveil Infrastructure-Free Visual RTLS Platform to Power the Next Generation of Physical AI
MiTwell, MediaTek and RGo Robotics have launched an infrastructure‑free visual real‑time localization system (RTLS) for industrial automation. The platform combines MediaTek’s Genio 720 edge AI processor, RGo’s computer‑vision localization software, and MiTwell’s rugged industrial edge hardware. It enables forklifts, mobile robots,...
MIPS and INOVA Collaborate to Put Physical AI Into the Palm of Robotic Hands with New Reference Platform
MIPS, a GlobalFoundries subsidiary, teamed with Inova Semiconductors to unveil a reference Physical AI system‑on‑chip for robotics. The custom SoC merges MIPS Atlas RISC‑V compute, AI, and mixed‑signal IP with Inova’s APXpress high‑speed interconnect, fabricated on GlobalFoundries’ ultra‑low‑power FDX process....
Doosan Robotics to Supply Large-Scale Manufacturing Robot Solutions to Kwangjin Group
Doosan Robotics signed an MOU with Kwangjin Group to deliver more than 100 collaborative robot solutions across its domestic and overseas automotive component plants through 2027. The expanded deployment follows a pilot that reduced defect rates to zero on Kwangjin’s...
DFI to Showcase Edge AI Platforms, Powered by Intel, for Robotic Automation and Industrial Applications at Embedded World 2026
DFI will showcase its new edge AI platforms, co‑developed with Intel, at Embedded World 2026. The portfolio includes the PTH9HM COM‑HPC Mini module for defense and unmanned systems, offering real‑time 8K vision and AI inference, and the PTH171/173 Mini‑ITX motherboards...
Israeli Firm Signs Deal to Test Black Eagle 50E Drone in U.S.
Israeli UAV maker Steadicopter has signed a services agreement with U.S.-based flyAlchemy to conduct flight demonstrations and operational evaluations of its Black Eagle 50E rotary drone on American soil. The partnership will focus on payload integration, regulatory alignment, and mission‑development activities...
Gulf States Ask for Ukrainian Interceptor Drones as Patriot Stocks Dwindle
Ukrainian drone makers SkyFall and TAF Industries are fielding interceptor drones to Gulf states as U.S. Patriot missile stocks run low after intense use in the Middle East. The drones, costing a few thousand dollars each, offer a cheap alternative...
Avalanche Technology To Be Deployed in Next-Gen Unmanned Rovers and Deep Space Exploration Platforms
Avalanche Technology announced its Space Grade MRAM will be integrated into Aitech’s unmanned rovers and deep‑space exploration platforms. The memory delivers radiation immunity, permanent data retention, unlimited writes and nanosecond write latency, satisfying all five Space Grade criteria. By removing bulky redundant...
Virtual PLCs Explained: Why Manufacturers Are Revisiting Their Approach to Controllers
Virtual programmable logic controllers (PLCs) run control logic in containerized software on standard servers, offering automatic failover and reduced downtime. By moving PLC functions to a software‑defined environment, manufacturers can develop, test, and validate code virtually before commissioning, cutting time...
ABB Robotics Partners with NVIDIA to Deliver Industrial-Grade Physical AI at Scale
ABB Robotics announced the integration of NVIDIA Omniverse libraries into its RobotStudio platform, creating the RobotStudio HyperReality solution that delivers physically accurate digital twins and synthetic‑data generation. The partnership claims up to 99% simulation‑to‑real accuracy, reducing robot positioning errors to...
2nd Cavalry Tests Ground Robots for xTech Contest, Struggles with ‘Navigating’ UGV Costs
Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment is field‑testing more than 17 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) under the xTech Edge Strike Ground competition. Leaders say the biggest challenge is the wide price spread, from disposable $500‑$1,000 units to million‑dollar purpose‑built platforms, which exceeds...
Cut Industrial Robot Costs Tenfold with AI-Driven Components
The biggest opportunity in robotics right now is not humanoids, home robots, or any of that nonsense. It's achieving a 10x reduction in the total cost to install an industrial robot ($200k to $20k) using all of the progress in cost...
Qualcomm, Neura Ink Pact to Drive Next-Gen Robotics
Qualcomm has signed a long‑term partnership with Germany‑based Neura Robotics to accelerate the deployment of next‑generation robots that can safely operate alongside humans. The deal leverages Qualcomm’s edge AI computing, connectivity, and robotics platforms together with Neura’s embodied‑AI software to...
From Affordable Humanoids to Robotaxis: Pittsburgh Robotics Network Predicts the Next Wave of Physical AI
Pittsburgh’s robotics ecosystem is poised for a breakthrough in 2026 as affordable humanoid robots dip below $20,000 and robotaxi services are projected to capture more than 10% of urban transport markets. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network highlights major capital inflows—$400 million for...
