Chef Robotics raises $20.6 million to continue building AI robot arms

Silicon Valley startup Chef Robotics has raised $20.6 million in Series A funding, plus $22.5 million in equipment financing, to expand its AI-powered robotic meal assembly systems. Founded in 2019, the company aims to address labor shortages in food processing by deploying robotic arms that automate repetitive food assembly tasks. Unlike traditional automation, Chef Robotics builds its own training data to teach robots how to … Continue reading Chef Robotics raises $20.6 million to continue building AI robot arms

Tiniest Flying Robot Soars Thanks to Magnets

A new prototype of the smallest, lightest untethered flying robot has been developed, with a wingspan under a centimeter and weighing just 21 milligrams. The robot is powered wirelessly using magnetic fields and can fly without tethers, making it suitable for tasks like search and rescue, machinery inspection, and pollination. However, its current range is limited to about 10 centimeters from the magnetic source. Researchers … Continue reading Tiniest Flying Robot Soars Thanks to Magnets

U.S. tech giants are betting big on humanoid robots 

Tech giants like Tesla and Nvidia are racing to develop humanoid robots, seen as key to future economies, but analysts warn that China is ahead in the field. Tesla’s Optimus robot project, aiming to produce 5,000 units this year, is facing competition from Chinese companies like Unitree Robotics and Agibot, which are underpricing U.S. competitors due to better manufacturing capabilities. China leads in humanoid robot … Continue reading U.S. tech giants are betting big on humanoid robots 

YouTube may mute notifications from channels you don’t watch

YouTube is testing a new approach to reduce notification overload by turning off push notifications for channels viewers haven’t recently engaged with, even if they’ve opted to receive “All” notifications. The notifications will still appear in the inbox, but push notifications will be limited for inactive users. The goal is to prevent viewers from disabling notifications entirely due to annoyance, which could affect creators who … Continue reading YouTube may mute notifications from channels you don’t watch

Nvidia Partners With Humanoid Robot Company to Develop Home Robots

Nvidia and OpenAI-backed Norwegian startup 1X are collaborating to develop autonomous humanoid robots for home use. At Nvidia GTC, they showcased 1X’s NEO Gamma robot autonomously loading a dishwasher. Using Nvidia’s AI models and onboard GPU, NEO learned tasks through imitation learning. 1X plans to begin early home tests of NEO by the end of the year, IOT World Today has reported. CEO Bernt Børnich … Continue reading Nvidia Partners With Humanoid Robot Company to Develop Home Robots

China to invest $137B in robotics and high-tech industries

China is ramping up its focus on robotics and AI with a new state-backed venture capital fund aiming to attract nearly 1 trillion yuan ($137.8 billion) over 20 years. This initiative supports China’s dominance in industrial robotics, where it now accounts for over half of global installations and has surpassed Germany and Japan in robot density. The government is prioritizing humanoid development as a key … Continue reading China to invest $137B in robotics and high-tech industries

Humanoid robot for industrial work with AI boost unveiled by US firm

Dexterity has introduced Mech, the world’s first industrial super-humanoid robot, designed to revolutionize enterprise operations. Mounted on a rover, Mech features dual arms with a 5.4-meter wingspan, lifting up to 132 pounds. It excels in warehouse tasks like truck loading, palletizing, and maneuvering in tight spaces. Powered by advanced Physical AI and a supercomputer, Mech adapts to new tasks like installing an app. With up … Continue reading Humanoid robot for industrial work with AI boost unveiled by US firm

Robot can swim, crawl and glide untethered in the deepest parts of the ocean

Chinese researchers have developed a small, untethered marine robot capable of swimming, crawling, and gliding in the ocean’s deepest parts. The centimeter-scale robot, weighing just 16 grams, uses shape-memory springs to switch between movement modes. Successfully tested at depths of 1,384 meters in the Haima Cold Seep and 10,666 meters in the Mariana Trench, it offers improved agility over traditional deep-sea robots. The team also … Continue reading Robot can swim, crawl and glide untethered in the deepest parts of the ocean

