Alibaba Group Holding has unveiled its inaugural suite of artificial intelligence models designed for robots, positioning itself in the competitive landscape of advancing AI beyond traditional chatbot applications. On Tuesday, the Hangzhou-based technology leader introduced the Qwen Robot Suite, a significant step into the realm of "embodied AI," which enables machines to perceive, reason, and engage with their physical surroundings. This innovative suite has been developed by Alibaba's AI research division, Tongyi Lab, and is currently undergoing pilot testing with select partners within the company. This move reflects Alibaba's commitment to expanding the capabilities of AI in real-world applications, aiming to enhance the interaction between machines and their environments.
Alibaba eyes physical world with its first suite of AI models for robots
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Research Highlights Risks of Smart Systems Including AI, Robotics, and Bioweapons
Recent discussions have highlighted the risks associated with advanced technologies, including industrial robots, drones, and AI systems. The USAF is now tasked with determining how to effectively use and maintain these technologies in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, ANYbotics has developed robot dogs capable of navigating secured facilities while adhering t...
AI and Robotics
PAL Robotics Unveils TIAGo Pro Arm for Advanced Manipulation and AI Research
PAL Robotics has launched the TIAGo Pro Arm, a standalone robotic manipulation platform designed for researchers in robot learning and physical AI. This new system is being showcased at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh, running from September 27 to October 1. The arm features seven degrees of freedom and is built on ROS 2 and ros_control, incorporating Series Elas...
Skydio Introduces F10 Lightrunner, MegaDock, and New Software for Autonomous Drone Operations
Skydio has unveiled its first fixed-wing drone, the F10 Lightrunner, at the Ascend conference in Nevada. This aircraft is designed for long-distance missions, capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph and operating within a 30-mile radius for up to two hours. Alongside the F10, Skydio introduced the MegaDock and two software platforms, Asset Command and Secur...
News
IonQ to Install 256-Qubit Quantum Computer at Florida International University for Research
IonQ, a US quantum computing company, plans to install a 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami by late 2027. This installation will provide researchers and students direct access to IonQ's sixth-generation quantum hardware, marking the first deployment of the Superion 256 system in Florida. The significa...
Science
ITESO Team Develops RoboMeshA Portable Educational Platform for Robotics Learning
In Guadalajara, Mexico, a team from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, has developed RoboMeshA, a portable educational platform aimed at enhancing robotics and AI learning in high schools lacking advanced tools. This initiative, part of the EPICS in IEEE program, involves 15 engineering students and faculty advisors who designed a self-contained m...
Robotics Ai Type-ti
University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal and KUKA Systems AWS Launch FSW Research Platform
The University of Applied Sciences in Magdeburg-Stendal, in collaboration with KUKA Systems AWS, has introduced a new research cell dedicated to friction stir welding (FSW). This initiative aims to enhance the development and testing of innovative manufacturing processes, leveraging advanced robotics and digital technologies. The centerpiece of this resea...
Research Reveals Manufacturers Struggle with Data Connectivity Across Systems
Recent research indicates that fewer than half of manufacturers have fully integrated data across their design, production, quality, and business systems. Despite 77% of manufacturers claiming their operations are connected, only 40% have achieved full data connectivity, as reported in Hexagon’s 2026 America's State of Manufacturing Report. This disconnec...
Factory / Digital Transformation
Robotiq Launches Open-Source Software Tools for Enhanced Adaptive Grippers
Robotiq has introduced three open-source software tools for its adaptive grippers, aimed at enhancing robotics development. These tools include a ROS 2 package, a standalone C++ SDK, and updated Isaac Sim assets, all available on Robotiq’s GitHub repository. This release marks the initial components of Robotiq’s Contact Core software layer for physical AI...
AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute
Robotiq Introduces Open-Source Software for Enhanced Robot Manipulation and Physical AI
Robotiq has unveiled three open-source software tools for its adaptive grippers, including a C++ SDK, an official ROS 2 package, and updated Nvidia Isaac Sim assets. These tools are now available on GitHub and are optimized by Robotiq to enhance the functionality of their grippers in physical AI applications. The significance of these releases lies in the...
Components News adaptive grippers
Siemens on Robots, Agentic AI and the "Last 3%" Problem
Siemens tells RobotToday at IMTS 2026 why AI robot demos are only the tip of the iceberg, and why agentic AI depends on PLM data and business context.
Industrial Robots
The Role of Quality Management Software in Enhancing Robot Production Line Efficiency
Fourteen months after a collaborative robot (cobot) cell began shipping, a mid-sized integrator found that its torque records were stored in a plant manager's email. With a customer audit approaching in nine days, the situation highlighted the critical importance of quality management in preventing revenue loss. Relying on spreadsheets for quality control...
Engineering Manufacturing Software
Google's Intrinsic Launches Open-Source Robotics Software for Industrial AI Applications
Intrinsic, a subsidiary of Google, has released Intrinsic Core as open-source robotics software, enabling developers to create AI-enabled industrial robot applications from prototype to production. This software includes features such as real-time robot control, pose estimation, and motion planning, available on GitHub under an Apache 2.0 license. The sig...
AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute
BioRobotics Laboratory, Korea University of Technology and Education
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean university research laboratory focusing on haptics, exoskeletons, rehabilitation robotics, and autonomous ground vehicles.
McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute
Canada
Hamilton, Ontario applied manufacturing research center at McMaster University; runs a 21,000 sq ft facility with seven research labs.
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
United States
The REC Foundation is a US nonprofit that runs VEX-based robotics and drone competitions reaching 1.1 million students across 70 countries.
Yuanqi Innovation (Xiamen) Robot Co., Ltd. 元启创新（厦门）机器人有限公司
China
yuanqirobot.com resolves to a Xiamen-based robot company; directory lists it as Qingdao YuanQi Intelligent Robot Tech — city mismatch requires verification.
OM Robot Technology Co. Ltd. 东莞全向机械科技有限公司
China
Chinese manufacturer of mecanum wheels, omnidirectional wheel bases, and mobile robotic platforms for AGV applications.
Techman Robot Inc. (TM Robot) 達明機器人股份有限公司
Taiwan
Techman Robot is a Taiwanese cobot maker producing AI-powered collaborative robots with integrated built-in vision for manufacturing automation.
Ortelio Ltd
United Kingdom
Ortelio Ltd is a UK cloud robotics research company founded in 2011 that develops AI platforms giving robots intelligence for service and healthcare tasks.
Parata Systems
United States
Durham, North Carolina pharmacy automation maker acquired by BD in 2022; builds robotic vial-filling and packaging systems.
Pensa Systems
United States
Austin-based AI retail shelf platform using autonomous drones and CV to detect stockouts; customers include J&J, AB InBev, and Circle K.
Human in Motion Robotics
Canada
Vancouver, Canada medical-robotics company founded 2016 builds the XoMotion self-balancing exoskeleton for people with spinal cord injury or stroke.
LG Display
Korea, Republic of (South)
Seoul display maker (KRX:034220, NYSE:LPL), formed 1999, that launched plastic OLED humanoid-robot face panels for industrial settings in 2026.
Roboblock System Co., Ltd.
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean robotics distribution and development company founded in 1997; supplies AI robots, drones, humanoid kits, and VR/AR systems internationally.
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