China Leads the Humanoid Robot Race — but the U.S. Still Has a Shot
Chinese firms now dominate the global humanoid‑robot market, accounting for over 90% of sales after a surge of units shipped in 2023. Government initiatives such as Made in China 2025 and the 14th Five‑Year Plan have built a robust high‑end manufacturing...
Embraer Turns to AI Solution for A-29 Super Tucano CUAS Evolution
Embraer is integrating Valkyrie Aero’s Gunslinger artificial‑intelligence suite into its A‑29 Super Tucano platform to boost counter‑uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) capabilities. The AI-driven system will provide pilots with real‑time tactical decision‑making assistance during drone‑threat engagements. While the Super Tucano already...
DHL and Locus Robotics Reach 1 Billion Warehouse Picks Milestone
Warehouse robots from Locus Robotics operating in DHL Supply Chain have completed their one‑billionth pick, marking a milestone for large‑scale automation. The achievement was recorded at a DHL facility using an autonomous mobile robot and reflects a decade of partnership...
Lenovo and SWM Partner on Next-Generation Robotaxi
Lenovo and South Korean autonomous mobility firm SWM announced a partnership to co‑develop a next‑generation robotaxi. The project centers on SWM’s AP‑700 autonomous driving platform combined with Lenovo Vehicle Computing’s AD1 domain controller, which runs on Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor...
Saildrone Adds Seabed Imaging Capability to Autonomous Voyager Ocean Drones
Saildrone has integrated Innomar’s Medium‑USV sub‑bottom profiler onto its Voyager unmanned surface vehicle, enabling high‑resolution imaging of the seafloor and sub‑seafloor. The system can operate in up to 250 meters of water and penetrate 70 meters below the seabed, first demonstrated in...
Autonomy Will Disrupt the Business Model of Major Manufacturers: Tractors Will Become Smaller
Sabanto offers retrofit kits that make existing tractors autonomous, using cameras, sensors and GPS. A Montana pilot showed three small autonomous combos could replace a 750‑hp tractor and save about $1 million in capital. Founder Craig Rupp predicts the market will...
Pablo Air Shoots Higher with AI Drone Swarms
Pablo Air, a South Korean AI‑drone startup, has demonstrated Level 4 autonomous swarm capability, coordinating up to 50 drones and planning a 300‑drone showcase this year. The company raised roughly 107.5 billion won and is gearing up for a KOSDAQ IPO after a...
Cellula Robotics to Highlight Subsea Autonomy & Operational Readiness at Oi 2026
Cellula Robotics will exhibit at Oceanology International 2026 in London, showcasing its Envoy AUV and Porter XLAUV scale models while emphasizing deployment readiness, repeatable workflows, and long‑endurance support for environmental, survey, and defence missions. The company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Richard...
Greensea IQ Launches Rapid Data Processing & Mission Analysis Toolset
Greensea IQ unveiled Bayonet Insight, a post‑processing software suite for maritime robotics. The toolset enables operators to process raw sensor, sonar and video data during or immediately after missions, generating bathymetric maps, geo‑referenced summaries and telemetry plots. It works with...
Neural Network Predicts Future Frames From User Motion
Check out this cool robotics "world model" demo: https://www.yixuanwang.me/interactive_world_sim/#interactive-demo Rather than a traditional simulation, this neural network predicts future video frames based on user movement.
Robots Share Power to Rescue Failed Neighbors
A new Science #Robotics study describes a method that enables robotic modules to share their resources with a “dead” neighbor, overcoming failure to ensure the reliability of robot collectives. https://t.co/NRPlam3xZS https://t.co/V9cHl2vK4K
New Ultra-Low-Cost Technique Could Slash the Price of Soft Robotics
Oxford engineers have unveiled an ultra‑low‑cost method to fabricate soft‑robotic actuators using vacuum‑sealed plastic pouches and a laser cutter. The process creates functional actuators in under 10 minutes at a material cost of less than $0.10 each. Demonstrations include a...
Helix 02 Autonomously Restores Your Living Room on Departure
Today we're showing Helix 02 that can tidy a living room fully autonomously Figure is designed so when you leave the house, your home resets exactly how you like it https://t.co/wvAVoheVoC
Drones Refuel Mid‑Air Using Power‑Line Charging
Power-Line Charging #Drone: Aerial #Robotics That Refuel Mid-Air by @x_viral_vibes #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech https://t.co/Pt5nJhTEyo
SBG Systems Releases Firmware 6.0 to Advance UAV Navigation & Sensor Fusion
SBG Systems has launched Firmware 6.0 (v6.0.5585‑stable) for its Ekinox, Apogee, Quanta and Navsight navigation suites. The update adds a fixed‑wing UAV motion profile with full air‑data support, and opens integration to external cameras, LiDAR or radar for position and...
