Meteomatics Brings Drone Data to NOAA’s National Weather Service
Meteomatics announced a partnership with NOAA’s National Mesonet Program to deliver operational drone‑collected weather data to the National Weather Service. Its autonomous Meteodrones will gather vertical profiles of temperature, humidity and wind between 50 and 20,000 feet, a layer where current observations are sparse. The initial pilot, running from February through April 2026, will operate out of an Oklahoma Meteobase and feed real‑time data into U.S. forecasts. Integration of these high‑resolution measurements aims to sharpen predictions of thunderstorms, fog, winter precipitation, air‑quality events and low‑level wind hazards.
How Human Motion Is Fueling the Robot Revolution — by Teaching Robots Like Atlas to Move in Lifelike Ways
At CES 2026 Boston Dynamics showcased Atlas performing fluid, human‑like motions, from martial‑arts stances to precise squats. The company captures human movement using Xsens motion‑capture suits or VR controllers, then retargets the data to the robot’s unique kinematics. In simulation,...
New RoboReward Dataset and Models Automate Robotic Training and Evaluation
Stanford and UC Berkeley researchers released RoboReward, a new dataset and benchmark for training vision‑language reward models in robotics. The dataset pairs real‑world robot videos with textual descriptions and graded success scores, enabling models to evaluate task performance automatically. Using...
AiMOGA Deploys Robotic Traffic Police Unit at Intersection in China
AiMOGA Robotics has placed its Intelligent Police Unit R001, a humanoid traffic‑policing robot, at a busy intersection in Wuhu, China, transitioning from pilot trials to routine urban use. The robot performs standardized hand signals and behavioral reminders for non‑motorized traffic...
China’s Zoomlion Integrating AI and Embodied-Intelligence Robotics for Intelligent Manufacturing
Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology is rolling out a full‑chain AI system that links construction machinery, smart factories and humanoid robots. The company now operates 12 smart factories and more than 300 production lines, enabling high‑mix, small‑batch output with...
Spain-Based DAO Xmaquina Raises $10M for Early-Stage Robotics Investments
Spain-based DAO Xmaquina has raised more than $10 million through its on‑chain Genesis Auction model, attracting nearly 2,000 contributors ranging from crypto‑focused venture funds to strategic angels. The auctions used uniform pricing and open participation, removing preferential terms typical of traditional...
DataMesh Launches DataMesh Robotics to Enable Industrial Embodied AI Training with Executable Digital Twins
DataMesh has introduced DataMesh Robotics, an embodied AI data product built on its executable industrial digital twin platform. The solution lets robot OEMs train, validate and evaluate robots in dynamic, process‑driven virtual factories, producing synthetic data and measurable reward signals....
How Everyday Foam Reveals the Secret Logic of Artificial Intelligence
Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that foam interiors remain in perpetual motion, contradicting the long‑held view that foams behave like frozen glass. Using simulations, they showed bubbles wander through countless configurations, a behavior mathematically identical to the parameter...
Robot Learns to Lip Sync by Watching YouTube
Columbia Engineering’s Creative Machines Lab unveiled a humanoid robot that learns realistic lip‑sync by observing itself and YouTube videos. The robot’s flexible face, driven by 26 micro‑actuators, first mapped its own motor actions via a mirror, then trained a vision‑to‑action...
Patents Vs. Trade Secrets in the Age of AI Robotics
Robotics firms are confronting a new IP dilemma as AI increasingly generates inventions, but U.S. patent law still requires a human inventor, limiting patent eligibility for AI‑only creations. The article contrasts patents—offering broad, licensable protection but demanding disclosure and costly...
How AI and Robotics Are Redefining Precision Feed Management in Large-Scale Livestock Farms
Large livestock farms are adopting load‑cell‑based weighing systems to capture exact feed flow. These sensors, sealed for harsh barn conditions, feed real‑time data to AI‑driven robotic feeders and predictive models. The integration cuts feed waste by up to 22 percent, improves...
Teknic's New EtherNet/IP Integrated Brushless Servo Motors: Available to Buy Online Today.
Teknic launched its ClearPath‑IP integrated brushless servo motors, offering the industry’s most compact EtherNet/IP servo solutions. The lineup spans 1/8 hp to 7.7 hp, with velocity‑control units starting at $260 and position‑control units at $599 for low‑volume orders. Each motor bundles a...
