Robotics - Part 3
100 reports
Coffee-Filled Soft Gripper Shows Low-Cost Robotic Handling Advance
A soft robotic gripper using a latex membrane and coffee grounds has demonstrated the ability to securely grasp fragile and irregular objects without cameras or complex sensors, offering a low-cost alternative for robotic manipulation tasks
Google DeepMind Expands Gemini Robotics to Full-Body Humanoid Control
Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics 2, a model designed to control entire humanoid robots, enabling walking, object manipulation, and multi-robot coordination with limited retraining across different robot platforms
Estonian Startup Demonstrates Autonomous Monowheel Security Robot
Rollo Robotics has introduced 1ROLLO, a single-wheel robot designed for autonomous patrols of large facilities, using computer vision and edge AI to monitor industrial sites and campuses with minimal human intervention
FLUX-mimic Model Cuts Robot Training Time for Factory Tasks
Mimic Robotics and Black Forest Labs have introduced FLUX-mimic, a video-action model that enables industrial robots to learn complex manipulation tasks from video demonstrations using far less training data than previous approaches
Tactus AI Unveils Elsie Robot for Clinical Lab Automation
Tactus AI has introduced Elsie, a two-armed humanoid robot designed to automate hands-on clinical laboratory tasks using existing instruments and validated procedures, aiming to address staffing shortages without major infrastructure changes
US Blocks Imports of Chinese Humanoid and Quadruped Robots Over Security
The United States has imposed new restrictions on advanced humanoid and four-legged robots, primarily targeting Chinese manufacturers, citing national security risks and concerns over critical infrastructure vulnerabilities
United and Delta Ban Humanoid Robots From All Commercial Flights
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have introduced new restrictions prohibiting passengers from transporting humanoid robots in both carry-on and checked baggage, citing unresolved safety and operational challenges
MIT's VLASH Method Enables Faster, Smoother Robot Movements
Researchers at MIT have introduced VLASH, a planning technique that lets robots predict their future positions, reducing pauses and improving speed in tasks like pick-and-place and dynamic manipulation
Curiosity-Driven AI Robots Show Faster Language Learning in Simulation
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have built virtual robots that learn language tasks more efficiently by rewarding curiosity, revealing new patterns of play-like behavior and adaptability in controlled experiments
Royal Navy Tests Robotic Boat for Autonomous Drone Launch at Sea
A UK-led demonstration has tested a robotic surface vessel that autonomously launches and recovers a tethered drone at sea, aiming to extend maritime surveillance without direct human intervention
Digital DNA Robots Proposed to Simulate Identity After Death
A US-based project proposes using quantum-powered humanoid robots to simulate a person's identity after death by transferring their digital DNA, but the claims await independent verification and raise major technical and ethical questions
Quantum-Safe Encryption Integrated in Edge-to-Cloud Robotic Systems
Terra Quantum and Apex.AI have demonstrated the integration of NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography into cloud-connected robotic platforms, enabling quantum-resistant communication without altering core software architecture
NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Ends ISS Mission After Eight Months
Chris Williams is set to return from his first mission aboard the International Space Station, where he supported experiments on cancer therapies, semiconductor materials, and robotic systems during an eight-month stay
Tesla Records Worker Movements to Train Optimus Robot in Germany
Tesla is collecting video data of employee assembly tasks at its Grünheide Gigafactory to train the Optimus humanoid robot for autonomous industrial work, raising questions about workplace monitoring and regulatory oversight
Humanoid Robot Learns to Walk on Real Terrain With Less Training
Georgia Tech researchers have introduced a machine-learning framework that enables a humanoid robot to walk across unpredictable real-world surfaces, reducing both training time and computational demands compared to previous methods
Swiss Startup Mimic Robotics Reveals Sensor-Rich Robotic Hand for Factories
Mimic Robotics has introduced the Mimic Hand M1, a tendon-driven robotic hand designed for industrial automation, featuring advanced tactile sensing and a human-like joint structure to improve manipulation of diverse objects in real-world settings
AGIBOT Demonstrates Four New Robots in Live Industrial Deployments
AGIBOT has introduced four new robots at WAIC 2026, including a full-size humanoid, an educational platform, an industrial manipulator, and a dexterous robotic hand, with live demonstrations in manufacturing and service environments
BrainCo Demonstrates Brain-Controlled Robot Platform Using EEG Signals
BrainCo has introduced a non-invasive brain-computer interface platform that enables users to control robots with EEG-detected brain signals, aiming to improve intent recognition and generate training data for embodied AI systems
AI-Driven Drone Swarms Advance, Raising New Military and Safety Questions
Recent demonstrations show how AI enables military drone swarms to coordinate, navigate without GPS, and share sensor data. These advances highlight both technical progress and unresolved risks in autonomous battlefield systems
Unitree's UnifoLM-OminiA-0.3 Model Integrates Home Robot Control
Unitree has introduced UnifoLM-OminiA-0.3, a unified AI model for humanoid robots designed to coordinate speech, vision, and manipulation for autonomous home-care tasks, with demonstrations showing real-time adaptation to user interruptions
Hybrid wheel-leg robot from China targets industrial and rescue tasks
Run Robotics has demonstrated a wheel-leg hybrid robot at WAIC 2026, combining rapid wheeled movement with robotic arms for inspection, firefighting, and emergency response in complex environments. Most components are domestically sourced
Pratt & Whitney Advances Valox 1500 Engine for Autonomous Aircraft
Pratt & Whitney has completed a digital design review of its Valox 1500 engine, a propulsion system intended for autonomous military aircraft, moving the program closer to ground testing and raising questions about cost, mission life, and rapid development
Bed-Leveling Sensors Tested for Automated Pressure Advance in 3D Printing
Researchers have explored whether standard bed-leveling sensors in FDM 3D printers can be repurposed to automate pressure advance calibration, a process critical for consistent extrusion during variable-speed printing tasks
Evaluating Seven Methods for Embedding Magnets in 3D-Printed Parts
A recent demonstration compared seven techniques for installing magnets into 3D-printed components, assessing their mechanical reliability, ease of assembly, and long-term durability without relying on adhesives
AI System Tested in Remotely Piloted F-16 Without Core Software Rewrite
A modified F-16 fighter jet was flown under AI control in a supervised test by DARPA and the US Air Force, using the VENOM Autonomy Kit to enable remote operation without altering the aircraft's core flight software
AI agents build complex 3D training worlds for robot learning
Researchers at MIT and Toyota Research Institute have developed SceneSmith, a system that uses collaborative AI agents and vision-language models to generate detailed 3D environments for robotics simulation and training
Student-Led Robotics: Botball's Approach to Autonomous STEM Education
Botball introduces standardized robotics kits and text-based coding to classrooms, requiring students to design, build, and program fully autonomous robots without adult intervention. The program's structure aims to equalize access and foster technical skills.
World Models Aim to Simulate Reality but Face Technical Barriers
Researchers are developing world models-AI systems designed to simulate aspects of the physical world. These models promise new capabilities beyond language, but their accuracy and reliability remain unsettled
NVIDIA's RoboLab Targets Real-World Robot Policy Evaluation Limits
NVIDIA has released RoboLab, an open-source simulation platform designed to benchmark and analyze general-purpose robot policies. The system aims to address persistent gaps in evaluating robotic models before real-world deployment
Why Power Management Limits Humanoid Robot Performance
Engineers developing humanoid robots face persistent challenges in converting and distributing onboard battery power to support motion, sensing, and computation. The efficiency and reliability of these power systems directly affect robot capabilities and safety
Part 3 of 3