Researchers in the field of robotics are making significant strides in teaching robots to manipulate objects with humanlike dexterity, a challenge that has persisted for years. This endeavor involves enabling robots to perform complex tasks such as rotating objects in-hand and coordinating multiple arms to handle bulky items. These tasks demand constant adjustments in grip, contact, and motion, which have proven difficult to program effectively and to demonstrate through human teleoperation. The advancements in this area are crucial for improving the functionality and versatility of robotic systems, potentially transforming industries that rely on precise manipulation, such as manufacturing and healthcare. As of October 2023, ongoing research continues to explore innovative methods to enhance robotic dexterity, paving the way for more sophisticated applications in the future.
Consistency, not complexity, is the key to teaching robots dexterity, new research suggests
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
ROBOTTODAY WEEKLY September 7 – 11, 2026
This week in robotics: JD.com plans to deploy three million robots across its logistics network, XPeng commissions its IRON humanoid production line, FANUC and Google launch an AI arc-welding agent, and Unitree shares fall 53% from their post-IPO high. September 7–11, 2026.
RobotToday Weekly
Agentic AI Emerges as Essential Partner for Industrial Automation Leaders
Industrial automation leaders are increasingly exploring the integration of AI into their operations, focusing on its role rather than its presence. Agentic AI is positioned as a digital co-worker that complements existing automation, MES, and ERP systems, enhancing the capabilities of planners. This technology simplifies complex tasks such as managing ma...
Leaders / Operations Software
Impact of Task Complexity on Skill Retention in Surgical Robot Teleoperation Training
A recent study has revealed the influence of task complexity on skill retention in the teleoperation of surgical robots. This research provides a framework aimed at enhancing training methodologies for surgeons operating robotic systems. Understanding how different levels of task complexity affect surgeons' ability to retain skills is crucial for developi...
Healthcare Bureau Urges Caution in Surgical Robot Operations to Prevent Misuse
The installation of surgical robots in China is projected to rise significantly, with 97 units expected in 2025 and 136 in 2026, marking a 40% increase. The market size is anticipated to grow from 3.9 billion to 4.4 billion. Notably, domestic systems have surpassed 41% of new installations, with prices 30-40% lower than imported models. The Healthcare Bur...
Surgical Robots Medical Training Healthcare Innovation
Anthropic Disrupts Five Cases of Claude Misuse for Potential Bioweapons Research
Anthropic reported that it intervened in five instances where researchers misused its AI model, Claude, in ways that could have facilitated biological weapons development. These incidents occurred between December 2025 and August 2026, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing legitimate scientific research from potentially harmful activities. The sig...
AI and Robotics
Advancements in Tactile Data Enhance Robot Dexterity for Everyday Tasks
Recent developments in tactile data collection are addressing the challenges of robot dexterity in everyday tasks. Researchers are leveraging vision-language-action models, which have shown promise in guiding robots through complex actions, but still struggle with tasks requiring fine motor skills. By integrating tactile feedback, robots can improve their...
Robotics Manipulation Tactile-sensing
Sixth Graders Program Robots to Breakdance, Highlighting Shift in Robotics Education
At Punahou School in Hawaii, a group of sixth graders successfully programmed wheeled robots to perform breakdancing moves. This project involved translating complex physical movements into sequences of commands that machines can understand, encompassing concepts like coordinate transformation and feedback control. With the right educational tools, these ...
Robotics Education Programming Algorithm Development
Ailoys Brings Acoustic Industrial AI to IMTS 2026
Berlin's Ailoys brings acoustic industrial AI to IMTS 2026, Booth 237629. Edge sensors catch process drift on existing machines before scrap appears.
Market and Business News
NOAA Selects Mississippi State University to Lead New Northern Gulf Research Institute
NOAA has appointed Mississippi State University to host the Cooperative Institute in the Gulf of America (CINGA), aimed at enhancing research collaboration on Gulf ecosystems. This initiative builds on a 20-year partnership with NOAA, focusing on science-based decision-making for the northern Gulf region. The establishment of CINGA is significant as it co...
noaa mississippi state university northern gulf research institute
Teledyne Webb Research Secures U.S. Navy Contract for APEX Profiling Floats
Teledyne Webb Research has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for the provision of APEX profiling floats. This contract highlights the Navy's commitment to enhancing oceanographic research capabilities through advanced technology. The APEX profiling floats are designed to collect critical ocean data, which is essential for various applications, incl...
teledyne webb research contract award u.s. navy
China’s Dexterous Hand Industry, 2026 Part 3 — The Players
Five vendor archetypes, MIR’s composite top ten, eight company profiles and six field deployments — every firm linked to the RobotToday supplier directory.
Components and Hardware Humanoids
RobotToday Weekly Briefing August 31 – September 4, 2026
This week in robotics: NVIDIA agrees to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, Figure signs a $3.5 billion compute deal with Nscale for up to 100,000 GPUs, Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercabs in Austin under NHTSA scrutiny, and Uber and Wayve bring the UK its first autonomous rides. August 31 – September 4, 2026.
RobotToday Weekly
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.
Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)
United States
VA–Univ. of Pittsburgh research center founded 1994, developing wheelchair robotics and assistive mobility tech for veterans and people with disabilities.
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.
Da Shiang Automation Industrial Co. Ltd. 達詳自動化工業股份有限公司
Taiwan
Taiwan-based robotic system integrator founded 2013; 1,000+ robot projects in automotive, aerospace, and metal manufacturing.
Janome Industrial Equipment Europe GmbH
Germany
German sales subsidiary of Janome Industrial Equipment (Japan), distributing servo presses and desktop/Cartesian robots in Europe since 1984.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) 工業技術研究院
Taiwan
Taiwan's leading government-backed applied R&D institute driving industrial and robotics innovation.
Aiyuwencheng 江苏艾雨文承养老机器人有限公司
China
Chinese eldercare robot maker behind 'Datou A Liang', China's first home-based companion robot for seniors with active patrol and sleep monitoring.
Blue Frog Robotics
France
French social robotics company developing Buddy, an emotional AI companion robot for education, eldercare, inclusion, and hospitality.
ExoAtlet
Luxembourg
Develops medical exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation with powered lower-limb support, adjustable assistance, and sensor-driven control for neurorehabilitation.
Laevo B.V.
Netherlands
Laevo develops passive upper-body exoskeletons (Laevo V2, FLEX) using spring-based mechanical assistance for shoulder/back support in industrial/overhead tasks.
Prensilia s.r.l.
Italy
Italian robotic hand maker spun out of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in 2009; produces IH2 Azzurra 11-DOF research hand and Mia Hand for prosthetics and.
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