Physical AI & robotics news
- · Product launches
ANYbotics Announces Autonomous Door-Passage Capability for ANYmal
ANYbotics reportedly announced, together with dormakaba and LEGIC Identsystems AG, a capability that enables its inspection robot ANYmal to pass through doors autonomously.
- · Deployment & production
Maxvalu Tokai Reportedly Advances Labor-Saving Efforts With Robots
The Sankei Shimbun reported that Maxvalu Tokai will accelerate efforts to reduce staffing needs using robots. The company will use AI to weigh and plate prepared foods. See the original source for details.
- · Product launches
LexxPluss to Hold Three Online Live Demos of LexxMoMa R1 in October
LexxPluss announced it will hold three online live demos of its industrial humanoid, LexxMoMa R1, in October.
- · Research & technology
Quadruped Robot RAIBO2 Completes Marathon on a Single Charge
Nature published a research paper reporting that the quadruped robot RAIBO2 completed a full marathon on a single charge.
- · Deployment & production
Ambi Robotics solves packaging sorting challenge in 10 hours
Automated Warehouse Online reported that Ambi Robotics used AI agents to solve a production issue involving packaging placement in about 10 hours.
- · Product launches
Aurora Outlines Driverless Operations for Second-Generation Trucks and Expansion Plans at Investor Day 2026
At Investor Day 2026 on September 23, 2026, Aurora said its second-generation trucks are driving driverless on public roads every day.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Qualcomm Agrees to Acquire PickNik; MoveIt to Remain Open Source
Qualcomm Technologies Inc. has agreed to acquire PickNik Inc. The deal includes robotics software and MoveIt, an open-source manipulation framework. The companies said they will work to integrate the Qualcomm Dragonwing platform with MoveIt, creating a workflow that links AI models with planning, manipulation and real-time control. PickNik said it will preserve MoveIt’s openness, indicating that it plans to maintain its open-source approach after the acquisition.
- · Product launches
Mifeng Technology launches crowdsourcing platform for physical AI data
Mifeng Technology held a launch event for “Mifeng Pai” in Shanghai on Sept. 23, according to reports.
- · Industry
Goldman Sachs Raises 2035 Humanoid Robot Shipment Forecast
Goldman Sachs raised its forecast for global humanoid robot shipments in 2035 from 1.4 million to 6.5 million, leaderobot.com reported. It also projected that the average price per unit in 2035 would fall to $21,300 from $41,800 in 2025.
- · Industry
Stardust Intelligence Holds Stardust OS Hackathon in Beijing
Stardust Intelligence said it held the second Stardust OS Hackathon in Beijing, where 15 teams created more than 10 robot applications in 36 hours.
- · Industry
Article on Unitree Robotics' share-price decline
leaderobot.com published an article about Unitree Robotics' share-price decline and buybacks being put to the test in humanoid robot companies' IPOs.
- · Product launches
RealMan Intelligent and Beijing Zhuxin IoT Unveil Operations Brand for Distribution Rooms
RealMan Intelligent Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Zhuxin IoT Technology Development Co., Ltd. unveiled “Gui Ji Zhi Shou,” an operations brand for distribution rooms, leaderobot.com reported Sept. 23.
What Is Figure AI? A Look at Helix 2.5 and Demonstrations in Factories and Homes
Figure AI is a company testing humanoid robot control policies on physical robots and discussing them in the context of household tasks and factory integration. Articles published by this newspaper cover home trials of Helix 2.5 and reports of robots being connected to production lines at Tesla, BMW and Mercedes. For readers seeking a straightforward answer, Figure AI is best understood as a company working to move humanoid robots from research toward practical use.
- · Policy & regulation
China’s regulators effectively halt approvals for humanoid robot IPOs
Reuters reported that China’s securities regulators are effectively halting approvals for initial public offerings by humanoid robotics companies.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Waymo reportedly exploring autonomous-driving technology deal with Toyota
The possibility of Waymo providing its autonomous-driving technology to automakers has been raised. The focus was on a potential deal with Toyota, and the report mentioned licensing as an option. The backdrop is the view that a business centered on robotaxis alone may have limited growth potential and profitability. However, no specific terms or timing for providing the technology to Toyota were given.
