News at Robotics Center
Company news and the daily robotics news digest from Robotics Center of Silicon Valley.
Beijing urged to win Indian hearts, Hong Kong’s hottest day: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Sony and TSMC to invest ¥1 trillion in joint chip plant in Japan
The Japanese company's chip arm Sony Semiconductor Solutions and TSMC are partnering on next-generation image sensors for robots and cars.
Alleged Irish crime boss charged in Dublin after extradition from Dubai
Alleged Irish crime gang boss Daniel Kinahan was charged with directing a criminal organisation by prosecutors in Dublin on Sunday amid tight security at a…
Amusement parks across Japan raising fees amid higher costs
Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan are among the parks that are rolling out new pricing structures.
Analog Devices returns as strategic sponsor to aid MassRobotics startups
Analog Devices Inc. is supporting MassRobotics startups with Analog Garage and participating in events including RoboBusiness. The post Analog Devices…
Cologne marches for queer community after Berlin Pride attack
Around 10,000 people gathered in Cologne on Sunday for a demonstration in support of the queer community following the Islamist attack at Berlin Pride. The…
Privacy fears drive ‘patriotic Americans’ to destroy licence plate cameras
In only a few years, the surveillance start-up Flock has installed more than 100,000 licence plate reader cameras across the United States. But a…
Trump taps loyal aide Scharf as new White House counsel
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his new White House counsel will be Will Scharf, the staff secretary who as the Trump-appointed head of…
A Yukio Mishima stage adaptation pulls genre-bending strings
A cross-cultural collaboration mixing bunraku puppetry, kabuki and literature is creating a new take on Yukio Mishima's novel.
Experts look ahead at the next 20 years of robotics at RoboBusiness
At Robobusiness, leaders in robotics will explore the technologies, opportunities, and challenges that will shape the next twenty years. The post Experts…
Former Carp catcher wishes for peace 81 years after atomic bomb
During Hasebe's seven years as catcher, he saw his team grow amid struggles and felt the enthusiasm of Hiroshima residents for reviving the city.
Joe Biden’s prostate cancer is spreading and causing him pain, son Hunter says
Former US president Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to other parts of his body and is causing him pain, even as he continues to speak out on public…
Ukraine denies targeting Bulgaria as drone explodes near pipeline
Drone-related incidents have become increasingly frequent across eastern European countries that are NATO members and supporters of Ukraine.
AI agents create virtual playgrounds to help robots get crucial training data
A new system developed at MIT uses three agents to piece together the objects, walls, and overall look of a 3D scene. Its realistic recreations of indoor…
Avatar Robotics raises seed round to address industrial labor constraints
Avatar Robotics raised $6.5 million in funding to scale humanoid robots and remote teleoperation across industrial supply chains. The post Avatar Robotics…
Building robots that survive the warehouse
Nomagic says its real moat is production data, because the messiness of real warehouses is where robots either prove themselves or fail. The post Building…
Bus driver kicked explosive drone out of the air at German airport
A bus driver knocked an explosive-laden drone out of the air, potentially preventing an attack this week at a German airport that serves as a major Nato and…
China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Historian’s wife continues his research on U.S. captives in Hiroshima
Shigeaki Mori became famous when he hugged then U.S. President Barack Obama in Hiroshima in 2016. Since his death, Kayoko Mori has continued his work.
How ideas of a vast censorship network moved from the online fringe to Trump policy
This article was produced in partnership with Type Investigations, with support from the Wayne Barrett Project. One morning in April 2025, employees of a…
Prince Hisahito offers flowers for Hiroshima A-bomb victims
This is the first time the prince has undertaken official duties outside Tokyo without being accompanied by other members of the Imperial Family.
Tacta Systems takes aim at high-skilled manufacturing work with TactaBot
Tacta Systems unveiled a three-part system, including its robotic hand, that enables users to teach its robot new dexterous skills. The post Tacta Systems…
Tax official dismissed over fraud and dodging tax on gambling winnings
Authorities have referred the official to prosecutors on suspicion of fraud and filed a criminal complaint for violating the income tax law.
Teen sentenced to life in prison over leading role in fatal 2024 Hokkaido group assault
Prosecutors sought the sentence for Yuto Kawaguchi, 19, arguing he should bear the greatest responsibility for leading the assault on 20-year-old university…
The Download: a censorship conspiracy theory and the first virus created by AI
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How…
Video Friday: Drones Go Heavy in DARPA Lift Challenge
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
As hibakusha age, storytelling mantle passes to the next generation
As the number of living witnesses declines, the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association is working to pass on their oral history through second-generation…
Bank of America sees yen jumping 6% by end of 2026
Analysts at the bank see the Japanese currency advancing to ¥149 per dollar on joint action between Tokyo and Washington, and the prospect of a rate hike in…
HII signs up to $900M agreement with Path Robotics, GrayMatter Robotics
The latest agreement expands HII's HYPER Program, which Path Robotics and GrayMatter Robotics joined earlier this year. The post HII signs up to $900M…
How Robin, the robotic companion, keeps patients calm during hospital visits
Robin is deployed across 30 different health systems, and Expper has plans to deploy 10 more in different states. The post How Robin, the robotic companion,…
Report looks at advances in autonomous mobile robots
A download looks at examples of advances in autonomous mobile robots in material handling and automated storage applications. The post Report looks at…
Robots in society, business and culture: July 2026
By Emmet Cole This new monthly series from IEEE RAS showcases a selection of robotics stories from society, business, research, and culture, as we track the…
Takaichi emphasizes Japan’s commitment to nonnuclear principles on Hiroshima anniversary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's first appearance at the ceremony as the nation's leader comes as the government prepares to revise key national security…
The Download: Google’s AI shake-up and Meta’s rogue model
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
UK clears Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros
Britain on Thursday gave the green light to Paramount Skydance’s US$110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, as the entertainment and media mega-deal…
Avnet and Weston Robot partner to launch edge AI inspection platform
Avnet and Weston Robot have partnered to launch an AI-powered autonomous inspection platform for complex industrial environments. The post Avnet and Weston…
Explosive drone found near Ukrainian plane at German airport
German police raised the alarm at an airport overnight after an explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane and another aircraft collided…
GAM Enterprises to produce Schaeffler’s PSC gear reducers
Acquiring the IP from this core supplier allows GAM to vertically integrate its supply chain and expand its manufacturing capabilities. The post GAM…
Make anniversary of Hiroshima bombing ‘Disarmament Day’
Remembering Hiroshima cannot become a once-a-year ritual. It must become a reminder that nuclear weapons remain an urgent contemporary problem.
Moove raises $250M to build infrastructure for autonomous vehicles
The funding will support Moove's expansion of its autonomous fleet ownership and robotics-first depot infrastructure “Nests.” The post Moove raises $250M to…
NASA’s new dark energy space telescope can also detect killer asteroids
At the end of August, NASA is set to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Its quest is to help us better…
Puzzle Corner
Ready for a fresh set of puzzles? Click here for the September/October 2026 Puzzle Corner, brought to you by Michael S. Branicky, ScD ’95, of the Puzzle…
The Download: NASA’s new telescope and Chinese tech import curbs
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. NASA’s…
University of Florida opens new robotics lab dedicated to industrialized construction
Fueled by Autodesk, UF opened a robotics lab for industrialized construction to fight housing shortages and labor declines. The post University of Florida…
U.S. ambassador to skip peace ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
This year's ceremonies will be the first missed by a U.S. ambassador since Rahm Emanuel skipped the event in Nagasaki in 2024.
Why perception is the key to scaling industrial autonomy
Autonomy is no longer just about robotic motor skills. It encompasses machine awareness, dynamic decision-making, multi-vehicle coordination, and spatial…
81 years on: Pedaling through Hiroshima’s history on two wheels
"Peace tours" offer participants a glimpse of life in the city before, during and after the U.S atomic bombing of 1945.
‘Folded like an umbrella’: Trump attacks ally prosecutor over Reflecting Pool case
US President Donald Trump sharply criticised US Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Monday for dropping a case of alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial…
French, UK vessels save 157 migrants from burning boat in Channel
French and British vessels saved 157 migrants after their boat caught fire while trying to cross the Channel on Tuesday, authorities in both countries said.…
Humanoids won’t scale on factory floors until costs drop
The race to commercialize humanoids is on. What’s left to prove is that humanoid robots can beat the economics of the automation manufacturers are already…
Palantir lifts outlook after ‘otherworldly’ commercial sales
Chief Executive Officer Alex Karp said U.S. commercial sales in the second quarter rose 149% from a year earlier to $764 million, well above the average…
Piece of SpaceX rocket to crash into moon at high speed
A SpaceX rocket piece floating in space since last year is on track to smash into the moon at high speed early on Wednesday morning. The school bus-sized…
The Download: US robot restrictions, and ICE’s DNA grab
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
U.S. Navy picks Blue Water Autonomy to use autonomous vessels for deep ocean surveys
Blue Water Autonomy creates unmanned ships that can operate autonomously on the open ocean for months a time. The post U.S. Navy picks Blue Water Autonomy…
Washington State wildfires destroy over 700 buildings and force 64,000 to flee
Dozens of major wildfires have been burning across the drought-parched U.S. Pacific Northwest for weeks, degrading air quality across a wide region.
What Robotics Companies Think About the U.S. Foreign Robot Ban
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Covered List,” originally published in 2021, identifies communications equipment and services that it says…
Why global migration data should recognise subgroups like the Teochew
In countries like France and Norway, the government census strictly avoids asking about race and ethnicity. Governed by a desire for national unity, these…
Zoox unveils production-ready robotaxi for U.S. expansion
Amazon subsidiary Zoox unveiled its final production-ready robotaxi design and expanded testing following a subtle redesign to improve rider comfort. The…
Chinese executive filmed taking cash on Colombia metro, South America’s biggest project
Colombian prosecutors are investigating allegations that executives of a Chinese state-owned contractor building the Bogota metro demanded cash from a local…
Chinese rethink investments, Malaysian PM’s political strategy: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Cuba plunged into darkness again as power grid collapses
Cuba’s power grid failed on Sunday, causing another nationwide blackout, a state utility said in a social media post. As the lights suddenly turned off…
Daiwa’s profit hits 13-year high as equities business surges
Its net income rose 81% from a year earlier to ¥56.4 billion ($360 million) in the quarter ended June 30, the highest since the April-June quarter of 2013.
Fanuc shares dive most in 40 years after procurement fears hit
The robotic-arm supplier raised its full-year operating profit forecast by about 3%, after reporting a 37% surge in orders in the June quarter.
First deaths reported in US cyclosporiasis outbreak
Two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan, state health officials announced Monday, the first deaths confirmed in the US related to the…
Former justice minister calls for independent probe into Japan public prosecutors
A succession of recent scandals has shown the service can no longer be trusted to investigate itself, lawmaker Masako Mori said.
France condemns Farage-led plan to deploy British navy against Channel migrants
France on Monday condemned a proposal by hard-right Reform UK party to launch, if it wins power, “the largest military operation” in the Channel “since…
HEBI Robotics earns NASA SBIR grant to fast track miniaturized actuators
This Phase I award is only part of HEBI Robotics' roadmap. The company also plans to continue developing its existing actuation hardware. The post HEBI…
Here’s why AI agents lie and cheat to reach their goals
MIT Technology Review Explains: Let our writers untangle the complex, messy world of technology to help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more…
igus launches energy chain with 600-degree rotation for industrial robots
igus says its new twisterchain energy chain provides cable management for challenging industrial robotics applications such as palletizing. The post igus…
Japan’s thriving corporate museums offer tourism appeal and learning experiences
With more than 1,000 such facilities believed to exist across the country, corporate museums are increasingly serving local communities in more diverse ways.
Leaked exams and dashed dreams: Why India’s ‘Cockroach’ youth turned on Modi
The complaints youths have against Narendra Modi's government include widening economic inequality, high youth unemployment and an erosion of free speech…
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official, government says
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been in detention since February 2021, when an elected civilian government she led was ousted by Myanmar's military in a…
Organizers work to balance tone for Hiroshima A-bomb children’s exhibit
The new exhibit will have selective materials for children to view amid a fear they could leave only thinking they saw something horrifying rather than…
Record heatwave spreads across Korean peninsula, prompting emergency response
Forecasters said that extreme heat, previously concentrated in South Korea's southeast, was spreading into the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions.
Reimagine Robotics emerges from stealth with robots that ‘learn on the job’
Reimagine Robotics, founded by former Google DeepMind Applied Robotics leaders, is developing systems that do not require specialized programmers. The post…
Simulated zebrafish and a vision-equipped robotic fish reveal how the body shapes brain circuits
Image credit: Olivier Porchet, Biorobotics Laboratory, EPFL When a fish holds its position against a current in a river, its brain must figure out how fast…
Streetcar that survived atomic bomb now used for tours in Hiroshima
The tour that showcases the city's reconstruction, uses Hiroshima Electric Railway's streetcar No. 653, which was damaged in the blast on Aug. 6, 1945.
The Download: reward hacking explained, and suspected Iranian cyberattacks
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Here’s…
Trump’s AI protectionism has come for robotics
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Humanoid robots…
Walden Robotics Partners With Toyota on Practical Humanoids
For a while there, it seemed as though robotics as a whole was stuck in a mad rush towards building humanoid robots mostly because it was very possible (and…
Death toll from migrant rush into Spanish enclave of Ceuta reaches 72
The death toll from a mass rush of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week reached at least 72 on Sunday, as five more bodies were…
Google DeepMind says Gemini Robotics 2 enables full body control
Gemini Robotics 2 enables robots to reason through every movement, unlocking a broad range of tasks, DeepMind said. The post Google DeepMind says Gemini…
Trump faces ethics storm for ‘pimping’ fast access to his Truth Social posts
US President Donald Trump knows the world hangs on his every word. Now he wants you to pay for it. The social media posts of the world’s most powerful man…
France, Italy tighten borders after 60,000 migrants enter Spain’s Ceuta
France and Italy bolstered border controls on Saturday after about 60,000 people crossed into Spain’s enclave in North Africa, sparking one of the largest…
Spain installs floating barrier in Ceuta after deadly migrant rush
Spanish authorities said about 50,000 people had crossed into Ceuta by land and sea from Thursday in an unprecedented surge at one of the EU's only land…
Top 10 robotics stories of July 2026
In July, large funding rounds, new approaches to robot training, and new robot models drew our readers attention. The post Top 10 robotics stories of July…
US embassies urge citizens to consider departing Middle East
US embassies in capitals across the Middle East on Saturday warned American citizens to beware of an “unforeseen escalation” in the regional conflict and…
Wildfires spread across Greece, conditions worsen in France and Spain
Europe has been ravaged by wildfires this summer after a period of record-breaking heat and little rain, in conditions that scientists say have been…
Chinese data challenges US-Iran war claims; bamboo vs desertification: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
FCC robot ruling shines a spotlight on U.S. policy; how next-gen AI can help warehousing
OSARO’s Derek Pridmore says warehouse robots are advancing, but real-world safety and reliability still depend on specialized, layered AI systems. The post…
KUKA deploys Automation Management Platform for North American automakers
KUKA has deployed its Automation Management Platform at KTPO, a major manufacturing facility in Ohio. The post KUKA deploys Automation Management Platform…
Montana’s new “right to try” law can’t come soon enough for some
Kris DeVault is desperate. His son, Brody, was born in March 2023. It wasn’t long before he started to show signs of developmental delay, says DeVault. As…
New EU team to crack down on AI deepfakes, illicit images and hacking
The European Union rolled out a new team on Friday to rein in AI companies across the world, in one of the most aggressive regulations the hi-tech sector…
Procore Technologies acquires DroneDeploy for $845M
Procore will integrate DroneDeploy's visual intelligence technology to link the digital world with physical construction sites. The post Procore…
Researchers develop modular nanorobot
Illustration of the versatile nanorobot. It is 150 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. (Illustration: Marina Bräm) By Angelika Jacobs…
The Download: Montana’s new experimental drug rules
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
UK singer Boy George pulls out of London musical after pro-Israel song backlash
British singer Boy George has pulled out of a West End production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar after facing a backlash for releasing a pro-Israel…
Video Friday: Meet Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics 2
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
5 Physical AI infrastructure platforms shaping robotics in 2026
These five platforms address different challenges and provide the basis for the emerging physical AI tech stack, according to Lightwheel. The post 5…
A fundamental flaw leaves LLMs strikingly vulnerable to attack
It is impossible to make large language models fully secure against hacks because of a fundamental flaw in how they work, a team of researchers argue in a…
DoorDash gains FAA certification to operate its own drone delivery program
The FAA approval came nearly a year after DoorDash unveiled its delivery robot and reflects its increasing interest in building automation in-house. The…
Google DeepMind’s new AI model can control a robot’s entire body
{"#text":"Google DeepMind says the latest version of its Gemini Robotics AI model can \"control entire humanoid robots.\" While the previous model focused…
Montana’s plan to become an experimental medical hub just pushed forward
As of this week in Montana, any biotech company with an experimental drug has a clear path to selling it to consumers. Companies whose drugs have been…
Spain, Morocco move to halt fatal rush on Ceuta after 60,000 illegal migrants cross
At least 34 people died trying to cross from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta enclave during a massive surge this week in illegal migration, local regional…
Teradyne Robotics revenue rises 33% year over year in Q2
Teradyne Robotics said growth in the U.S. and in AI were big drivers for its revenue increase in the second quarter of 2026. The post Teradyne Robotics…
The Download: tricking LLMs, and reviving geothermal plants
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A…
US economic growth slows in second quarter but domestic demand robust
US economic growth slowed in the second quarter amid a widening in the trade deficit, but an acceleration in consumer spending and robust business…
US launches more strikes on Iran as conflict spreads across region
The US military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour…
US man hikes out of mountains for help after being impaled by trekking pole
David Cifaldi and his two hiking companions were crossing Montana’s ominous Froze-to-Death Plateau and approaching the top of the state’s highest peak when…
Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?
Over the past few decades, people in many countries have witnessed extraordinary technological progress. Transport is becoming smarter, robots and drones…
Experts react to FCC limits on U.S. imports of new humanoid and mobile robots
The FCC has banned some foreign humanoids, which industry experts say could help U.S. industry but hinder innovation. The post Experts react to FCC limits…
Famed French DJ Kavinsky found dead in Paris
French DJ and musician Kavinsky, known for his electronic classic “Nightcall”, has been found dead at his home in Paris, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The…
France battles wildfire 4 times the size of Paris
Firefighters in southwest France battled an uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris on Wednesday as temperatures were forecast to reach 40 degrees…
GMEX Robotics to acquire MediaMeta.ai for social intelligence
GMEX Robotics has acquired shares in MediaMeta to incorporate social intelligence capabilities into its service robots. The post GMEX Robotics to acquire…
Hadi Matar convicted in US terrorism trial over Salman Rushdie stabbing
The man who stabbed and partially blinded author Salman Rushdie at a speaking engagement in 2022 was found guilty on Wednesday of federal terrorism charges…
How an overlooked geothermal plant got a second chance
In June 2024, a small company called Zanskar purchased a geothermal power plant in New Mexico that was failing fast. The water coming from the underground…
Norwegian teen found guilty in UK murder plot tied to Iran-linked group
A Norwegian teenager was convicted on Wednesday of conspiracy to commit murder in Britain after being recruited by a Swedish organised crime group that…
Surviving the paper deluge: a one-year study in learning from demonstration
With the explosion of robotics research, staying current in fields like Learning from Demonstration (LfD) is a monumental challenge. Is AI the solution to…
The AI Hype Index: Unsexy AI
It feels bad enough when an open letter signed by leading economists warns that AI might steal your job. The fact it may soon be better than you at making…
The Download: a chip talent battle, and deflating AI hype
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots, power inverters
The move seeks to protect the U.S. AI build-out from national security threats and reshore key industries slated for explosive growth.
UEFA hits out as FIFA plans minority stake sale
The proposal immediately drew fierce criticism from European governing body UEFA, which said it "crosses a line that football's governing institutions…
Agency Tool Company wants to make OTA software updates easier
Two Scythe co-founders are using their experience building commercial robots to create tools for robotics developers at Agency Tool Co. The post Agency Tool…
AI leaders sign a statement asking the government to do something about automated AI
{"#text":"Employees of OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as Google, Meta, Thinking Machines, Microsoft, Mistral, and other leading AI labs, have written a…
CALL FOR 2027 GEORGES GIRALT PHD AWARD
euRobotics opens its Call for the 2027 Georges Giralt PhD Award. The aim of the “Georges Giralt Ph.D. Award” is to showcase the best PhD theses defended…
ENvue Medical develops robotic feeding tube placement system
ENvue Drive is designed to assist, not replace, the clinician, who retains full control of the procedure at all times. The post ENvue Medical develops…
France, Spain make headway against wildfires but new heatwave looms
Firefighters raced on Tuesday to subdue huge wildfires that have forced unprecedented evacuations of tens of thousands of people across France and Spain, as…
How integrated actuators improve humanoid robot joint performance and system integration
Humanoid robots have become an important area of research in robotics, attracting attention from universities, research institutions, and technology…
Iranian missile salvoes, US-Saudi strikes in Iraq shatter brief Middle East lull
Jordan’s air defences intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early on Wednesday, the country’s military said, hours after the US military said it had…
Israel expands ‘yellow line’ military zone, pushing Gazans away from home
On a road in Gaza City’s Zeitoun district, Palestinian resident Assem Dawla loaded mattresses and bags onto a truck as concrete yellow blocks marking the…
Musk’s X launches invite-only ‘X Money’ payment service
Elon Musk’s social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, launched its own bank account-like product where users can send money to one another. The…
Registration is open for RoboBusiness 2026
This year, join us in October in Santa Clara to celebrate 20 years of robotics excellence at RoboBusiness 2026. The post Registration is open for…
Robot Finger Feels in Color
Imagine running your fingertip over the surface of a U.S. penny. You would feel the ridges of the raised letters and numbers, Abe Lincoln’s bearded side…
Samsung’s chip workers are jumping ship to rival SK Hynix
Lee, an engineer at Samsung’s semiconductor division, clocks out when his shift ends. He used to work longer hours, going the extra mile to excel at his…
Soft robotic heart offers new way to study disease and test life-saving devices
The soft robotic model of the human heart, developed at UNSW. Credit: UNSW/Richard Freeman. UNSW researchers have developed a soft robotic model of the…
The Download: OpenAI’s predictable hack, and an AI stock sell-off
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. OpenAI…
Apple leak in India, China eyes Indonesia for mineral access: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Building the enterprise environment for agentic AI
For the enterprise, the promise of agentic AI is much more than just a better chatbot. It is software agents that execute business tasks end-to-end across…
Closing the data loop in AI-driven drug discovery
Drug discovery is a high-cost, high-risk endeavor that is under growing pressure from a market increasingly defined by first-mover advantage. Since the…
Ebola outbreak in Congo set to become second-largest on record after confirmed cases reach 3,200
The latest figures highlight the scale of the epidemic, though expanded surveillance and retrospective case finding have also contributed to the rapid rise…
France and Spain race to curb wildfires before new heatwave arrives
Firefighters sought on Monday to take advantage of more favourable weather to subdue massive wildfires threatening the French city and tourist region of…
Germany releases second suspect in deadly Berlin Pride parade attack
A second suspect detained in connection with a deadly car-ramming attack on Berlin’s Pride celebrations over the weekend has been released, the German…
How lasers could help provide fuel for nuclear reactors
Outside the small town of Paducah, Kentucky, a wealth of uranium is locked away in thousands of storage cylinders filled with waste material from a…
Kraken Technology raises Series B funding for autonomous vessels
Kraken Technology plans to use its funding to continue developing uncrewed surface vessels and localizing manufacturing around the world. The post Kraken…
Munetaka Murakami homers twice to help power White Sox to win over Astros
The outburst stopped a 14-game streak without a home run for Murakami, who continues to make progress after missing 35 games with a strained right hamstring.
New US-Canada bridge opens as trade tensions test ties
A major new bridge linking Canada and the US at Detroit opened on Monday to trucks, cars and other vehicles, the climax of a years-long project that lately…
NORD expands compact NORDAC VFD family to 200 hp
NORD Drivesystems said its NORDAC PRO VFDs are adaptable to individual application requirements across industries. The post NORD expands compact NORDAC VFD…
Nvidia, Microsoft launch open AI security alliance — without OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic
{"#text":"Nvidia on Monday said it is joining forces with Microsoft, SpaceX, IBM, and other tech companies to build and share open-source AI security tools.…
OpenAI called the Hugging Face attack unprecedented. But we’ve been here before.
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Reading…
The Download: lasers for nuclear fuel, and organ preservation advances
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How…
The path to artificial superintelligence
Imagine a healthcare system made up of multiple AI agents: one that manages symptom assessment, another scheduling, a third insurance, and a fourth…
UK funeral director faces jail over bodies left ‘on racks’
A British funeral director faced prison on Monday over a scandal that saw bodies left “stored on racks” and uncremated while relatives were handed other…
4 ways Hong Kong can shape its future – and the world’s
Nearly three decades after its return to Chinese sovereignty, Hong Kong is once again at an important crossroads. The recent decision by the United States…
Magmotor makes motors for a changing world for 150+ years
Magmotor has been providing motors for demanding use cases for decades and offers custom systems for robotics. The post Magmotor makes motors for a changing…
Optical Tech Would Update a Robot’s AI on the Fly
Atop a lab bench, Cornell Tech postdoctoral researcher Yifan He positions the lens of an optical receiver almost a meter away from an LED emitting a beam of…
Suspect in Berlin Pride attack shot dead by police after day-long manhunt
The suspect in the deadly Berlin Pride attack that left one person dead and 29 injured was shot and killed by police during a confrontation on Sunday in a…
German police hunt suspect with Islamist ties after 1 killed at Berlin Pride parade
German authorities on Sunday issued a wanted notice for a fugitive suspect in the van ramming near Berlin’s Pride festival that left one person dead and…
Photos: First look at J&J’s Ottava surgical robot
The robot-in-table design is meant to save space in the operating room, with J&J saying its novel architecture takes up 30-50% less space than…
Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’, vows more Iran strikes while hinting at talks
US missiles struck targets across Iran on Friday and President Donald Trump vowed “major military punishment” for Tehran and its Houthi allies in Yemen,…
A mini robot to simplify dental treatment
A miniature robot developed at the University of Basel could help prepare teeth for a crown. Photo: University of Basel, Catherine Weyer. By Angelika Jacobs…
Drone flights to be banned for Hiroshima peace ceremony
This is the first time for the National Police Agency to designate such a restriction area under the revised drone regulation law enacted in June.
