Robotics News and Headlines

See Why Tech Companies Are Paying People to Do Chores
NewsApr 17, 2026

See Why Tech Companies Are Paying People to Do Chores

Tech firms are turning to gig‑economy workers to capture video of household chores, paying up to $25 an hour. DoorDash leads a nascent data‑collection market, hoping the footage will train AI models that enable robots to fold laundry, wash dishes...

By Washington Post Technology
Arctic Drone & Swarm Technology Development Accelerates at Northern Test Site
NewsApr 17, 2026

Arctic Drone & Swarm Technology Development Accelerates at Northern Test Site

VTT Technical Research Centre in northern Finland has opened a 3,500 km² Arctic drone test site, the largest of its kind in Europe. The facility now includes a 150‑km corridor for beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight flights and supports UAVs up to 150 kg at 9,000 ft...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Kraus Hamdani K1000ULE Recharges without Landing
PodcastApr 17, 2026

Kraus Hamdani K1000ULE Recharges without Landing

Kraus Hamdani’s K1000ULE has become the first aircraft to receive laser‑generated power in flight, recharging its batteries without touching down. The system uses a ground‑based laser to beam energy through free space, which the aircraft converts into usable electricity. This...

By sUAS News
Red Cat Adds Arastelle to Futures Initiative for Tethered UAS Integration
NewsApr 17, 2026

Red Cat Adds Arastelle to Futures Initiative for Tethered UAS Integration

Red Cat Holdings has expanded its Futures Initiative by bringing Arastelle Drone Solutions into its consortium. The partnership integrates Arastelle’s lightweight tethering kit with Red Cat’s Black Widow platform, enabling drones to deliver persistent ISR and communications without battery limits....

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
R&D Expansion Into Net-Based Drone Interdiction & Aerial Public Safety
NewsApr 17, 2026

R&D Expansion Into Net-Based Drone Interdiction & Aerial Public Safety

Wrap Technologies announced a new R&D program to adapt its Kevlar‑based BolaWrap net system for aerial drone capture. The roadmap targets modular cassette payloads, multi‑drone configurations, and scalable designs for law‑enforcement, corrections and critical‑infrastructure missions. By focusing on physical net...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
DFT & Powerus Form Alliance for Kinetic Counter-UAS Solutions
NewsApr 17, 2026

DFT & Powerus Form Alliance for Kinetic Counter-UAS Solutions

Digital Force Technologies (DFT) and Powerus have teamed up to create a fully integrated kinetic counter‑UAS system targeting Group 1‑3 drone threats. The alliance combines Powerus’ autonomous interceptor drones with DFT’s Seraphim command‑and‑control platform, delivering a single stack for detection, tracking...

By Unmanned Systems Technology – News
Cheap Drones, Costly Defenses: Middle East War Offers Warning for Taiwan
NewsApr 17, 2026

Cheap Drones, Costly Defenses: Middle East War Offers Warning for Taiwan

The Middle East conflict has highlighted a costly mismatch in modern warfare, as the United States and allies expend multimillion‑dollar Patriot interceptors to shoot down low‑cost drones launched by Iran. Analysts warn that China could replicate this tactic on a...

By Focus Taiwan (CNA) – Business
Physical AI Company Chef Robotics Completes 100 Million Servings in Production
NewsApr 16, 2026

Physical AI Company Chef Robotics Completes 100 Million Servings in Production

Chef Robotics announced its food‑robotics systems have now produced 100 million servings in customer facilities, a scale ten times larger than any rival. The milestone reflects deployments in more than a dozen sites across the United States, Canada and Europe, where...

By RoboticsTomorrow
Secret Service Is Embracing New Solutions to Combat Malicious Drones, Director Says
NewsApr 16, 2026

Secret Service Is Embracing New Solutions to Combat Malicious Drones, Director Says

The U.S. Secret Service is adopting kinetic counter‑drone technologies to protect high‑profile events such as the FIFA World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary, the G20 summit and the 2028 Olympic Games. Director Sean Curran said the agency has spent just...

By FCW (GovExec Technology)
‘Best Drone’ Innovation Winner Developing Enemy Drone Recovery System with the Army Research Lab
NewsApr 16, 2026

‘Best Drone’ Innovation Winner Developing Enemy Drone Recovery System with the Army Research Lab

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division Innovation Team won the innovation award at the Army’s first Best Drone Warfighter competition with Project RED, a recovery exploitation drone that uses AI and a robotic arm to retrieve enemy UAVs...