- · Policy & regulation
Government Set to Launch Full-Scale Research on Defense Uses for Humanoid Robots; FY2027 Budget Request Includes Unpriced Item
The government is considering launching full-scale research into the use of humanoid robots in defense. The plan envisions using AI-equipped autonomous “physical AI” for support missions such as base security and transporting supplies. The Ministry of Defense included the research in its FY2027 budget request as an item without a specified amount.
- · Research & technology
Forbes Publishes Article on AI for Autonomous Trucks
Forbes reported on AI for autonomous trucks that is said to be able to drive on highways without prior training.
- · Policy & regulation
Government considers humanoid robots for defense, including AI-powered base security and transport
The government is considering using humanoid robots in the defense sector. The robots would be equipped with AI and are envisioned for use in base security and transport. The aim is to reduce staffing needs, but the conditions for actual deployment and safety checks will be key issues. See the original source for details.
- · Product launches
Google Is Open-Sourcing Software for Robots, Forbes Reports
Forbes reported that Google is open-sourcing software for robots. Sundar Pichai reportedly called the software “Android for robots.” The report described the move as part of a strategy to drive demand for high-value AI components.
- · Policy & regulation
China Takes More Cautious Approach to Humanoid Robot IPO Reviews
Reuters reported that Chinese securities regulators are taking a more cautious stance on humanoid robot company IPOs, using informal guidance while assessing valuations and earnings quality.
- · Funding
May Mobility to Go Public on Nasdaq Through SPAC Merger
May Mobility announced a merger agreement with ACP Holdings Acquisition Corp. and said it plans to list on Nasdaq.
- · Industry
Nikkei Publishes Feature on Physical AI
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun published a feature article on physical AI. The article reported that physical AI is a priority in the Sanae Takaichi administration’s growth strategy. It also mentioned a related program on BS TV Tokyo.
- · Funding
Huachao Shenkong Announces 200 Million Yuan Pre-A Financing
Multiple media outlets reported that Huachao Shenkong completed a 200 million yuan Pre-A round.
- · Deployment & production
Tesla Audits China Optimus Parts Supply Chain Ahead of Mass Production
tradingview.com reported on September 21, 2026, “Tesla Audits China Optimus Parts Supply Chain Ahead of Mass Production.”
- · Deployment & production
Boston Dynamics Opens RMAC
Boston Dynamics announced on the 21st that it had opened the Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC), where Atlas will be trained and demonstrated, inside Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
- · Deployment & production
Report: Toyota Plans to Deploy Humanoids in Factories
Toyota Motor plans to begin deploying humanoid robots at production sites worldwide in 2028, according to reports. The planned deployment could reach up to 400,000 units, with the robots expected to work alongside people in the company’s factories. The plan reportedly also includes ELEY, a robot developed in-house by Toyota.
- · Industry
First-Half Quadruped Robot Shipments Rise
Counterpoint Research said global quadruped robot shipments totaled about 35,000 units in the first half of 2026.
- · Industry
The Practicality and Price Gap of Humanoid Robots
leaderobot.com published an article discussing the practicality and price differences of humanoid robots.
- · Deployment & production
UBTECH’s 10,000-Unit-Class Humanoid Robot Factory in Liuzhou Starts Production, With Plans for One Robot Every 10 Minutes
UBTECH held a production launch ceremony on September 12 for its industrial humanoid robot factory in Liuzhou, designed for more than 10,000 units a year. The production line is designed to turn out one robot every 10 minutes. The factory is built around a dedicated digital manufacturing platform developed with Siemens to refine material handling, assembly and precision control for mass production.
- · Industry
Shandong Data Collection Valley trains data collectors in communities
leaderobot.com reported that residents are receiving training to become data collectors in Tai'an, Shandong province.