Fresh US tariffs on 60 countries; first China duo win Fields Medal: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Generalist’s GEN-1 foundation model now supports a range of robot end effectors
By training GEN-1 to work with new hands, Generalist said a single base model can learn sensorimotor policies on different robots. The post…
How time series databases unlock real-time data for robotics
Discover how time series databases help robotics teams manage high-volume sensor data, power AI insights, and keep systems running at scale. The post How…
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan removed from post over sexual misconduct allegations
Member states of the International Criminal Court voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan for serious misconduct, the ICC said on Friday. Diplomats running…
Midjourney bought the astrology app Co-Star
{"#text":"Midjourney, which has gone from generating AI cat images to full-body ultrasound scans, is getting into a new field: astrology. The AI startup…
NEURA Robotics establishes NEURA Gym RWTH Aachen to train physical AI
NEURA Robotics has partnered with a German university for NEURA Gym RWTH Aachen, one of 10 facilities for training physical AI. The post NEURA Robotics…
Nobel economist on anti-China, anti-science US, AI’s risks
Simon Johnson is a professor of entrepreneurship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A former chief economist of the International Monetary…
The Download: an organ transplant breakthrough, and homegrown Chinese chips
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The quest to keep organs alive outside the body
This week, I covered a fascinating effort to preserve organs outside the body. There’s a huge shortage of donor organs, and one of the main reasons is…
Video Friday: An Italian Humanoid Comes to Life
Your weekly selection of awesome robot videosVideo Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum…
Alexa Plus is getting an AI update to handle more complicated instructions
{"#text":"Amazon is launching an update to its Alexa Plus assistant that will allow it to connect to smart home devices in new ways. With the update, which…
AMD unveils Kria module for real-time control, unified memory for robots
AMD has launched the Ryzen AI Embedded X100 and Kria AI SoM, bringing unified memory and real-time control to challenge NVIDIA in robotics. The post AMD…
As the West finds common cause, China prepares for the worst
Mid-July should have been a moment of quiet satisfaction in Beijing. Fresh data showed China’s favourability surpassing that of the United States in 25 of…
Holiday Robotics raises $105M for its FRIDAY wheeled humanoid
Holiday's robot features a wheel-based mobile base, an upper body for dexterous manipulation, and hot-swappable batteries. The post Holiday Robotics raises…
How AI helps scientists design the next generation of medicines
Designing and developing a new medicine is an expensive, failure-prone scientific challenge. A new drug can take many years to develop, at the cost of a…
Lewis Hamilton hoping to head into F1’s August break on high note
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was wary of talking up the team's prospects, even if others were already doing so.
Pressure-free growing robots for soft medical robotics
Researchers at the University of Leeds and collaborators from the University of California San Diego won the Best Paper Award at RoboSoft, the leading…
Ropedia raises $22M to scale data collection for training robots
Ropdeia's HOMIE is a head-mounted device, equipped with a 360º camera view, that captures first-person data for training robots. The post Ropedia raises…
Supercooled kidneys have been transplanted into pigs in a “landmark achievement”
When it comes to organ donation, time is everything. As soon as an organ has been carefully removed from a donor’s body, it starts to deteriorate. Surgeons…
The Download: energy transmission and US threats against Chinese AI
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The power line that could reshape New York’s grid is hitting snags
On July 3, as a heat wave swept the region, New York State’s grid imported 52 gigawatt-hours of electricity from Canada—enough to meet about 9% of its total…
Trump vows to punish Iran and Houthis for Red Sea attacks as oil surges over US$100
US President Donald Trump promised “major military punishment” for Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the…
Uber co-founder raises $1.7B for new robotics startup ATOMS
Travis Kalanick, the former CEO of Uber, said with ATOMS, he hopes to create physical automation to transform industry. The post Uber co-founder raises…
US prosecutors dropping New York Times subpoenas over Trump plane reporting
Donald Trump’s Justice Department will withdraw subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists who reported on security concerns about the president flying…
24 hours in a Ukrainian hospital buckling under the toll of war
Multiple trauma victims are the norm at Dnipro's central hospital — the center for those wounded across east and southern Ukraine — with some needing up to…
A resilient Europe needs its own robotics
The Vienna Statement has a companion article this summer, if not by design then certainly by timing.. Norce Research Director, BoD member and ERF 2026…
Busy week for MTC
UK-based euRobotics member The Manufacturing & Technology Centre (MTC) delivered its latest Robotics and Automation 2026 event in June.…
Could you host ERF?
Memories of Stuttgart and Stavanger are still fresh, planning is well under way for Birmingham and Athens has already been announced as the host city in…
Daniel Siad, modelling scout with links to Epstein found dead in France
A French modelling scout with close ties to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home outside Paris, prosecutors and his…
Erratic weather persists across Europe, fueling fires in Spain and France and hail in the Balkans
Europe is the fastest-warming continent and scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity of heat waves, droughts and wildfires, while also…
euRobotics on the road – ICRA 2026
Competing Global Visions and Shared Futures: Panel discussion, ICRA 2026 Welcome to Vienna! General Chair Marcus Vincze addresses ICRA delegates Members of…
Medtronic to launch AI compute platform for the operating room
Touch Surgery bridges pre-operative planning and training, intra-operative tele-mentoring and tele-proctoring, and post-operative insights. The post…
Meet our new Members
This year’s General Assembly (GA) in Stavanger voted to ratify the admission into membership of a dozen organisations of various types which had joined…
Member success stories
If you have read the latest euRobotics Annual Report you may remember reading about the successes of several euRobotics members. There wasn’t space or time…
Meta made its own AI detection system. It should have just used Google’s
{"#text":"IIn March, Meta's Oversight Board called on the company to \"meet its public commitments and employ its own tools\" to help quell the spread of…
Ozzy ready to welcome ERF
Preparations continue for ERF 2027 and delegates will get used to seeing images of the bull, symbol of the host city, Birmingham. The version shown here…
‘Quad’ top diplomats focus on ASEAN maritime security — but don’t mention China
The officials said in a joint statement that "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region."
Report shares the state of physical AI and robotics
A report looks at how physical AI is increasingly enabling autonomous systems to perceive their environments, make decisions, and act in the real world. The…
Shape-shifting mirrors on NASA’s new space telescope could unveil Jupiters like our own
When NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches, as early as the end of next month, it will attempt one of astronomy’s most precise disappearing acts…
Small solids: big challenge
euRobotics aisbl Laboratory Robotics Topic Group and smartlab.network recently held the latest in a current series of webinars on “Solids Dispensing:…
Terrorism trial opens in stabbing of author Salman Rushdie
The man convicted of trying to kill Salman Rushdie spent years researching the writer’s whereabouts before stabbing him on a lecture stage, federal…
The Connector – Interview with Carlos Vivas
Picture source: PAL Robotics with kind permission Carlos Vivas is the newest member of the euRobotics Board of Directors…
The Download: NASA’s new space telescope and OpenAI’s autonomous hacker
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
Travis Kalanick’s robotics company raises $1.7B, led by a16z
Uber is also investing in Travis Kalanick's company Atoms, which has made gauzy claims about using industrial AI to modernize the world.
Trump threatens to bomb Iranian bridge or power plant after Hormuz attacks
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran attacks a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz,…
Ukraine’s strikes on ‘Russia’s Amazon’ bring war closer to ordinary citizens
From humble origins as a family business run out of an apartment near Moscow, Wildberries has grown in under two decades into Russia’s top online retailer…
Venezuela’s Maduro and wife back in US court, as judge sets 2027 trial date
A judge on Wednesday set a June 1, 2027, trial date for ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on US drug-trafficking charges,…
Vienna Statement – time to spread the word
Europe’s development, economic progress and ultimately its sovereignty will depend on robotics. European institutions – both at continental and state levels…
Advancing next-gen AI with materials science innovation
The conversation about AI often centers on algorithms, computing power, or huge investments in new semiconductor fabrication plants and hyperscale data…
Ann Widdecombe death: UK ex-minister was struck with hammer 21 times
The man accused of murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe struck her 21 times on the top of her head with a hammer during the attack at her…
Europe’s incoherent ‘China threat’ posture is a threat to itself
The China threat has landed in Brussels. A new European Union position paper accuses Beijing of amplifying security threats, posing “a critical long-term…
Friction is key to making better robot world models
Deploying world models in real robotic systems requires a step that receives less attention than the models themselves: conditioning. The post Friction is…
Generative Bionics unveils humanoid robot with full-body tactile sensing
Generative Bionics said its Gene.01 humanoid is fully sensorized, helping it quickly anticipate human presence and respond. The post Generative Bionics…
Lower House members’ assets average ¥32.78 million
The figure rose by ¥6.09 million from the previous average disclosed in April 2025.
MISUMI Americas releases reshoring report, supports manufacturing training bill
MISUMI Americas has examined reshoring of U.S. manufacturing and supported legislation to send workers overseas for training. The post MISUMI Americas…
The Download: Chinese AI divides the White House, and a record copyright payout
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
U.K.-based Humanoid secures $152M in Series A funding
Humanoid said it has reached a $1.35 billion valuation as it scales its AI-driven industrial robots and expands commercial deployments. The post U.K.-based…
Vicarious Surgical officially shutting down
Vicarious Surgical raised about $300 million in total, most of that from a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger in 2021. The post Vicarious…
2,000 children of A-bomb survivors support Hidankyo movement
Members of organizations cooperating with Nihon Hidankyo have held exhibitions on the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, collected signatures and shared…
AGIBOT unveils four embodied AI products for real-world operations at WAIC
AGIBOT said its demoes and industrial deployments show its progress in turning embodied AI capabilities into repeatable workflows. The post AGIBOT unveils…
AI is more likely than humans to form biases when hiring
The next time you apply for a job, AI may screen your résumé before any human sees it. But there’s good reason to question whether AI will judge you fairly.…
Boston Dynamics to discuss the art behind human-robot interaction
Boston Dynamics experts will share insights into design considerations for safe human-robot interaction in a webinar. The post Boston Dynamics to discuss…
BrainCo demonstrates brain-controlled robot AI platform
During BrainCo's demo, the mind-controlled robotic arm completed tasks that require precision, such as grasping a cup or picking up an apple. The post…
Building robots for unpredictable, infrastructure-free environments
Real-world robotics success requires building infrastructure-free systems that thrive in unpredictable, harsh outdoor environments. The post Building robots…
China’s AI models have Trump’s AI world at war with itself
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Over the…
China’s role in Ivory Coast, Maggie Cheung’s career evolution: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
‘Cruel, wasteful’: Dakar port a hotspot for illegal shark fins
Finning, the practice of removing fins and casting the rest of the shark overboard, often alive, is largely prohibited across a variety of regulatory zones…
Interactive world simulator for robot policy training and evaluation
Imagine you want to teach a robot to push an object on a table. The standard recipe in robot learning is to collect hundreds of expert demonstrations on a…
Iran says fighting ‘full-scale war’ with US
Iran is fighting a “full-scale war” with the United States, its president said on Monday, as Washington expanded its strikes across the Islamic republic.…
Man charged with murder of former British minister Ann Widdecombe
British prosecutors said on Monday a 28-year-old man had been charged with murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe, and police said they were…
Paramount and Warner Bros ordered to pause mega-merger
A federal judge in California on Monday ordered Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery to temporarily pause their merger while a case brought by…
The Download: AI hiring biases, and weather data sabotage
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. AI is…
Hong Kong’s 5-year plan must focus on what the city does best
Hong Kong has embarked on the path of drawing up its first five-year plan – a significant moment in its history. Hong Kong’s first five-year plan should be…
How to avoid the teleoperation trap in robotics development
Teleoperation is necessary for training humanoid robots, but reinforcement learning and simulation are still necessary, says Flexion's CEO. The post How to…
Kyiv pounded in Russian missile barrage as air defences run low
Russia battered Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight with one of its biggest ballistic missile barrages of the war, killing at least one person and wounding 16…
Trump welcomes reports Andy Burnham could open up North Sea oil drilling
US President Donald Trump has said people in the Scottish city of Aberdeen will be “dancing in the streets” following reports Andy Burnham could back new…
Canada to evacuate Ontario community as wildfire smoke chokes US
The Canadian military was preparing on Saturday to evacuate a remote community of 600 people threatened by forest wildfires that have spread, choking smoke…
Palm Garden AI develops Coherence Guard relational decision layer for human-facing robots
Palm Garden AI is developing a hardware-agnostic software layer, including Coherence Guard, for human-robot interaction and relationships. The post Palm…
Chinese scientist’s sodium battery leap; petition to boot Argentina: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Founder of Maximo discusses how robotics is accelerating solar construction
Maximo founder Deise Yumi Asami discusses the process of automating solar construction with robotics. The post Founder of Maximo discusses how robotics is…
Japan’s parliament passes bill to revise retrial system
The revised code will prohibit prosecutors from appealing court orders to initiate retrials in principle, while some exceptions will be allowed on…
The Download: perimenopause misinformation and China’s latest AI leap
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The risk of weather data sabotage is rising
Every morning, airline dispatchers, grid operators, and farmers around the world make decisions based on the same thing: a weather forecast. While these…
There’s a lot of hype around perimenopause. Don’t buy it.
Perimenopause has entered the chat. Perimenopause—and its better-known relative, menopause—used to be considered taboo. Not anymore, thanks at least in part…
This Graduate Student Equips NASA’s Robots With Assembly Skills
Like many engineers, Sarah Downs says she knew she wanted to pursue a STEM career from a young age. As a teenager, she discovered robotics through her…
Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke, says he’ll add cost to tariffs
US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Canada for wildfire smoke spreading across the United States and said he would add the “incalculable cost” of…
Undergrads’ weed-killing robot wins top prize
Andrew James (from left), Neil Morrison, Natalia Kurz and Michael Neiss work on a prototype of their weed-killing robot ahead of The Farm Robotics…
US confronts floods, heatwaves, smoky skies all at once amid Trump aid cuts
Across the US this week, different disasters – from Canadian wildfire smoke darkening the skies in the Midwest and northeast to extreme heat along the east…
Video Friday: Your Robot Surgeon Will See You Now
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Weave Robotics launches Isaac, its first mobile humanoid robot
Weave Robotics has listed the features of its Isaac wheeled bimanual manipulator robot for household and office use. The post Weave Robotics launches Isaac,…
With new funding, Monumental plans to bring its construction robots to the U.S.
Monumental acts as a subcontractor during construction tasks. Contractors pay the company for finished walls rather than for robots. The post With new…
4 Greek MPs charged over multimillion EU farm fraud scandal
Four acting members of Greece’s parliament were among 22 people indicted on Thursday by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) over an…
Astros trade pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to Brewers
McCullers, a two-time World Series winner and former American League All-Star, has pitched only 39⅓ innings this season, posting a 2-3 record with a 6.86…
CDP and CRA’s opposing stances on imperial family bills cloud prospect for merger
The CDP opposes a clause allowing the future male offspring of newly reinstated members of the imperial family to become heirs to the chrysanthemum throne.
China’s imports from Africa surge after Beijing expands zero-tariff policy
Africa’s exports to China have surged since Beijing expanded its zero-tariff policy across the continent in May, as customs data showed signs of emerging…
Google is renaming NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook
{"#text":"Google is giving its AI note-taking app a new name. The company announced on Thursday that NotebookLM is becoming Gemini Notebook, but will remain…
How to Make an Invisible Drone
There are many words that I would never, ever use to describe a drone. Stealthy. Subtle. Whatever the opposite of obnoxious is. Much of this is because of…
Italian police raid luxury brands Bulgari and Chanel over exploitation of Chinese workers
Italian police raided the offices of several luxury brands including Bulgari and Chanel over suspicions they used subcontractors employing Chinese workers,…
Lockheed Martin taps Machina’s robots for mission-critical missile parts
Machina Labs secured a Lockheed Martin contract to qualify robotically formed metal components for the JASSM missile program. The post Lockheed Martin taps…
TerraFirma raises $115M to build robotic infrastructure for construction
TerraFirma has developed a platform that combines AI-enabled software, a remote command-and-control center, and retrofitted heavy machinery. The post…
Texas floods kill 2, with more storms to come
Mandatory evacuations across the Texas Hill Country are under way as life-threatening flash floods wreck bridges and roads with more heavy rain expected…
The Download: OpenAI unveils GPT-Red and heat pumps rise in the US
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Meet…
US pounds Iran as Tehran threatens to ‘crush’ Middle East infrastructure
The United States and Iran traded attacks on Friday, with Tehran targeting American assets across the Middle East in the biggest escalation since the two…
Why heat pumps are still so hot in the US
It feels as if it should be illegal to even think about heating appliances during the height of summer—seriously, these heat waves in New York have been…
Xpanner rolls out X1 Panel Lift for automated solar panel installation
X1 Panel Lift uses existing excavators and a single workflow so solar installation crews can focus on alignment, fastening, and quality. The post Xpanner…
A flapping robot swims and flies like a diving bird
Image copyright: Raphael Zufferey. By Jennifer Chu Loons, gulls, puffins, and petrels are some of the 100 species of birds that can both fly and swim. These…
Agility outlines six recommendations for U.S. humanoid robot policies
Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility, said the U.S. needs a policy framework that can strengthen what's already working for the humanoid industry. The post Agility…
AI slop movies are the new direct-to-video cash grabs
{"#text":"This weekend, cinephiles across the world will march to their local theaters to feast their eyes on Christopher Nolan's new adaptation of The…
Gibraltar and Spain end border checks in historic UK-EU treaty
A new era began between Spain and the tiny British territory of Gibraltar on Wednesday, as border checks that have long been a source of tension and…
Hand, foot and mouth disease cases surge across Japan
The number of patients has exceeded the nationwide warning threshold for the first time in two years as Japan enters summer, when cases typically increase.
Icarus Robotics uses KULR technology to power JOY free-flying space robot
Under the agreement, KULR will supply its KULR ONE Space battery systems to power JOY’s onboard systems on the ISS. The post Icarus Robotics uses KULR…
Iran says Strait of Hormuz a ‘red line’, vows to fight till the end
Iran said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz was an inviolable “red line”, warning that if US President Donald Trump carried out his threat to attack…
Meet GPT-Red: an LLM super-hacker OpenAI built to make its models safer
OpenAI has built an LLM super-hacker called GPT-Red that it uses as a sparring partner to help its other models boost their defenses against cyberattacks.…
The Download: a useful quantum machine and a record-breaking subsea tunnel
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
Vicarious Surgical board seeks to dissolve company
The board is asking shareholders to approve their plan to dissolve and liquidate the business at a special meeting scheduled for July 21, but said it can…
Walden Robotics launches at $1.1B valuation for general-purpose robots
Leading technology companies have invested in Walden Robotics, which emerged from stealth as it develops full-stack physical AI. The post Walden Robotics…
Key to Humanoid Progress: Managing the Power Behind the Robots
Murata Power Solutions' John Quinlan on how advanced robotics converts, distributes and controls on-board power from battery to actuator. The post Key to…
NVIDIA shares how to evaluate general-purpose robot policies for real-world deployment
RoboLab research powers NVIDIA Isaac Lab-Arena, an open-source simulation framework for large-scale policy setup and evaluation. The post NVIDIA shares how…
PsiQuantum has a plan to make a massive quantum computer out of light
The machine that could change the world will be housed in a room that looks like a data center crossed with an ice cream factory. Inside will be some 100…
Spotify is now an AI chatbot, too
{"#text":"Spotify is experimenting with a new AI feature that allows Premium subscribers to play and explore music, audiobooks, and podcasts by having…
The Download: Claude’s inner workings, and the future of world models
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. What…
Warren Buffett cuts off donations to Bill Gates’ charity after Epstein revelations
Warren Buffett has stopped donating to the Gates Foundation, ending a two-decade philanthropic partnership following revelations about interactions between…
Building a Foundation Stack for General-Purpose Robots
This article is brought to you by X Square Robot.Large language models gave artificial intelligence a working recipe. Pretrain a large model on broad data,…
EU eyes social media curbs for children
The European Union will move to limit young children’s access to social media across the 27-member bloc, European Commission President Ursula von der…
Filipino helpers as surrogates, Chinese scientist’s death in US: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Kyiv struck by Russian missiles hours after Paris summit
Russia launched a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles at Kyiv early on Tuesday, the fifth such attack on the Ukrainian capital so far this month as…
Ondas acquires DZYNE for $875.8M, expanding its defense capabilities
DZYNE Technologies specializes in long-endurance autonomous aircraft, counter-drone systems, and autonomous effects. The post Ondas acquires DZYNE for…
The Download: a donor conception cap and world models for AI
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Sperm…
The Robot Report parent company, WTWH Media, rebrands as Arrowfly
The Arrowfly name unifies more than 40 brands under a new identity built for the future of B2B content and events. The post The Robot Report parent company,…
Trump administration turns over withheld evidence in Good, Pretti killings by agents
US President Donald Trump’s administration has turned over to Minneapolis prosecutors evidence it had withheld on immigration agents’ killings of Renee…
Typhoon Bavi weakens as heavy rain spreads across China
The storm is expected to turn northeast before moving into the northern Yellow Sea and gradually transitioning into an extra-tropical cyclone.
What Anthropic’s latest AI discovery does—and doesn’t—show
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here.…
Wildfires scorch historic forest near Paris as suspected arsonists arrested
France on Monday battled two fires that scorched over 1,300 hectares in a forest south of Paris on Monday, as police arrested two people suspected of arson.…
Wristband enables wearers to control a robotic hand with their own movements
By moving their hands and fingers, users can direct a robot to play piano or shoot a basketball, or they can manipulate objects in a virtual environment.
Yaskawa America gets information security certification
Yaskawa America said that independent ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification shows its focus on protecting customer information. The post Yaskawa America gets…
Modi courts Indo-Pacific partners as China, U.S. reshape region
Modi has stepped up engagement across the Indo-Pacific, signing a flurry of agreements and underscoring New Delhi's ambition to play a bigger role in the…
STEM education in the classroom, introducing BotBall
Botball addresses STEM education with autonomous robotics, real coding, and a level playing field driven entirely by students. The post STEM education in…
US and Iran trade more attacks as battle over Hormuz intensifies
The United States and Iran each asserted on Monday they controlled the Strait of Hormuz after a weekend of attacks stretching across the wider Middle East,…
US strikes Iran as Tehran closes Hormuz again, attacks Gulf states
US and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone strikes, with Tehran targeting US facilities in states across the Gulf on Sunday after saying it had…
Are suppliers ready for new robot safety standards?
Suppliers that are well prepared for standard changes will benefit, while underprepared companies may face market access disruption. The post Are suppliers…
Trump says missiles ‘locked, loaded and aimed at Iran’ amid calls for his killing
US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Saturday after the funeral of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for his killing, further…
Typhoon Bavi lashes Japan’s southern islands as Taiwan evacuates thousands
Flights and ferry services across Ishigaki Island, remained suspended for all of Saturday. Airlines canceled 345 flights, and more than 24,000 households…
Why robotics teams need virtual gyms before deployment
To address environmental and task variability, robots can benefit from 'virtual gyms' to bridge the sim-to-real gap, says SoftServe. The post Why robotics…
AI² Robotics raises $735M at $3B valuation for wheeled humanoid robots
Shenzhen’s Ai2 Robotics raised $735 million at a $2.8 billion valuation, backed by state, corporate, and financial giants. The post AI² Robotics raises…
China sets July 4 precedent with US; Cathay plane triggers Nato alert: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Ground Robots Inherit the Kill Zone
Borys Drozhak has a vision: a frontline almost free of humans, patrolled by flying drones and ground robots, and continuously monitored by AI-controlled…
How Path Robotics uses AI to optimize robotic welding
CEO Andy Lonsberry explains how Path Robotics applies AI to welding, and UC San Diego professor Michael Yip discusses robot learning. The post How Path…
Japan’s producer prices rise at fastest pace since early 2023
The measure of input prices for Japanese firms rose 7.1% in June from a year earlier, the Bank of Japan reported.
Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year
{"#text":"Microsoft may once again be struggling to keep up with its own climate goals, according to its 2026 sustainability report. As reported by…
Sperm donors need limits, says a European fertility group
Ties van der Meer doesn’t know how many siblings he has. The 47-year-old was conceived at a private fertility clinic in the Netherlands using sperm provided…
The Download: Claude’s inner workings and OpenAI’s “super app”
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
Video Friday: A World Cup for Robots
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
XTEND secures U.S. patent for autonomous navigation technology
XTEND said the newly granted patent expands its portfolio supporting autonomous navigation, operator assistance, and mission execution. The post XTEND…
Anthropic found a hidden space where Claude puzzles over concepts
The AI firm Anthropic has developed a technique that has given it the clearest glimpse yet at what’s really going on inside large language models as they…
Beyond da Vinci: Why versatile humanoid robots are the next frontier in surgery
For the first time, teleoperated humanoid robots successfully performed surgeries during a UC San Diego preclinical trial. The post Beyond da Vinci: Why…
Calling all robotics startups: apply to RoboBusiness Startup Alley
We're looking for robotics startups that are creating a full system, component, or software system to show off their work at RoboBusiness. The post Calling…
ForSight Robotics’ road to performing a fully robotic cataract surgery
ForSight Robotics' JASPER Platform assists surgeons with cataract surgeries, while still leaving the power in the surgeon's hands. The post ForSight…
Four nuclear reactors hit a big milestone in the US
I was really looking forward to July 4, and not just because I love a poolside barbecue. This year the American holiday also marked a big symbolic deadline…
Girl in Germany dies after family dog bites her
A four-year-old girl has died after being bitten by her family’s pet dog while playing, police and prosecutors in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt…
Microsoft’s patch Tuesdays are about to get bigger
{"#text":"Windows 11 updates could soon include fixes for more security issues at once. Microsoft said in a blog post on Thursday that it's now using AI to…
Rollon launches two telescopic rails with integrated magnets
Rollon said the magnets deliver improved load management, smoother extension, and increased durability, even under intensive operating conditions. The post…
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing expressed regret after shooting, roommate says
The former roommate of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, told prosecutors that Robinson expressed regret a…
The Download: a nuclear landmark, and China eyes Nvidia chips
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Four…
Tokyo prosecutor suspected of having inappropriate relationship
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office released a statement saying that it is investigating the 48-year-old prosecutor.
US-Iran ceasefire collapse revives risks of global inflation
China called on the United States and Iran to stick with peace plans after a resumption of missile strikes in the Middle East spurred a jump in oil prices.…
Yields hit three-decade highs as BOJ behind-the-curve narrative debated
Some analysts argue that the central bank is not being overtaken by the market even as the 10-year yield crosses 2.9%.
Are the US’ AI models better than China’s? That may be beside the point
As another heatwave rolled across Europe, the warehouses emptied before the politics could catch up. Air conditioners and fans sold out across Spain, Italy…
Berlin court sentences ‘serial killer’ doctor to life in prison for 15 murders
A German palliative care doctor was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for murdering 15 people with lethal doses of sedatives, and he remains under…
ENCY Software and Stäubli Robotics partner to simplify robot programming
ENCY Software and Stäubli Robotics have signed a global agreement to make robot programming more intuitive, faster, and more accessible. The post ENCY…
Europe’s third major heat wave raises grid and water risks
The latest spell of hot weather is being driven by a high-pressure heat dome, similar to the one that shattered records across much of the continent last month.
Farage vs Count Binface: how UK hard-right leader’s poll gambit could backfire
British anti-immigrant politician Nigel Farage faces the embarrassing prospect of going head-to-head with perennial joke candidate Count Binface in a…
Norway police says 28 arrested in international child porn operation
Norwegian police said on Wednesday that 28 men across seven countries had been arrested in an operation targeting buyers of material depicting sexual abuse…
NVIDIA and Hugging Face bring new models and frameworks to LeRobot
Hugging Face LeRobot is an open-source robotics library for training, running, and sharing robot datasets, models, policies, and workflows. The post NVIDIA…
#RoboCup2026 social media round-up
This year, RoboCup took place in Incheon, South Korea, from 2-6 July. The event saw teams take part in competitions, training sessions, and a symposium.…
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Director Shinzo Katayama and actor Shun Oguri discuss the cross-cultural collaboration behind Netflix's "Human Vapor."
The Download: worms fight pollution, and geoengineering faces reality
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Why…
Tickets, geofences, and 1M miles: The new reality of California AV compliance
Guident CEO Harald Braun breaks down the new AV mandates in California mandates and how they will affect the driverless industry. The post Tickets,…
US strikes Iran again, Tehran fires back at neighbouring Gulf states
The United States launched new air strikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again…
Wakatakakage injury casts pall over July meet, but potential new stars loom
The Nagoya tournament still offers plenty of intrigue, from a disrupted title race to the debut of highly touted English prospect Nicholas Tarasenko.
Why this CEO thinks video games make better training data than the internet
When it comes to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), large language models just don’t have what it takes. Models like ChatGPT and…
Your gaming data could be the secret to AGI, according to this Bezos-backed startup
When it comes to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), large language models just don’t have what it takes. Models like ChatGPT and…
ABB Robotics includes vSLAM navigation in F712 autonomous forklift
The Flexley Stacy F712 forklift uses vision to navigate, works with other robots, and complies with safety standards, says ABB Robotics. The post ABB…
Dad who drove family off California cliff has charges dropped after mental health treatment
All charges against a radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast have been…
Europe could prosper as China’s trade ally rather than adversary
The European Commission has been clearly signalling its intention to wage a trade war against China. Brussels’ intent to counter the so-called China shock…
HIVE brings in $15M to build physical AI for industrial machines
HIVE has deployed its technology across several sites in Scandinavia, operating autonomously across different machines. The post HIVE brings in $15M to…
IEEE Honors Robotics Pioneer Toshio Fukuda
Toshio Fukuda has been blazing trails for most of his career. He is considered to be one of the most prolific scholars in robotics, writing more than 2,000…
Meta’s new Muse Image model can pull other Instagram users into AI photos
{"#text":"Meta is launching the first AI image generation model made by its Superintelligence Labs division. The Muse Image model now powers the…
Tesollo initiates IPO process while developing humanoid hands
Tesollo, a South Korean robotic hand specialist, has officially begun preparations for its initial public offering. The post Tesollo initiates IPO process…
The Download: your stake in OpenAI, and the Treasury’s AI warning
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Your…
The foundational elements of AI architecture that IT leaders need to scale
With the rapid progress of AI capabilities and the move to agentic systems, organizations are expanding their use cases as the technology continues to grow.…
Why worms (and microbes) are catching on as a manure pollution solution
Anthony Agueda, a third-generation California dairy farmer, pulls a rake through a bed of dark, wet wood chips on his family’s land in Hickman, a tiny town…
Boston Dynamics brings its legged robots to the FIFA World Cup
Around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Hyundai and Boston Dynamics have taught footwork to the Atlas humanoid, while the Spot robot is on patrol. The post Boston…
EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China
For much of the post-Cold-War era, the European Union understood economic interdependence as a source of mutual prosperity. Open markets, free trade and…
Kraken Robotics acquires Covelya Group for $615M
Covelya Group expands Kraken Robotics' product offerings and total addressable market in subsea technology. The post Kraken Robotics acquires Covelya Group…
Microsoft is laying off 4,800 employees
{"#text":"A year after cutting around 9,100 employees, Microsoft is making further layoffs today as it begins its new financial year. The software maker is…
Noted scientists leave US for China, America turns 250: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Quantum Systems raises $1.2B to expand drone production and deployments
Quantum plans to use the proceeds to expand production capacity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and more. The post Quantum Systems raises $1.2B to…
#RoboCup2026 – humanoid league knockout stages
This weekend saw the finale of the league competitions at RoboCup 2026 in Incheon, South Korea, with the winners in the small, middle, and large humanoid…
South Korea’s hottest new bachelors are chip workers
Baek, a 35-year-old manager at the South Korean semiconductor titan SK Hynix, was enrolled in Sunoo, a matchmaking company based in Seoul, a year ago. In a…
The Download: South Korea’s hottest bachelors, and advancing eye transplants
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. South…
Victims mourned 8 years after western Japan rain disaster
Residents across the Chugoku region on Monday mourned over 300 people who lost their lives in the incident that hit the area in 2018.
Your family’s $300 stake in OpenAI
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. OpenAI CEO Sam…
Asian landlords are ready for a hawkish Fed
The lesson across these markets is the same: Property owners who cleaned up their debt profiles ahead of time are well poised to navigate any economic turmoil.
‘Catastrophic’ Super Typhoon Bavi hits US island of Rota
A “super typhoon” with equivalent force to a category-5 hurricane made landfall on the US island of Rota in the Pacific on Monday, the National Weather…
‘China shock 3.0’ is coming. And it’ll be AI-powered robots
The world’s attention is fixed on frontier artificial intelligence (AI) models, but China’s robot-making factories deserve just as much attention. Chinese…
Fires ravage France, Spain, Portugal forests as Europe’s temperatures rise again
Hundreds of firefighters battled forest infernos in France, Spain and Portugal on Sunday as temperatures rose again in heatwave-scarred Europe. The latest…
Humanoid says KinetIQ Ascend reinforcement learning approaches human-level dexterity
Humanoid says its KinetIQ Ascend approach can reach 99.9% manipulation reliability at human speed and beyond for industrial tasks. The post Humanoid says…
Millions in Lalique jewellery stolen in daring French museum raid
Burglars stole millions of euros’ worth of jewellery from the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique in a daring early-morning raid on Sunday, just…
Prosecutors to lay out case against Charlie Kirk’s accused killer
Charlie Kirk’s widow and parents are expected this week in a Utah court where prosecutors seeking the death penalty will argue that the man charged with…
As US turns 250, Trump warns American identity under ‘renewed attack’
America turns 250 on Saturday – a landmark birthday that coincides with a time of deep national division and a president determined to seize the festive…
Context is king: How Avride uses cloud VLMs as a safety net for delivery robots
Avride uses vision-language models, or VLMs, to improve the environmental awareness of its delivery robots. The post Context is king: How Avride uses cloud…
Heatwave upends Fourth of July events across US, strains power grids
A dangerous heatwave upended Fourth of July celebrations across swathes of the central and eastern United States on Friday, forcing officials in the…
Japan Pioneered Humanoid Robots—Can It Now Catch China?
“In the future, the relationship between humans and robots will deepen, and the distinction between them will probably disappear.” This prediction, from one…
Micron breaks ground on $9 billion western Japan plant expansion
The company is building the facility in Hiroshima to make high-bandwidth memory chips, with shipments to start around the summer of 2028.
Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU
Pope Leo on Saturday visited Italy’s Lampedusa island, a major port of call for migrants risking the perilous crossing from Africa, in a stark message to US…
Sachiko Kazama’s art bites back at a cruel society
Sachiko Kazama has made a name for herself as a sharp satirist. Her art from spanning a nearly four-decade long career is now on display in Hirosaki, Aomori…
The fanfiction community is at war with AI — and itself
{"#text":"Over the past week, a new fanworks movement has kicked off, with the aim to root out authors using generative AI. But the detection methods being…
Trump seeks to put himself centre stage for US Independence Day
President Donald Trump will headline US Independence Day celebrations on Saturday with a speech and a show that seek to place him at the centre of the…
‘We won’t tolerate this’: thousands in Germany protest against far-right AfD
Thousands of opponents of Germany’s far-right AfD took to the streets of Erfurt on Saturday and blocked roads to the party’s annual conference ahead of…
A device that revives eyeballs from dead donors could make eye transplants possible
It’s not easy to transplant a whole human eye. The surgery is difficult. And the eyes themselves start to degenerate as soon as they’ve left the body. When…
Chinese tech cuts desalination cost; light plane crash dilemma: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
ERL2026 Photo & Video Galleries Now Online
Congratulations to all participants! Thank you to all sponsors and partners! Check out the photo gallery of ERL2026, the aftermovie and the interviews!
Following petition, female lawmakers in Japan get two more toilets
The cross-party petition, whose 58 signatories included Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, asked for more toilets for women in the parliament building.
Little hope for a declining yen amid structural pressures
Ultimately, the value of the yen reflects faith in the Japanese economy's long-term prospects.
Nasa launches robotic mission to save space telescope
Nasa launched a robotic mission on Friday to try to prevent one of its ageing telescopes from burning up in the atmosphere, a complicated operation expected…
Quarterhill discusses transport modernization as U.S. marks 70 years of federal highways
At the U.S. celebrates 250 years of independence and 70 years of its highway system, an expert looks at the future of autonomous transport. The post…
#RoboCup2026 – humanoid league day 2
The second day’s play at RoboCup 2026 has drawn to a close with another bumper set of matches. Teams have come from far and wide to take part in the…
Russian envoy to skip Hiroshima peace ceremony
The annual peace ceremony will have had no Russian representative for five years in a row since the country's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The Download: a smoking “endgame” and a new Elizabeth Bear story
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The UK’s generational tobacco ban might not work. I’m supporting it anyway.
As the parent of two little girls, I often think about how their childhood is different from mine. The seven-year-old is learning about AI at school. The…
Video Friday: An Earthbound Mars Rover for the Moon
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Washington prepares for world-record fireworks, but will it end in a smoke show?
An “unforgettable” tribute to America, or a health hazard that will terrorise animals and pollute the environment? That is the question as Washington…
Achieving operational excellence with AI
Frameworks like Lean Six Sigma and business process management (BPM) first gained traction because they promised clarity in the chaos—a structured way to…
Apple seeks to buy Chinese-made memory chips by lobbying U.S.
The iPhone maker wants to reduce the impact of a global memory shortage that's forced it to raise prices across its product line.
Automate 2026 show recap
Editors Steve Crowe, Mike Oitzman, and Sarah Wynn review Automate 2026, analyzing key trends in physical AI, humanoids, and software orchestration. The post…
China signals openness to reducing gaping EU trade surplus as Brussels toughens stance
China told the European Union that it is open to exploring ways to cut its massive trade surplus with the bloc during talks in Brussels this week, according…
France’s far right pledges 40 million air conditioners as heat turns political
Across Europe air conditioning is a new battleground as officials grapple with how to adapt aging infrastructure to debilitating heat as the climate changes.
Interrogation footage to be shown at trial over prosecutor questioning
According to the complaint, prosecutors interrogated a man for 41 days in a row between May 2021 and July 2021, totaling roughly 205 hours.
Luxonis closes Series A round to scale physical AI perception layer
Luxonis said it plans to scale production of its OAK camera and refine its platform to support robotics and industrial automation. The post Luxonis closes…
‘Night of horror’: Russian missile and drone barrage kills 21 in Ukraine capital
Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in the early hours on Thursday, killing at least 21 people, wounding…
Reflections from ICRA 2026
From the 1st-5th June, the robots descended on Vienna. The 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA) brought together the top…
#RoboCup2026 – humanoid league day 1
Image credit: RoboCup Federation. RoboCup 2026 kicked off today in Incheon, South Korea, with the league competitions running until 5 July. It’s an exciting…
Teaching AI to run with the turbines
Artificial intelligence may have captured the public imagination through chatbots and image generators, but some of its most consequential use cases are…
The Download: a startup has a solution for AI’s groupthink problem
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. LLMs…
Why California’s carbon manure math doesn’t add up
Something stinks in California’s climate policies. Years ago, the state set up a system that pays cattle farmers across the country to turn the methane…
Why you should combine robot dexterity with mechanical positioning for complex assembly operations
Experts are recognizing the importance of mechanical positioning and its impact on the machine’s mobility, range and speed. The post Why you should combine…
Anthropic’s long-sidelined Fable 5 is greenlit to return
{"#text":"After weeks of negotiating with the Trump administration, Anthropic is finally going to be able to bring Claude Fable 5 back online. In a post on…
Apptronik unveils Apollo 2 and a flagship data collection and training facility
Built as a data collection and training platform, Apollo 2 enables continuous learning through deployment, Apptronik said. The post Apptronik unveils Apollo…
Autonomous vehicle hype is back, and Humble Robotics is bringing it to freight
The autonomous vehicle space is starting to feel like a repeat of the 2016 hype cycle. Travis Kalanick is back building a robotics company, and the talent…
Central Asia’s republics are no longer the chess pieces of empires
When people speak of the Great Game, they usually mean the 19th-century rivalry between the British and Russian empires for influence over Central Asia. It…
Humble Robotics’ CEO says the tech finally caught up to the vision for autonomous vehicles
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the autonomous vehicle space is starting to feel like a repeat…
In Robotics, Ruggedization Is No Longer Optional
As autonomy moves beyond controlled environments, ruggedized design is becoming a prerequisite for reliable robotic operations. The post In Robotics,…
Japan plans sovereign AI model and 10 million AI robots
The country will reportedly invest around $6 billion in the homemade AI model, which will be developed by Noetra, a consortium of firms including SoftBank…
LLMs are stuck in a groupthink groove. This startup is trying to get them out.
Let’s start with a game. Open up your chatbot of choice—Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini—and type “Give me a random number between 1 and 10.” You’re going to get 7.…
Roadside land prices rise in popular Japanese tourist sites
Across the board, the prices of land facing major roads in Japan as of Jan. 1 went up by 2.9%, marking a fifth consecutive year of increases.
The Download: Anthropic launches Claude Science, and California’s carbon manure math
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Claude…
Top 10 robotics developments of June 2026
Humanoid robots made many headlines in June 2026, whether it be for companies going public, new deployments, or hitting production milestones. The post Top…
Agriculture is ready for AI, but its data isn’t
Artificial intelligence is transforming what is possible in agriculture, but industry leaders should be wary of investing in AI without first laying the…
Building tech in the world’s secret R&D hub
Apple. Anthropic. Disney Research. Google. Meta. Microsoft. NVIDIA. OpenAI. Few places outside Silicon Valley can claim R&D hubs from all of these…
Claude Science is Anthropic’s newest flagship product
At an event for pharmaceutical executives, biotech founders, and researchers on Tuesday, Anthropic announced Claude Science, a major new product intended to…
Government launches panel to review foreign investment in Japanese companies
The new body will conduct cross-ministerial reviews with the aim of preventing leaks of technology and information critical to national security.
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Tochigi Prison, which houses 456 inmates, is a microcosm of what female prisons across the nation are facing, from a rising foreign population to mental…
Passenger jet reports striking drone approaching JFK airport to land
A passenger jet reported striking a drone while approaching JFK International Airport on Monday, and just hours later, a helicopter pilot alerted a close…
Queue raises funding to build fully autonomous pharmacy
Queue is developing automated pharmacies to expand access to prescriptions in hospitals, retail sites, and underserved communities. The post Queue raises…
Roundtables: Longevity’s Next Frontier: “Reprogramming” Your Body
Listen to the session or watch below Billions of dollars are flooding into efforts to reverse aging as scientists explore ways to return cells to a younger…
Soft, robotic cells from morph embed physical AI into hardware
morph launched a physically intelligent soft robotics platform that designs and manufactures what it calls “soft robotic cells.” The post Soft, robotic…
Sonair ADAR One 3D ultrasonic sensor is now safety-certified
Sonair says ADAR One was assessed as a human detection sensor according to the IEC 61496 standard for electrosensitive protection devices. The post Sonair…
The Download: AI “coworkers” and stratospheric internet
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. AI…
UK may intervene in Paramount’s US$110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery
Britain said on Tuesday it could intervene in Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, potentially holding up the US$110 billion…
X Square Robot brings its valuation to $2.8B with four consecutive funding rounds
X Square Robots' system combines foundation models, robotics hardware, a data pipeline system, and real-world deployments. The post X Square Robot brings…
Advantages of hypoid gearing over worm, bevel and bevel-planetary
Right-angle gearing often requires engineers to compromise between torque capacity and mechanical efficiency. Hypoid gearing offers a balance of mechanical…
Agent confidence on the technical frontier
Enterprise investment in AI is booming. Gartner is calling 2026 an “inflection year” for organizations to align their AI projects with strategic business…
AI agents are not your “coworkers”
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Imagine coming in…
Author of US ‘torture memos’ to advise team probing alleged anti-Trump conspiracy
A law professor known for his expansive views of presidential power and for decades-old memos that justified harsh interrogation techniques after the…
BMW Group deploys Figure 03 humanoid after tests with previous version
The Figure 02 robot supported the production of more than 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles over 11 months in South Carolina. The post BMW Group deploys Figure 03…
Europeans hunt for Chinese aircons, Wu Chun’s luggage ordeal: 5 weekend reads
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records
The deadly heatwave that’s set temperature records across western Europe for more than a week has shifted east to scorch Hungary, Romania and the Balkans.…
Insights behind Kinisi’s acquisition by Bear Robotics
Brennand Pierce, founder and CEO of Kinisi Robotics, discusses the company's approach to physical AI and its acquisition by Bear Robotics. The post Insights…
MBody AI expands service robotics operations to eleven states and Canada
MBody AI has deployed its hardware-agnostic Orchestrator platform to Florida and California, with a pilot in Ontario. The post MBody AI expands service…
Nasa turns to robotic spacecraft to save telescope from falling back to Earth
Nasa is racing to save an ageing telescope from falling back to Earth with a daring rescue mission. The US$30 million salvage operation gets under way as…
Prosecutors seek life sentence over 2013 Ohsho president murder
The defendant, Yukio Tanaka, is accused of shooting Takayuki Ohigashi, the Ohsho president who was 72 at the time, to death in Kyoto.
Robot hand company settles Tesla trade secret suit and announces $11M raise
The startup, Proception, is taking a unique approach to collecting training data to tackle one of the hardest problems in robotics: hands.
Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
Swiss authorities on Monday returned 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in a ceremony at the National Museum in Lagos, the latest addition to the nation’s growing…
The Download: metric weaknesses and AI elephant warnings
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
US parents charged with murder in death of 7-year-old son weighing 116kg
The parents of a seven-year-old Michigan boy who weighed 116kg (255 pounds) when he died have been charged with murder, torture and child abuse, prosecutors…
What’s coming up at #RoboCup2026?
This year, RoboCup will be held in Incheon, South Korea, from 2-6 July. The event will see teams take part in competitions, training sessions, and a…
AGIBOT produces 15,000th robot, marking a milestone in embodied AI deployment
AGIBOT has rolled out 15,000 wheeled semi-humanoid robots as it moves from embodied AI from development and production to deployment. The post AGIBOT…
For an Africa seeking growth, China is proving a reliable partner
On June 4, at a packing facility in Limuru near Nairobi, Kenya, avocados were being prepared for the Chinese market. The scene may seem mundane, but the…
Prosecutors used ChatGPT logs as evidence in the Palisades fire trial
{"#text":"Jonathan Rinderknecht was facing arson charges for setting a fire on New Year's Day in 2025, which became one of the deadliest wildfires in LA…
How compact cobot integration enhances autonomous mobile robot applications
Cobots are quickly shaping the future of warehousing, with their use rising 10-fold from 2018 to 2025, Kassow said. The post How compact cobot integration…
Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?
Three months of war with the United States and Israel may not have broken Iran’s resistance, but its economy has been brought to its knees. Forty days of…
Smash tacos with bear-approved veggies
Alpine leeks are a forageable example of the "sansai" (wild edible plants) that make springtime a bounty of flavors across Japan's countryside — for humans…
US, Mexico Catholic bishops call for humane treatment of migrants
More than 100 Catholic bishops, nuns, priests and parishioners joined a procession across the US-Mexico border on Friday evening, urging the US government…
We know how to build smarter robots. Now, we need to learn smarter ways to test them
Atharv Kolhar, a staff test automation engineer at Figure AI, says the robotics industry needs a testing philosophy that scales alongside autonomy. The post…
Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa fee hike to affect Chinese: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?
Leaders of the G7 rich nations might have gone into this month’s summit in France hoping for a united front against China. But, overshadowed by the…
Expert witnesses demand amendment to retrial reform bill
The bill to revise the Code of Criminal Procedure limits the scope of evidence that courts may order public prosecutors to submit to that related to an…
Fans take over iconic Shibuya Crossing as Japan reaches World Cup knockout round
Fans watched in packed bars, cafes and even on the side of the road as the Samurai Blue secured a second-place finish in Group F at the World Cup.
Former US national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to illegally keeping secret info
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal…
General Intuition raises $320M to use video game data to train robots
General Intuition is using video game clips with embedded action labels to speed up AI training for robotics. The post General Intuition raises $320M to use…
Heat waves mess with your brain. Scientists are trying to figure out why.
It’s been hot in London this week. Really hot. A dangerous heat wave has hit Western Europe. Yesterday, the UK recorded its highest ever June temperature at…
Heavy rain continues across country with two approaching tropical storms
Central Japan Railway said the Tokaido Shinkansen may be delayed or suspended Saturday, while East Japan Railway warned of possible regular train line…
Names of prosecution inquest panel in Yamaguchi leaked
Sources in the prosecutor's office said that a document naming the panel members was mistakenly sent to a petitioner.
Orbbec shows AI-powered vision systems at Automate 2026
Orbbec presented industrial-grade 3D cameras for challenging automation scenarios, as well as AI integration for enhanced robotic perception. The post…
Robot Talk Episode 162 – The robot doctor will see you now
Since the first robot-assisted surgery was performed, over 40 years ago, major advances in robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence have…
Sony discontinues Japan sales of Aibo robot puppy
The first iteration of Aibo came out in 1999, followed by numerous models over the years.
The Download: brain-melting heatwaves and unprecedented OpenAI restrictions
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Heat…
Venezuela earthquakes death toll rises to 920, other nations rush to help
The official death toll from twin earthquakes that flattened parts of Caracas and surrounding areas rose to 920, the authorities said on Friday. The…
Video Friday: Give Robots a Hand
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Why Chinese exporters and shipping firms remain wary despite the US-Iran peace deal
Iran and the United States may have entered a temporary ceasefire, but uncertainty over the agreement continues to cast a shadow over the operations of…
3-year-old found dead in car during France heatwave
A three-year-old has died after finding himself trapped in a car in the Paris region in extreme heat, a prosecutor said on Thursday, the third such fatality…
ARM Institute expands RoboticsCareer.org into physical AI
RoboticsCareer.org now lists the growing job opportunities in physical AI and enables employers to connect to qualified talent. The post ARM Institute…
German doctor admits to killing 12 patients in high-profile trial
A German doctor admitted to having killed 12 patients nearly a year since the start of his high-profile trial at the Berlin Regional Court on Thursday. The…
Hirebotics offers no-code, explosion-proof cobot for painting
Hirebotics' Cobot Painter supports stationary painting, with parts placed in a paint booth where robots perform all spraying operations. The post Hirebotics…
IBM has unveiled chip technology that could help extend Moore’s Law another decade
IBM has built a new prototype chip with around 100 billion transistors on an area the size of a fingernail, which is twice the density of the company’s…
Japanese railway firms adopt AI safety systems at crossings
The technology can automatically detect and report abnormalities, such as stalled vehicles or people trapped on the tracks.