Paralyzed Man Controls a Robotic Arm With The Power of His Mind

A new AI-driven brain-computer interface (BCI) has allowed a man with tetraplegia to control a robotic arm with his thoughts for seven months without major recalibration—far longer than previous systems. Developed by UCSF researchers, the system uses AI to match brain signals to movements, enabling real-time corrections and improved accuracy. The man successfully completed tasks like opening a cupboard and placing a cup under a … Continue reading Paralyzed Man Controls a Robotic Arm With The Power of His Mind

NVIDIA CEO: Humanoid revolution closer than you think

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts humanoid robots will be widely used in manufacturing within a few years, not five. Speaking at Nvidia’s developer conference, he unveiled new software tools to aid robotic navigation. Huang said factories would likely adopt them first due to their controlled environments and clear tasks, adding that renting a humanoid robot could cost around $100,000, The Star has reported. Written by … Continue reading NVIDIA CEO: Humanoid revolution closer than you think

Boston Dynamics Atlas 2.0 Humanoid Robot Goes Breakdancing

Boston Dynamics’ Atlas 2.0 humanoid robot can now breakdance, showcasing advanced mobility with swiveling joints and human-exceeding range of motion. It can run, jump, bend its legs backward, and rotate its head and torso 180 degrees. Using reinforcement learning and foundation models, Atlas adapts to complex environments while maintaining high reliability, Tech Blog has reported. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Boston Dynamics Atlas 2.0 Humanoid Robot Goes Breakdancing

Roborock opens pre-orders for its robot vacuum with an arm

Roborock has opened pre-orders for its high-end Saros Z70 robot vacuum, priced at $1,899. The Z70 features a robotic arm for picking up small objects, 22,000Pa suction, and advanced navigation. To boost sales, Roborock is offering a free second vacuum with purchase. The company also surpassed iRobot as the world’s top-selling robot vacuum brand, claiming 16% of global market share in Q4. Meanwhile, iRobot, facing … Continue reading Roborock opens pre-orders for its robot vacuum with an arm

Hackers release names and addresses of every Tesla owner in the US

Hackers opposed to Elon Musk have doxxed U.S. Tesla owners, posting an interactive map with personal details and demanding proof of vehicle sales for removal. The site, DOGEQUEST, also lists Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and government officials’ residences, including FBI Director Kash Patel’s home. Musk condemned the act as “extreme domestic terrorism.” The leak comes amid rising anti-Tesla protests, vandalism, and violent attacks, including a … Continue reading Hackers release names and addresses of every Tesla owner in the US

Kroger’s new test robot, ‘Barney’, checks prices, shelves for missing items

Kroger is testing a new robotic system in 35 stores across Greater Cincinnati to improve inventory tracking in real-time. The robots, equipped with blue lights, scan shelves to identify missing items and ensure accurate pricing, allowing associates to quickly address stock issues. The pilot program, named after Kroger founder Bernard “Barney” Kroger, began in 2024 and aims to enhance the shopping experience. Customers are reassured … Continue reading Kroger’s new test robot, ‘Barney’, checks prices, shelves for missing items

Kansas City Fire Department unveils new firefighting robot

The Kansas City Fire Department successfully deployed its new firefighting robot during a fire at the Batliner Recycling Facility on March 15. The robot, equipped with thermal imaging, a debris-clearing blade, and the ability to pump 2,500 gallons of water per minute, helped tackle the blaze. It is designed for both offensive and defensive firefighting, especially in high-risk situations. The fire, which involved large piles … Continue reading Kansas City Fire Department unveils new firefighting robot

New drone-destroying laser weapon with 1-mile-range tested for Turkey’s ‘Steel Dome’

Aselsan, a leading Turkish defense company, has successfully tested its GÖKBERK mobile anti-drone air defense system, which uses laser and electronic warfare (EW) to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is designed to automatically track and destroy FPV drones, showcasing high-speed and precise engagement. GÖKBERK combines electronic warfare and high-energy lasers for both “soft kill” and “hard kill” capabilities, with AI enabling fast tracking … Continue reading New drone-destroying laser weapon with 1-mile-range tested for Turkey’s ‘Steel Dome’

Google-brained humanoid robot masters delicate moves, folds bags, seals snacks

Google DeepMind has introduced two AI models, Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER, designed to improve robot control. Gemini Robotics integrates vision-language-action (VLA) capabilities, enabling robots to interpret visuals, understand language commands, and perform movements with enhanced dexterity and interactivity. It excels at tasks requiring fine motor skills and adapts to various environments. Gemini Robotics-ER focuses on embodied reasoning, improving spatial awareness and allowing robots to … Continue reading Google-brained humanoid robot masters delicate moves, folds bags, seals snacks

