News/Robotics
AI-powered robot lawnmowers from Mammotion set to impress
Mammotion is presenting an expanded lineup of AI-powered robotic lawnmowers at CES 2025, featuring new compact models alongside enhanced terrain-handling capabilities. Product lineup overview: Mammotion's latest robotic lawnmower series includes options for various yard sizes and terrain types, with AI-driven mapping technology eliminating the need for perimeter wires. The LUBA 2 AWD series can handle yards up to 2.5 acres and navigate slopes up to 80% grade, using AI machine vision for navigation The YUKA series covers yards up to 0.75 acres and features an innovative auto-emptying system for grass clippings The new LUBA mini AWD targets smaller yards up...
read Jan 3, 2025Brand and customer experience trends to look out for at CES 2025
Las Vegas is set to host CES 2025, bringing together 140,000 attendees and over 300 Fortune 500 companies to showcase the latest technological innovations and customer experience trends. Event Overview: The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 represents a significant evolution from its traditional tech-focused roots to encompass broader brand and customer experience themes. The event will take place starting January 7th in Las Vegas, featuring major corporations like Walmart, Delta, and John Deere Accenture's CEO will deliver a keynote address focusing on technology's role in enhancing customer experience Traditional exhibits like large-scale TVs and innovative robotics will share the spotlight...
read Jan 3, 2025This robot artist earns more money than most humans
The fundamentals: Botto represents a new breed of AI-powered creative systems that combines machine learning with community governance to produce and sell digital artwork. Created in 2021 by German artist Mario Klingemann and partners, Botto leverages AI image generation technology similar to popular tools like Midjourney and Dall-E The system employs a sophisticated "taste model" that helps select the most aesthetically pleasing images from its outputs A community of 15,000 members, known as BottoDAO, participates in selecting which works should be minted as NFTs Financial success and market impact: Botto's recent solo exhibition at Sotheby's demonstrates growing institutional acceptance of...
read Jan 3, 2025Amazon to deploy new autonomous forklifts and 20,000 more electric delivery vans
Amazon is accelerating warehouse automation and electric delivery fleet expansion with the deployment of autonomous forklifts and 20,000 Rivian-built delivery vans across its operations. Major milestones: Amazon has achieved significant progress in its logistics and delivery infrastructure through two key developments: reaching 20,000 electric delivery vans on US roads and implementing autonomous forklift systems in its warehouses. The Rivian-built electric delivery vans have successfully delivered nearly a billion packages across the US Amazon aims to expand its electric delivery fleet to over 100,000 vehicles by 2030 The company's partnership with Rivian transformed a concept into operational vehicles in less than...
read Dec 31, 2024China’s GoMate plans to use AI-powered humanoid robot to build cars
A new humanoid robot called GoMate, developed by Chinese state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), will begin assembling vehicles on production lines starting in 2026. Key Features and Capabilities; The third-generation GoMate represents a significant advancement in robotics with its unique dual mobility system and advanced AI capabilities. Standing 4.5 feet tall in four-wheeled mode and 5.7 feet in two-wheeled mode, the robot features 38 degrees of freedom for enhanced mobility The robot can navigate stairs, slopes, and obstacles while maintaining self-balance in both wheeled configurations GoMate utilizes GAC's autonomous driving algorithm for movement planning and obstacle detection up to 328...
read Dec 31, 2024NVIDIA showcased robots and autonomous systems that its technology powered in 2024
Key developments: A range of companies and researchers leveraged NVIDIA's AI platforms to create robots for environmental cleanup, manufacturing, surgery, and agriculture. Hong Kong's Clearbot deployed autonomous boats using NVIDIA Jetson technology to collect marine waste, operating for up to eight hours on battery power Figure unveiled its Figure 02 humanoid robot that utilizes NVIDIA Omniverse for manufacturing tasks and was tested at BMW's South Carolina facility The ORBIT-Surgical framework, developed by an international research team, uses NVIDIA platforms to train surgical robots in complex medical procedures Boston-based Zordi employed NVIDIA technology in robots that autonomously grow and harvest strawberries...