Repositioning retail for the AI era
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping retail, but not in the ways consumers might immediately notice. The biggest transformation may not be flashy…
Robust.AI chooses Aptiv PULSE sensor for Gen 3 Carter mobile robot
Aptiv provides sensor fusion from radar and vision using AI to enable Robust.AI's Carter robot to move safely around people. The post Robust.AI chooses…
The Download: Europe’s heat wave hits the grid, and IBM’s chip targets Moore’s Law
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
US inflation rises to 3-year high, spending picks up
US consumer spending accelerated in May even as prices rose at the fastest pace in more than three years, suggesting Americans are powering through the…
Venezuela earthquakes draw aid from governments that cut ties with Caracas
Venezuela has received offers of rescue teams and humanitarian aid from across the Americas, including from right-wing governments that had broken off…
Weinstein’s New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can’t endure fourth trial
Harvey Weinstein avoided a fourth trial on a New York rape charge after his accuser said she could not endure testifying again, leading prosecutors to drop…
What Europe’s heat wave means for the power grid
It’s been hard to look away from headlines about the European heat wave this week. Temperatures are breaking records across the continent, and the weather…
All challenges big and small
When I was 18, I skipped my high school graduation and headed to Kuwait. It was 1991, the first Gulf War had just ended, and the country was in complete…
Deep dive into ARM’s physical AI and robotics strategies with Drew Henry
ARM’s Drew Henry discusses the future of physical AI, robotics, and autonomous systems built for real-world constraints. The post Deep dive into ARM’s…
Europe’s extreme heat is shutting down power plants
Europe is in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave, and the grid is being pushed to its limits as people turn to fans and air-conditioning to try to…
FAULHABER focuses on torque, noise, and power with new GPT gearheads
FAULHABER says its new GPT gearheads work with motors in its standard range and provide more performance with a compact design. The post FAULHABER focuses…
Gates told Congress Epstein considered blackmailing him
In closed-door testimony this month, Gates disputed details that Epstein recorded in emails to himself regarding the Microsoft co-founder's extramarital…
Humanoid maker Agility Robotics to go public through SPAC merger
Agility Robotics will merge with Churchill Capital Corp XI, raising $620 million to advance Digit v5 and fulfill growing customer orders. The post Humanoid…
Mantis Robotics launches dual-arm, fenceless robot
Mantis said the robot allows for new flexibility in how to configure automation in complex, real-world environments. The post Mantis Robotics launches…
Race for robotaxi market arrives in London
British startup Wayve, in partnership with Uber, is racing to beat U.S. rival Waymo, owned by Google-parent Alphabet.
Reservoir acquires Contain to scale agtech startups
Reservoir has acquired agriculture finance platform Contain,, naming founder Nicola Kerslake general partner to help scale AI startups. The post Reservoir…
Stripe, Anthropic, and OpenAI are backing an effort to stop respiratory infections
The common cold comes for us all—often more than once a year. And there is no way to prevent it. The best you can do is take vitamin C and stay away from…
The Download: introducing the Engineering issue
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The emergence of the web data infrastructure layer for AI
AI is booming. New use cases are emerging each day. To capitalize on the technology’s potential, enterprises require data at scale. In many cases, though,…
This flying solar-powered platform could deliver better internet from the air
As soon as August, a giant silver bullet will cut its way through the dry air of the southwestern US and cross the Pacific to reach the coast of…
‘War of words’ won’t stop Iran nuclear inspections, says IAEA
The international nuclear watchdog responsible for verifying Iran’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium dismissed the conflicting signals from Tehran and…
A breath test could diagnose pneumonia in minutes
With a test being developed at MIT, diagnosing pneumonia and other lung conditions could someday be as easy as breathing into a tube.  The test, dubbed…
A man of many words
Brian Sietsema has a favorite word. It’s somewhat surprising that he can choose just one. He’s the person spellers rely on to confirm pronunciations and…
AI brings object-level vision prosthetics closer to reality
Image credit: By Jeff Dahl – Own work by uploader, Based on the public domain document: [1], CC BY-SA 3.0, Link By Stephanie Parker This research from…
CreateMe partners with Avalo and Laguna Fabrics to bring resilience to apparel supply chains
CreateMe said the partnership aims to demonstrate how apparel can be produced faster, more locally, and with greater supply chain resilience. The post…
Engineered “mini livers” could be injected as an alternative to transplantation
A technology developed by Professor Sangeeta Bhatia, SM ’93, PhD ’97, and colleagues could offer new hope to the thousands of Americans with chronic liver…
Ex-lawmaker Ono found partly not guilty over slush fund scandal
Yasutada Ono of the LDP was handed down a fine of ¥600,000 after prosecutors had originally demanded ¥1.5 million.
ExRobotics launches UL-certified inspection robot for hazardous environments
ExRobotics says its ExR-2.5 inspection robot is certified for safe operations in explosive environments in North America. The post ExRobotics launches…
Heads in the game
The Argentina v. France final of the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar was shaping up to be one of the most epic games in soccer history. With just 12 minutes…
Hollywood is bending the knee to OpenAI
{"#text":"Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork have all reportedly decided to pass on picking up Artificial - director Luca…
Plants appear to detect the patter of falling rain
MIT engineers have found the first direct evidence that plant seeds can sense sounds in nature: Rice submerged in shallow water germinated 30% to 40% more…
Reinventing the zipper
With an adaptable fastener designed at CSAIL, pitching a tent or adjusting the cast for a broken bone could be almost as easy as zipping your coat. The…
Russia considers fuel imports amid Ukraine’s strikes on refineries: newspaper
Russia is considering fuel imports and corresponding subsidies to cap prices as ways to mitigate supply disruptions of petrol and diesel caused by…
Sharing a love for calculus
The national conversation about the value of education is currently dominated by speculation about the risks and positive potential of AI.  Whatever…
Stand Up for Research, Innovation, and Education
Right now, MIT alumni and friends are voicing their support for: America’s scientific and technological leadership Merit-based admissions and affordable…
Super Mario is mathier than you think
Here’s a problem you probably didn’t solve in school: You’re an ambitious young plumber from Brooklyn in a world inhabited by violent human-size mushrooms…
Trains halted across Germany over communications failure
A problem with a communications system forced Germany’s railway network to halt all trains late Tuesday, leaving passengers stranded across the country.…
Ultrasound imaging turns a robot hand into a skillful mimic
Our hands are the nimblest parts of our bodies, coordinating 34 muscles, 27 joints, and over 100 tendons and ligaments to perform countless nuanced…
Vention collaborates with FANUC and Universal Robots on software-defined automation
Vention is working with partners to make design and deployment of industrial and collaborative robots easier for manufacturers. The post Vention…
Why physical AI 2.0 needs a reality check
While vision and language are key parts of physical AI, physical state recovery will enable robots to interact with the world, says a columnist. The post…
Bear Robotics acquires Kinisi Robotics to boost its physical AI capabilities
Kinisi's KR1 humanoid robot, its Bristol-based engineering team, and its physical AI capabilities will be integrated into Bear Robotics. The post Bear…
Cobot’s Proxie Gen 2 robot adds autotasking, mobile manipulation
Cobot founder and CEO Brad Porter said Proxie Gen 2 can determine when materials are ready to move, identify destinations, and create tasks without human…
Eclipse Automation launches RealitySync simulation platform
Eclipse said its new RealitySync platform allows manufacturers to step into their future factory before it’s built. The post Eclipse Automation launches…
Ex-mob hitman who became New Jersey councilman has returned to crime: prosecutors
A notorious mob hitman who once testified against John “Junior” Gotti before cleaning up his life and becoming a councilman in New Jersey has been arrested…
FORT and NVIDIA launch AI-driven Outside-In Safety blueprint
FORT Robotics and NVIDIA launch Outside-In Safety, using external sensors to improve autonomous robot productivity and worker safety. The post FORT and…
Heatwave scorches Europe: at least 18 dead in France, including children in hot car
At least 18 people died in France, including two children left in a hot car, as a heatwave hung over Europe, smashing temperature records in several cities…
How Intrinsic eliminates manual robot coding
Alphabet’s Intrinsic has debuted its AI-powered "Intelligence Cell" to simplify factory automation and eliminate complex robot programming. The post How…
Inside the world’s deepest and longest subsea road tunnel
It’s cold, it’s very, very noisy, and—if I can be quite honest with you—I’m not feeling super relaxed. I’m currently around 300 meters, or 1,000 feet,…
Japan commemorates victims of discriminatory leprosy policy
A ceremony was held in Tokyo to restore the honor of leprosy patients in Japan, who had suffered severe discrimination based on a policy of forced isolation.
‘Lying flat’ goes mainstream, Singapore mall finds God: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
NVIDIA releases Halos, a full-stack safety system for robotics
NVIDIA said Halos connects AI compute, system software, sensor data, safety applications, and inspection for robotic systems. The post NVIDIA releases…
The Download: record-breaking subsea tunnels and flexible data centers
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Inside…
Three things to watch amid Anthropic’s latest feud with the government
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. For those of you…
Woman sentenced to 27 years over death of high school girl
Prosecutors had sought 27 years, arguing the "extremely cruel and malicious" crime the woman had been the ringleader of had "trampled on the victim's dignity."
Ethiopian PM’s party secures landslide win in national election
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party (PP) won a landslide victory in legislative polls held June 1, the election commission said on…
Güdel to show grinding beyond stationary robots with vertical, horizontal motion at Automate 2026
Güdel has added two degrees of freedom to heavy-duty robotic grinding applications through its TMV and TMF systems. The post Güdel to show grinding beyond…
Iran, US claims conflict over Hormuz as three Indian crude tankers emerge
Three fully laden India-linked supertankers have re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, adding to increased reports of traffic moving both ways across the northern…
Panel upholds decision not to indict Hyogo governor
The committee in Kobe determined that the prosecutors' decision was reasonable, rejecting an appeal filed by a professor and a lawyer.
Trump’s fears about economy undercut U.S. leverage in Iran talks
U.S. President Donald Trump cited the prospect of global economic collapse as a big reason he signed an interim peace deal. That could cost him in talks.
US attorney backs Trump on Washington pool ‘vandalising’, vows prosecutions
People caught vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall will be fully prosecuted, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said on…
China’s key minerals exports to Japan stay at low levels in May
Exports of some key types of tungsten, as well as rare-earths dysprosium and terbium, stayed at zero in May, according to Chinese customs data.
Defense manufacturing readiness hinges on autonomous finishing, says GrayMatter Robotics
The Navy's industrial base review identified a projected need for 174,000 new workers. GrayMatter says robotics can fill this gap. The post Defense…
A startup claims it broke through a bottleneck that’s holding back LLMs
Miami-based AI startup Subquadratic came out of stealth mode last month with a huge claim. It announced that it had solved a mathematical bottleneck that…
AURA Foresight Reaches Global XPRIZE Wildfire Finals in Alaska
One of only four teams remaining from more than 130 competitors worldwide, our team AURA Foresight is developing autonomous technology to stop wildfires…
Brain-computer interface trials are taking off
This week, I covered the story of Casey Harrell—a man with ALS who is “the first power user” of a brain implant, according to the researchers who worked…
Elmo releases new motion controller and servo drives for industrial applications
Elmo said its latest products set new benchmarks for power density, expand its existing Platinum line, and introduce the Titanium line. The post Elmo…
Iran floats insurance fees and asserts control over Hormuz
Iran sought to assert control over Strait of Hormuz by saying that ships need its permission and mandatory insurance to cross, even as the US said that 20…
Robot Talk Episode 161 – Collaborative haptic systems, with Allison Okamura
Claire chatted to Allison Okamura from Stanford University about developing advanced robotic systems for haptic (touch) interaction. Allison Okamura is the…
Robots pour cocktails and run marathons, but still can’t multitask
Many are either run by a human with a remote control or stuck doing one narrow task.
‘Tagusari Bros.’ searches for the meaning of justice
Themes of vengeance and closure are nothing new in the world of crime dramas, but few tackle them with the emotional nuance of TBS' "Tagusari Bros."
The Download: AI bottleneck debates, and BCI trials take off
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A…
The inevitable weakness of metrics
There are plenty of useful things a metric can reveal. There are even more it can obscure or corrupt. It took me well over a decade of tracking my own life…
US, Iran sign peace deal; China’s C919 jets grounded for safety checks: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
U.S. robotics industry saw double-digit growth in 2025, says IFR
The IFR said robust growth in the food industry and other non-manufacturing sectors drove this recovery in the U.S. robotics industry. The post U.S.…
Video Friday: Do Robots Even Need Legs?
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
What Amazon’s Astro Taught Me About Giving Robots a Soul
In 2018, Amazon brought me in as the lead UX Sound Designer for Astro, its first consumer home robot. Astro used cameras and other sensors to map and…
Adobe’s redesigned AI studio remembers what your creations look like
{"#text":"Adobe is introducing some new capabilities for its Firefly AI assistant, alongside a \"reimagined\" AI studio that lets you edit and generate new…
Geoengineering still faces major practical challenges
Solar geoengineering is often portrayed as a sort of emergency brake. Something along the lines of Pull in case of climate emergency to scatter…
Kinova launches KIMA medical robotic arm
Instead of adapting the robot from industrial technology, Kinova said it designed KIMA from the ground up for clinical use. The post Kinova launches KIMA…
Microbot Medical to expand veteran access to robotic surgery with LIBERTY
Lovell Government Services will become Microbot's service-disabled veteran-owned small business vendor to supply federal programs. The post Microbot Medical…
RealSense unveils AI-native D585 Pro depth camera for robots
The D585 Pro is powered by a proprietary Gen 5 system-on-chip and delivers more than 2x better depth quality than the previous generation of RealSense…
Richtech Robotics launches livestream for ADAM AI-powered humanoid
Online users will be able to engage with service robot ADAM, which uses NVIDIA technology, says Richtech Robotics. The post Richtech Robotics launches…
The Download: a new hunt for dark matter and Kenya’s case for going solar
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The search for dark matter has been blown wide open
Underneath an Apennine massif, below the Jinping Mountains of Sichuan, and at the bottom of a South Dakota mine, there is a cosmic hunt afoot. Isolated deep…
Autonomique deploys semi-humanoid robots and AI at Canadian Tier 1
Autonomique has moved its AI-powered robots from pilot to production at F&P Mfg., with plans for deployment across F-tech's global network. The post…
Entrepreneurs in Nairobi make the case for going solar
Most of Kenya’s power grid runs on renewables. But with 25% of communities lacking centralized electricity, the nation is looking to off-grid solar to hit…
Evaluating humanoids for surface finishing applications
Most manufacturing applications aim to reduce cycle time to improve throughput. Using general-purpose industrial robots that transcend human constraints is…
Fennec Engineering earns T2 qualification for Advanced Safety Acceleration Platform
Fennec Engineering has obtained certification confirming that its automated traceability platform meets strict safety standards. The post Fennec Engineering…
For traumatised Indian sailors, Hormuz reopening brings little relief
Captain Raman Kapoor was loading oil at an Iraqi port when word reached him that the United States and Iran were at war. Within hours, his tanker was…
Hacking the atmosphere: Geoengineering gets a reality check
Jim Franke pulls away the cover page of a presentation on the wraparound desk in his office, revealing an illustration of an odd-looking aircraft with…
New research enables a robot to chart a better course
By rapidly generating a smooth path plan that cuts travel time and avoids obstacles, the open-source “MIGHTY” system could streamline disaster recovery and…
Norway’s crown princess has ‘successful’ lung transplant
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has undergone a successful lung transplant and is recovering from the procedure, the royal household said in a…
Prices of chicken and eggs in Japan hit record highs
The national average price of chicken rose has risen to ¥155 per 100 grams while that of a packet of 10 eggs is now at ¥309.
Sanctuary AI validates physical AI performance at Tier 1 automotive supplier
Sanctuary AI is not waiting for humanoid robots; it's applying physical AI to demonstrate production-ready performance. The post Sanctuary AI validates…
The Download: a reality check for geoengineering and the science of interoception
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The next humanoid robot might not look human at all
{"#text":"The next humanoid robot might not have a head. It might not have legs. It might even sit on a wheeled base and fold down like a deck chair. But,…
The Secret to Marathon-Winning Humanoid Robots
On April 19, 2026, the Honor Lightning humanoid robot ran a half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the human world record by 7 minutes and the…
Trump pauses spy chief hearing to secure pick for powerful prosecutor post
US President Donald Trump suspended a Senate hearing on Jay Clayton’s nomination for intelligence chief, saying on Wednesday he wanted to be sure Clayton’s…
Built Robotics, Penn xLAB to develop physical AI for construction
xLAB and Built Robotics partner to capture additional data, advancing AI models to improve construction site safety. The post Built Robotics, Penn xLAB to…
Ebola cases top 800 in Congo as aid groups warn outbreak may be larger than reported
The outbreak, already the third largest Ebola epidemic on record and the biggest caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has spread across eastern Congo and into…
Exclusive eBook: How AI is becoming the next military advisor
A collection of stories about how militaries are using AI models to make decisions. This subscriber-only eBook is a package of six stories that were…
Genesis AI launches Eno general-purpose robot
Genesis plans to begin Eno’s production and targeted customer deployments by the end of 2026, with home deployments coming later. The post Genesis AI…
Kawasaki Robotics to debut RL030N physical AI platform at Automate
Kawasaki Robotics says its 8-DoF robot, Pulseboard inspection tech, and other systems will show its vision for intelligent automation. The post Kawasaki…
Pegasus Tech Ventures launches $60M fund for physical AI startups
Pegasus and CYBERDYNE will invest in startups developing robotics, physical AI, healthcare, automation, and intelligent systems. The post Pegasus Tech…
PSYONIC partners with ABB Robotics to apply human touch to robot dexterity
PSYONIC is combining its Ability Hand with ABB Robotics' GoFa cobot arm to apply data from prosthetics users to robotic grasping. The post PSYONIC partners…
SpaceX vaults past Amazon’s market value, briefly topping Microsoft
SpaceX roared past Amazon’s market valuation on Tuesday and briefly topped that of Microsoft, rapidly scaling the list of the world’s most valuable…
Swede who ‘ruthlessly’ prostituted wife to over 100 men jailed for 4½ years
A Swedish court on Tuesday sentenced a 61-year-old man to four years and five months in prison for having “ruthlessly exploited” his wife to have sex with…
The Download: the first brain implant power user and South Korea’s AI obsession
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. This…
Want to get a data center online quickly? Give it some flex.
At the end of a tense and scoreless first half of a soccer match between the English men’s team and rival Germany, millions of Brits let out a collective…
Autonomous freight developer Einride goes public via SPAC
Stockholm-based Einride operates a fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks servicing Global Fortune 500 companies across the U.S. and Europe. The post…
Big Tech’s desperate last push at AI regulation
{"#text":"For months, Big Tech's Washington lobbyists have chased after the holy grail of pro-AI legislation: preemption. This would be a comprehensive…
Burro introduces Grande 44 with proven outdoor autonomy built for heavy industry
The 44 hp Burro Grande brings more than 1 million hours of real-world experience to industrial towing, site logistics, and facilities operations. The post…
‘Customer harassment’ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
While ordinances have been helping many businesses across the nation to combat "customer harassment," they haven't been a silver bullet for such abuse.
Entangled robotic matter with cohesive motion
By Syl Kacapyr Cornell engineers have developed a robotic collective that behaves less like a machine and more like a material that flows, reshapes and…
Former Mazda engineer leads sports car museum project in Hiroshima
The hope for the museum is that it becomes the centerpiece of a broader initiative aimed at turning the surrounding area into a gathering place for…
Miss Hong Kong stirs Cantonese debate, China cuts degrees in AI push: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
The Download: cutting AC emissions, and nature’s drug designer
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. These…
These new solid-state ACs promise a cool future. Scientists aren’t so sure.
After three years of record-breaking heat, this one is set to be yet another scorcher. Air-conditioning? Not going anywhere. The International Energy…
This man with ALS is “the first power user” of a brain implant that lets him speak
Casey Harrell has had a set of electrodes embedded in his brain for almost three years. Harrell, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is…
UK charges Indian captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker seized in Channel
British prosecutors have charged with sanctions contravention offences the Indian captain of an interdicted alleged Russian shadow fleet vessel seized in…
Why do South Koreans love AI so much?
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. When I landed…
Israeli strikes on Beirut foil US peace plans, Iran says ‘no point’ in talks
US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged no further attacks by anyone after Israel’s military said it launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut,…
Modernizing the global economy with industrial robotics is needed but not inevitable
While service robotics adoption grows, industrial automation faces greater demand and bigger obstacles, notes a columnist. The post Modernizing the global…
Thousands hold G7 protest in Geneva as world leaders prepare for summit in nearby France
Protesters in Geneva clashed with police, set a car on fire and smashed the windows of a bank on Sunday to show their discontent with the G7 group of major…
Trump to name James McDonald – one of his lawyers – as Wall Street’s top cop
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he planned to appoint James McDonald as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the federal…
US judge reprimanded for having sex in chambers apologises: ‘I have no excuse’
A US federal judge who was disciplined after an investigation found that she had sex with a police officer in her chambers and then lied about it wrote a…
Visual Language Models Train Robots to Read Human Emotions
This article is part of our exclusive IEEE Journal Watch series in partnership with IEEE Xplore. As robots advance in terms of dexterity and other physical…
Why it’s nearly impossible to build a robot without China
Building on the country's electric vehicle industry, Chinese companies are making robot parts at a scale and price point others can't match.
Windows for robots: Edge AI expands usability
Before Windows, only engineers and computer scientists could work with computers. Edge AI is causing a similar accessibility shift for robotics. The post…
AI in warehousing: Akash Gupta’s vision for the future
Explore how GreyOrange's software revolutionizes warehouse automation with AI, transforming logistics into dynamic, predictive ecosystems. The post AI in…
Award-Winning Researcher Trains Robots to Make Educated Guesses
Yen-Ling Kuo always wanted to understand how things worked. When she was growing up in Taiwan, reading the story of Michael Faraday in elementary school…
Elon Musk becomes world’s first trillionaire after SpaceX IPO
In a post on the social media platform he owns, Elon Musk recently lamented: “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking…
Gatik to bring autonomous freight to PepsiCo’s North American supply chain
The partnership focuses on PepsiCo’s regional transportation networks, where it moves products daily from site to site. The post Gatik to bring autonomous…
Inside Interoception: The hidden sense of how you feel inside
MIT Technology Review Explains: Let our writers untangle the complex, messy world of science and technology to help you understand what’s coming…
MassRobotics announces the winners of 2026 Robotics Medal and Rising Star awards
Allison Okamura and Ayoung Kim won MassRobotics' 2026 Robotics Medal and Rising Star Medal, which honor women in robotics. The post MassRobotics announces…
Robot Talk Episode 160 – Robotic blacksmiths, with Edward Mehr
Claire chatted to Edward Mehr from Machina Labs about their RoboCraftsman that shapes complex metal parts for the aerospace, defence, and automotive…
Robotics Summit panel explores the state of humanoid robot design
At the Robotics Summit & Expo, experts weighed in on humanoid robotics today — and the ability to achieve a $20,000 price point tomorrow. The post…
SMBC-backed Yes Bank sees Indians tip-toeing back to deposits
Bank credit in India grew 16.2% in the year through May 15, the fastest pace since June 2024, according to central bank data, while deposits rose 12.2% over…
The Download: “reprogramming” aging, and the hidden sense of interoception
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Why…
Video Friday: Robotic Motion Discovery Reveals Unusual Behaviors
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Why “reprogramming” is the buzziest approach to reversing aging right now
Earlier this week, Life Biosciences, a biotech company focused on reversing age-related diseases, announced that it had dosed its first volunteer. A person…
With Central Asia rising, John Lee’s visit was well timed
In their 2022 book Sinostan, Raffaello Pantucci and Alexandros Petersen saw Central Asia as China’s “inadvertent empire”. If that is true – and the…
Xi on North Korean military ties; US blacklists Chinese tech firms: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
You do your own time
There we were, a regular murderers’ row of librarians. Little Jo. Eustace. And me. Turning around in the nave of our library to greet the sound of…
Defining Autonomy for Wellness Robots in Senior Care
An examination of how socially assistive wellness robots could support the seven dimensions of senior wellness, and how a framework can measure their…
Google DeepMind is worried about what happens when millions of agents start to interact
Google DeepMind is funding research into the potential dangers of situations where millions of different AI agents interact with each other online.…
Hello Robot is recognized by World Economic Forum as a tech pioneer
The World Economic Forum has honored Hello Robot, whose Stretch system provides mobile manipulation to older adults and people with disabilities. The post…
Inside soccer’s data renaissance
Imagine tuning in to the opening kickoff of a World Cup match and seeing a player intentionally send the ball all the way down the pitch and right out of…
Inside XRZero-G0, a new 2,000-hour open dataset for robotics research
X Square Robot has open-sourced XRZero-G0, a framework that reduces real-robot training data requirements by up to 20x. The post Inside XRZero-G0, a new…
Job titles of the future: Nature’s drug designer
In 2018, after nearly two decades working in Big Pharma, chemist Tim Cernak was ready to put his skills to a new use.  For Merck, he’d developed…
The Download: soccer’s data renaissance and China’s big nuclear plans
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Inside…
Trump picks Wall Street ‘top cop’ as US spy chief after Pulte backlash
US President Donald Trump said he is nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence, following backlash over his selection of…
Why China is betting on big nuclear reactors
It’s a tale of two nuclear industries. In China, large reactors are coming together at a stunning pace. The country has nearly doubled its nuclear fleet…
Why tech titans’ IPOs matter as much in China as in the US
Blockbuster initial public offerings from tech champions such as Anthropic and SpaceX are about to fundamentally reshape global capital markets. This wave…
China’s factory price jump contrasts with muted consumer inflation
China’s factory gate prices rose by the most since 2022, surpassing expectations, as higher oil costs stemming from the war in Iran help manufacturers…
EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce
The European Commission has declared its trade and economic relationship with China “unsustainable”, pointing to a daily trade deficit of €1 billion…
‘I love the inflation’: Trump embraces 3-year price high as Iran war hits home
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday brushed off concerns about consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year high in May, on the back of soaring…
Japan’s producer prices jump again on elevated energy costs
The measure of input prices for Japanese firms rose 0.9% in May from a month earlier, and April's increase was revised higher, the Bank of Japan says.
