Physical AI & robotics news
- · Funding
Motion Raises $2 Million to Commercialize Humanoids
Brussels-based Motion raised $2 million in a pre-seed round led by Extantia Capital, with participation from Norrsken Evolve.
- · Deployment & production
Mercedes-Benz to Launch Level 4 Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi With Next-Generation S-Class
Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to partner with Chinese autonomous-driving company Momenta and UAE taxi operator Lumo to begin commercial operations of Level 4 robotaxis based on the next-generation S-Class in Abu Dhabi in 2026. The service is said to be the world’s first commercial Level 4 service using a luxury sedan.
- · Industry
Panasonic Holdings to Establish AI and Robotics R&D Division
Panasonic Holdings announced Aug. 28, 2026, that it will reorganize its technology division effective Oct. 1 and establish an AI and Robotics R&D Division. Group CAIO Sakakibara will lead the new division. The existing DX and CPS Division will be renamed the Business Development Division.
- · Industry
Thinker Director Speaks at AI Robotics Study Session, Presents Solutions to Contact Challenges
A Thinker director spoke at an AI robotics study session, outlining efforts to address contact-related challenges for robot hands.
- · Industry
Teppei Shimoyama Appears on BS-TBS’ “Hodo 1930”
Teppei Shimoyama, an expert on the autonomous driving business, appeared on BS-TBS’ news program “Hodo 1930.”
- · Deployment & production
BYD Indonesia Posts Job Opening for Engineer in Charge of KUKA Welding Robots
BYD Indonesia has posted a job opening for a robotics engineer responsible for the design, programming and maintenance of welding robots (KUKA). The position is based in Subang, Indonesia, and is part of the vehicle manufacturing division. The listing is on BYD’s careers website.
- · Research & technology
NVIDIA Publishes Explainer on Robot Control for Jetson Thor
NVIDIA’s developer blog outlined how to run a robot-control policy on-device using Cosmos 3 Edge.
- · Industry
Tesla Robotaxi Hits Tree Stump in Houston
jidounten-lab.com reported that a Tesla self-driving taxi hit a tree stump in Houston.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Arum Announces Launch of Manufacturing AIX Avengers
Arum Co., Ltd. announced it will launch “Manufacturing AIX Avengers(TM),” a large-company alliance project involving about 20 manufacturing companies.
Which Companies Develop AI Robots? A Look at Companies, Development Support and Platforms Based on Our Reporting
When looking for AI robotics developers, it is important to distinguish companies that develop robots from those that support development. Our reporting has cited Bedrock Robotics, which is working to make construction equipment autonomous, and a Samsung-affiliated hospital in South Korea, reported to have developed a surgical-assistant robot. Ryoyo Ryosan, AWS and NVIDIA provide training environments and development platforms.
What Is IFR? The International Federation of Robotics Behind Robot Statistics and Case Studies
IFR is short for the International Federation of Robotics, an organization that publishes robot statistics, reports and case studies. It is not a robot manufacturer or product name. When reading its articles, distinguish between the number of industrial robots in operation, new installations and service robot case studies.
What Is Jetson Xavier NX? An NVIDIA AI Development Board Explained Through Real-World Examples
Jetson Xavier NX is a credit card-size AI board NVIDIA announced in 2019, with performance of up to 21 TOPS. This article examines its features and applications through examples of Seeed Studio products and price comparisons.
What Is MELFA? Mitsubishi Electric’s Industrial Robot Brand, From Collaborative Robots to Heavy-Payload Models
MELFA is the brand name for Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial robots. In 2020, we reported on the launch of the company’s first collaborative robot, MELFA ASSISTA, and its rollout in North and South America. In 2024, we covered the new heavy-payload, long-reach series RV-35/50/80 FR. This article explains what MELFA is and outlines the brand’s characteristics through these examples.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Meta Acquires Assured Robot Intelligence to Bolster Humanoid Research
Meta Platforms has acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, which develops AI models for robots. The terms were not disclosed. Founders Lerrel Pinto and Xiaolong Wang and the rest of the team will join the research division of Meta Superintelligence Labs and work with Meta Robotics Studio.
