Physical AI & robotics news
- · Product launches
Unitree Unveils H2 Humanoid Robot, Standing 180 Centimeters Tall and Weighing 70 Kilograms
Unitree has unveiled the H2 humanoid robot, leaderobot.com reported. The robot stands 180 centimeters tall, weighs 70 kilograms and has 31 joints. The company said its previous-generation H1 weighs about 47 kilograms, making the H2 closer to human proportions in terms of build. leaderobot.com highlighted improvements in the H2's movement smoothness and biomimetic qualities.
- · Product launches
ugo unveils domestically developed semi-humanoid robot ‘ugo Nova,’ with mass production scheduled to begin in 2027
prtimes.jp reported on September 16, 2026, that ugo had unveiled the domestically developed semi-humanoid robot ‘ugo Nova,’ with mass production scheduled to begin in 2027.
- · Product launches
Agility Robotics Announces Digit 5
Agility Robotics was reported to have announced on Sept. 15 a new humanoid robot, Digit 5, designed to work safely near people.
- · Industry
Profitability of Humanoid Robot Manufacturers and the Revenue Structure of Dexterous Hands
leaderobot.com reported that humanoid robot manufacturers have low gross margins, while upstream component suppliers, including those making dexterous hands, are relatively more profitable.
- · Industry
GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu partner to commercialize autonomous taxis in Tokyo
GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu announced a strategic partnership to commercialize autonomous taxis in Tokyo.
- · Deployment & production
Waymo expands to 14 cities, approaches 500,000 paid rides per week
jidounten-lab.com reported on September 16, 2026, “Waymo expands to 14 cities, approaches 500,000 paid rides per week.”
- · Industry
Nikkei Reports Japanese Firms’ ‘Joint’ Components Draw Attention in Physical AI
Nikkei reported that Japanese companies may find an advantage in physical AI adoption through their strengths in “joint” components. The focus is on robot hardware, particularly components that account for a large share of costs. The details of the statements and argument require confirmation against the original report.
- · Funding
Akari invests in Aster, which plans to boost production at new plant
Nikkei XTECH reported that Akari invested in Aster and that Aster is preparing to increase production at a new plant.
- · Industry
Nikkei Business reports on attention to construction physical AI and Nvidia
Nikkei Business Online reported on Sept. 16, 2026, under the headline “Nikkei Business reports on attention to construction physical AI and Nvidia.”
- · Product launches
Universal Robots Unveils Seventh-Generation Collaborative Robot Platform, Gen 7
Universal Robots, a subsidiary of Teradyne Robotics, unveiled its seventh-generation collaborative robot platform, Gen 7, at IMTS 2026 on September 14, 2026. The new platform redesigns the controller, teach pendant and tool flange, with connectivity to external equipment and AI readiness at the forefront, centered on PolyScope X. Rather than simply updating the robot itself, the proposal appears to rework the steps for wiring, connectivity, control and training during on-site deployment.
- · Product launches
AVITA launches Human-in-the-Loop physical AI, combining remote operation and autonomous control
prtimes.jp reported on September 15, 2026, that AVITA had launched Human-in-the-Loop physical AI, combining remote operation and autonomous control.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Three companies visit transport ministry to advance driverless taxi deployment
GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu met with the transport minister at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to discuss efforts to bring driverless taxis into service in Tokyo.
- · Product launches
Ti5ROBOT Introduces Compact Robotic Hand ‘Cool Hand’
Ti5ROBOT introduced its robotic hand, Cool Hand. The item was published by humanoid.guide on September 14, 2026. The compact design measures 205×132×80 mm and weighs 0.48 kg. It is intended for humanoids, prosthetic hands and research applications. However, its performance evaluation is still under development, and there is limited information to assess prospects for mass production or wider adoption.
- · Product launches
Akizuki Denshi Tsusho Begins Selling Assembled SO-101
Akizuki Denshi Tsusho announced Sept. 15 that it had begun selling Seeed Studio’s “SO-101 Open-Source Robot Arm Kit Pro Version (Assembled).”
- · Research & technology
Humanoid robot performs gallbladder removal on live pigs
A research team at the University of California, San Diego, performed gallbladder removal surgery on two live pigs using a humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics, according to a paper published in Nature.
