A hobbyist maker has successfully created a functional desktop robot inspired by a beloved science fiction character. This innovative project showcases the intersection of technology and creativity, appealing to fans of the genre. The robot, designed to perform various tasks, was unveiled at a local maker fair held last weekend in San Francisco. Driven by a passion for robotics and a desire to bring a piece of science fiction to life, the creator utilized a combination of programming skills and engineering techniques to bring the character's features and functionalities into the real world. The project not only highlights the maker's technical abilities but also serves as an inspiration for others in the community to explore their own creative ideas in robotics.
DIY robot head inspired by Star Wars’ C-3PO droid comes to life with local AI
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Stardust AI Launches Lumo-2: Innovative Robot Action Model for Home Automation
On July 15, Stardust AI introduced its second-generation embodied base model, Lumo-2, which is the industry's first household latent world-action model. This launch includes the physical AI symbiotic agent, Agent Philia, enhancing their full-stack architecture of AI models, embodied operating systems, and rope-driven entities. The company will showcase it...
Household Robotics Physical AI AI Models
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...
rrs sir david attenborough glaciers melting fjord glaciers
The Advantages for OEMs Collaborating with Skilled Robotics Integrators
A proficient robotics integrator serves as a vital link between robot manufacturers and customers' operational needs. By leveraging their deep understanding of technology, integrators facilitate the effective application of robotic solutions in real-world scenarios. This collaboration is essential as it ensures that the unique requirements of customers ar...
Nous Research Secures New Funding Talks at $1.5 Billion Valuation for Hermes Agent
Nous Research, the creator of the open-source Hermes agent, is in discussions to secure a new funding round led by Robot Ventures, aiming for a valuation of $1.5 billion. The company is looking to raise at least $75 million, following a previous $50 million Series A funding announced just three months prior. This funding round is significant as it reflect...
AI Startups Venture
Robot Umpires in South Korea's Baseball League Reduce Bias Against Star Hitters
In 2024, South Korea's professional baseball league implemented robot umpires for ball-and-strike calls, leading to a notable reduction in favoritism towards star hitters. This shift indicates that while renowned batters may have benefited from human umpires in the past, the introduction of technology has leveled the playing field. The significance of thi...
Robotics
Mistral AI Introduces Robostral Navigate for Autonomous Robotic Navigation
Mistral AI has launched Robostral Navigate, the first AI model specifically designed for robotic navigation. This marks a significant shift for the French company, which has previously focused on large language models, as it ventures into Physical AI. The goal is to enable robots to understand natural language instructions, interpret their surroundings us...
À la une IA Industrie
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...
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Educational News
Piaggio Fast Forward Brings kilo® Autonomous Mobile Robot to Automate 2026
Piaggio Fast Forward showcases kilo®, an infrastructure-free collaborative AMR (300 lb payload, 360° LiDAR), at Automate 2026 booth #17054.
Market and Business News
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.
Artificial Intelligence
InDro Robotics Introduces Axiom Humanoid Platform to Enhance Physical AI Research Accessibility
InDro Robotics has launched the Axiom, a modular humanoid-style robotic platform aimed at facilitating Physical AI research. Announced on July 10, 2026, this budget-friendly solution is designed to lower the barriers for researchers and academic institutions in developing advanced robotics applications. Initial customer units are already being shipped, in...
LingBot-VLA 2.0: Open-Source Universal Brain for Robots
Robbyant open-sources LingBot-VLA 2.0, a vision-language-action model trained on 60,000 hours of data for cross-morphology, whole-body robot control.
Artificial Intelligence
Tesla's Optimus Robots to Support Starmind Satellite Production, Not Maintenance
Tesla's Optimus robots will not be used to repair Starmind satellites in orbit, as confirmed by recent statements from Elon Musk. Instead, these robots are intended to assist in the construction and operation of the Terafab chip manufacturing facility in Texas. The AI1 satellites, designed to disintegrate upon reentry, highlight the company's swap-and-rep...
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.
Alkadur Robot Systems GmbH
Germany
Alkadur Robot Systems (Germany) manufactures automated doner kebab cutting robots for commercial food service environments. The robotic systems use optically integrated sensors to deliver precise, hygienic, single-button-operated meat slicing for high-volume restaurant and catering operations.
CRP Robot (CN)
China
Chinese high-tech enterprise manufacturing industrial robots, collaborative robots, and core robot components including control systems and servo systems. Main drafting unit of four Chinese national standards in the industrial robot domain.
Dr Robot
Canada
Dr Robot Inc develops WiFi-connected robot platforms, motor drivers, servo controllers, and OEM robot kits for autonomous mobile and humanoid robot development. Products target educational, research, and personal robot application developers.
Technology Collaborative
Technology Collaborative is a US nonprofit organization focused on technology education and workforce development. Connects businesses, educators, and government to advance applied technology skills including automation and robotics training.
AUBO Robotics 遨博智能
United States
AUBO is a Chinese national high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sale of collaborative robots (cobots) with full independent intellectual property rights. They offer various models (3-16KG payload, i/C/iV/iF series) for applications in 3C, automotive, healthcare, and logistics, aiming to increase efficiency and achieve low-cost operations globally.
Chang Robotics
United States
Chang Robotics is an engineering firm specializing in collaborative robotics and automation integration. It provides customized cutting-edge robotic solutions tailored to workforce needs, serving manufacturing, healthcare, government, food & beverage, and other sectors with engineering, deployment, and advanced automation systems.
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