By Defense One
Cheap Cruise Missiles? Inside Pakistan’s Strategic Shift to Jet-Powered Attack Drones
NewsApr 16, 2026

Cheap Cruise Missiles? Inside Pakistan’s Strategic Shift to Jet-Powered Attack Drones

Pakistan’s defence sector unveiled two jet‑powered one‑way attack drones – the Woot‑Tech HiMark‑25(TJ) and Global Industrial Defence Solutions’ Baaz Delta – marking a shift toward low‑cost cruise‑missile alternatives. These systems fuse loitering‑munition airframes with miniature turbojet engines, delivering ranges up...

By Quwa – Defence News & Analysis
Drone Diplomacy: Ukraine Strengthens Security Role in Europe and the Gulf
NewsApr 16, 2026

Drone Diplomacy: Ukraine Strengthens Security Role in Europe and the Gulf

Ukraine has turned its wartime drone expertise into a diplomatic asset, signing security deals across Europe and the Gulf. In the past four years Kyiv built a domestic drone industry capable of producing millions of units annually and is now...

By Atlantic Council – All Content
Russia Is Perfecting This Formidable Weapon Fast—Making Iran’s Drones ‘Significantly Deadlier’
NewsApr 16, 2026

Russia Is Perfecting This Formidable Weapon Fast—Making Iran’s Drones ‘Significantly Deadlier’

Russia is systematically upgrading Iran’s Shahed‑136 loitering munition, adding radar‑absorbing paint, advanced anti‑jamming navigation, and a suite of more lethal warheads. The enhanced drones have already been used in strikes on U.S. embassies in Baghdad and Riyadh and on a...

By Popular Mechanics
Picogrid Awarded Contract to Streamline XVIII Airborne Corps Battlefield Integration
PodcastApr 16, 2026

Picogrid Awarded Contract to Streamline XVIII Airborne Corps Battlefield Integration

Picogrid secured a contract to help the XVIII Airborne Corps integrate emerging battlefield systems, with a focus on counter‑unmanned aerial threats. The firm will field its Legion and Expeditionary Command‑and‑Control Nodes to fuse sensors, response tools, and mission software even...

By sUAS News
Duncan-Parnell Joins GeoCue Global Distribution Network to Expand Access to TrueView LiDAR and LP360 Software Across the Southeast
PodcastApr 16, 2026

Duncan-Parnell Joins GeoCue Global Distribution Network to Expand Access to TrueView LiDAR and LP360 Software Across the Southeast

GeoCue has added Duncan‑Parnell to its global distribution network, giving Southeast U.S. geospatial professionals access to TrueView LiDAR sensors and LP360 processing software. Duncan‑Parnell, a long‑standing Trimble distributor with 23 offices and a 15‑person UAS team, recently acquired former Navigation...

By sUAS News
Roboticom Installs 400th Robot Worldwide with SandRob System at Balanced Body
NewsApr 16, 2026

Roboticom Installs 400th Robot Worldwide with SandRob System at Balanced Body

Roboticom announced the installation of its 400th SandRob robotic sanding system, this time at Balanced Body, a leading Pilates equipment maker. The SandRob solution automates heavy sanding while leaving the final ergonomic finish to skilled craftsmen. Balanced Body reported a...

By RoboticsTomorrow
USMC Tests TRV-150C Resupply Aircraft System Aboard Amphibious Ship
NewsApr 16, 2026

USMC Tests TRV-150C Resupply Aircraft System Aboard Amphibious Ship

The U.S. Marine Corps has finished shipboard trials of the TRV‑150C tactical resupply uncrewed aircraft system aboard an amphibious transport dock. Over two weeks at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Marines launched and recovered the drone multiple times, proving cargo...

By Naval Technology
Could Europe Become a World Leader in Robotics?
NewsApr 16, 2026

Could Europe Become a World Leader in Robotics?

European robotics startups attracted a surge in venture capital, with 2025 investment exceeding €1.45 bn (about $1.58 bn). The first quarter of 2026 alone brought in €522 m ($570 m), indicating strong momentum. Growth is fueled by EU policy incentives, a deep engineering talent...

By Sifted
Interview: Jabil on Scaling Humanoid Robots From Prototype to Production
NewsApr 16, 2026

Interview: Jabil on Scaling Humanoid Robots From Prototype to Production

Jabil, a global manufacturing and supply‑chain leader, is helping Apptronik move its Apollo humanoid robot from prototype to volume production. The company emphasizes design‑for‑manufacturability, repeatable testing, and supply‑chain maturity as the core levers for scaling. Unlike mature AMR and AGV...