AI search engines cite incorrect sources at an alarming 60% rate, study says

A study by Columbia Journalism Review’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism revealed significant accuracy issues with AI-driven news search tools. The research tested eight AI models and found that over 60% of the queries about news sources were answered incorrectly. The error rates varied, with Grok 3 having the highest at 94%. The study highlighted a troubling trend where AI tools, instead of declining uncertain … Continue reading AI search engines cite incorrect sources at an alarming 60% rate, study says

Creepy humanoid robot moves using 1,000 eerie artificial muscles

Clone Robotics has unveiled Protoclone, a highly realistic humanoid robot with 206 polymer bones and over 1,000 artificial muscles powered by its proprietary “Myofiber” technology. Standing 6 feet tall, it mimics human movement using hydraulic-powered muscles and an advanced sensory system. While its lifelike motions have amazed some, others find it unsettling, Fox News has reported. Currently, Protoclone cannot stand independently, but Clone Robotics plans … Continue reading Creepy humanoid robot moves using 1,000 eerie artificial muscles

Watch DeepMind’s AI robot slam-dunk a basketball

Google DeepMind has integrated its advanced AI model, Gemini, into robots, enabling them to perform tasks like mini basketball slam dunks without prior demonstrations. Announced on March 12, Gemini Robotics enhances spatial reasoning and physical understanding, aiming to create intuitive, general-purpose machines. While promising, the approach raises safety concerns due to AI’s potential for errors, Nature has reported. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Watch DeepMind’s AI robot slam-dunk a basketball

Saudi Investment Fund pays $3.5bn to capture Pokémon Go

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is acquiring Niantic’s gaming division, including Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion. The deal expands Saudi Arabia’s push into gaming, with Niantic joining Scopely, a company PIF bought for $4.9 billion in 2023.  Pokémon Go, still a top-grossing game with 30 million monthly players, will continue evolving under its current team, the BBC has reported. PIF, controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed … Continue reading Saudi Investment Fund pays $3.5bn to capture Pokémon Go

Chinese firm’s obstacle-clearing robot redefines mobility with dual-wheel design

The TRON 1 robot, launched by Chinese robotics firm LimX in October 2024, is designed to advance robotic locomotion with its multi-terrain capabilities and adaptive mobility. It features interchangeable foot-ends for various gaits and terrains, supporting research in algorithm validation and application development. The robot’s modular “Three-In-One” design includes a humanoid-style foot, wheeled configuration for all-terrain mobility, and point-foot for basic control. TRON 1 offers … Continue reading Chinese firm’s obstacle-clearing robot redefines mobility with dual-wheel design

New delivery robot can haul 2,200 pounds of your stuff

WeRide, a leader in autonomous driving technology, has unveiled its latest innovation, the Robovan W5, an unmanned delivery vehicle with Level 4 autonomy. With 194 cubic feet of cargo space and a payload capacity of 2,205 pounds, the W5 is designed for efficient, driverless deliveries. Equipped with 360-degree sensors, real-time route optimization, and safety features like emergency braking and collision warnings, the van operates safely … Continue reading New delivery robot can haul 2,200 pounds of your stuff

Japan’s service robot market projected to triple in five years

Japan is increasingly turning to service robots to address labor shortages caused by an aging population. The country’s service robot market is expected to nearly triple by 2030, reaching ¥400 billion ($2.7 billion). With projections of a labor shortfall of 11 million by 2040 and nearly 40% of the population aged 65 or older by 2065, robots are filling critical gaps, Tech Crunch has reported. … Continue reading Japan’s service robot market projected to triple in five years

University of Utah researchers develop game-changing retinal surgery robot

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a robotic surgery device designed to improve the precision of retinal surgeries. The robot, which is capable of making movements as small as one micrometer, compensates for patient head movements and surgeon hand tremors by scaling down the surgeon’s actions. This technology, tested using pig eyes, has shown promising results in improving surgical outcomes and could support … Continue reading University of Utah researchers develop game-changing retinal surgery robot