Microsoft, like, totally gets why students are booing AI-pilled graduation speakers
{"#text":"New college graduates around the country have been booing and heckling commencement speakers who hype up AI. Microsoft would like everyone to talk…
Microsoft restricts Claude Fable for employees over data retention concerns
{"#text":"Anthropic released Claude Fable, its first Mythos-class AI model, yesterday and it's already causing concerns inside Microsoft. Sources tell me…
NEURA Robotics to raise up to $1.4B in Series C funding for physical AI
NEURA Robotics plans to expand its platforms for robot learning and global production of humanoids and other systems. The post NEURA Robotics to raise up to…
Protesters torch buildings and vehicles, block roads over Belfast stabbing
Anti-immigration protesters torched buildings and vehicles in Belfast on Tuesday evening and blocked roads, a day after a stabbing allegedly by a Sudanese…
Robotics will not have a clean Llama moment
The Llama moment in robotics will not be the day a policy becomes downloadable. It will be the day another team can take that policy, adapt it to its robot,…
The Download: the “steroid olympics” and a safer Mythos
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The “steroid olympics” were a circus—and a window into our culture
Testosterone. Methenolone. Nandrolone. Human growth hormone and EPO. Meldonium, modafinil, and mixed amphetamine salts. Clomiphene, anastrozole,…
Beyond Dexterity: Why Contact May Define the Next Era of Robotics
This article is brought to you by AGILINK.Throughout the exhibition hall at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics (ICRA), in Vienna, one…
China’s EV giants are breathing new life into Europe’s ailing car industry
From Sunderland to Spain, Chinese manufacturers are revitalising idle factories and investing where traditional European carmakers are pulling back. Chinese…
David Sinclair plans to test whole-body rejuvenation drugs in the XPrize competition
The outspoken longevity scientist David Sinclair has been predicting that one day, you’ll go to the doctor and get a prescription that will make you 10…
Effort to establish a National Commission on Robotics advances in Congress
As the proposed National Commission on Robotics advances, industry leaders continue to call for more unified U.S. policy. The post Effort to establish a…
Five things you need to know about AI
At SXSW London last week I gave a talk called “Five things you need to know about AI,” in which I shared what I think are the biggest themes in AI right…
Former Giants manager Abe referred to prosecutors over alleged assault
The Metropolitan Police Department is believed to have attached a recommendation for leniency to the papers they sent to prosecutors.
How JPL Keeps the 13-Year-Old Curiosity Rover Doing Science
Thirteen years ago last August, I was camped out in the Jet Propulsion Lab press room in Pasadena, Calif., waiting to see whether the Curiosity rover would…
Learning to lead in a hybrid human-AI enterprise
As adoption of AI agents looks set to surge by as much as 300% in the next two years, leadership teams are carefully considering the implications of a…
Mark Carney’s trade push collides with reality of U.S. dependence
Canadian officials acknowledge that the main draw for many potential trading partners is the prospect of gaining tariff-free access to the world's largest…
Microsoft AI chief walks back comments about AI taking over white-collar work
{"#text":"Microsoft AI head Mustafa Suleyman is walking back his statement about AI automating jobs done by white-collar workers, including lawyers,…
Microsoft AI head calls out Anthropic for acting like Claude is conscious
{"#text":"Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman says it's \"really, really dangerous\" for Anthropic to speculate about Claude's consciousness inside its…
Prosecutors seek 27-year sentence for suspect in murder of Hokkaido girl
Public prosecutors have alleged that Riko Uchida and others "applied some physical force" to the high school girl, who was embroiled in a dispute over…
Standard Bots raises $200M to expand U.S. manufacturing footprint
Standard Bots asserted that investments in robotics are key to making U.S. manufacturing competitive on the global stage. The post Standard Bots raises…
The Download: whole-body rejuvenation drugs and five things to know about AI
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. David…
UN report exposes brutal reality for Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank
Palestinian civilians are caught between “mass atrocities” of Israeli forces, settlers and Hamas’ brutal rule, a UN-mandated inquiry said on Tuesday.…
Walmart, Wing add 7 markets in drone delivery expansion
Wing plans to bring drone deliveries to Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. The post Walmart, Wing…
ACS raises $200M to scale autonomous counter-drone system
Allen Control Systems will use the funding to scale manufacturing and accelerate deployment of its autonomous weapon station, Bullfrog. The post ACS raises…
China turns African port into tourist spot, students rethink Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Congratulations to the #AAMAS2026 best paper award winners
The AAMAS 2026 best paper awards were presented at the 25th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, which took place from…
Daimon Robotics and Galbot jointly launches RobOmni for benchmarking tactile perception and dexterous manipulation
Embodied AI is evolving from vision-centric perception toward Physical AI. The post Daimon Robotics and Galbot jointly launches RobOmni for benchmarking…
Days before rape verdict, court grants release of Norway crown princess’ son
A Norway court on Monday ordered the release of ailing Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son Marius Borg Hoiby, who faces a multitude of charges including rape…
ICC chief prosecutor suspended over sexual misconduct allegations
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended pending a vote by member states on his fate, the court’s governing body…
Iranians exhausted by prospect of more fighting with Israel: ‘no hope’
Residents of Tehran awoke on Monday anxious and drained by the prospect of full-scale war resuming, following tit-for-tat strikes between arch-foes Iran and…
Microsoft’s AI chief says superintelligence is near, but won’t take your job
{"#text":"Today I’m talking with Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI. And I’m actually going to keep today’s intro short — I’m working from my wife’s…
NotebookLM’s Gemini 3.5 upgrade adds a cloud computer and help finding sources
{"#text":"Google is rolling out \"across the board\" updates to NotebookLM. The AI-powered note-taking app now uses Google's upgraded Gemini 3.5 model,…
Prosecutors seek 27-year sentence for suspect in murder of Hokkaido girl
Public prosecutors have alleged that Riko Uchida and others "applied some physical force" to the high school girl, who was embroiled in a dispute over…
The Download: how the World Cup ball will fly and OpenAI’s “super app”
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Why…
Trump taps Blanche as his attorney general, setting up confirmation fight
US President Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche, acting US attorney general, to fill the position on a permanent basis, rewarding a loyal ally whose…
US sanctions over 100 Nicaraguan officials and relatives after activist death
The United States has placed travel bans on more than 100 Nicaraguan officials and their family members as part of a broader campaign to punish the current…
WHO chief visits Ebola-hit Uganda after virus spreads from DRC
The head of the World Health Organization on Monday visited Uganda, where a deadly Ebola outbreak has killed two people after spreading from the…
Why this year’s World Cup ball may not fly as far
Much is new about this month’s upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament, which will be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It hosts more teams than ever before.…
AGIBOT holds World Challenge 2026 to see how AI models perform on real tasks
AGIBOT said the industry is moving beyond simulation scores toward closed-loop testing on real robots with real tasks. The post AGIBOT holds World Challenge…
As Asia’s strategic landscape evolves, what is the Quad’s purpose?
When foreign ministers of countries that are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) gathered in New Delhi last week, the agenda looked familiar:…
Pentagon sees growing espionage threat from Israel
Israel and the U.S. have long known that each was spying on the other but recent Israeli efforts to learn about U.S. positions in talks with Iran may have…
Prosecutors across Japan to be surveyed for harassment
The supreme office issued related instructions to local prosecutor offices across the country last month and plans to compile a report by the end of fiscal…
Robots can enhance manufacturing workers rather than replace them
With the right AI, teleoperation, and safeguards, robotics can augment manufacturing opportunities, says one to ONE Holdings' president. The post Robots can…
Trump has squeezed China in Cuba, Panama and Venezuela. Is Nicaragua next?
US President Donald Trump’s drive to reassert US supremacy in Latin America has already squeezed China’s interests in Cuba, Panama and Venezuela. Now,…
Are AI chatbots making us lose control of our brains?
This week I’ve been at SXSW London. There’s been music, film, and a lot—and I mean a lot—of talk about AI. I also had the opportunity to sit down with…
Do China-Russia trade payment frictions show limits of de-dollarisation?
China and Russia have largely moved away from the US dollar in bilateral trade settlement, with most transactions now settled in their own currencies. Yet…
Energy now a focus of US-China contest of the century
Given that control over energy reinforces superpower status, the contest of the century has morphed into an intense rivalry between China, a rising…
GENISOM AI debuts deployable robotics platforms at ICRA 2026
At ICRA 2026, GENISOM AI may have been new to many international attendees — but it is not a concept-stage robotics startup. The post GENISOM AI debuts…
Mitsubishi Electric opens Serendie Street Boston digital transformation hub
Mitsubishi Electric opened Serendie Street Boston, its first Western digital transformation hub dedicated to collaboration and innovation. The post…
Norway crown princess awaits lung transplant
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant after a significant deterioration in her health that likely gave…
Robot Talk Episode 159 – Robot sensing and manipulation, with Maria Koskinopoulou
Claire chatted to Maria Koskinopoulou from Heriot-Watt University about autonomous robotic manipulators for surgery, industry, and beyond. Maria…
The Download: AI hacking beyond Mythos, and chatbots’ impact on our brains
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The Meta hack shows there’s more to AI security than Mythos
On June 5, 404 Media reported that attackers had been using Meta’s AI customer support agent to steal Instagram accounts. Their approach was simple: They…
Trump urged Xi to help end Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Video Friday: Watch This Running Robot Not Fall Down Stairs
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Why deterministic real-time systems are more critical than ever in robotics
Winston Leung discusses the role of QNX role in robotics and AI, focusing on safety, innovation, and industry trends. The post Why deterministic real-time…
Amazon develops a warehouse robot that workers can speak to
{"#text":"Amazon has announced a new version of its fully autonomous warehouse robot, Proteus, that will interact using language instead of code. The…
Can surgical robots fly? SS Innovations discusses challenges, solutions
The robotics developer is focusing on providing emergency care in active war zones and beyond. The post Can surgical robots fly? SS Innovations discusses…
China bans New Zealand lawmakers over Taiwan trip
The four MPs hail from across the political spectrum and visited Taiwan as part of a cross-party delegation in May, national broadcaster RNZ has reported.
China says US ‘invented’ terrorism charges to justify Cuba blockade
China accused the United States of using “invented allegations” to justify its terrorism case against Cuba, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio told…
Elon Musk is steamrolling Wall Street to become a trillionaire
{"#text":"Today on Decoder, I’m talking to Ryan Mac, a technology reporter at The New York Times and coauthor of the excellent book Character Limit: How…
EU trade chief swipes at China’s overcapacity, but seeks ‘meaningful’ talks with Beijing
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic has called for practical approaches and “meaningful discussion” to tackle the growing trade concerns between Brussels and…
Generalist raises $400M to scale its general-purpose AI models
Generalist claims its system improves average success rates to 99% on tasks where previous models achieved 64%. The post Generalist raises $400M to scale…
How courts are coping with a flood of AI-generated lawsuits
Most days in her chambers, Judge Maritza Braswell, a federal magistrate judge in Colorado, sifts through stacks of documents written by people without a…
Nvidia CEO mounts charm push in South Korea with TV talk show and baseball appearances
Jensen Huang is returning to South Korea with a charm offensive that reflects the country's rising importance in AI chips, robotics and the next wave of…
Proteus gets natural-language ability as Amazon expands European robot deployments
Amazon says Proteus needs no special commands as it plans to deploy the mobile robot, as well as STARK and Vulcan, across Europe. The post Proteus gets…
The Download: AI-generated lawsuits and virtual power plants for data centers
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How…
Voyager Technologies acquires Astrobotic to advance lunar initiatives
Voyager intends to accelerate investment to scale Astrobotic’s programs, including lunar and reusable rocket programs. The post Voyager Technologies…
Autonomous defense manufacturer Mach Industries raises $300M
Mach Industries will use the funding to accelerate executing government contracts, acquire talent, develop products, and expand its network. The post…
Between restraint and red lines, Malaysia navigates China’s gray-zone pressure
The Southeast Asian nation's defense chief has set a clear threshold in the South China Sea: any disruption to the country's offshore oil and gas platforms…
Boston University team wins MassRobotics Form & Function Challenge at Robotics Summit
MassRobotics awarded prizes to university teams and showcased healthcare innovators, physical AI developers, and startups. The post Boston University team…
Festo launches lightweight pneumatic gripper and tests GripperAI
Festo has released a compact cobot gripper, and its robot-agnostic GripperAI enables grasping of objects without prior training. The post Festo launches…
Global robotics technology roadmap
Deborah Lupton / Pop Chips / Licenced by CC-BY 4.0. Henrik I Christensen, Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at University of California San…
How virtual power plants could provide energy for data centers
Would you take a payment to ramp down your electricity use? Would it change anything if you were doing so to help power a local data center? Google just…
Israel, Lebanon agree to implement ceasefire, as Trump and Netanyahu play down heated call
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a…
Merged Japanese insurer aiming for ¥280 billion profit in fiscal 2030
The target for the year that ends in March 2031, excluding gains from sales of cross-shareholdings, would mark an increase of about ¥80 billion from current…
Microsoft and OpenAI broke up — now they’re ready to fight
{"#text":"At Microsoft's annual Build conference on Tuesday, the company announced a slew of new or expanded AI initiatives, including a super app, in-house…
RoboBusiness 2026 opens call for speakers
RoboBusiness 2026, the premier event for developers of commercial robotics and those building robotics businesses, is seeking expert speakers. The post…
The Download: Trump’s new AI order, and smart glasses for warfare
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. 5 key…
2026 Robotics Summit & Expo Recap
Listen to the podcast this week as The Robot Report editorial staff recaps the recent Robotics Summit & Expo from Boston. The post 2026 Robotics Summit…
FORT Robotics acquires Mapless AI to expand teleop capabilities
While FORT has traditionally worked with technology in industrial environments, Mapless AI brings experience in more unstructured settings. The post FORT…
How small businesses can leverage AI
This article is from Making AI Work, MIT Technology Review’s limited-run newsletter examining how to apply LLMs across industries. To receive it in your…
Microsoft Build 2026: All the news about Windows, AI, RTX Spark, and more
{"#text":"Microsoft Build 2026 kicked off with a keynote presentation that introduced some developer-focused Windows updates, an OpenClaw-based AI assistant…
Microsoft Build 2026: The 7 biggest announcements
{"#text":"Microsoft just kicked off Build 2026 with a keynote from CEO Satya Nadella and other company leaders. As expected, it was filled with…
Microsoft created the mini Surface dev box that Qualcomm couldn’t
{"#text":"Microsoft only just announced a new Surface Laptop Ultra at the weekend, and it's now revealing a miniature Surface PC aimed at developers. The…
Microsoft Scout is a new AI personal assistant built on OpenClaw
{"#text":"Much like Google, Microsoft is launching its own version of OpenClaw. Microsoft Scout is an always-on assistant that integrates into Microsoft 365…
Microsoft’s Project Solara is an OS for AI agent gadgets
{"#text":"Microsoft just announced \"Project Solara,\" a new OS designed for gadgets that run AI agents, at Build 2026. The company is calling it \"a new…
Microsoft’s first advanced reasoning AI is here
{"#text":"Microsoft announced a bunch of new in-house AI models at Build 2026, including a new \"flagship\" model: MAI-Thinking-1. It's an ambitious step…
NEWS RELEASE – EUROPE MUST SET ITS OWN ROBOTICS AGENDA
Vienna Statement urges recognition of essential role of robotics in meeting major challenges Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Europe’s citizens, industries and…
Nine dead, dozens wounded as Russia launches major attack across Ukraine
Moscow warned last week that it intended to launch "systematic strikes" on targets in Kyiv and urged foreign nationals to leave.
Petal Surgical adds more funding for incisionless surgical robot
Petal said its incisionless surgery method could create a new standard of care, making advanced treatments safer, more accessible and less traumatic for…
Rehumanizing global health care with agentic AI
The global health care sector is under increasing strain.  Decades of chronic underinvestment and constraints in recruitment have coincided with a…
RoboChem Flex: democratisation of the autonomous synthesis robot
Image credit: HIMS / Nature Synthesis. In a paper published in Nature Synthesis, researchers led by Professor Timothy Noël of the University of Amsterdam’s…
Salesforce Japan to focus on helping firms deploy AI effectively
Salesforce Japan's CEO said firms often have fragmented systems in which data is scattered across departments, making it difficult for AI to access and use…
The Download: AI can run your admin department now
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How…
The next tech war? Why biotech may become a new US-China battleground
The wide-ranging geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington could soon expand into biotechnology, raising the prospect of fresh tensions even as…
WHO chief ends DR Congo visit as group warns Ebola likely spread undetected
The head of the World Health Organization on Monday concluded his visit to Democratic Republic of Congo by briefing the president on the response to the…
ANSCER Robotics closes Series A round for industrial material handling
ANSCER Robotics has raised $5.4 million to scale its hybrid industrial automation robots in North America and globally. The post ANSCER Robotics closes…
Birmingham 2027 – Workshop call
As a clear illustration that the ERF process never stops, the call for expression of interest in workshops for Birmingham is already out. Much of the…
China has approved the world’s first invasive brain-computer chip—here’s what’s next
One day last October, sitting in the courtyard of his house in China’s Henan province, Dong Hui decided to see if he could hold a pen to write.  Dong,…
Chinese archaeologist pleads guilty, firms flee Singapore’s costs: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Congo’s Ebola footprint widens as officials race to gauge epidemic’s true scale
One of the most complex Ebola outbreaks in years is unfolding across areas impacted by armed conflict, mass displacement and weak health infrastructure.
Could you host ERF in 2029?
For those of us who have been longer on the planet than others, the years come and go with increasing speed. We are already into the second half of the…
ERF – learning from Stavanger
Work is already well advanced for next year’s ERF in Birmingham and the location of ERF 2028 is known (Athens), while the search for a host for ERF 2029 is…
Fiorella Operto (1949-2026) – an appreciation
Fiorella Operto – picture reproduced with the kind permission of the European Network of STEAM Educators It was with great sadness that we learnt last…
Five dead, two injured after blast at Hanwha Aerospace plant in South Korea
A fire official said that an explosion had triggered the blaze, though the cause of the blast was still being investigated.
ICRA 2026 is here
Members of the euRobotics community find themselves in good company as they attend ICRA in Vienna this month. The association is present and visible with…
Key hearing for accused Charlie Kirk killer will be public
Reporters and the public will be allowed to attend a key coming hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, after a Utah judge on Monday denied a…
Learn about advances in robotic case and each picking
Experts from Locus Robotics, Nomagic, and RightHand Robotics will discuss progress in piece picking in this week's webinar. The post Learn about advances in…
Microsoft to unveil new AI models and Windows improvements at Build
{"#text":"Microsoft is heading to San Francisco this week in a bid to win back developers at its Build conference. I've been attending Build since the days…
NVIDIA releases new and updated tools for physical AI developers
NVIDIA has released open-source physical AI agent skills and tools, as well as an Isaac GR00T humanoid reference robot. The post NVIDIA releases new and…
Robotics and automation 2026 at the MTC
In the next newsletter we’ll be reporting on this month’s Robotics and Automation 2026 showcase, which will take place at Manufacturing & Technology…
Robotics in culture
Robot… A Graphic Novel (Lem, Klimowski, Schejbal, SelfMadeHero Publishing, 2011, London) In the realm of science fiction as it relates to robots, a few…
The Download: China’s brain implant ambitions
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. China…
Top 10 robotics stories of May 2026
May 2026 was a busy month full of robotics news, and it was topped off by the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston. The post Top 10 robotics stories of May…
U.S. says it struck Iranian military sites as Tehran responds with air base attack
Air defenses in Kuwait, where a major U.S. base is located, were intercepting missile and drone attacks on Monday as sirens sounded across the country.
Wind, Rain, Sand… and Robots!
ERL 2026 on the beach at Scheveningen For a small, hard-working team of robotics competition organisers and competitors, mid-May 2026 will be remembered for…
I went looking for the AI weed vape that gives you Bitcoin for smoking
{"#text":"The crypto weed vape found me on 4/20, the high holiday of cannabis enthusiasts everywhere. It arrived over Slack with the thumbnail of a man…
This DIY Bipedal Robot Used Pneumatic “Air-Muscles” Instead of Motors
In 1987, Richard Greenhill, a British photographer who was fascinated by (but had no actual training in) robotics, decided he wanted to build a life-size…
Why robotic arms are now being integrated with CNC machines
Robotic CNC machine tending is becoming more flexible as leading suppliers bring new software and integration to industry. The post Why robotic arms are now…
MISUMI Group invests $1B in Americas, global AI and digital manufacturing
MISUMI Americas combines MISUMI's precision components with Fictiv's digital manufacturing platform for an entire bill of materials. The post MISUMI Group…
Russia says Ukraine drone struck Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Russia’s state nuclear energy company Rosatom said on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone had struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,…
Brussels fires starting gun on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation
The European Commission agreed on a tough new approach to trade relations with China, at a rare Beijing-focused debate among Brussels’ leadership on Friday.…
Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law pleads guilty to aiding suicides
The Canadian man who helped scores of people worldwide kill themselves by selling them poison pleaded guilty on Friday to 14 counts of aiding suicide, as…
China doubts Musk’s Starship future; ex-TSMC chip prodigy returns: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
How the Pope’s Magnifica Humanitas offers a template for individuals to meet the AI moment
Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence includes a statement that warrants serious attention from technologists and policymakers:…
How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline
There seems to be no end to the harm arising from US President Donald Trump’s madcap war on Iran. Go beyond the direct tragic impact across Iran itself, the…
NIST proposes a baseline performance benchmark for humanoid robots
NIST has proposed a standardized performance benchmark and testing procedures to help developers and evaluators of humanoids. The post NIST proposes a…
Robot Talk Episode 158 – Autonomous robot deliveries, with Ahti Heinla
Claire chatted to Ahti Heinla from Starship Technologies about their AI-powered delivery robots that operate independently on streets and pavements. Ahti…
Software becoming the biggest bottleneck to physical AI innovation, finds QNX research
As robots enter more unconstrained environments, software and security are becoming higher priorities, a QNX survey found. The post Software becoming the…
The deadly Ebola outbreak is proving difficult to control
The alert was raised on May 5. Four health-care workers in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had died from an unknown illness…
The Download: unlocking lithium and controlling Ebola
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How a…
This AI startup will clean your home for free to train future robots
{"#text":"AI training startup Shift wants to clean your home for free. The catch - because, despite what its website says, there's always a catch - is that…
TV coverage of Trump’s visit showed Americans how ordinary Chinese live
Nothing about the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Beijing suggested high drama. The language was restrained,…
US labels major Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organisations
The United States on Thursday designated two well-known Brazilian crime groups, the so-called Red Command (CV) and First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorist…
Video Friday: Extreme Omnidirectional Robot
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Call for Hosting the European Robotics Forum 2029 (ERF2029)
Introduction euRobotics is a Brussels-based international non-profit association for all stakeholders in European robotics. With about 250 member…
Climate tech companies are going public. What’s next?
This year, there’s been a wave of notable energy companies going public via IPO in the US. The solar and battery company Solv Energy went public in…
euRobotics Vienna Statement
June 2026 Europe must set its own robotics agenda. While global discourse chases data collection for vision-language models to fold laundry or choreograph…
How a new extraction process could unlock the world’s lithium
Researchers say they’ve found a new way to extract lithium, a crucial metal used in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and energy…
Light-activated gel could impact wearables, soft robotics, and more
New MIT work advances the growing field of ionotronics, in which data are transferred through ions, potentially providing a bridge between electronics and…
Microsoft 365 Copilot gets a speed boost and cleaner design
{"#text":"Microsoft is launching a revamped version of Microsoft 365 Copilot, offering a cleaner design that the company claims loads twice as fast. As part…
The AI Hype Index: AI gets booed in graduation season
It is one thing to say AI will change the world. It is another to expect the class of 2026 to applaud it. In fact, when former Google CEO Eric Schmidt told…
The Download: climate tech goes public and the AI Hype Index returns
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The evolution of cobots in metal fabrication and construction
Matt Bush, the co-founder and CEO of Hirebotics, talks about how cobots are becoming a necessity for manufacturers and welders. The post The evolution of…
Your guide to the last day of the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
The fun continues in Boston for the second day of the Robotics Summit & Expo, which includes the Women in Robotics breakfast and more. The post Your…
RCSV Welcomes Schmidt Sciences AI for Scientific Simulation Workshop
RCSV welcomed academics and industry leaders from the inaugural Schmidt Sciences AI for Scientific Simulation workshop during their Bay Area visit.