- · Product launches
MW unveils ceiling-track home robot to media
leaderobot.com reported that MW unveiled a home-integrated mechanical arm that runs on a ceiling track to the media.
- · Product launches
Toyota to introduce Level 2++ in 2028; Nissan to commercialize next-generation ProPILOT with Wayve by March 2028
jidounten-lab.com reported on September 15, 2026, “Toyota to introduce Level 2++ in 2028; Nissan to commercialize next-generation ProPILOT with Wayve by March 2028.”
- · Partnerships & M&A
D-Robotics and GigaVision Form Strategic Partnership
D-Robotics and GigaVision announced a strategic collaboration on Sept. 14 on embodied AI for edge devices.
- · Partnerships & M&A
GMO AI & Robotics Trading Forms Capital and Business Alliance With TechShare to Promote Unitree Robots in Japan
GMO AI & Robotics Trading has formed a capital and business alliance with TechShare. The alliance aims to promote Unitree Robotics robots in Japan and advance the physical AI industry. The announcement suggests the companies intend to jointly develop sales, promotion and the industry.
- · Research & technology
Hitachi develops safety technology for operating physical AI
Hitachi, Ltd. announced that it has developed guardrail technology to support the safe operation of physical AI used in social infrastructure.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Foxconn and IAT Establish Robotics Venture in Beijing
Chinese business news outlet leaderobot.com reported that Foxconn Technology Group Co., Ltd., IAT Automobile Technology Co., Ltd. and others established a new company in Beijing.
- · Partnerships & M&A
OpenMind and Tashan Technology open ‘robot kindergarten’ in Beijing, leaderobot.com reports
leaderobot.com reported on September 14, 2026, that a ‘robot kindergarten’ had opened in Shougang Park in Shijingshan, Beijing. The facility was reportedly jointly established by Tashan Technology and OpenMind, founded by Richard Sutton, the 2024 Turing Award winner. Robots from Unitree Robotics and Booster Robotics also appeared, signaling a shift from assembling prototypes toward trial and error in real-world environments.
- · Product launches
leaderobot.com reports Shengshu Technology’s announcement of “Motus2”
leaderobot.com reported that Shengshu Technology announced “Motus2.” The article was published on September 14, 2026. This article does not assess performance or pricing; it sets the announcement in the context of our related coverage.
- · Industry
leaderobot.com publishes article about robots
leaderobot.com published an article about robots on September 14, 2026. This article does not summarize the article’s arguments or content. It lays out points that need to be verified when assessing robots, in light of related coverage.
- · Product launches
Kaleido 9 Introduced
humanoid.guide introduced Kawasaki Robotics’ humanoid robot, Kaleido 9. The article outlines Kaleido 9’s basic specifications and supported functions. It was published on September 13, 2026.
- · Industry
Nikkei Cross Tech Covers Intellectual Property Analysis of Physical AI
Nikkei Cross Tech published an analysis article based on patent trends in physical AI. The article mentioned U.S.-based Figure AI and NVIDIA in an interview with Akira Yamauchi of Chizai Landscape.
- · Product launches
Shimizu Corporation’s Humanoid for On-Site Inspections
humanoid.guide introduced “Shimizu’s Robot,” a humanoid developed by Shimizu Corporation.
- · Research & technology
University of Tokyo Research Team Equips Musashi-W With Biomimetic Skin to Estimate Joint Angles
A University of Tokyo research team attached biomimetic joint-covering skin to Musashi-W’s right upper limb and showed that joint angles can be estimated from skin deformation alone.
- · Product launches
AI² Robotics Unveils New Humanoid, AlphaBot 2
AI² Robotics has unveiled AlphaBot 2, a wheeled humanoid. It stands 180 cm tall, weighs 135 kg and features a six-wheel mobile base and five-fingered hands on both arms. The robot is designed for logistics, manufacturing, public services and customer service, and is rated for up to six hours of operation.
- · Product launches
Hyundai to introduce in-house driver-assistance system in 2029
Reuters reported that Hyundai Motor will introduce an in-house-developed driver-assistance system in 2029. The move appears to shift away from reliance on external suppliers for areas such as the supply chain and control software, but the excerpt does not specify the vehicle models or scope of functions. The planned launch timing has been disclosed, while details of the development structure and deployment plans remain limited.