read Dec 30, 2024How a Bay Area artist is combining AI and dance to allay fears about robots replacing humans
San Francisco's Exploratorium artist-in-residence Catie Cuan is combining dance, robotics, and artificial intelligence to create innovative human-robot interactions and performances. Background and expertise: Catie Cuan brings a unique combination of professional dance experience and mechanical engineering expertise to her work at the Exploratorium. Cuan earned her doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, focusing her thesis on choreorobotics She describes her work as a natural fusion of her passions for mathematics and dance The Exploratorium selected Cuan as part of their 50th anniversary Artist in Residence program Current projects and innovations: During her two-year residency that began in 2023, Cuan...
read Dec 22, 2024Autonomous race car crashes at Abu Dhabi Racing League event
An autonomous race car crashed during a warm-up lap at Japan's Suzuka Circuit, preventing a planned competition between artificial intelligence and former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat from taking place. The incident details: The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) organized the event to showcase the current capabilities of self-driving race cars. The autonomous vehicle, carrying 95 kg of computers and sensors, lost control during preliminary laps Cold tires and track conditions were identified as the primary factors in the crash The accident occurred before any actual racing could begin against the human competitor Technical specifications and limitations: A2RL provides competing...
read Dec 20, 2024Google DeepMind and Apptronik team up on AI-powered humanoid robots
The partnership between Apptronik and Google DeepMind marks a significant step forward in combining advanced robotics hardware with sophisticated artificial intelligence to develop more capable humanoid robots. Core partnership details: Apptronik, an Austin-based robotics company, is joining forces with Google DeepMind's robotics team to develop more intelligent and versatile humanoid robots. The collaboration aims to integrate DeepMind's artificial intelligence capabilities with Apptronik's hardware expertise This partnership follows Apptronik's recent collaborations with major companies including GXO and Mercedes-Benz The initiative will leverage DeepMind's advanced AI models, including Gemini, to enhance robot capabilities Technology specifications: Apptronik's flagship humanoid robot Apollo demonstrates the...
read Dec 18, 2024AI and robotics are fueling a new era of geopolitical competition
The escalating technological competition between the United States and China is reshaping global power dynamics, particularly in the domains of artificial intelligence and robotics. Key strategic dynamics: The United States maintains significant advantages in software development while China has established growing dominance in hardware manufacturing and drone technology. The U.S. continues to lead in software innovation and AI development, leveraging its strong technology ecosystem and research institutions China has made substantial investments in hardware manufacturing capabilities, particularly in drone technology, creating potential security concerns The competitive landscape is increasingly being shaped by each nation's distinct technological strengths and strategic priorities...
read Dec 16, 2024China’s robotaxi fleets expand as US rivals struggle
The autonomous vehicle industry is experiencing divergent trajectories in the US and China, with Chinese companies expanding operations while US firms face significant setbacks. Current state of affairs: Pony.ai's announcement to quadruple its robotaxi fleet comes in stark contrast to General Motors' decision to cease funding Cruise. Pony.ai plans to expand from 250 to 1,000 vehicles by 2025 through a partnership with GAC Aion The company currently averages 15 rides per vehicle daily, totaling over 26,000 weekly trips Operations will expand across Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen China's competitive advantages: Several factors are contributing to China's rapid advancement in autonomous...
read Dec 15, 2024Nvidia is building AI-powered cars in China
The global semiconductor giant Nvidia is expanding its presence in China's autonomous vehicle market while navigating complex international trade dynamics and regulatory challenges. Recent expansion moves: Nvidia has increased its workforce in China by 200 employees specifically focused on self-driving car technology development, contributing to a 25% growth in global headcount to approximately 4,000 employees in 2024. The company's autonomous driving initiatives date back to 2015, with significant milestones including the 2016 launch of a specialized self-driving car chip A notable demonstration of their technology occurred at CES 2017 with their experimental vehicle dubbed BB8 The expansion reflects Nvidia's continued...