A guide to Day 1 of the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
Today, the Robotics Summit & Expo will be full of insightful talks, hands-on robot demos, and interesting conversations. The post A guide to Day 1 of…
Handle with care: Soft robot gripper picks ripe fruit without bruising
Cornell researchers used stretchable fiber-optic sensors to create a soft robot gripper that can predict the ripeness of strawberries by touch. Credit:…
The Download: keeping up with AI, and the future of IVF
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Stay…
Why robots still struggle to see the real world
Making machine perception reliable enough for real deployment requires more than better AI; it requires properly calibrated sensors, says an Orbbec…
A guide to everything happening at the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
Over the next two days, the Robotics Summit & Expo will bring thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors to Boston. The post A guide to…
Allient to demonstrate advanced motion control systems at 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
Allient will exhibit and demonstrate a range of its motion and control technologies at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston this week. The post Allient…
GMSL and the growing ecosystem around robotic vision systems
Just a few years ago, many site owners were satisfied if a robot could move from point A to point B. That’s not quite enough anymore. The post GMSL and the…
How humanoids learn to read the room
Designing for a humanoid robot is one of the most complicated applications in robotics today. The post How humanoids learn to read the room appeared first…
IntBot and Certis Group partner to scale physical AI for enterprises across Singapore
Certis is collaborating with IntBot to add humanoids to its existing service robot offerings as the partners start to expand in Singapore. The post IntBot…
Rethinking organizational design in the age of agentic AI
Amid rapidly growing adoption of enterprise-level AI agents, there’s a disconnect emerging between ambition and execution.  Although 85% of…
The Download: puncturing the AI jobs panic
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A…
XELA Robotics to show tactile sensing at the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
XELA Robotics will show at the Robotics Summit & Expo its improved magnetic interference compensation and uSkin in the Universal Manipulation…
Simulation vs. digital twin: A strategic lens on virtual manufacturing
Digital twins and simulation provide distinct benefits for manufacturers designing and integrating systems including automation, explains Visual Components.…
Robot Talk Episode 157 – Generating new robot designs, with Josie Hughes
Claire chatted to Josie Hughes from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne about using AI to develop new designs for robotic manipulators. Josie Hughes is…
Video Friday: Atlas Versus a Fridge
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Open-Source Software Is Starting to Help Robots Think
When a group of academics started making open-source robotics hardware, a generation of roboticists got years of their lives back. Now, the bigger challenge…
The Future of Physical AI Isn’t Smarter Robots, It’s Smarter Interfaces
This sponsored article is brought to you by Wetour Robotics.A field technician on a wind turbine, harness clipped, both hands on a wrench, needs to send a…
Robotics Café brings together autonomous robot practitioners
The recently launched Robotics Café is a weekly online seminar series to bring together researchers, students and industry practitioners working in the…
Will Robotics Have a ChatGPT Moment?
Over the next few decades, billions of autonomous, AI-powered robots will work alongside people in factories, perform tedious tasks in warehouses, care for…
Home Robot Safety Is All About Relationships
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is updating its 12-year-old safety requirements for personal care robots. A lot has happened since…
Robots Could Turn E-Waste Into a Source of Legacy Chips
Electronic waste is moving up on regulatory agendas in 2026. New European waste-shipment rules, expanded recycling fees on products with non-removable…
Agentic AI for Robot Teams
This presentation highlights recent efforts at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory to advance agentic AI for collaborative robotic teams. It begins…
Table tennis robot defeats some of world’s best players – why this has major implications for robotics
Ace rotates its paddle as it prepares to return the ball back to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata, during a match in December 2025. Credit: Sony AI. By…
What Makes a Job Dull, Dirty, or Dangerous?
For years, the field of robotics has used the terms “dull, dirty, and dangerous” (DDD) to describe the types of tasks or jobs where robots might be…
Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot
Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed by five countries’ boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic…
Ebola’s Africa spread tests global response after aid cuts
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo linked to 80 deaths and hundreds of suspected infections has spread across the border to Uganda.
Sci-fi or battlefield reality? Ukraine's bet on drone swarms.
The prospect of groups of drones that can act together and fulfill set tasks without human intervention has triggered both anxiety and excitement.
U.S. may ask Israel to put Palestinian tax money toward Trump's Gaza plan
The prospect of the Palestinians' own tax money being repurposed toward Trump's Gaza rebuilding plan could further sideline the Palestinian Authority.
U.S. plans to unveil criminal charges against ex-Cuban leader Raul Castro
Federal prosecutors expect to unseal an indictment against the 94-year-old Raul Castro in Miami on May 20.
Africa confirms fatal Ebola outbreak in Congo, urgent cross-border meeting called
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the continent’s top public health body, on Friday confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Congo’s…
Cabinet approves revision of controversial retrial system
Critics of Japan's retrial system have said prosecutors' right to appeal is prolonging the court procedures needed for those seeking a retrial, with it…
China hosts Trump at Temple of Heaven; Hong Kong sushi parasite video: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
How Chinese short dramas became AI content machines
In a dimly lit bedroom, a frightened young woman is thrown onto a bed by a tall, muscular man. He grabs her hand, and flame-like vines crawl across her…
Humanoid Robots Open a Future Where AI & Automation Merge
Humanoid robots have advanced beyond demos to autonomous real-world characters programmed to help.
Japanese producer prices jump by the most since 2014, backing case for rate hike
The measure of input prices for Japanese firms rose 2.3% in April from a month earlier, a full point above the highest estimate in a survey of economists.
Musk v. Altman week 3: Musk and Altman traded blows over each other’s credibility. Now the jury will pick a side.
In the final week of the Musk v. Altman trial, lawyers traded blows over Elon Musk’s and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s credibility. Altman was grilled on his…
Robot Talk Episode 156 – Rugged robots for dangerous missions, with Gavin Kenneally
Claire chatted to Gavin Kenneally from Ghost Robotics about robot dogs for defence, security, and public safety. Gavin Kenneally is the Co-Founder and CEO…
The Download: China’s AI drama factory and the WHO’s missing health targets
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. How…
The world is on track to miss its health targets
Every year the World Health Organization publishes a global health statistics report. It features the numbers behind world health trends and, importantly,…
Tokyo man arrested for luring girl into prostitution
The Tokyo resident has admitted to the charges and says he knew the girl was 15 years old at the time.
Trump and his CEOs want China’s business – but has Asia moved on?
US President Donald Trump’s landmark visit to China comes as the US-Iran war disrupts global energy supplies, fuels economic uncertainty and adds fresh…
Ukraine war: 36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over invasion
Thirty-four European states plus Australia, Costa Rica and the EU said on Friday they would join a future special tribunal for Ukraine to prosecute Russia…
Video Friday: Heavy Robotic Machinery Operates Itself
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Video highlights – ERL2026 Day 2
Day 2 at ERL 2026 ☀️📍 Scheveningen, The Hague 📅 May 13–15, 2026www.erl2026.eu After the first day’s focus on indoor adaptability, the sun came out…
Video highlights – Day 3 at ERL 2026 ☀️
Day 3 at ERL 2026 ☀️ 📍 Scheveningen, The Hague 📅 May 13–15, 2026 www.erl2026.eu That is a wrap on the European Robotics League (ERL) 2026! Today marked…
Xi-Trump summit aside, 2 meetings in Asia matter for global trade
Most readers of foreign news pages this weekend will be assuming that US President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing has…
Data readiness for agentic AI in financial services
Financial services companies have unique needs when it comes to business AI. They operate in one of the most highly regulated sectors while responding to…
Emerson Expands Nigel AI Tool Across Software Suite
Company expects to evolve its AI tool for testing from an advisor role to eventually an agentic role.
Establishing AI and data sovereignty in the age of autonomous systems
When generative AI first moved from research labs into real-world business applications, enterprises made a tacit bargain: “Capability now, control later.”…
Japan's top court seeks judge's dismissal over his suspected online gambling
The Akita District Public Prosecutors Office indicted the judge on suspicion of accessing an online casino site more than 60,000 times and gambling from…
Microsoft starts canceling Claude Code licenses
{"#text":"Microsoft first started opening up access to Claude Code in December, inviting thousands of its own developers to use Anthropic's AI coding tool…
Russia unleashes 1,500 attack drones on Ukraine, shattering prospects for peace
Russia carried out its largest aerial attack over a two-day period since the start of its war in Ukraine, pounding the capital Kyiv and other cities with…
The Download: deepfake porn’s stolen bodies and AI sharing private numbers
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
The shock of seeing your body used in deepfake porn
When Jennifer got a job doing research for a nonprofit in 2023, she ran her new professional headshot through a facial recognition program. She wanted to…
The Tesla Semi could be a big deal for electric trucking
The Tesla Semi has officially arrived. The company recently released a photo of the first vehicle rolling off its new full-scale production line. This…
Trump’s trillion-dollar business delegation arrives in China, eager for deals
The business executives accompanying US President Donald Trump on his state visit to Beijing this week are the wealthiest such delegation to visit China –…
US tourist arrested for allegedly throwing rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal
A tourist from Washington state is facing federal charges after a witness recorded what prosecutors say was a video of him hurling a coconut-sized rock at…
Video highlights – Day 1 at ERL 2026 🤖🌧️☀️
Day 1 at ERL 2026 Scheveningen, The Hague May 13–15, 2026 Real-world environments are unpredictable, and yesterday’s kickoff of the European Robotics League…
A plan to make drugs in orbit is going commercial
Varda Space Industries, a startup that’s been pitching its ability to perform drug experiments in space, says it has signed up the pharmaceutical company…
AI chatbots are giving out people’s real phone numbers
People report that their personal contact info was surfaced by Google AI—and there’s apparently no easy way to prevent it.  A Redditor recently wrote…
Alva Industries to bring its frameless motor technology to the Robotics Summit
At the show, Alva will show SlimTorq, one of the thinnest and lightest frameless motors on the market. The post Alva Industries to bring its frameless motor…
Architecting Reliability: How GMSL Diagnostics Enable Robust Vision
Autonomous and robotic systems rely on highbandwidth, lowlatency sensor data to perceive and navigate the world. The post Architecting Reliability: How GMSL…
Bridging the gap: Profitability meets sustainability through physical AI
Join Ranpak’s Omar Asali at the Robotics Summit to learn how physical AI scales sustainable, profitable warehouse operations. The post Bridging the gap:…
Data centers are coming for rural America
{"#text":"At its peak, the Androscoggin paper mill in Jay, Maine, a rural town about 67 miles northwest of Portland, employed about 1,500 people - until a…
Developing active and flexible microrobots
By C Huygelen Leiden researchers Professor Daniela Kraft and Mengshi Wei have created microscopic robots that move without sensors, software, or external…
French prosecutors seek 7-year sentence for ex-president Sarkozy
French prosecutors on Wednesday requested a seven-year prison sentence for former president Nicolas Sarkozy in an appeal trial on charges that he sought…
GMSL and the growing ecosystem around robotic vision systems
Seeing clearly is important. So is everything that comes next. The post GMSL and the growing ecosystem around robotic vision systems appeared first on The…
How humanoids learn to read the room
The closer robots get to people, the more vital it is for them to see, hear and react without missing a beat. The post How humanoids learn to read the room…
Japan’s coal power generation climbs as war makes LNG more expensive
The 30-day moving average for coal generation across Japan's main islands was up 17% on Tuesday compared with the same period last year.
Microsoft doesn’t want any of this
{"#text":"Maybe I'm just punch-drunk in my third week attending Musk v. Altman, but I have become very, very fond of Microsoft during the course of this…
Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs
{"#text":"Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a…
Paediatrician in Germany charged with sex offences in 130 cases
A paediatrician at a hospital near Berlin has been charged with sex offences in 130 cases, many of which are said to have taken place at the hospital,…
The Convergence in Perception Systems from Cars to Robots
Humanoid robots are beginning to work in close proximity to people, navigating shared spaces and responding to unstructured behavior in real time. The post…
The Download: making drugs in orbit and NASA’s nuclear-powered spacecraft
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A plan…
The Evolution of Vision Connectivity in Robotics: From USB and Ethernet to GMSL
As robotic systems evolve toward higher autonomy, richer perception, and greater scalability, the connectivity technologies used to transport image data…
Walmart Expands EV Charging Network With ABB Fast Chargers Across US Stores
Walmart launches its own EV fast-charging network with ABB chargers, promising affordable rates and integration with its app.
2026 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards
We unveil the 2026 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards, including the Robot of the Year, Startup of the Year, Application of the Year, and Robots for Good…
Automated Tire decloaks with new autonomous tire-changing SmartBay
Automated Tire says its SmartBay system enables one technician to supervise vehicle tire changing in up to three bays at once. The post Automated Tire…
Comau and OMRON Robotics partner to offer robotics for more industries
Comau and OMRON Robotics are combining robotics, control, and software capabilities in flexible automation for global customers. The post Comau and OMRON…
Duterte ally flees agents in Philippine Senate to avoid arrest under ICC warrant
Closed-circuit television caught images of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa dashing down hallways and up emergency stairwells to evade arrest.
Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctic talks start in Japan
Officials from the nearly 60 countries signatory to the Antarctic Treaty are meeting in Hiroshima for annual discussions on protecting and managing the…
Goldman’s Japan revenue hits 15-year high as foreign banks shine
Net revenue at Goldman Sachs' local brokerage arm rose 10% to ¥125.5 billion ($800 million) in the 12 months to Dec. 31, spurred by securities trading business.
Hello Robot Sets the Standard for Practical, Safe Home Robots
Many roboticists (and at least one robotics journalist) have been seduced by the dream of a robot butler. And the rampant popularity of videos showing…
Hello Robot’s latest Stretch 4 is bigger, faster, and stronger than previous versions
Hello Robot's latest Stretch 4 is more capable than previous assistive robots, while still maintaining flexibility and safety. The post Hello Robot’s…
Hiroshima and Nagasaki to take differing approaches toward Taiwan again
The Taiwanese government expressed its intention to participate in ceremonies in both cities last year and did so for the first time.
Marelli Unveils Advanced Suspension Systems for Mass Market Vehicles
Marelli introduces active suspension systems to enhance safety, reduce tire wear, and improve vehicle performance across segments.
The Download: a Nobel winner on AI, and the case for fixing everything
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Three…
US consumer inflation jumps as Iran war sends energy prices higher
US consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department’s consumer price index…
World Models: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
World models recently made our list of 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now. Watch executive editor Niall Firth explain why this emerging area of AI is…
Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe
Two national agencies fighting corruption in Ukraine have named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former chief of staff as an official suspect in a…
Fostering breakthrough AI innovation through customer-back engineering
Despite years of digitization, organizations capture less than one-third of the value expected from digital investments, according to McKinsey research.…
How to teach the same skill to different robots
The assembly line task setup. Credit: 2026 LASA EPFL CC-BY-SA. By Celia Luterbacher In today’s manufacturing environments, upgrading a robot fleet often…
Implementing advanced AI technologies in finance
In finance departments that have long been defined by precision and control, AI has arrived less as a neatly managed upgrade than as a quiet insurgency.…
Innovation abounds in device charging
The changes may be less perceptible than in smartphones, tablets, or wearables, but chargers have also been quietly reinvented over the last decade. At one…
Joanna Stern is not a robot, but she lived with them
{"#text":"My guest today is longtime friend of the show Joanna Stern. You all know Joanna: she is the former senior personal technology columnist for The…
More Hiroshima schools opt for coeducation to keep student numbers up
The private secondary schools adopting the measure in the face of falling student numbers are seeing both merits and challenges to the transition.
Poland’s ex-minister facing prosecution at home travels from Hungary to US
A former Polish justice minister sought in his homeland for alleged abuse of power says he has travelled from Hungary to the US, prompting prosecutors in…
RLWRLD releases RLDX-1, a dexterity-first foundation model for robot hands
RLWRLD said with RLDX-1, it aimed to include things like context memorization or force sensing, which existing models often lack. The post RLWRLD releases…
Takaichi’s Golden Week diplomacy: a cheat sheet
The prime minister's administration used the lull in domestic politics to advance its "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy across Southeast Asia, Africa…
The Download: the hantavirus outbreak and Musk v. Altman week 2
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Here’s…
Three things in AI to watch, according to a Nobel-winning economist
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. A few months…
Trump gala shooter pleads not guilty to all charges
The man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House reporters’ gala last month pleaded not guilty to all charges on…
Xi’s leverage ahead of Trump meet, Hong Kong schools: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Call for Expressions of Interest – Workshops at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2027
On behalf of the Programme Committee, we invite you to submit your workshop proposal for the 18th edition of the European Robotics Forum, to be held from…
How to engineer robot tracks and 7th axis systems for real-world environments
Experts from Güdel will focus on how harsh and dirty environments impact robot tracks and long-axis linear motion systems. The post How to engineer robot…
Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz
Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to begin peace talks to end the war, Iranian state media reported on Sunday, as two carriers were allowed to…
CNC Robotics Aim to Boost Manufacturing Flexibility & Precision
CNC robotics offer flexibility, precision, and cost efficiency for large, complex parts, enabling manufacturers to adapt to evolving demands.
Cognex releases fully integrated AI-powered vision system for robotics
The system combines Cognex-developed edge AI, advanced AI, and rule-based vision tools with a high-performance embedded compute. The post Cognex releases…
Musk uses slurs to mock French prosecutors investigating X
Elon Musk has launched a tirade against French judicial authorities currently investigating possible abuses on his X social network. France opened an…
Video Friday: AI Gives Robot Hands Human-Like Dexterity
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
All the latest updates on AI data centers
{"#text":"Massive new data centers are the physical foundation for tech companies’ hopes and dreams for AI. But the rush to expand warehouses full of…
Fury in France as national toy revealed to be secretly made in China
As the world held its breath over the fate of the Middle East this week, France has been gripped by a very different story: a scandal over a chewy rubber…
Here’s how technology transformed babymaking
Technology is changing the way we make babies. The pioneering work of the scientists who invented IVF led to the birth of the first “test tube baby” in…
Here’s what you need to know about the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak
MIT Technology Review Explains: Let our writers untangle the complex, messy world of technology to help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more…
How coupling stiffness and misalignment compensation impact servo performance
Sponsored by GAM. Servo couplings connect components while compensating for misalignment, providing the torsional stiffness necessary for precise,…
Learn how to successfully design hospital logistics robots at the Robotics Summit
Experts from Rovex Technologies, SKA Robotics, and ST Engineering Aethon will discuss design considerations for hospital robotics. The post Learn how to…
Microsoft was worried OpenAI would run off to Amazon and ‘shit-talk’ Azure
{"#text":"When OpenAI was busy experimenting with AI-powered gaming bots, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman were in the early days of…
Musk v. Altman week 2: OpenAI fires back, and Shivon Zilis reveals that Musk tried to poach Sam Altman
In the second week of the landmark trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI, Musk’s motivations for bringing the suit were under scrutiny. Last week, Musk took…
Nanoleaf bets its future on robots, red light therapy, and AI
{"#text":"Smart lighting company Nanoleaf has been unusually quiet recently. While competitors such as Govee and Philips Hue have been pumping out new…
Nyobolt raises funding to bring fast charging to more robots
Nyobolt has grown its revenue fivefold year over year as its high-efficiency power systems enable greater robot performance. The post Nyobolt raises funding…
QNX to bring hands-on demonstrations and new research to the Robotics Summit
QNX encourages visitors to stop by Booth 307 at the Robotics Summit & Expo to see its demonstrations firsthand. The post QNX to bring hands-on…
Robot Talk Episode 155 – Making aerial robots smarter, with Melissa Greeff
Claire chatted to Melissa Greeff from Queen’s University about autonomous navigation and learning for drones. Melissa Greeff is an Assistant Professor…
Shanghai’s changing expats, Hong Kong trail sign fallout: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Sony announces $3 billion buyback as memory prices take toll
Sony's shares are down 22% this year as escalating component costs erode margins across the consumer electronics industry.
The Download: AI malaise and babymaking tech
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. We’ve…
US adds 115,000 jobs in April, but experts warn of hidden weakness in economy
US employment rose more than expected in April, while the unemployment rate remained steady, government data showed, with the world’s largest economy…
Why traditional robotics data collection is obsolete and what replaces it
Eric Chan discusses Rhoda AI's innovative approach to robotics using video data for scalable, efficient learning. The post Why traditional robotics data…
Brightpick to outline the path to lights-out warehouses at Robotics Summit
Jan Zizka, co-founder and CEO of Brightpick, will outline a practical roadmap to more autonomous warehouse operations. The post Brightpick to outline the…
China pours US$6.1b into Brazil, making it Beijing’s top investment worldwide: report
China made Brazil its top global investment destination last year, pouring US$6.1 billion into the country across a record 52 projects. The figures come…
Colorado rally firebomber gets life in prison after asking for death
The man who threw petrol bombs at a pro-Israel rally last year in Colorado, setting several people aflame including a woman who later died from her burns,…
French prosecutors open judicial investigation into Elon Musk and X
Paris’ public prosecutor has opened a judicial investigation into Elon Musk’s X social media platform, a new step in an investigation over alleged abuse…
Hugging Face launches agentic toolkit for Reachy Mini
Users describe the behavior they'd like to see in plain English, and the agent writes, tests, and ships the code to Reachy Mini. The post Hugging Face…
Iran reviewing U.S. proposal to end war, though key demands remain unaddressed
Trump has repeatedly played up the prospect of an agreement that would end the war that started Feb. 28, so far without success.
New understanding of insect flight points way to stable flapping-wing robots
By David Nutt The way bugs and birds flap their wings may look effortless, but the dynamics that keep them aloft are dizzyingly complex and difficult to…
Podcast: Colin Angle discusses building companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic
iRobot co-founder Colin Angle talks about his latest venture, creating next-gen social robots with Familiar Machines. The post Podcast: Colin Angle…
South Korea's chainsaw artist carves a name for herself at 91
Long overlooked in her home country, sculptor Kim Yun Shin has recently gained recognition and is featuring in a sweeping retrospective at Hoam Museum of Art.
Survey shows 93% of sex-crime survivors want more done to stop victim-blaming
Results of the survey show close to two-thirds of respondents said they felt "dissatisfied" or "uncomfortable" during questioning by police and prosecutors.
The balcony solar boom is coming to the US
Dozens of US states are considering legislation to allow people to install plug-in solar systems, often called balcony solar. These small arrays require…
The Download: the tech reshaping IVF and the rise of balcony solar
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. What’s…
Water meter thefts spread across Japan as copper prices rise
Experienced thieves can remove a meter in under a minute, according to a water bureau official.
What’s next for IVF
MIT Technology Review’s What’s Next series looks across industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look at the future. You can read the rest…
1X begins production of NEO humanoids in California facility
1X has launched full-scale production at its 'NEO factory,' bringing vertically integrated humanoid robot manufacturing to the U.S. The post 1X begins…
As power flows through submarine cables, law of the sea must evolve
Beneath the surface of the world’s oceans lies an infrastructure so essential, modern life would stall without it – yet so invisible it rarely enters public…
Asia must unite to avert an Iran war food crisis
Asia’s next food crisis is under way. After the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed, sending shock waves across…
Genesis AI introduces GENE-26.5 model for more dexterous robot manipulation
Genesis AI says its GENE-26.5 foundation model uses an advanced data engine and a proprietary robotic hand for new levels of dexterity. The post Genesis AI…
Google shuts down Project Mariner
{"#text":"Google has pulled the plug on Project Mariner, an experimental feature designed to perform tasks for you across the web, as reported earlier by…
Johnson & Johnson completes clinical study for OTTAVA robotic surgical system
Johnson & Johnson said it has demonstrated the feasibility of OTTAVA's compact design for small operating rooms. The post Johnson & Johnson…
Marc Lore says that AI will soon enable anyone to open a restaurant
Wonder wants to turn its robotic kitchens into AI-powered “restaurant factories,” letting anyone spin up a virtual food brand with a prompt.
Microsoft’s Office and LinkedIn chief now runs Teams in latest reshuffle
{"#text":"Microsoft's LinkedIn chief, Ryan Roslansky, took on an expanded role at the company as head of Office last year, and he's now getting more…
The Download: seafloor science and military chatbots
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
US firms add 109,000 jobs, the most since early 2025
US companies boosted payrolls in April by the most in over a year, the latest evidence of stabilisation in the labour market. Private-sector payrolls rose…
A blueprint for using AI to strengthen democracy
Every few centuries, changes in how information moves reshape how societies govern themselves. The printing press spread vernacular literacy, helping give…
China's 15th Five-Year Plan Positions Robotics & AI to Drive Growth
China shifts focus from traditional automation to AI-integrated intelligent robotics, leveraging its massive domestic market and manufacturing dominance.
Hiroshi Fujiwara and Robert Little selected for 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards
A3 honored Hiroshi Fujiwara and Robert Little with the 2026 Engelberger Awards for their transformative leadership and robotics application breakthroughs.…
NORD Drivesystems releases motor starters, variable frequency drives
NORD Drivesystems says its new motor starters and variable-frequency drives allow for easy integration and scaling. The post NORD Drivesystems releases…
Robotically assembled building blocks could make construction more efficient and sustainable
New research suggests constructing a simple building from interlocking subunits should be mechanically feasible and have a much smaller carbon footprint.
‘Super El Nino’ raises fears for Asia reeling from Middle East conflict
The continent is now facing the prospect of strong climate conditions that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower and damage crops.