By Robotics & Automation News
Fueling Innovation: Tanglewood Group Sponsors RAF Drone Racing
PodcastApr 16, 2026

Fueling Innovation: Tanglewood Group Sponsors RAF Drone Racing

Tanglewood Group Ltd. announced a sponsorship of RAF Drone Racing, aligning its innovation agenda with the Royal Air Force’s fast‑growing FPV sport. The RAF team competed at the Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT 26) in Sydney, where more than 76...

By sUAS News
Peak Technologies Partners with Jacobi Robotics to Deliver Next-Generation Mixed-Case Palletizing Automation
NewsApr 16, 2026

Peak Technologies Partners with Jacobi Robotics to Deliver Next-Generation Mixed-Case Palletizing Automation

Peak Technologies has teamed up with Jacobi Robotics to bring the OmniPalletizer, an AI‑driven mixed‑case palletizing system, to complex warehouses. The platform removes the need for upstream buffering, sorting and manual programming by using real‑time motion planning, computer vision and...

By Manufacturing Tomorrow
“Robots and Drones Will Soon Replace Food Delivery Drivers”
NewsApr 16, 2026

“Robots and Drones Will Soon Replace Food Delivery Drivers”

Barclays’ new report predicts autonomous robots and drones will soon dominate the food‑delivery last mile, offering a cheaper and greener alternative to human couriers. The analysis shows robot delivery could cost as little as $1 per order, dramatically lower than...

By Retail Detail (EU)
Fieldwork Robotics Signs Collaboration Agreement with Dynium
NewsApr 16, 2026

Fieldwork Robotics Signs Collaboration Agreement with Dynium

Fieldwork Robotics has entered a collaboration agreement with UK‑based Dynium, a maker of autonomous polytunnel vehicles. The deal lets Fieldwork mount its modular harvesting robots on Dynium’s high‑torque e‑hub platforms, expanding terrain capability and payload. Growers gain more navigation options,...

By Robotics & Automation News
How AI Is Powering the Next Generation of Robots – Insights From a Leading Global Conference
NewsApr 16, 2026

How AI Is Powering the Next Generation of Robots – Insights From a Leading Global Conference

The 2026 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) conference will convene in Denver from June 3‑7, spotlighting AI‑powered robotics through workshops, papers, and an expo dominated by leading AI and robotics firms. Highlights include the Embodied AI Workshop’s ManipArena competition, which...

By Robotics & Automation News
Training for Beijing’s Humanoid Half-Marathon Is Gruelling
NewsApr 16, 2026

Training for Beijing’s Humanoid Half-Marathon Is Gruelling

On April 19, Beijing’s Yizhuang industrial‑technology park will host a half‑marathon featuring more than 300 humanoid robots running alongside thousands of human participants. The event marks a dramatic rise from last year’s inaugural race, which saw only 21 robots enter...

By The Economist – China
SEER Robotics Showcases Capabilities of Its All-Robot Platform with New AMRs at MODEX 2026
NewsApr 16, 2026

SEER Robotics Showcases Capabilities of Its All-Robot Platform with New AMRs at MODEX 2026

SEER Robotics unveiled five new autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at MODEX 2026, demonstrating its "all robots, one platform" strategy. The lineup includes the space‑saving SPT‑1500UL pallet truck, the narrow‑aisle SSR‑1400US forklift, the line‑side SLR‑600UL transporter, the high‑density SCT‑50UL tote robot,...

By RoboticsTomorrow
Path Robotics Launches Rove, Bringing Mobility to Welding Automation Powered by Physical AI
NewsApr 16, 2026

Path Robotics Launches Rove, Bringing Mobility to Welding Automation Powered by Physical AI

Path Robotics unveiled Rove™, a mobile robotic welding system that combines its Obsidian physical AI model with a quadruped robot. The platform extends autonomous, adaptive welding from fixed cells to large, immobile assemblies in shipbuilding, heavy construction, and other high‑variability...

By RoboticsTomorrow
Matternet and SoftBank Robotics America Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale Drone Delivery Networks
NewsApr 16, 2026

Matternet and SoftBank Robotics America Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale Drone Delivery Networks

Matternet and SoftBank Robotics America announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous drone delivery networks, initially targeting healthcare, retail and other enterprise logistics. The collaboration combines Matternet’s FAA‑certified drone platform and proven BVLOS operations with SoftBank’s manufacturing,...

By RoboticsTomorrow
Siemens and KION Partner to Digitalize Intralogistics
NewsApr 16, 2026

Siemens and KION Partner to Digitalize Intralogistics

Siemens and KION have forged a strategic partnership to digitalize intralogistics using AI, automation and Siemens’ new Digital Twin Composer. The collaboration will capture sensor and camera data to build digital twins of machines and entire warehouses, enabling real‑time simulation...