Underwater Robots Inspired by Nature Are Making Progress, but Hurdles Remain
Researchers have released a comprehensive review of bio‑inspired underwater robots, spotlighting ray‑mimicking designs that glide more steadily than traditional propeller‑driven craft. The study examined 47 prototypes, revealing a split in actuation strategies: electric servos dominate larger platforms, while soft electro‑active...
Flexxbotics Releases Free Download of Software-Defined Automation for Manufacturing Autonomy
Flexxbotics announced a free, full‑feature download of its software‑defined automation (SDA) platform, delivering a production‑ready runtime, low‑code HMI, developer studio, and open API without trial limits. The solution supports fault‑tolerant, regulatory‑compliant operations across more than 1,000 equipment models using many‑to‑many...
Before-and-After Automation Metrics: How to Compare Results Without Fooling Yourself
Automation announcements often tout headline improvements, but the underlying data can be misleading. Relying on a single average metric masks the wide performance variance typical of robotic and RPA rollouts. Using median values, percentage‑difference calculations, and consistent timeframes provides a...
RealMan Robotics Launches Next-Generation High-Power-Density Joint Modules for High-Performance Robotics
RealMan Robotics unveiled three next‑generation high‑power‑density joint modules—WHJ03, WHJ120, and WHJ48V—targeting desktop, collaborative, and heavy‑duty robots. The ultra‑compact WHJ03 delivers 35‑55% more torque in half the volume, while the WHJ120 offers 120 Nm torque with a 16 mm hollow core for simplified...
A3 Releases Full Three-Part National Safety Standard for Industrial Robots
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has published the complete American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety Requirements, a 403‑page ANSI/A3 R15.06‑2025 document that unifies three parts into a single framework. Parts 1 and 2 update the legacy ANSI/RIA R15.06‑2012...
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace Is Redefining What’s Possible for Endurance Flights at the Pendleton Range
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) successfully completed an 18‑km cross‑country electric UAS flight at the Pendleton UAS Range, launching from one site and recovering at another while using a relay‑extended mesh network for continuous control. The mission validated point‑to‑point endurance operations...
Virtual Surveyor Adds Local Coordinate System Functionality in Latest Release of Smart Drone Surveying Software
Virtual Surveyor’s 10.2 release introduces Local Coordinate System functionality, letting users project GPS‑based drone imagery and LiDAR directly into custom site‑specific reference frames without third‑party tools. The update also expands supported world coordinate systems (EPSG, MRWA, Landgate, ESRI) and adds...
Department of Homeland Security Launches New Office to Advance Drone and Counter-Drone Technologies
The Department of Homeland Security announced a new Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter‑Unmanned Aircraft Systems to accelerate acquisition of drone and counter‑drone technologies. The office is earmarking $115 million for immediate counter‑drone deployments ahead of the United...
Battle Creek Unlimited Selects ResilienX for MICH-AIR Beyond Visual Line of Sight System
Battle Creek Unlimited has chosen ResilienX to build a ground‑based sense‑and‑avoid system that will enable routine beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) operations for the MICH‑AIR advanced air mobility hub at Battle Creek Executive Airport. The integrated physical‑digital environment will support public safety, infrastructure...
Hirth Engines and ePropelled Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance High‑Efficiency Propulsion Systems
Hirth Engines and ePropelled have announced a strategic partnership to create hybrid propulsion systems that blend Hirth’s two‑stroke engines with ePropelled’s intelligent electric power‑management technology. The collaboration targets UAVs, advanced air‑mobility, defence, and specialized mobility markets, promising higher fuel efficiency,...
Adaptive Motion System Helps Robots Achieve Human-Like Dexterity with Minimal Data
Researchers at Keio University have introduced an adaptive motion reproduction system that uses Gaussian process regression to translate human grasping motions to robots with minimal training data. The model learns the relationship between object stiffness and required force/position commands, achieving...
Multiply Labs to Bring “Physical AI” Robotics Technology to Advanced Biomanufacturing With NVIDIA
Multiply Labs announced a partnership with NVIDIA to embed the latter’s Isaac Sim, GR00T foundation models, and perception tools into its robotic biomanufacturing platform. The collaboration creates high‑fidelity digital twins, AI‑driven manipulation skills, and perception pipelines that accelerate development of...
US Digital's New L2 Low Profile Motor Encoder
US Digital introduced the L2 Low‑Profile Motor Encoder, the company’s thinnest encoder at just 0.398 inches tall. It leverages the proven EM1 optical module, delivering up to 1 250 CPR (5 000 PPR quadrature) with a single‑ended output. The design features a snap‑on cover for...