The Download: inside the Musk v. Altman trial, and AI for democracy
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Week…
Tutor Intelligence builds Data Factory to train robot AI in the real world
Tutor Intelligence is running 100 Sonny semi-humanoid robots in its headquarters while sharing technology and data with its Cassie mobile manipulator. The…
WaiV Robotics emerges from stealth to help drones take off and land at sea
With $7.5 million in funding, WaiV Robotics is working to productize its drone landing system, and find OEM partners to work with. The post WaiV Robotics…
ABB Robotics launches OmniVance autonomous surface finishing cell
ABB Robotics said its new OmniVance Collaborative Surface Finishing Cell automates repetitive sanding and polishing tasks The post ABB Robotics launches…
At 70, chasing birds across a changing Japan
From subtropical islands to northern coasts, a quest for rare sightings becomes a meditation on memory, effort and environmental change.
Cheaper durians for China, Hong Kong helpers camp in tents: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Inside Colin Angle’s bid to build companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic
Familiar Machines & Magic, Colin Angle's new robot startup, is developing a quadruped 'familiar' to succeed in a challenging category. The post Inside…
iRobot Founder Wants to Put a Robotic Familiar Into Your Home
Two years ago, Colin Angle stepped down as CEO of iRobot, the company that he co-founded and the most successful home robot company the world has ever seen.…
OpenAI’s president does ‘all the things,’ except answer a question
{"#text":"The strongest witness for Elon Musk's case against OpenAI so far has been Greg Brockman's journal. Brockman himself is running as a close second.…
Ouster releases REV8 OS sensor family with native-color lidar
Ouster says its Rev8 OS sensors are the first to have native color and include the OS1 Max with double the range and resolution of Rev7. The post Ouster…
Tailoring AI solutions for health care needs
The AI market is full of big promises of grand transformation. Health care is a prime target for those promises, beset as it is by financial pressures,…
The creator of Roomba is back with a furry robot companion
{"#text":"Colin Angle, the maker of the Roomba and the man who helped put 50 million household robots into people's homes, is back with a new robot. But…
US Supreme Court restores access to abortion pill mifepristone
The Supreme Court on Monday restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a ruling that had threatened to upend one of the main ways…
Wall Street hesitates, oil prices rise amid uncertainty in Strait of Hormuz
The US stock market is holding tentatively near its record heights on Monday, while oil prices climb with uncertainty about when oil tankers can resume…
Week one of the Musk v. Altman trial: What it was like in the room
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. Two of the…
18 governors in Japan see need for constitutional revision
The governor of Okinawa disagreed, while 24 others, including leaders from Nagano, Hyogo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, gave noncommittal answers.
2 dead after boat runs aground in France in failed crossing to UK
A small boat carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel ran aground on a beach in northern France, leaving two dead and 16 people injured,…
Closing the latency gap: Why physical AI requires edge-first architectures
Madhu Gaganam, founder and CEO of Cogniedge.ai, said the industry’s shift toward true cobots demands more than safer cages or slower speeds. The post…
Nvidia’s push into physical AI sparks rally in Asian partners
Nvidia-induced demand is shaping stock performance across Asia's technology supply chain.
Vigilantes in Nigeria kill herders amid jihadist tensions, kidnapping gangs
A state-backed Nigerian militia, operating alongside the military, killed scores of ethnic Fulani herders in a raid, local sources have told journalists.…
Why physical AI is the real manufacturing revolution
Physical AI promises to transform manufacturing, but only if robotics developers and integrators avoid hype and address real scaling challenges, writes…
FAULHABER designs DualGear for autonomous logistics systems
FAULHABER has designed DualGear to offer high performance in space-constrained autonomous logistics applications. The post FAULHABER designs DualGear for…
Mini-crises sparked by the Iran war may add up to a big collapse
Not a sudden, major crash but a series of mini-crises. That, according to some, is the prospect facing the global economy and financial system in the wake…
Phase stability regulator based on two dynamic parameters for autonomous mobile robots
Autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, can benefit from a phase regulator with two real-time signals, according to a researcher. The post Phase stability…
Trump's attacks on Europe's leaders worsen transatlantic frost
The latest U.S. broadsides, fired over disagreements about the Iran war, have raised fresh questions about the best way to handle a mercurial ally.
A new US phone network for Christians aims to block porn and gender-related content
A new US-wide cell phone network marketed to Christians is set to launch next week. It blocks porn, which experts in network security say marks the first…
China’s manufacturing rise is here to stay. The West must recalibrate
If the “China shock” of the early 2000s was about China catching up, then “China shock 2.0” is about the country redefining the boundaries of what is…
Cyber-Insecurity in the AI Era
Cybersecurity was already under strain before AI entered the stack. Now, as AI expands the attack surface and adds new complexity, the limits of legacy…
Inexpensive seafloor-hopping submersibles could stoke deep-sea science—and mining
Smack dab between Australia and South America, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel Rainier is currently on a…
Japan joined by 115 nations and regions in joint statement on nuclear weapons
The statement emphasizes the importance of passing on "invaluable testimonies" of the survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki…
Japan's green tea exports surge in fiscal 2025 amid matcha boom
By value, exports rose more than twofold to ¥84.7 billion due to soaring prices amid growing global demand.
King Charles’ gift amuses Chinese, anti-spy agency makes allegation: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Microsoft wants lawyers to trust its new AI agent in Word documents
{"#text":"Microsoft is launching a new AI agent inside Word that's specifically designed for legal teams. Legal Agent handles document edits, negotiation…
Musk v. Altman week 1: Elon Musk says he was duped, warns AI could kill us all, and admits that xAI distills OpenAI’s models
In the first week of the landmark trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI, Musk took the stand in a crisp black suit and tie and argued that OpenAI CEO Sam…
Operationalizing AI for Scale and Sovereignty
Companies are taking control of their own data to tailor AI for their needs. The challenge lies in balancing ownership with the safe, trusted flow of…
Pentagon strikes classified AI deals with OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia — but not Anthropic
{"#text":"The Pentagon has struck deals with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Elon Musk's xAI, and the startup Reflection, allowing the agency to…
Robot Talk Episode 154 – Visual navigation in insects and robots, with Andrew Philippides
Claire chatted to Andrew Philippides from the University of Sussex about what we can learn from ants and bees to improve robot navigation. Andrew…
Taiwan blows past forecasts with economic growth at 39-year high
Gross domestic product expanded almost 13.7% in the first quarter from a year earlier, compared with about 12.7% in the previous three months.
The art of crossing the chasm: When is a startup ready for enterprise adoption?
Silicon Foundry bridges the chasm between startups and enterprises, focusing on innovation, strategic partnerships, and navigating macroeconomic shifts. The…
The death of a Lebanese village
In Lebanon, villages occupy a profound psychological and cultural space: centers of gravity where families converge from across the country and world.
The Download: a new Christian phone network, and debugging LLMs
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. A new…
Tokyo inflation cools on childcare support, backing BOJ caution
The consumer price index excluding fresh food rose 1.5% in April from a year earlier in the capital, the smallest gain since March 2022.
Top 10 robotics stories of April 2026
In April 2026, prominent robotics companies hit technical milestones, raised large funding rounds, and took part in patent disputes. The post Top 10…
Trump’s mass firing just dealt another blow to American science
This past week delivered another gut punch for science in the US. This time, the target was the National Science Foundation—a federal agency that funds…
Video Friday: Figure, 1X Ramp Up Humanoid Robot Production
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Wall Street rises towards more records as oil prices slip
The US stock market is rising towards more records on Friday after Apple, Estee Lauder and other big companies became the latest to deliver fatter profits…
Why deformable materials are physical AI’s real manufacturing test
Physical AI can tackle assembly of deformable materials in apparel and beyond -- with the right approach and software, says Createme's CEO. The post Why…
California lawmakers open the gate for autonomous trucks in the state
The California DMV has paved the way for autonomous trucks in the state with expanded safety and oversight requirements for all autonomous vehicles. The…
DAIMON Robotics Wants to Give Robot Hands a Sense of Touch
This article is brought to you by DAIMON Robotics.This April, Hong Kong-based DAIMON Robotics has released Daimon-Infinity, which it describes as the…
Exclusive eBook: Inside the stealthy startup that pitched brainless human clones
The ultimate plan to live forever is a brand new body. This subscriber-only eBook explores R3 Bio, a small startup that has pitched a startling and…
France probes teenage suspect in massive ID data breach
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into a 15-year-old, suspected of having hacked the country’s ID agency and trying to sell the…
Gruesome details alleged in D4vd case: chainsaws, a paddling pool and corpse in Tesla
R&B singer D4vd used chainsaws he bought from Amazon to cut up the body of the teenage girl he murdered and left to rot in the trunk of his Tesla,…
Here’s how the new Microsoft and OpenAI deal breaks down
{"#text":"Microsoft's relationship with OpenAI has always been complicated, so I expected the close partnership-turned-situationship to end in tears. After…
Hiroshi Fujiwara and Robert Little Win 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards
JARA executive director and ATI co-founder are recognized for advancing robotics policy, collaboration, and practical manufacturing automation solutions.
Launchpad Build AI offers MLM to speed industrial automation design
Launchpad Build AI says its Manufacturing Language Model can democratize automation for high-mix, low-volume production with inputs from photos, videos, or…
Man charged with trying to kill Trump agrees to remain in custody
The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at a black-tie press gala in Washington agreed on Thursday to remain in custody while…
Senate vote leaves Cuba’s uncertain future at dangerous crossroads
With Congress again failing to curb US President Donald Trump’s authority over Cuba, the centre of gravity in US policy towards the island is shifting…
Teradyne Robotics revenue rises at the start of 2026
Teradyne Robotics brought in $91 million in Q1 2026, with its AI products helping to boost robotics sales. The post Teradyne Robotics revenue rises at the…
The Download: the North Pole’s future and humanoid data
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
This startup’s new mechanistic interpretability tool lets you debug LLMs
The San Francisco–based startup Goodfire just released a new tool, called Silico, that lets researchers and engineers peer inside an AI model and adjust its…
Uganda kindergarten murderer sentenced to death
A Ugandan-American man was sentenced to death on Thursday over the murders of four young children he stabbed to death at a kindergarten in Uganda’s capital.…
US economy grows 2% in January–March; Iran war clouds outlook
The US economy accelerated at the start of 2026, expanding at a modest 2 per cent pace from January through March after recovering from last fall’s 43-day…
GFT Technologies AI-powered robots move from inspection to action for automakers
GFT Technologies has built on its work with Google Cloud to deploy robots on automotive factory floors to find and remove defective parts. The post GFT…
IKO's Ultra-Lightweight Crossed Roller Bearing Reduces Component Weight
New stamped steel bearing design delivers significant weight and energy savings for low-to-medium precision applications requiring compact solutions.
It’s time to make a plan for nuclear waste
Today, nuclear energy enjoys a rare moment of support across the political spectrum in the US. Interest from tech companies that are scrambling to meet…
Project CETI deploys autonomous underwater gliders to better observe sperm whales
Project CETI has deployed a new underwater glider that can monitor whales for longer than the organization's previous methods. The post Project CETI deploys…
Schaeffler plans to deploy 1,000 Hexagon humanoids by 2032
Schaeffler is deepening its investment in humanoid robots in production through partnerships with Hexagon and VinDynamics. The post Schaeffler plans to…
The Download: storing nuclear waste and orchestrating agents
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. It’s…
Ultralightweight sonar plus AI lets tiny drones navigate like bats
This small drone is using sonar, similar to bats’ echolocation, to navigate through a grove of trees. Image credit: Nitin Sanket. By Nitin Sanket, Worcester…
US Supreme Court curbs race-based voting maps in landmark ruling
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply limited the use of race in drawing electoral districts, in a decision that could reshape congressional maps…
XELA Robotics adds enhancements to uSkin sensor family ahead of Robotics Summit
XELA Robotics will be showing its latest sensor technology at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston in May 2026. The post XELA Robotics adds…
Appetronix acquires Cibotica to automate restaurant kitchens
Until now, Appetronix has focused on creating standalone fully autonomous restaurants. With Cibotica, it can also retrofit existing kitchens. The post…
Apptronik’s new CPO hire a major step in right direction
Apptronik taps Waymo veteran Daniel Chu as CPO to lead its $935M transition from humanoid R&D to mass-market commercialization. The post Apptronik’s…
Flex and Teradyne expand partnership to scale physical AI
Flex and Teradyne Robotics expanded their partnership to accelerate physical AI across global manufacturing facilities. The post Flex and Teradyne expand…
Gradient-based planning for world models at longer horizons
GRASP is a new gradient-based planner for learned dynamics (a “world model”) that makes long-horizon planning practical by (1) lifting the trajectory into…
Intel May Be Finally Turning the Corner
Intel’s turnaround gains momentum with AI-driven CPU demand, foundry progress, and restructuring efforts boosting recovery prospects.
Jury selection in Musk v. Altman: ‘People don’t like him’
{"#text":"On Monday, the courtroom battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over alleged broken promises at OpenAI started, as usual, with jury selection.…
North Korean executions rose dramatically during COVID-19, report shows
Death penalty cases related to foreign culture, religion and "superstition" jumped by 250% after the country closed its borders, the report showed.
The Download: Musk and Altman’s legal showdown, and AI’s profit problem
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Elon…
Canva apologizes after its AI tool replaces ‘Palestine’ in designs
{"#text":"One of Canva's new AI features has been caught replacing the word \"Palestine\" in designs. The Magic Layers feature - which is designed to break…
DJI-Insta360 rivalry, nuclear hint for China’s next carrier: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
Elon Musk and Sam Altman are going to court over OpenAI’s future
After a yearslong legal feud, Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are heading to trial this week in Northern California in a case that could have sweeping…
Learn about the latest advances in physical AI at the Robotics Summit
The Robotics Summit & Expo will have an entire track of sessions focusing on how to apply artificial intelligence to robotics. The post Learn about the…
Microsoft and OpenAI’s famed AGI agreement is dead
{"#text":"OpenAI and Microsoft's partnership-turned-situationship just got even less committed. And a clause about artificial general intelligence, which…
Rebuilding the data stack for AI
Artificial intelligence may be dominating boardroom agendas, but many enterprises are discovering that the biggest obstacle to meaningful adoption is the…
Reopen Strait of Hormuz by reframing Iran’s tolls as reconstruction
The Strait of Hormuz is usually described as a chokepoint. Today, it is more than that. It is the hinge point between war and peace in the Gulf. Roughly a…
Sereact gets Series B funding to expand Cortex 2.0 robot brain, enter U.S. market
Sereact plans to expand Cortex 2.0 from bin picking to tasks such as assembly and kitting, and it is opening a Boston office. The post Sereact gets Series B…
SquareMind raises $18M for robotic dermatology platform
Squaremind has raised funding to launch Swan, a robotic platform that automates full-body skin imaging for early cancer detection. The post SquareMind…
The Download: DeepSeek’s latest AI breakthrough, and the race to build world models
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. Three…
The missing step between hype and profit
This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. In February, I…
10 ways Hong Kong schools can effectively promote mental health
Student mental health is a matter of great concern. According to the latest data from the Education Bureau, the number of secondary students with mental…
Bomb attack on Colombia highway kills 14 ahead of election
Authorities blamed the attack on dissidents of the now-disbanded FARC guerrilla army, who have been sowing violence across the country.
Explosive device kills 20 and injures 36 on bus in Colombia
The death toll from an explosives attack on a highway in southwestern Colombia rose to 20 on Sunday, authorities said, as the government blamed a…
Japanese developers worry over construction supply shortages amid Iran war
The war in the Middle East and the subsequent halt of oil shipments from the Strait of Hormuz threaten to push back projects across Japan.
Look back on 10 years of legged robots with Ghost Robotics at the Robotics Summit
At the summit, Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co-founder of Ghost Robotics, will share lessons from 10 years of deploying quadruped robots. The post Look back on…
Middle East shipping crisis elevates China-Europe railway’s profile
The China-Europe railway network has evolved in the past decade from a nascent logistical experiment into a growing commercial alternative to maritime and…
Strikes in Ukraine and Russia kill at least 16 on Chernobyl disaster anniversary
Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia over the past day killed at least 16 people, authorities said on Sunday as the 40th…
ABB Robotics launches PoWa cobot family targeting industrial tasks
ABB Robotics said its new PoWa family of cobots addresses a long‑standing gap in the market between traditional cobots. The post ABB Robotics launches PoWa…
Hokusai’s erotic art on display at a Kabukicho noh theater
"Kabukicho in Full Bloom" is the third in a series of shunga art exhibitions organized by the Smappa!Group, which operates host bars and restaurants across…
The Middle East’s new power brokers? Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt unite
Amid the rubble of the US-Israel war on Iran, a new Middle East appears to be taking shape as a constellation of regional powers jockey for a seat at the…
Ukraine war: at least 6 die, over 30 wounded, in massive Russian attack
Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least six people, officials said on Saturday, most of them in an attack on a residential building in the eastern…
US uses unusual routes to send jet fuel to Japan, Philippine bases amid Hormuz closure
An unusual series of cargoes of military-grade fuel that is due to sail from the US across the Pacific Ocean illustrates how far the war in Iran has…
Accenture, Vodafone, and SAP to pilot humanoid robots in the warehouse
The humanoids in the pilot are powered by Accenture’s Robot Brain solution, enabling them to interact naturally with human operators. The post Accenture,…
ERL 2026: The League returns next month
Less than three weeks remain before European Robotics League 2026 takes place on 13-15 May in The Hague. More precisely, the location will be Scheveningen,…
euRobotics Awards
One of the annual highlights at ERF every year is the euRobotics Awards Ceremony. This year’s ceremony celebrated the achievement of roboticists in five…
euRobotics Initiatives – Diversity & Inclusion
A workshop devoted to the euRobotics Diversity & Inclusion initiative at ERF in Stavanger attracted around 20 participants. In keeping with the theme…
euRobotics Initiatives – Robotics for a Changing World
This year’s ERF also devoted time and space for discussion about the euRobotics Initiative Robotics for a Changing World. Following the launch of the…
Fresh reading
This month the Newsletter brings news of two new white papers. The first from the Construction robotics community, the other from The MTC. Robotics in…
From sci-fi to reality: Physical AI’s future with Dr. Jan Liphardt
Dr. Jan Liphardt discusses the impact of modular AI systems on robotics, emphasizing the importance of transparency and safety in human-robot interactions.…
German man accused of live streaming child abuse in the Philippines
German prosecutors have charged a 46-year-old man on suspicion of serious sexual abuse of children via live streaming. The man, from the district of…
Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership, floats Kyiv joining meetings
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday there was no prospect of Ukraine’s “immediate accession” to the EU, but suggested Kyiv could join meetings…
Health-care AI is here. We don’t know if it actually helps patients.
I don’t need to tell you that AI is everywhere. Or that it is being used, increasingly, in hospitals. Doctors are using AI to help them with notetaking.…
ICRA 2026
Members of the euRobotics community will find themselves in good company when they attend this year’s ICRA in Vienna. The association will be…
Industry challenges to research workshop
One of the much-anticipated workshops at this year’ ERF was WS57 Industry Challenges for Robotics – Towards Co-creating Solutions. The intention behind this…
NextGen in Odense
With the spring robotics conference season now in full swing, Denmark’s national robotics cluster in Odense will be joining forces next month to present…
Robot Talk Episode 153 – Origami-inspired robots, with Chenying Liu
Claire chatted to Chenying Liu from University of Oxford about how a robot’s physical form can actively contribute to sensing, processing,…
Robotics and automation 2026 at the MTC
When it comes to attracting visitors to an event, UK-based euRobotics members The Manufacturing & Technology Centre (MTC) have made a compelling case…
SS Innovations is developing a drone-based surgical robot
SS Innovations designed the SSi Vimana Aero to bring robotic surgical care directly to wounded soldiers. It is also working on a surgical humanoid. The post…
The Download: supercharged scams and studying AI healthcare
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. We’re…
The Robotics Imperative
In one of his final contributions as euRobotics President, Bernd Liepert spoke at the Unmanned Nordic Conference (UNC) in Norway, alongside euRobotics…
Three reasons why DeepSeek’s new model matters
On Friday, Chinese AI firm DeepSeek released a preview of V4, its long-awaited new flagship model. Notably, the model can process much longer prompts than…
Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ second cancer shock: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
US and EU sign critical minerals plan in push to loosen China’s grip on key materials
The US and the European Union on Friday deepened their coordination on critical minerals as part of a broader push by Western allies to loosen China’s grip…
Video Friday: Who Wins in Robot vs. Pro Ping-Pong Player?
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Claude is connecting directly to your personal apps like Spotify, Uber Eats, and TurboTax
{"#text":"Claude users can access more apps with Anthropic's AI now thanks to new connectors for everything from hiking to grocery shopping. Anthropic…
End of an era: Honeywell hands warehouse automation reins to AIP
Honeywell to sell its Intelligrated and Transnorm warehouse automation brands to American Industrial Partners by late 2026. The post End of an era:…
Euro, yuan unlikely to match US dollar as global currencies, Daniel Gros says
Daniel Gros is the director of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University. Previously, he served as an adviser to the European…
GM’s Mikell Taylor to lead Women in Robotics Breakfast at the Robotics Summit
Mikell Taylor has spent 25 years making robots, from a robotic prom date to uncrewed underwater vehicles and industrial robotic systems. The post GM’s…
Japanese scientist accused of putting chemicals in co-worker’s water in U.S.
A staff researcher at the Influenza Research Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is being prosecuted on charges including recklessly…
Microsoft launches ‘vibe working’ in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
{"#text":"Microsoft is rolling out a new Agent Mode inside Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint this week. Previously described by Microsoft as…
Pudu Robotics raises nearly $150M as it targets industrial applications
Pudu plans to use the funding to develop its embodied AI, grow its product portfolio, and expand in global markets beyond service robots. The post Pudu…
Reliable Robotics raises funding for fully automated aircraft
Reliable Robotics has raised $160 million as it continues to develop and work toward FAA certification for its Reliable Autonomy System for civilian and…
The Download: introducing the Nature issue
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
This Roboticist-Turned-Teacher Built a Life-Size Replica of ENIAC
Tom Burick has always considered himself a builder. Over the years he’s designed robots, constructed a vintage teardrop trailer, and most recently, led a…
UN leadership race takes centre stage with first round of interviews
The race to become the next leader of the United Nations moved into a higher gear with the four declared candidates facing hours of questions over two days.…
US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug
The US Department of Justice is reclassifying FDA-approved and state-licensed marijuana as a less dangerous drug, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said…
US special forces soldier charged with using classified intel for Maduro removal bet
A US special forces soldier involved in the military operation to capture former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has been charged with using classified…
Warner Bros investors back US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders on Thursday backed the company’s proposed US$110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, but cast an advisory vote…
What Aerospace Gets Right About Testing & Why Others Still Get It Wrong
Aerospace programs design test infrastructure early, in tandem with the system, unearthing gaps and unexpected outcomes before they become major problems.…
Will fusion power get cheap? Don’t count on it.
Fusion power could provide a steady, zero-emissions source of electricity in the future—if companies can get plants built and running. But a new study…
3 things Michelle Kim is into right now
Isegye Idol If you thought K-pop was weird, virtual idols—humans who perform as anime-style digital characters via motion capture—will blow your mind. My…
AI needs a strong data fabric to deliver business value
Artificial intelligence is moving quickly in the enterprise, from experimentation to everyday use. Organizations are deploying copilots, agents, and…
Crewline secures $7.1M to automate construction’s most repetitive task
Crewline automates construction rollers with retrofit kits, tackling labor shortages with a $7.1M seed round and $26M waitlist. The post Crewline secures…
Cruz’ing through the terminal: A&K Robotics lands $8M for autonomous mobility
Investment is led by Business Development Bank of Canada’s Industrial Innovation Venture Fund and Vantage Futures to expand production and R&D…
Florida investigating ChatGPT role in mass shooting at university
Florida on Tuesday announced a criminal probe into whether artificial intelligence played a role in a deadly mass shooting at a university in the US state.…
From EVs to robotics: Tesla targets 10M Optimus units with new Texas plant
Tesla begins Optimus production in Q2 2026, replacing Fremont’s legacy car lines, breaking ground in Texas as it scales toward a robotics-first future. The…
Glydways brings in $170M to scale its AV technology
Glydways plans to build networks of autonomous vehicle expressways that move people at 10 times the throughput of today's technology. The post Glydways…
Google Meet will take AI notes for in-person meetings too
{"#text":"Google's AI meeting notetaker is no longer limited to Google Meets - Gemini can also generate summaries and transcripts of in-person meetings now,…
HII partners with Path Robotics, GrayMatter Robotics to accelerate shipbuilding
GrayMatter Robotics and Path Robotics are both deepening their existing relationship with HII, one of the country's leading shipbuilders. The post HII…
Japan’s export growth quickens as China returns from holidays
The value of overall exports rose 11.7% in March from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 4% pace in February.
LDP and Justice Ministry remain divided over how to revise retrial system
One key issue at the heart of the impasse in revising the retrial system has been whether to allow prosecutors to appeal a court decision to reopen a case.
