A rainbow patchwork quilt shows agriculture from space | Space photo of the day for June 4, 2026

AI for Science 2026: The Global Race for Scientific Discovery

2026 AI for Science landscape report: WAIC 2026 exhibitor breakdown, MIT Boltz-2 and CMU Coscientist case studies, US/China/EU policy comparison, Anthropic Claude Science, and US academic cautionary views.

ROBOTTODAY Weekly July 13 – 17, 2026

This week in robotics: Hyundai takes full ownership of Boston Dynamics, Xpeng targets 1,000 Iron humanoids a month, LimX Dynamics raises $200M pre-IPO, and Agility opens a Silicon Valley physical-AI hub. July 13–17, 2026.

WAIC 2026: Embodied Intelligence Enters Industrial Deployment Era

WAIC 2026 in Shanghai (July 17–20) saw 200+ embodied intelligence companies, 300+ live robots, and first confirmed humanoid deployments in logistics and pharmacy. RobotToday engineering analysis.

Dynamic Pricing Could Enhance Profitability for Air Taxis, Researchers Suggest

Research presented at the Korea Drone and UAM Expo indicates that dynamic pricing could make airport air taxis economically viable. The study, led by Mark Hansen from the University of California, Berkeley, highlights that airport transportation may be a strong commercial opportunity for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, particularly...

Inside Guident: How Harald Braun Is Building the Safety Layer Every Autonomous Vehicle Needs

Guident CEO Harald Braun on the RMCC architecture, IRLS risk identification system, and why California’s 2026 AV mandates validate six years of platform development.

Jinke Smart Agriculture Reduces Robotics Investment from 650 Million to 60 Million Amid Market Challenges

On July 10, Jinke Smart Agriculture's stock surged, prompting speculation about its acquisition of Jiangsu Huibo Robotics. Initially, Jinke planned to invest 650 million yuan to gain control over Huibo, which specializes in humanoid robotics for pig farming. However, by late June, the investment was drastically reduced to 60 million yuan, raising concerns...

Correction Notice for Research Article on Robot Peer Failures and Student Learning

An erratum has been issued for the research article titled 'Observing a robot peer’s failures facilitates students’ classroom learning' published in Science Robotics. This correction addresses inaccuracies found in the original publication, ensuring the integrity of the research findings. The importance of this erratum lies in its impact on the understand...

International Research Team Embarks on Greenland Expedition to Study Melting Glaciers

An international team of researchers is set to begin a six-week expedition in Greenland on July 16, 2026, to investigate the rapid melting of fjord glaciers and its implications for the Atlantic Ocean. The study aims to assess how this melting contributes to potential climate tipping points, particularly affecting ocean currents. The research is part of a...

KISS Institute Launches BotBall to Enhance STEM Education with Student-Led Robotics

The KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR) has introduced BotBall, a robotics program designed to foster creativity and critical thinking among students. This initiative emphasizes student-led engineering, allowing participants from elementary to high school to engage in hands-on learning using a standardized kit. The program ensures a level playing...

Physical AI Landscape: From Digital Intelligence to the Embodied Physical World

A comprehensive industry analysis of Physical AI — covering Embodied AI, Field AI, Factory AI, VLM, World Model, VLA, and the VLA vs WAM architecture debate. Includes 20+ companies, 28 references, and the RobotToday Physical AI Landscape diagram. July 2026.

SpaceX Proposes 1 Million AI Satellites to Address Ground Data Center Constraints

On January 30, 2026, SpaceX filed with the FCC to launch up to 1 million AI compute satellites, positioning orbital data centers as a solution to the increasing demand for AI computing power. Ground data centers are facing significant challenges, with energy consumption projected to reach approximately 1,050 TWh in 2026, making them the fifth-largest elec...

SpaceX's Starmind Project: Supplier Strategy and Chip Manufacturing Plans for 2026

SpaceX's Starmind project, aimed at deploying up to 1 million AI satellites, was filed with the FCC on January 30, 2026. The initiative is designed to minimize reliance on external suppliers, with CEO Elon Musk stating that current chip production capabilities only meet 2% of the projected needs. The first satellite, AI1, is set for prototype launches in ...

Barn Owl Precision AG (BOPA - Barn Owl Precision Agriculture)

United States  

Autonomous micro-tractor (ANT nano-tractor); targeted weeding/spraying via computer vision; supports small/midsize farms; integrates drone imagery for precision tasks; as-a-service model for labor/input reduction.

Osiris Agriculture

France  

Tensorfield Agriculture

United States  

Semi-autonomous/towed thermal weeder robot (Jetty V3); AI vision + heated edible oil micro-dosing (1/4" precision at 1.2-1.6 mph), ~1500-2200 lb, propane/lithium hybrid power, targeted post-emergence weed control in vegetable beds (e.g., carrots/leafy greens), herbicide-free.

HERL (Human Engineering Research Lab)

United States  

Joint University of Pittsburgh and US Department of Veterans Affairs laboratory conducting rehabilitation engineering research. Develops mobility devices, assistive technologies, and medical-grade products for people with disabilities.

Joanneum Research Assoc (AT)

Austria  

Joanneum Research Institute for Robotics and Flexible Production conducts applied R&D in industrial robot systems, production automation and robot safety, offering feasibility analysis, consulting and testing in a robotics solution centre.

St Petersburg National Research U of ITMO

Russian leading research university (ITMO University) specializing in information technology, optical engineering, and photonics. Active research programs in AI, robotics, computer vision, and cyber-physical systems.