- · Deployment & production
Japan-developed stocking robot begins operating at New York supermarket
A robot for retail stores developed by a Japanese startup began being used in August at a fresh-food supermarket in New York City, the Nikkei reported. Store employees use an app to summon the robot, which carries items such as cases of beverages.
- · Product launches
Seeed Studio Introduces Edge AI Platform Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX
Seeed Studio introduced an edge AI platform powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX.
- · Industry
KDDI Succeeds in Demonstrating Satellite Direct-Communication Drone Flight in No-Service Area, a First in Japan
KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone said they successfully controlled a drone flight connected to au Starlink Direct in an area above Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, where mobile phone signals do not reach, on May 18, 2026. It was the first flight control in Japan using direct communication between Starlink Mobile and a drone. The companies aim to develop use cases for disaster response and mountainous areas.
- · Funding
U.S. Administration Announces More Than $5 Billion for ‘Genesis’ National AI Science Mission
On July 22, the U.S. administration announced more than $5 billion in federal commitments for Genesis, a national mission to use AI in scientific research.
- · Tenders
NEXTY Electronics to Exhibit at Smart Grid Expo
NEXTY Electronics Corporation announced that it will exhibit at Smart Grid Expo, held at Makuhari Messe from September 9 to 11, 2026.
- · Funding
Google DeepMind looks back on 15 years of game research, announces new partnerships
Google DeepMind highlighted 15 years of AI research using games and announced new partnerships with game developers.
NTT Demonstrates Technology to Autonomously Optimize Semiconductor Deposition With AI and Robots
NTT said its autonomous deposition platform, which combines AI and robotics, quickly optimized deposition conditions for semiconductor materials and extracted deposition rules that people can understand.
- · Product launches
Hexagon Unveils VISIUS Optical Coordinate Measuring Machine, Offering Low-Cost, High-Speed Measurement
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has unveiled VISIUS, an optical coordinate measuring machine. VISIUS is a low-cost all-in-one system combining accuracy, versatility and ease of use, designed to help machine shops improve efficiency and quality. The announcement date was not disclosed.
- · Product launches
Introduces Laser Microperforation System With Machine Vision and Self-Correction
Spark Machinery introduced a laser microperforation system with machine vision and self-correction capabilities.
- · Research & technology
NC State Develops Teardrop-Shaped Soft Robot That Keeps Jumping Under Infrared Light
A research team at North Carolina State University (NC State) has developed a teardrop-shaped soft robot that keeps jumping as long as it is exposed to infrared light. The robot has a self-resetting mechanism that stores and releases twisting energy, with potential applications in environmental exploration and swarm robotics. The findings were published in PNAS.
- · Product launches
Tashan Technology unveils tactile sensor lineup at WRC to support robots’ physical manipulation learning
Tashan Technology unveiled a lineup of tactile sensors at the World Robot Conference.
- · Industry
China’s robotics industry struggles in early test of global market, report says
A Reuters analysis reported that Chinese industrial robots are struggling in global markets.
- · Funding
Mech-Mind launches Hong Kong IPO
TradingView News reported that Mech-Mind Robot officially launched its initial public offering in Hong Kong. The indicative price range is HK$95.30 to HK$101.70 per share, and about 23.14 million shares are being offered.
- · Policy & regulation
Google unveils Gemini 3.5 Flash, its strongest model for agents and coding
Google unveiled 3.5 Flash on May 19, 2026, the first release in its latest model family, Gemini 3.5. The company touts its top performance in agentic tasks and coding, as well as its strength in complex, long-running tasks. Developers can access it through the agent-first development platform Google Antigravity and the Gemini API.
- · Industry
Hitachi aims to be No. 1 in the world in physical AI
Nikkei Business Digital Edition reported that Hitachi President Tokunaga said the company aims to be No. 1 in the world in physical AI.
- · Industry
Venture Capitalist Predicts Tesla’s Optimus Will Surpass the iPhone
Venture capitalist Jason Calacanis predicted that Tesla’s Optimus will become a product that surpasses the iPhone.