New Gearbox Series for Dynamic Delta Robotics
Neugart has launched the NDFC gearbox series, a cost‑effective, application‑specific drive solution for delta robots used in high‑speed pick‑and‑place operations. The series offers three frame sizes (064, 090, 110) with two‑stage ratios from 16:1 to 100:1 and standard backlash under...
MassRobotics Opens Applications for 4th Annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge
MassRobotics has opened applications for its fourth annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge, partnering with AMD, Dassault Systèmes, Harmonic Drive, Maeden, Maxon and Mitsubishi Electric. The global competition targets university teams and offers a $10,000 grand prize, $1,000 for second...
Xsens IMUs Deliver Sub-5 Cm Real-Time Heave Accuracy for Precise Wave Motion Compensation.
Xsens announced a firmware‑based upgrade that adds a Heave measurement capability to its industrial‑grade Sirius and Avior inertial measurement units. The new feature delivers sub‑5 cm vertical displacement accuracy for wave periods up to 29 seconds and about 6 cm for longer 40‑second...
Second Front Systems and StirlingX Partner to Support UK Government with Secure, Sovereign Drone Deployments
Second Front Systems (2F) has partnered with UK drone specialist StirlingX to deliver sovereign, high‑assurance drone capabilities to the Ministry of Defence, national security agencies, and critical national infrastructure operators. The collaboration uses 2F’s Game Warden secure software deployment platform...
Physical AI Is the Next Frontier - and It's Already All Around You
Physical AI, the integration of perception and reasoning into hardware, emerged as the tech industry's newest frontier at CES 2026. Executives likened its impact to the ChatGPT launch, signaling a shift toward machines that can understand context and act autonomously....
Behind (The Walking) Hand of a Sci-Fi Icon: Animatronics Designer Jesse Velez Gets Into the Geeky Details
Animatronics designer Jesse Velez created a fully wireless, portable animatronic hand for the Netflix series “Wednesday.” The device captures a performer’s hand movements with Manus motion‑capture gloves and translates them in real time via custom software to a prosthetic‑based robotic...
TESOLLO Uses Own Actuator in DG-5F-S Humanoid Robotic Hand
TESOLLO Inc. unveiled the DG-5F-S, a new humanoid robotic hand that incorporates the company’s in‑house actuator technology. The hand delivers a five‑finger, 20‑degree‑of‑freedom layout while weighing under 1 kg, making it comparable in size to a human hand. Priced at roughly...
Robotic Nanoprobe Enables Precise Extraction of a Single Mitochondrion From a Living Cell
Researchers at HKUST have unveiled an automated robotic nanoprobe that can locate and extract a single mitochondrion from a living cell without fluorescent labels. The device integrates nanoelectrodes that sense ROS/RNS bursts and dielectrophoretic nanotweezers that capture the organelle within...
IDS Enters 2026 with Strong Momentum
IDS Imaging Development Systems is entering 2026 aiming for over 10% sales growth, backed by double‑digit order increases and the delivery of its two‑millionth camera. The German camera maker introduced a voluntary three‑year manufacturer’s warranty for all product lines, enhancing...
Precision Drive Systems Partners with MachMotion
Precision Drive Systems (PDS) has entered an exclusive partnership with MachMotion to retrofit aging CNC routers and other machines with PDS‑branded spindles equipped with the Spindle Health Information Monitoring System (SHIMS). MachMotion will perform on‑site upgrades of servo controllers and...
Germany Buys Eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian(r) RPA Through NSPA
Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In‑Service Support, together with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), has signed a contract to acquire eight MQ‑9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft, plus four certifiable ground control stations, with first...
Humanoid Robots or Human Connection? What Elon Musk's Optimus Reveals About Our AI Ambitions
Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot is positioned as a versatile assistant for factories and homes, with Musk pledging a million units within ten years. The design leverages recent advances in generative AI to give the robot conversational abilities that feel more...
Locus Robotics and Radial Surpass 25 Million Picks Milestone as Demand for Scalable Fulfillment Intensifies
Locus Robotics and Radial announced that their Shepherdsville warehouse has surpassed 25 million picks, powered by roughly 300 LocusBots operating under a Robots‑as‑a‑Service model. The partnership has quadrupled throughput within the same footprint and added a peak fleet of 104 robots...