read Dec 15, 2024Nokia and Motorola develop AI-powered drone-in-a-box system
Automated drone systems from major technology providers are transforming emergency response and industrial operations through AI-powered aerial intelligence. Partnership overview: Nokia and Motorola Solutions have combined their expertise to create an automated drone-in-a-box solution that enables remote deployment and operation of drones for emergency services and industrial applications. The system integrates Nokia's Drone Networks infrastructure with Motorola Solutions' CAPE drone management software Operations centers can remotely dispatch drones to assess emergency situations and potential hazards without putting personnel at immediate risk The solution operates over 4G/LTE or 5G networks, enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities for extended range...
read Dec 15, 2024Toyota robot sinks 80-foot basketball shot, sets world record
The intersection of robotics and sports reached a new milestone as Toyota's humanoid robot successfully completed an unprecedented long-distance basketball shot, highlighting the advancing capabilities of AI-powered robotics in precision tasks. Project Background: Toyota's basketball-playing robot "Cue" began as a volunteer side project in 2017 and has evolved through multiple generations of increasingly sophisticated development. The robot first debuted at an Alvark Tokyo professional basketball game in March 2018 Cue has progressively mastered various basketball skills including three-point shots, dribbling, and free throws In 2019, the third-generation model "Cue3" set its first Guinness World Record by making 2,020 consecutive free...
read Dec 11, 2024Lam Research deploys collaborative robots for chip factory maintenance
Semiconductor manufacturing is entering a new era of automation with Lam Research's introduction of Dextro, a collaborative robot designed to perform precise maintenance tasks in chip fabrication facilities. Key Innovation: Dextro represents the semiconductor industry's first collaborative robot specifically engineered to work alongside human technicians in maintaining critical chip manufacturing equipment. The robot has already been deployed in several advanced wafer fabrication facilities worldwide It performs maintenance tasks with sub-micron precision, significantly improving first-time-right (FTR) results The technology aims to enhance manufacturing yield and reduce equipment downtime in semiconductor plants Technical Capabilities: Dextro combines mobility and precision engineering to execute...
read Dec 9, 2024Kids’ robot maker shuts down, leaving AI toys lifeless
The closure of AI company Embodied highlights the risks and emotional impact of cloud-dependent AI products, particularly those designed for vulnerable users like children with autism. The shutdown situation: Embodied, creator of the AI-powered social robot Moxie, announced its closure following financial difficulties and withdrawn funding. The Moxie robot, priced at $799, was specifically designed to interact with autistic children The device relied on cloud-based large language models (LLMs) for its core functionality, including conversation and question-answering capabilities Within days of the company's closure, all Moxie units will cease functioning, with no refunds offered to customers Technical implications: The dependence...
read Dec 9, 2024CES 2025 AI guide: Top panels, parties and robots to watch
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 is preparing to transform Las Vegas into a global technology hub from January 5-10, featuring keynotes from industry leaders and showcasing innovations across AI, mobility, healthtech, and robotics. Event Overview: CES 2025 builds upon the success of its previous year which drew 138,000 trade professionals, expanding its focus from electric vehicles to broader technological innovations. The event spans multiple venues including the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Venetian, Aria, and Mandalay Bay Notable keynote speakers include Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Delta CEO Ed Bastian, who will present at The Sphere Free shuttle service...
read Dec 9, 2024Embodied intelligence is the next frontier in AI
Embodied intelligence, which combines artificial intelligence with physical world understanding and interaction, marks a significant shift in how AI systems process and interact with spatial environments. Breakthrough innovation: World Labs has developed a groundbreaking 3D worlds generator that can create complex virtual environments from minimal input data, such as a single 2D image. The technology can predict spatial and visual relationships within scenes, effectively inferring content beyond the visible frame Applications span multiple industries including gaming, animation, film production, and marketing The system enables content creation without traditional filming or actor requirements Technical foundations: The development of embodied intelligence relies...
