Robotics
Ongoing coverage on Robotics.
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Dyson Unveiled at IFA 2026: Live updates as the company shows off new vacuums, purifiers, robotics and more
Dyson is liveblogging its press conference at IFA 2026, where the company is expected to unveil new vacuums, purifiers, and robotics. The event will showcase the latest innovations in cleaning technology.
August was a milestone month if you love watching robots completely eat it
August 2026 was a notable month for observing robotic failures, particularly at the World Robot Humanoid Games in Beijing. The article highlights numerous instances of robots malfunctioning, falling, catching fire, and exhibiting erratic behavior during various competitions and demonstrations, including a robotic barber incident and a laser mosquito-killing system.
HuggingFace and Pollen Robotics open pre-orders for the $399 Microduck
HuggingFace and Pollen Robotics have opened pre-orders for the Microduck, a robotic companion priced at $399. This marks an opportunity for consumers interested in acquiring a personal robotic duck.
Tiangong Ultra Clocked 9.39 Seconds Over 100 Meters — Then Crashed Into a Foam Pad
At the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, a robot named Tiangong Ultra achieved a 100-meter sprint time of 9.39 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt's human record. However, the event was marked by robots crashing into safety pads after crossing the finish line, highlighting current limitations in control and braking systems. The same robot family had previously recorded a 21.5-second sprint a year prior, showcasing rapid advancements in speed.
Robot Olympics runner bravely sprints headfirst into wall and collapses in shower of sparks, is not a metaphor
During a training session for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, a competing robot runner malfunctioned spectacularly, sprinting into a safety barrier at full speed and breaking at the waist. The incident resulted in a shower of sparks and smoke from the robot's internal mechanisms. The event features thousands of robots competing in over 50 events, including athletic contests and scenario-based tasks.
World Labs’ R2S2R Engine Clones a Single Robot Demo Into Thousands of Training Scenarios
World Labs has developed a new simulation engine called Real-to-Sim-to-Real (R2S2R) that can clone a single robot task into thousands of training scenarios by varying lighting, object placement, physical properties, and camera angles. This engine, which incorporates technology from the acquired startup SceniX, aims to overcome the bottleneck of accumulating sufficient real-world experience for robot deployment. The R2S2R engine reconstructs real-world robot demonstrations into interactive virtual worlds that behave physically the same, allowing control models trained in simulation to be effectively transferred to real hardware with minimal failure.
Open Robotics Lab goes live as BitRobot starts taking Access ID applications
BitRobot has launched its Open Robotics Lab and is now accepting applications for Access IDs, which serve as credentials for participation. Holders can earn Bolts and Badges through robotics work, subnet campaigns, and referrals, with plans for future token emissions and NFT-based robot identifiers. The lab aims to gamify robotics data collection and accelerate embodied AI research.
NASA’s Perseverance is about to out-drive every rover that ever reached Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover is set to break the record for the longest distance driven by any vehicle on another world, surpassing the mark set by the Opportunity rover. Perseverance has achieved this milestone primarily through its advanced auto-navigation system, which allows it to drive autonomously for most of its journey on Mars. This technology, enabled by a more modern processor compared to its predecessor Curiosity, allows Perseverance to cover ground more efficiently and expand the scope of its scientific investigations in Jezero Crater.
NASA may reroute Perseverance’s Earthbound twin to the lunar south pole
NASA is considering repurposing a ground-based engineering test model of its Perseverance rover, potentially as a hybrid with the Curiosity rover, for a lunar south pole mission named PROMISE. This rover would utilize a plutonium-powered radioisotope thermoelectric generator for continuous operation, independent of sunlight, to survey the lunar south pole for water ice and characterize the environment. The project, estimated to cost between $700 million and $1.3 billion, is not expected to launch before the early 2030s.
Rise of the Robots
An ex-US Cyber Director suggests that Isaac Asimov's famous rules for robots are relevant to current discussions about artificial intelligence and robotics. The article implies that Asimov's foundational concepts still hold significance in the development and control of robotic systems.
Rise of the Robots
This article examines how a startup is navigating the complexities of building robots with a reduced reliance on Chinese manufacturing. It delves into the challenges and strategies involved in diversifying the supply chain for robotic components.
Rise of the Robots
Google DeepMind has announced Gemini Robotics 2, an advancement in robotics that enables full body control. This development, reported by The Robot Report, signifies a leap forward in artificial intelligence for robotic systems.
We've seen a lot of malfunctioning robots this year, but this is my favorite fail yet
This article highlights notable robot malfunctions and failures from July, including a Neura Robotics bot collapsing during a Qualcomm presentation and a Unitree Robotics mech punching a concrete wall. It also touches on a drone capable of swimming and flying, a concept for a demon-like robot called Threehalves, and a controversial AI robot teacher pilot program at a high school due to the parent company's association with sex dolls.
Google's new Gemini Robotics 2 platform allows for 'intelligent whole-body control'
Google has unveiled its new Gemini Robotics 2 platform, which enables intelligent whole-body control for robots. Videos demonstrate the robots performing tasks such as cleaning up trash and handling watering cans.
Rise of the Robots
China has expressed strong disapproval and threatened retaliation against the United States' ban on humanoid robots, stating it significantly harms bilateral relations. Meanwhile, advancements in AI are being integrated into robotics, with Google's Gemini Robotics 2 showcasing new capabilities. The potential of humanoid robots in sectors like farming is also being highlighted.
Washington’s New Robot Import Ban Reaches Far Beyond Chinese Humanoids
A new US federal ban, effective July 28, prohibits the import of foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, extending beyond Chinese humanoids to include items like robot vacuums. The regulation, driven by national security concerns over cybersecurity flaws, casts a wide net and affects new models from various countries, including allies like Germany, Japan, and South Korea. While intended to spur domestic manufacturing, analysts worry it could slow innovation by cutting off access to lower-cost foreign platforms before comparable Western alternatives are available.
Rise of the Robots
Robot vacuums, including those from iRobot, are reportedly included in a US ban on certain robots. Separately, Chinese robots are significantly impacting the UK's retail industry, suggesting a broader trend of robotic integration across global markets.
The US government's robot ban also includes vacuums
The US government, through the Federal Communications Commission, has implemented a ban on foreign-made robots. This ban extends beyond advanced robotics to include common household items like robot vacuums, impacting a wider range of consumer products.
Rise of the Robots
The Trump administration has implemented a ban on new humanoid robots from China. This policy change impacts the import and development of advanced robotics technology.
Rise of the Robots
The article discusses recent developments in the robotics industry, highlighting a US ban on foreign robots and the increasing use of Chinese robots in manufacturing and construction. It touches upon the global implications of these trends for the robotics market.