Learn about the latest advancements in healthcare robotics at the Robotics Summit & Expo
Healthcare robotics experts from Harvard, ForceN, Rovex Technologies, SKA Robotics, Aethon, MassRobotics, and more will speak at the show. The post Learn…
Los Angeles is finally going underground
Los Angeles deserves its reputation as the quintessential car city—the rhythms of its 2,200 square miles are dictated by wide boulevards and concrete arcs…
One town’s scheme to get rid of its geese
“Pull over!” I order my brother one sunny February afternoon. Our target is in sight: a gaggle of Canada geese, pecking at grass near the dog park. As I…
Proposed Chinese Robot Ban Is Latest U.S. Tech Sovereignty Move
The American Security Robotics Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in March by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Representative…
Sony AI table tennis robot outplays elite human players
Ace rotates its paddle as it prepares to return the ball back to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata, during a match in December 2025. Credit: Sony AI. In…
The Download: introducing the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
There is no nature anymore
When people talk about “nature,” they’re generally talking about things that aren’t made by human beings. Rocks. Reefs. Red wolves. But while there is…
Trump extends Iran war ceasefire as Strait shutdown drags on
US President Donald Trump announced a last-minute indefinite extension of a ceasefire with Iran and downplayed reports about an intercepted ship carrying a…
US slams Beijing after African countries block Taiwan leader’s eSwatini trip
The United States is concerned that several African countries revoked overflight clearances for Taiwan’s leader at mainland China’s behest, the US State…
Watch Sony’s elite ping-pong robot beat top-ranked players
{"#text":"Humans have been building ping-pong playing robots for decades, such as Omron's FORPHEUS that challenged amateur competitors at CES 2017. What…
A natural protein may protect the GI tract from infection
Embedded in the body’s mucosal surfaces, proteins called lectins bind to sugars found on cell surfaces. A team led by MIT chemistry professor Laura…
AI at MIT
At MIT, AI has become so pervasive that you can almost find your way into it without meaning to. Take Sili Deng, an associate professor of mechanical…
AI backlash is coming for elections
{"#text":"Ask Americans how they feel about AI and most say they have concerns. Communities have mounted resistance to data center projects, stalling them…
AI robotics: Moving from the lab to the real-world factory floor
Learn the real-world infrastructure and effort required to deploy AI robotics from leaders at Universal Robots, PickNik, and Path Robotics. The post AI…
Analog computing from waste heat
Heat generated by electronic devices is usually a problem, but a team led by Giuseppe Romano, a research scientist at MIT’s Institute for Soldier…
Canadian who was detained by China warns against Carney’s electric vehicle deal
A Canadian who was detained in China for nearly three years warned that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s electric vehicle deal risks creating a strategic…
China flashes new tech swagger to world markets convulsed by war
The world's factory floor is increasingly getting retrofitted for a new era of artificial intelligence and robotics, churning out technological innovation…
Early life may have breathed oxygen earlier than believed
Around 2.3 billion years ago, a pivotal period known as the Great Oxidation Event set the evolutionary course for oxygen-breathing life on Earth. But MIT…
German court rules in favor of Teradyne Robotics, issues injunction against Elite Robots
Teradyne has obtained an injunction from a German court as it pursues a claim against Elite Robots for copying its UR cobot software. The post German court…
Get ready for hotter, muggier, stormier summers
A long stretch of humid heat followed by a powerful thunderstorm is a familiar weather pattern in the tropics, but it’s also becoming more common in…
Inventor recalls eye imaging breakthrough
If you’ve been to an eye doctor and had an image taken of the inside of your eye, chances are good it was done with optical coherence tomography (OCT)—a…
Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon
The Israeli military on Tuesday said two soldiers would receive 30 days of military detention and be removed from combat duty over the destruction of a…
Israeli soldier's desecration of crucifix in south Lebanon draws condemnation
A photo posted by Younis Tirawi, a Palestinian reporter, shows an Israeli soldier taking the blunt side of an axe to a fallen sculpture of Jesus on the cross.
Recent books from the MIT community
Priority Technologies: Ensuring US Security and Shared ProsperityEdited by Elisabeth B. Reynolds, professor of the practice of urban studies and planning…
Report finds that while 500k+ robots were installed last year, partner layer is still hard to map
Identifying the leading robotics vendors and regions is straightforward, but mapping integrator partners is not, found Georg Stieler. The post Report finds…
Roundtables: Unveiling The 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
Listen to the session or watch below Watch a special edition of Roundtables simulcast live from EmTech AI, MIT Technology Review’s signature conference for…
Rovex and BayCare partner to explore in-hospital transport robots
Rovex pilot at Morton Plant Hospital will evaluate how robotics can support patient transport workflows and hospital staff. The post Rovex and BayCare…
The forces of scarcity hitting Asia may soon spread across the world
Many countries across the region are experiencing sudden jolts of disruption that they are struggling to manage.
The new word in home construction could be “plastics”
Single-use plastics are a persistent source of environmental pollution, and the need to house a growing global population puts increasing pressure on…
This tool could show how consciousness works
How does the physical matter in our brains translate into thoughts, sensations, and emotions? It’s hard to explore that question without neurosurgery. But…
Weinstein preyed on aspiring US actress, court told in rape retrial
Prosecutors in the rape retrial of disgraced US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein told Tuesday how he wielded his power to prey on then-aspiring actress Jessica…
1 dead, 6 hurt as trolleybus crashes into supermarket in Austria
One person died and six were injured on Monday after a trolleybus veered off the road and crashed into a supermarket in Salzburg, Austria’s Red Cross said.…
AI system learns to keep warehouse robot traffic running smoothly
This new approach adapts to decide which robots should get the right of way at every moment, avoiding congestion and increasing throughput.
China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Strait of Hormuz crisis hits energy flows
China’s trade with Iran and Gulf countries fell sharply in March as restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz tightened amid the US-Israeli war on Iran. Newly…
Chinese tech workers are starting to train their AI doubles–and pushing back
Tech workers in China are being instructed by their bosses to train AI agents to replace them—and it’s prompting a wave of soul-searching among otherwise…
Colossal Biosciences said it cloned red wolves. Is it for real?
If you want to capture something wolflike, it’s best to embark before dawn. So on a morning this January, with the eastern horizon still pink-hued, I drove…
Drones & Robotics AI Summit 2026: Entering the quantum era of autonomy
Heven AeroTech founder and CEO Bentzion Levinson explains how his startup has addressed drone navigation and communications in GPS-denied environments. The…
Elon Musk summoned in France to show up over deepfakes on X, Grok probe
Elon Musk did not appear on Monday for a voluntary interview with Paris prosecutors, who had summoned the American tech billionaire over a probe into his…
Iran’s lesson for China, record-breaking Hong Kong Sevens: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of…
RBR50 Gala returns in the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo
The RBR50 gala at the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo offers a chance to honor and connect with the world’s leading robotics innovators. The post RBR50…
The Download: murderous ‘mirror’ bacteria, and Chinese workers fighting AI doubles
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. No…
The USC Professor Who Pioneered Socially Assistive Robotics
When the robotics engineering field that Maja Matarić wanted to work in didn’t exist, she helped create it. In 2005 she helped define the new area of…
Turning point? Clean energy met 100% of world’s new power needs in 2025: report
As the US-Israel war on Iran raises global concerns about energy security, a new report has found that the clean power sector is rapidly gaining ground and…
Why Spain’s outreach to China offers a viable model for Europe
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s fourth visit to Beijing in four years has once again drawn attention across Europe and the Atlantic, but perhaps less…
Can Iran fiasco help China edge out US in key arena of Southeast Asia?
Since America launched its “major combat operation” against Iran, several Nato allies have distanced themselves from Washington. Now America also risks…
Improving mobile robot stability on uneven terrain through vibration monitoring techniques
Vibration sensors can aid in stability and navigation, particularly for field robots in varied terrain, writes a columnist. The post Improving mobile robot…
Los Angeles woman charged in US with trafficking arms to Sudan for Iran
US federal prosecutors said on Sunday an Iranian national was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly trafficking arms to Sudan on…
Canadian man Kenneth Law to plead guilty in suicide kit case to avoid murder trial
A Canadian man accused of helping 14 people in the province of Ontario kill themselves by selling a legal but deadly substance online will avoid a murder…
Fail fast, fail small, fail safe: A practical model for robotic automation
In testing robotic systems, developers can fail and learn, as long as they control risk, explains Bullen Ultrasonics' research and early innovation manager.…
Former death row inmate's sister slams Japan's retrial review plan
Iwao Hakamata's elder sister called for public prosecutors to be barred from appealing court decisions granting retrials.
No one else will do: What a pair of figure skaters can teach us about familiarity in Japanese
An Olympic duo illustrates how honorifics and in-group dynamics can signal closeness across different contexts.
Boston Dynamics Atlas robot deployed in Singapore factories
The new Atlas generation is being piloted at three manufacturing facilities in Singapore, marking the first commercial deployment in Southeast Asia. The…
Chef Robotics completes 100M meal servings milestone
Chef Robotics hits 100 million servings, using real-world physical AI to automate high-volume meal production across the globe. The post Chef Robotics…
China’s 3-satellite surveillance network, Hong Kong’s inflation surge: SCMP’s 7 highlights
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and…
Dairy Queen is putting an AI chatbot in its drive-thrus
{"#text":"Dairy Queen is becoming the latest fast food chain to get in on AI, as it's bringing a chatbot to dozens of its drive-thrus across the US and…
How robots learn: A brief, contemporary history
Roboticists used to dream big but build small. They’d hope to match or exceed the extraordinary complexity of the human body, and then they’d spend their…
MODEX 2026 recap
Missed MODEX? Hear what you missed through the eyes of editors Gene Demaitre and Sarah Wynn. The post MODEX 2026 recap appeared first on The Robot Report.
Pie Day 2026
Ellie’s Pi Day post: https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/pi-day-2026-food-institute/ How Ellie orchestrated the baking of 30 pies:…
Robot Talk Episode 152 – Dexterous robot hands, with Rich Walker
Claire chatted to Rich Walker from Shadow Robot Company about their advanced robotic hands for research and industry. Rich Walker has been at Shadow Robot…
Scores of Chinese women smuggled into Germany for massive prostitution ring: prosecutors
Scores of Chinese women were brought to Germany without valid residency permits for sex work across the country, prosecutors in Frankfurt alleged on Friday.…
Siemens and Humanoid test HMND 01 Alpha for logistics tasks
Siemens tested the Humanoid mobile manipulator using NVIDIA simulation and development tools at its electronics factory in Erlangen, Germany. The post…
The case for fixing everything
The handsome new book Maintenance: Of Everything, Part One, by the tech industry legend Stewart Brand, promises to be the first in a series offering “a…
The Download: bad news for inner Neanderthals, and AI warfare’s human illusion
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The…
Video Friday: Digit Learns to Deadlift
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
AGIBOT deploys semi-humanoid robots in electronics manufacturing
Longcheer has integrated multiple AGIBOT G2 robots into its tablet production lines, and plans to deploy 100 by Q3 2026. The post AGIBOT deploys…
Antioch raises funding to bring ‘software speed’ to robot development
Antioch has raised money to scale its team and apply simulation to accelerate robotics testing and validation. The post Antioch raises funding to bring…
Germany unveils EUR 2B robotics manufacturing initiative
The German government announced a major investment program to support cobot adoption in SME manufacturing. The initiative targets 10,000 new deployments by…
Making AI operational in constrained public sector environments
The AI boom has hit across industries, and public sector organizations are facing pressure to accelerate adoption. At the same time, government institutions…
Russian missiles and drones kill at least 17 across Ukraine in worst attack this year
Russia unleashed its deadliest attack so far this year on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing 17 people, including a 12-year-old…
Skild acquires Fetch Robotics assets from Zebra
Skild AI acquires Zebra Technologies’ robotics arm to deploy its hardware-agnostic "brain" and automate end-to-end warehouse fulfillment. The post Skild…
The Download: cyberscammers’ banking bypasses, and carbon removal troubles
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.…
The noise we make is hurting animals. Can we learn to shut up?
When the covid-19 pandemic started, Jennifer Phillips thought about the songs of the sparrows. They were easier to hear, because the world had suddenly…
The quest to measure our relationship with nature
As a movement, environmentalism has been pretty misanthropic. Understandably so—we humans have done some destructive things to the ecosystems around us. In…
Treating enterprise AI as an operating layer
There’s a fault line running through enterprise AI, and it’s not the one getting the most attention. The public conversation still tracks foundation models…
Why having “humans in the loop” in an AI war is an illusion
The availability of artificial intelligence for use in warfare is at the center of a legal battle between Anthropic and the Pentagon. This debate has become…
Stereotaxis to acquire Robocath for up to $45M
Stereotaxis says the acquisition strengthens its position as “a leading platform for the full spectrum of endovascular procedures.” The post Stereotaxis to…
Tesla to share roadmap for building AMRs at Robotics Summit & Expo
Joshua Joseph, an AMR Deployment Engineer at Tesla, will present a roadmap for deploying AMRs in legacy manufacturing environments. The post Tesla to share…
Ukraine robot combat unit says it launched over 100 attacks on Russia’s forces
A Ukrainian unit said on Wednesday that it has carried out more than 100 attacks on the front using ground robots, after President Volodymyr Zelensky…
Boston Dynamics and Google Deepmind are using Gemini to make Spot smarter
Boston Dynamics said Google DeepMind's Gemini will bring better reasoning and adaptability to AIVI-Learning. The post Boston Dynamics and Google Deepmind…
Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind Teach Spot to Reason
The amazing and frustrating thing about robots is that they can do almost anything you want them to do, as long as you know how to ask properly. In the…
MD&M South Unveils Industry Partners
MD&M South strengthens innovation across various sectors with key association partnerships.
Ouster releases Stereolabs ZED X Nano wrist-mounted camera
Ouster's ED X Nano camera mounts directly onto robotic wrists and end-of-arm tooling, where every millimeter matters. The post Ouster releases Stereolabs…
What I’ve learned from 25 years of automated science, and what the future holds: an interview with Ross King
We’re excited to launch our new series, where we’ll be speaking with leading researchers to explore the breakthroughs driving AI and the reality of the…
AGIBOT launches Genie Studio Agent zero-code application platform for robots
AGIBOT said it designed Genie Studio Agent to provide a full lifecycle software infrastructure, from development to deployment. The post AGIBOT launches…
Advancing Test Equipment for AI & Next-Gen Applications
A recent Design News webinar highlighted how advancements in oscilloscopes, analyzers, and optical measurement address challenges like signal integrity,…
Robot Talk Episode 151 – Robots to study the ocean, with Simona Aracri
Claire chatted to Simona Aracri from National Research Council of Italy about innovative robot designs for oceanography and environmental monitoring. Simona…
Video Friday: This Floor Lamp Will Do Your Chores
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
GoZTASP: A Zero-Trust Platform for Governing Autonomous Systems at Mission Scale
ZTASP is a mission-scale assurance and governance platform designed for autonomous systems operating in real-world environments. It integrates heterogeneous…
Generative AI improves a wireless vision system that sees through obstructions
With this new technique, a robot could more accurately detect hidden objects or understand an indoor scene using reflected Wi-Fi signals.
How TI Plays in Humanoid Robots
Semiconductor supplier develops robot reference designs using its various chips.
Impactful AI Integration Requires a New Engineering Playbook
AI should function as a copilot to bring siloed teams together and allow engineers to optimize design performance and manufacturability across multiple…
Resource-constrained image generation and visual understanding: an interview with Aniket Roy
In the latest in our series of interviews meeting the AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium participants, we caught up with Aniket Roy to find out more about his…
National Robotics Week 2026 Highlights AI-Driven Automation & Physical AI's Manufacturing Impact
RoboWeek celebrates industry innovation, workforce inspiration, and AI-powered robotics transforming manufacturing, logistics, and operational efficiency…
What Happened When We Set Up a Robotics Lab in a Mall
Building the next generation of robots for successful integration into our homes, offices, and factories is more than just solving the hardware and software…
AI, VR, & Advanced Robotics Transform Manufacturing
MD&M South keynote shows how training, automation, and predictive maintenance can take the digital twin into manufacturing excellence.
Video Friday: Digit Learns to Dance—Virtually Overnight
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Back to school: robots learn from factory workers
By Anthony King What if training a robot to handle dirty, dangerous work on the factory floor was as simple as showing it how? Czech startup RoboTwin is…
Gill Pratt Says Humanoid Robots’ Moment Is Finally Here
In 2012, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). The multiyear, multimillion-dollar competition for…
Scientists Build Living Robots With Nervous Systems
Engineers have long tried to mimic life. They’ve built machine learning algorithms modeled after the human brain, designed machines that walk like dogs or…
Wi-Fi That Can Withstand a Nuclear Reactor
Researchers have made a Wi-Fi receiver that’s tough enough to work inside a nuclear reactor. They hope the receiver might be part of a wireless…
How to Build a Better Display Interface
DisplayLink’s innovative architecture enables seamless multi-display setups across diverse devices, boosting flexibility and reducing constraints.
Robotics and the Blue Economy: Sustainable Growth in the Ocean Space
This short paper has been prepared to introduce the topic of Robotics and the Blue Economy: Sustainable Growth in the Ocean Space, which is the chosen theme…
Resource-sharing boosts robotic resilience
The Mori3 modular origami robot. Image credit: EPFL. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. By Celia Luterbacher If the goal of a robot is to perform a function, then…
Robot Talk Episode 150 – House building robots, with Vikas Enti
Claire chatted to Vikas Enti from Reframe Systems about using robotics and automation to build climate-resilient, high-performance homes. Vikas Enti is the…
Video Friday: Beep! Beep! Roadrunner Bipedal Bot Breaks the Mold
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
30 Years Ago, Robots Learned to Walk Without Falling
When you hear the term humanoid robot, you may think of C-3PO, the human-cyborg-relations android from Star Wars. C-3PO was designed to assist humans in…
A Full and Engaging Second Day at ERF2026
Day two of ERF2026 brought a packed agenda, combining high-level discussions, hands-on sessions, and vibrant networking across the robotics community. The…
NEWS RELEASE: EUROPEAN ROBOTICS FORUM HEADS TO BIRMINGHAM IN 2027
Wednesday 25th March 2026 The European robotics community will descend upon Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) in March 2027 for the…
A history of RoboCup with Manuela Veloso
RoboCup is an international competition that promotes and advances robotics and AI through the challenges presented by its various leagues. We got the…
The Coming Drone-War Inflection in Ukraine
WHEN KYIV-BORN ENGINEER Yaroslav Azhnyuk thinks about the future, his mind conjures up dystopian images. He talks about “swarms of autonomous drones…
NEWS RELEASE: THANK YOU BERND, WELCOME FRANCESCO!
euRobotics General Assembly ratifies new President  Monday 23rd March 2026 The European robotics association euRobotics aisbl is proud…
Strong Opening Day at ERF2026
ERF2026 kicked off with a full day of activity, setting the stage for collaboration and innovation in robotics. The morning focused on exhibition setup and…
Video Friday: Humanoid Learns Tennis Skills Playing Humans
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Robot Talk Episode 149 – Robot safety and security, with Krystal Mattich
Claire chatted to Krystal Mattich from Brain Corp about trustworthy autonomous robots in public spaces. Krystal Mattich leads global data governance, system…
Overcoming Core Engineering Barriers in Humanoid Robotics Development
A technical examination of the sensing, motion control, power, and thermal challenges facing humanoid robotics engineers — with component-level design…
A mapping of AI-drivenrobotics in Rogaland
A mapping of AI-Driven Robotics in Rogaland is a regional initiative led by Stavanger kommune, in collaboration with Haugaland Vekst, and funded by Rogaland…
A multi-armed robot for assisting with agricultural tasks
Humans often use one hand to grasp the branch for better accessibility, while the other hand is used to perform primary tasks like (a) branch pruning and…
Gecko Robotics lands the largest US Navy robotics deal yet
Gecko Robotics inked a five-year deal to help the U.S. Navy monitor and predict needed maintenance on its fleet of ships.
Graphene-based sensor to improve robot touch
Schematic showing the materials used in the sensor and the sensing array on a robotic manipulator. Figure from Multiscale-structured miniaturized 3D force…
Robot Talk Episode 148 – Ethical robot behaviour, with Alan Winfield
Claire chatted to Alan Winfield from the University of the West of England about developing new standards for ethics and transparency in robotics. Alan…
Video Friday: These Robots Were Born to Run
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Coding for underwater robotics
Lincoln Laboratory intern Ivy Mahncke developed and tested algorithms to help human divers and robots navigate underwater.
Restoring surgeons’ sense of touch with robotic fingertips
By Anthony King Modern surgery has gone from long incisions to tiny cuts guided by robots and AI. In the process, however, surgeons have lost something…
euRobotics Tallinn Statement
The global robotics landscape has fundamentally shifted, driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain vulnerabilities, and accelerating technological…
Qualcomm’s partnership with Neura Robotics is just the beginning
Neura Robotics is going to build new robots on top of Qualcomm's new IQ10 processors that were released at CES.
Robot Talk Episode 147 – Miniature living robots, with Maria Guix
Claire chatted to Maria Guix from the University of Barcelona about combining electronics and biology to create biohybrid robots with emergent properties.…
Video Friday: A Robot Hand With Artificial Muscles and Tendons
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Developing an optical tactile sensor for tracking head motion during radiotherapy: an interview with Bhoomika Gandhi
Illustration of the radiotherapy room and the occlusion problem faced by ceiling-mounted cameras in this application. What was the topic of your PhD…
Humanoid home robots are on the market – but do we really want them?
Courtesy of 1X. By Eduardo B. Sandoval, UNSW Sydney Last year, Norwegian-US tech company 1X announced a strange new product: “the world’s first…
What Military Drones Can Teach Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars often struggle with situations that are commonplace for human drivers. When confronted with construction zones, school buses, power…
Robot Talk Episode 146 – Embodied AI on the ISS, with Jamie Palmer
Claire chatted to Jamie Palmer from Icarus Robotics about building a robotic labour force to perform routine and risky tasks in orbit. Jamie Palmer is…
Video Friday: Robot Dogs Haul Produce From the Field
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
I developed an app that uses drone footage to track plastic litter on beaches
By Gerard Dooly, University of Limerick Plastic pollution is one of those problems everyone can see, yet few know how to tackle it effectively. I grew up…
Perseverance Smashes Autonomous Driving Record on Mars
This article is part of our exclusive IEEE Journal Watch series in partnership with IEEE Xplore.In past missions to Mars, like with the Curiosity and…
Translating music into light and motion with robots
Image taken from the YouTube video created by the authors (see below). A system developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo lets people…
Robot Talk Episode 145 – Robotics and automation in manufacturing, with Agata Suwala
Claire chatted to Agata Suwala from the Manufacturing Technology Centre about leveraging robotics to make manufacturing systems more sustainable. Agata…
Video Friday: Humanoid Robots Celebrate Spring
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Reversible, detachable robotic hand redefines dexterity
2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA. By Celia Luterbacher With its opposable thumb, multiple joints and gripping skin, human hands are often considered to be the…
Tech Is Taking Over Olympic Curling
At this year’s Winter Olympics in Italy, the controversy began with a fingertip.A disputed double-touch—whether a curler had brushed a moving stone…
“Robot, make me a chair”
Given the prompt “Make me a chair” and feedback “I want panels on the seat,” the robot assembles a chair and places panel components according to the user…
Robot Talk Episode 144 – Robot trust in humans, with Samuele Vinanzi
Claire chatted to Samuele Vinanzi from Sheffield Hallam University about how robots can tell whether to trust or distrust people. Samuele Vinanzi is a…
Video Friday: Robot Collective Stays Alive Even When Parts Die
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
How can robots acquire skills through interactions with the physical world? An interview with Jiaheng Hu
One of the key challenges in building robots for household or industrial settings is the need to master the control of high-degree-of-freedom systems such…
Upside Robotics is reducing fertilizer use and waste in corn crops
Upside Robotics builds autonomous solar-powered robots that can help farmers reduce their fertilizer use by 70%.
Sven Koenig wins the 2026 ACM/SIGAI Autonomous Agents Research Award
Congratulations to Sven Koenig on winning the 2026 ACM/SIGAI Autonomous Agents Research Award. This prestigious award is made for excellence in research in…
2026 Newsletters
The euRobotics newsletter was relaunched as a benefit for members in September 2021. The latest issues are sent to members only. Past issues are then…
Robot Talk Episode 143 – Robots for children, with Elmira Yadollahi
Claire chatted to Elmira Yadollahi from Lancaster University about how children interact with and relate to robots. Elmira Yadollahi is an Assistant…
Video Friday: Autonomous Robots Learn By Doing in This Factory
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
New frontiers in robotics at CES 2026
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of the largest trade events in the world. Every year, thousands of companies showcase their state-of-the-art…
Ode to Very Small Devices
As fairies for the Irish or leeks for Welsh,it’s the secret lives of small hidden machines,their junctures, and networks that inspire me:Mystic hidden…
Robot Talk Episode 142 – Collaborative robot arms, with Mark Gray
Claire chatted to Mark Gray from Universal Robots about their lightweight robotic arms that work alongside humans. Mark Gray has worked in automation for…
Video Friday: Multitasking Robots Smoothly Do the Things Together
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
ERF 2026: STINE VATNEBERG CONFIRMED AS KEYNOTE FOR EUROPEAN ROBOTICS FORUM IN STAVANGER
Wednesday 28 January 2026 The latest keynote speaker for the 2026 European Robotics Forum (ERF) has been confirmed. International energy…
CLOSED – CALL FOR LATE BREAKING RESULTS POSTERS
We are excited to announce the Call for Late Breaking Results Poster for ERF2026. As the most influential event in the field of robotics throughout the…
Robot Talk Episode 141 – Our relationship with robot swarms, with Razanne Abu-Aisheh
Claire chatted to Razanne Abu-Aisheh from the University of Bristol about how people feel about interacting with robot swarms. Razanne Abu-Aisheh is a…
Video Friday: Humans and Robots Team Up in Battlefield Triage
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of…
Vine-inspired robotic gripper gently lifts heavy and fragile objects
The researchers demonstrated that the vine robot can safely and stably lift a variety of heavy and fragile objects, like a watermelon. Image credit:…
How YC-backed Bucket Robotics survived its first CES
Now, the startup is turning its attention to building the business, fundraising, and striking commercial deals.
RCSV Is Now Open in San Francisco
Robotics Center of Silicon Valley is now open in San Francisco, creating a hands-on hub for robotics, AI, courses, demos, and community events.