US Deploys Ukrainian Drone Interceptors to Middle East
The US Army is rushing Ukrainian cheap drone interceptors to the Middle East, which is a hugely welcome development. These are cost-effective, battlefield-tested solutions for defeating Shaheds & should proliferate quickly. https://t.co/bfY0oYf45R
Robotic Plastering Machine Automates Construction Walls
#Robotic Wall Plastering Machine Brings Automation to Construction by @gigadgets_ #EmergingTech #Innovation #TechForGood #Technology https://t.co/HQWA6OVy1F
Brain-Controlled Assistive Robots Work Best when They Share the Workload with Users
A Frontiers in Human Neuroscience study examined three autonomy levels for brain‑robot interfaces in a virtual kitchen, ranging from Assisted Teleoperation to Full Automation. While Full Automation was fastest and required the least mental effort, users felt a loss of...
EEWOC: Wheeled Orb Robot Scales Steel Using Extendable Limbs
Meet EEWOC: A Wheeled Orb #Robot That Climbs Steel with Extendable Limbs via @WevolverApp #AI #Robotics #Innovation #TechForGood #EmergingTech https://t.co/ta3S1CjECQ
Smart SLAM Camera Patrols Indoors with Built‑In Privacy
Smart SLAM Security Camera That Patrols Indoors with Built-In #Privacy Protection by @CaliCrypto714 #Innovation #EmergingTech #Tech #Technology https://t.co/Rj8QOEWM66
DEA Moves to Buy Skydio R10 Indoor Drones
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced a sole‑source purchase of Skydio R10 indoor drones via Atlantic Diving Supply. The R10 is engineered for GPS‑denied, confined‑space reconnaissance with autonomous navigation, collision‑resistant construction, and cellular 5G/LTE connectivity. The acquisition reflects a growing...
AI‑driven Drones Enable Precise Weed Control, Cutting Chemicals
Farmers are turning to drones and AI to fight weeds more precisely. By identifying unwanted plants in real time, the systems can target herbicides exactly where needed. The result could mean lower chemical use, lower costs, and smarter agriculture. https://t.co/WITdTG6T8I @bbcnews
Robotic System Turns Trucks Into Mobile Drone Bases
#Robotic Takeoff and Landing System to Transform Trucks into #Drone Mobile Bases via @ZappyZappy7 #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/3hMI2uOwFA
U.S. Army National Guard Buys Small FPV Strike Drones
The Tennessee Army National Guard has issued solicitations to purchase small unmanned aerial systems, including the Neros Archer, FlightWave Edge 130, and ModalAI Stinger Vision FPV drones, for use by the 117th Regiment Regional Training Institute. Each solicitation calls for two...
Robot Achieves True First-Person Vision
Seeing Through Its Own Eyes: Building a #Robot with True First-Person Vision via @WevolverApp #AI #MachineLearning #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/uk88U8QE6Q
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/LP90eSfKNj
Numina Group Launches AI-Driven AMR and Voice Picking Automation
Numina Group unveiled Batchbot 2.0, an AI‑driven solution that fuses its Real‑time Distribution Software with KUKA’s fifth‑generation autonomous mobile robots and a voice‑picking suite. The system claims to slash more than 20 minutes of idle operator travel per hour and...
Unprecedented Robotics Breakthroughs Unveiled Tomorrow at 9 Am PT
I’ve never seen this much progress in robotics In the lab, we’re watching AI capabilities emerge that we didn’t even know were possible I’ll show you tomorrow 9am pt
Video: Hyundai's Firefighting Robots Lead the Way Into Burning Buildings
Hyundai Motor Group has donated four autonomous firefighting robots to fire stations across South Korea, built on the HR‑Sherpa unmanned vehicle platform. The robots combine a water cannon, infrared and regular cameras, temperature‑resistant tires, and a self‑spraying cooling system that...
BrainChip Named Official Technology Sponsor for Raytheon’s Autonomous Vehicle Competition
BrainChip has been named the official technology sponsor for Raytheon’s 2025‑2026 Autonomous Vehicle Competition, providing its Akida™ AKD1000 neuromorphic processor to every participating university team. The competition tasks undergraduate engineers with integrating UAVs and UGVs that can autonomously navigate, identify...
HEBI Robotics Awarded $850,000 Business Contract by NASA
NASA has granted HEBI Robotics an $850,000 Phase II SBIR contract to develop and test space‑rated actuation hardware. The two‑year effort will produce modular actuators and compatible avionics for low‑Earth‑orbit and geosynchronous missions. HEBI’s technology aims to survive ionizing radiation and...
Gravis Robotics Expands Into US with Autonomous Construction Equipment Platform
Gravis Robotics announced its full commercial rollout in the United States at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, showcasing live autonomous earth‑moving equipment alongside partners Develon and Hitachi. The company introduced Gravis Copilot, a machine‑guidance platform that makes existing fleets autonomy‑ready without altering workflows. Deployments...