read Dec 7, 2024AI and robotics experts unite at Princeton symposium
The intersection of robotics and artificial intelligence research is gaining momentum at Princeton University, where leading researchers are collaborating to address safety challenges in both fields. Event Overview: Princeton University hosted the Symposium on Safe Deployment of Foundation Models in Robotics, bringing together faculty, students, and researchers to explore the convergence of AI and robotics safety. The event was organized by Anirudha Majumdar, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Sanjeev Arora, Director of Princeton Language and Intelligence The symposium focused on safety considerations as both fields rapidly evolve and intersect The intimate scale of the event was designed...
read Dec 7, 2024Quantum AI robots that match human intelligence are coming, researchers say
The intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence promises to usher in a new era of advanced robotics with capabilities approaching human-level intelligence. Key breakthrough: Scientists have proposed combining quantum computing with AI to create "qubots" - robots that could potentially match human intelligence by leveraging quantum algorithms and processes. These advanced robots would overcome the binary computing limitations that currently restrict robotic capabilities Qubots would excel at processing vast amounts of sensory data and providing real-time responses The technology could enable sophisticated navigation, decision-making, and multi-robot coordination Technical advantages: Quantum computing's superior processing power offers unprecedented potential for advancing...
read Dec 7, 2024Honda robot aids young cancer patients during extended treatment
The intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence is taking a compassionate turn as Honda deploys an AI-powered robot to support young cancer patients during their treatment journey. Program Overview: Honda's Research Institute Japan has developed Haru, an AI-driven "social bot" that is helping children undergoing cancer treatment at Spain's Virgen del Rocio hospital. The program began trials in 2021 and has proven so successful that the hospital is expanding its deployment with 10 additional units through 2027 Haru stands 11 inches tall and resembles a desktop companion with two small screens that serve as "eyes" and LED lights forming a...
read Dec 4, 2024AI robots can be tricked into acts of violence, research shows
The increasing integration of large language models (LLMs) into robotics systems has exposed significant security vulnerabilities that could enable malicious actors to manipulate robots into performing dangerous actions. Key research findings: Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated how LLM-powered robots could be manipulated to perform potentially harmful actions through carefully crafted prompts. Researchers successfully hacked multiple robot systems, including a simulated self-driving car that ignored stop signs, a wheeled robot programmed to locate optimal bomb placement spots, and a four-legged robot directed to conduct unauthorized surveillance The team developed RoboPAIR, an automated system that generates "jailbreak" prompts designed to...
read Dec 3, 2024AI robot Miko Mini might teach your kids a thing or two
The Miko Mini represents a significant development in AI-powered educational toys, offering children a safe introduction to conversational AI technology while incorporating educational content from major entertainment brands. Product Overview: Miko Mini is an AI-powered robot designed specifically for children ages 5-10, combining educational content with interactive features. The device includes robotic wheels for movement, a color display for expressions and content, and a front-facing camera with privacy controls Voice activation enables natural conversation through LLM (Large Language Model) technology Partnership content from Disney, Nickelodeon, and iHeartRadio enhances the entertainment value Setup and Hardware Features: The robot's setup process emphasizes...
read Nov 27, 2024Roomba founders’ new mission is personal robots that improve your health
The robotics industry is witnessing a significant development as former iRobot leaders venture into creating AI-powered home robots focused on health and wellness applications. Leadership and founding team: Colin Angle, former CEO and co-founder of iRobot, has partnered with two other iRobot veterans to launch a new robotics venture. After leading iRobot for 33 years, Angle stepped down nine months ago to pursue this new initiative Chris Jones, iRobot's former chief technology officer, and Ira Renfrew, another iRobot alumni, have joined Angle in this new endeavor The trio has established a startup called Familiar Machines and Magic Strategic focus and...
read