Omnisys Introduces the Next Step in BRO™ C‑UAS Counter‑Drone Mission Planning and Threat Mitigation
Omnisys has launched the next‑generation BRO™ CUAS platform, an AI‑driven digital‑twin mission‑planning tool that shifts counter‑drone defense from reactive interception to proactive prevention. The system creates physics‑accurate battlefield models to reveal low‑altitude approach corridors, coverage gaps, and sensor/effectors’ detection envelopes,...
Parry Labs Advances Modular Mission Systems in AV’s P550™ for Army LRR Program
Parry Labs has teamed with AeroVironment to embed its Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)‑aligned mission computing into the P550 uncrewed aircraft system for the U.S. Army’s Long‑Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. The partnership leverages Parry’s STRATIA® platform, Model‑Based Systems Engineering expertise,...
I Tried Lumus' AR Waveguide Prototype at CES, and Saw Where AR Glasses Go Next
Lumus unveiled a 70‑degree field‑of‑view ZOE prototype and an upgraded Z‑30 at CES 2026, showcasing waveguide optics that combine wide immersion with thin, lightweight form factors. The Z‑30 2.0 iteration is 40% thinner and 30% lighter, while the original Z‑30...
ARM Institute Issues Education and Workforce Development Project Call
The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Institute has launched an Education & Workforce Development Project Call, inviting members to submit manufacturing training programs for a free endorsement evaluation. The ARM Endorsement, powered by RoboticsCareer.org, highlights the most effective robotics curricula...
The Use of Space-Based Computing Signals a Paradigm Shift in AI Infrastructure Thinking
AI’s rapid expansion is straining traditional data centers, prompting a search for alternative compute locations. Falling launch costs and reusable rockets have made space‑based hardware financially plausible. Satellites now feature processing capabilities and inter‑satellite links, turning them into active nodes...
Did that Lamp Just Fold the Laundry? Alumni Rethink Home Robotics
U of T alumni Aaron Tan and Angus Fung have launched Syncere’s flagship product, Lume, a robotic floor lamp that folds laundry and hides its mechanisms when idle. The device blends a luxury lamp aesthetic with compliant motors, 360‑degree sensing, and...
I Met a Lot of Weird Robots at CES — Here Are the Most Memorable
CES 2026 turned the Las Vegas floor into a robotics runway, debuting Boston Dynamics' production‑ready Atlas and a parade of Chinese bots that blend entertainment with emerging utility. Sharpa showcased a ping‑pong‑playing robot to highlight its dexterous hand, while EngineAI...
Competition Robot for FIRST Tech Challenge by Team The Clueless
The Clueless #11212 FTC team from San Diego unveiled its 2024‑2025 “Into the Deep” competition robot. The robot features an ultra‑compact 12″ × 12″ mecanum drivetrain, a turreted computer‑vision intake, and a dual‑motor counter‑spring hanging mechanism that completes the Level 3 endgame in...
Keeping the Warfighter Safer: How Textron Systems’ New Integration Expands UAS Capability
Textron Systems has integrated a low‑size, weight, and power (SWaP) LEO beyond‑line‑of‑sight (BLOS) transceiver into its Aerosonde unmanned aircraft system. The new module enables proliferated LEO (pLEO) SATCOM, allowing the drone to operate beyond traditional line‑of‑sight constraints. This expands mission...
Precision Motion Control Solutions Trusted by OEMs for 25 Years
Midwest Motion Products (MMP) marks its 25th anniversary as a leading OEM supplier of precision motion‑control hardware, including DC motors, gearmotors, and controllers. The company differentiates itself with “Lightning‑Fast” same‑day delivery of standard planetary gearmotors and a #1 rating for...
MMP D22-376D-24V GP52-408 (Brushed 24V DC Gearmotor Capable of Producing up to 443 In-Lbs Continuous Torque with an Output Speed...
Midwest Motion Products introduced the MMP D22-376D-24V GP52-408, a brushed 24 V DC gearmotor delivering up to 443 in‑lbs continuous torque at 10 RPM. The unit is compact—under 2.5 in diameter and 9 in long—and carries an IP54 protection rating. Midwest emphasizes rapid availability, offering...
MMP D33-455F-36V GP81-068 (Brushed 36V DC Gearmotor Capable of Producing up to 245 In-Lbs Continuous Torque and 1079 In-Lbs Peak...
Midwest Motion Products (MMP) introduced the D33-455F-36V GP81-068, a brushed 36 V DC gearmotor delivering up to 245 in‑lb continuous torque and 1,079 in‑lb peak torque at 47 RPM. The compact unit measures under 3.5 in diameter, 10 in length, weighs 13 lb, and carries an IP54...