By Engineering.com
Siemens, Nvidia and Humanoid Partner to Bring Physical AI Into Factory Operations
NewsApr 16, 2026

Siemens, Nvidia and Humanoid Partner to Bring Physical AI Into Factory Operations

Siemens, Nvidia and UK‑based Humanoid announced a landmark test of the HMND 01 Alpha humanoid robot in Siemens' Erlangen electronics plant. The robot, built on Nvidia’s physical AI stack, autonomously handled logistics tasks, achieving 60 tote moves per hour, over 8 hours...

By Robotics & Automation News
What Ukraine Is Teaching Enterprises About Scalable UAV Operations
NewsApr 16, 2026

What Ukraine Is Teaching Enterprises About Scalable UAV Operations

Enterprises are abandoning the traditional "expensive and durable" drone model in favor of low‑cost, mission‑expendable UAVs inspired by Ukraine’s wartime operations. Ukrainian operators demonstrate that $2,000‑$5,000 drones can deliver critical data while being treated as consumable assets. Companies like Indeema...

By Commercial UAV News (if feed accessible)
This Simulation Startup Wants to Be the Cursor for Physical AI
NewsApr 16, 2026

This Simulation Startup Wants to Be the Cursor for Physical AI

Antioch, a New York‑based simulation startup, raised an $8.5 million seed round that values the company at $60 million. The funding, led by A* and Category Ventures, backs a platform that builds high‑fidelity digital twins of robots with realistic sensor feeds. By...

By TechCrunch Robotics
Russian Shahed Drones Begin Falling Apart in the Air as Quality Worsens
NewsApr 16, 2026

Russian Shahed Drones Begin Falling Apart in the Air as Quality Worsens

Ukrainian forces have released video showing Russian Shahed‑type drones disintegrating in flight, with detached panels, bent wingtips and missing nose fairings. The footage points to systemic assembly failures at the Alabuga plant in Tatarstan, where unskilled migrant workers and low‑cost...

By Defence Blog
Increased Airspace Enhances Wisconsin National Guard Training
NewsApr 16, 2026

Increased Airspace Enhances Wisconsin National Guard Training

The Wisconsin Army National Guard conducted its first small‑UAS training in statewide Class G airspace at the Arcadia Armory on April 1, 2026, following a new FAA authorization. The approval expands permissible training sites from three to 24 locations, with eight more...

By U.S. Army – News
TaiLan New Energy Launches Embodied AI Solid-State Battery Solution, First Batch Delivered
NewsApr 16, 2026

TaiLan New Energy Launches Embodied AI Solid-State Battery Solution, First Batch Delivered

TaiLan New Energy unveiled its "Safe+" solid‑state battery solution for embodied AI robots, delivering the first batch of packs to leading Chinese robotics firms for multi‑scenario testing. The hybrid solid‑liquid cells operate from –40°C to 80°C and sustain 1C discharge...

By Gasgoo Auto News
New £50m Fund to Bring AI and Robotics to UK Farms
NewsApr 16, 2026

New £50m Fund to Bring AI and Robotics to UK Farms

UK's government and private investors are committing roughly $62.5 million to accelerate AI, robotics, and biological innovations on farms. The Investor Partnerships initiative will co‑fund up to 12 tools, with $10 million public money matched by $50 million private capital. Projects include FA...

By UKTN (UK Tech News)
Alquist Moves From Pilot to Production With A1 Series Launch
NewsApr 16, 2026

Alquist Moves From Pilot to Production With A1 Series Launch

Alquist has launched its A1 Series robotic arm platform, shifting from pilot projects to full‑scale production. Fourteen units—twelve A1X models for contractors and two compact A1 units for education—were sold through a joint deal with equipment dealer Hugg & Hall...

By 3D Printing Industry – News
US Air Force Launches Market Research for New Low-Cost Surveillance Drones
PodcastApr 16, 2026

US Air Force Launches Market Research for New Low-Cost Surveillance Drones

The U.S. Air Force has issued a request for information (RFI) to explore low‑cost, attritable unmanned aerial vehicles that can quickly augment its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet. The RFI outlines minimum performance thresholds—200 km range and 4‑hour loiter—while targeting...

By sUAS News
AIR Announces First Flight of Its Heavylift UAS
NewsApr 16, 2026

AIR Announces First Flight of Its Heavylift UAS

Israel‑based AIR has completed the maiden flight of its production Cargo‑Heavy Lift unmanned aircraft, a VTOL platform capable of lifting roughly 550 lb. The system, built around next‑generation motors, advanced batteries and mature avionics, is designed for autonomous logistics with minimal...

By Urban Air Mobility News
U.S. Navy Buys Vanilla Long-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft
NewsApr 16, 2026

U.S. Navy Buys Vanilla Long-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft

The U.S. Navy awarded Platform Aerospace a $12.9 million contract modification to continue development and support of its Vanilla long‑endurance unmanned aircraft system through August 2026. The award covers the drones, spare parts, engineering services and logistics, all performed in Hollywood, Maryland....

By Defence Blog
Windracers Selected as Key Supplier in UK Government’s Biggest Ever Drone Package for Ukraine
PodcastApr 16, 2026

Windracers Selected as Key Supplier in UK Government’s Biggest Ever Drone Package for Ukraine

Windracers has been named one of three primary suppliers in the UK Government’s £752 million (≈$956 million) drone support package for Ukraine, the largest such aid ever announced. The programme will deliver 120,000 drones, bolstering Ukraine’s long‑range operational capability. Windracers’ ULTRA platform,...

By sUAS News
Cadence and Nvidia Are Bridging the Simulation Gap That’s Slowing Down Robotics
NewsApr 16, 2026

Cadence and Nvidia Are Bridging the Simulation Gap That’s Slowing Down Robotics

Cadence Design Systems and Nvidia announced an expanded partnership to close the simulation gap that hampers robot deployment. The deal integrates Cadence’s high‑fidelity multiphysics engines with Nvidia’s Isaac AI training suite and Cosmos open‑world models. The combined workflow generates more...

By The Next Web (TNW)
Aerodyca – Chimango 650 UAV
PodcastApr 16, 2026

Aerodyca – Chimango 650 UAV

Aerodyca unveiled the Chimango 650, a Class I UAV built to NATO STANAG 4703 specifications for reconnaissance, surveillance and tactical support. Its large‑span aerodynamic design and efficient propulsion deliver long endurance and wide‑area coverage in demanding environments. The platform incorporates a robust fuselage,...

By sUAS News
Autonomous Times
NewsApr 16, 2026

Autonomous Times

Airport World reports rapid expansion of autonomous ground vehicles across four major hubs. Singapore Changi Airport has moved two driverless tractors into live baggage service after 5,000 trial trips and plans a 24‑vehicle fleet by 2027, later adding cargo tow...

By Airport World
How Ukraine Turned DIY Drones Into a Powerful War Force — and What Europe Can Learn
NewsApr 16, 2026

How Ukraine Turned DIY Drones Into a Powerful War Force — and What Europe Can Learn

Ukraine has transformed a pre‑war niche of about seven drone firms into a 500‑strong industry that produced over 2.2 million FPV combat drones in 2024 and aims for 4‑4.5 million in 2025. The cheap $400‑$800 machines now account for more than 60%...

By Orbital Today
The Drone Workflow That Scales: Turning Flight Data Into Better Products
PodcastApr 16, 2026

The Drone Workflow That Scales: Turning Flight Data Into Better Products

The drone sector is racing toward faster product cycles, and the decisive factor is how quickly companies can turn raw flight data into actionable insight. Foxglove offers a unified workflow—record, ingest, process, visualize, collaborate, repeat—that stitches together video, sensor streams,...

By sUAS News
Russians Will Surrender to Robots. Russian Robots Won’t.
NewsApr 16, 2026

Russians Will Surrender to Robots. Russian Robots Won’t.

Ukrainian forces achieved a historic first when the 3rd Assault Brigade used unmanned ground robots to force Russian troops to surrender, marking the first recorded instance of enemy combatants yielding to machines. President Zelensky highlighted that Ukrainian robotics firms have...

By Defense One
AeroVironment Launches New Multifunctional Drone Variant
NewsApr 15, 2026

AeroVironment Launches New Multifunctional Drone Variant

AeroVironment unveiled MAYHEM 10, a new multi‑role loitering munition that adds reconnaissance and electronic‑warfare functions to its strike capability. The system can carry a 10‑pound payload, travel over 62 miles, and stay aloft for 50 minutes, with launch times under five minutes from...

By Defense News – Unmanned
Kinematic Intelligence Lets Three Different Robots Learn the Same Task Safely
NewsApr 15, 2026

Kinematic Intelligence Lets Three Different Robots Learn the Same Task Safely

Researchers at EPFL’s LASA laboratory introduced a control framework called kinematic intelligence that translates a single human‑demonstrated task into a generic movement strategy adaptable to multiple robots. The system mathematically maps demonstrations, classifies each robot’s joint limits, and automatically tailors...

By Tech Xplore Robotics