Industrial robotics has significantly impacted various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and maintenance. However, their application in potentially explosive environments, such as refineries, petrochemical plants, offshore platforms, and battery production facilities, presents unique challenges. As industries seek to enhance safety and efficiency, the integration of robotics in these hazardous settings requires careful consideration of the risks involved. The need for advanced technology that can operate safely in such volatile conditions is driving innovation and research in the field. As of October 2023, experts are exploring solutions to ensure that robotic systems can effectively navigate these environments while minimizing the potential for accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Explosion-Proof Robotics in ATEX/IECEx Environments: Progress, Challenges and Practical Pathways
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
354,000 Chinese Industrial Robots Transforming the Landscape of the 'Four Great Families
A significant development in the robotics sector has emerged, with 354,000 Chinese industrial robots reportedly toppling the city walls of the 'Four Great Families'. This event highlights the rapid advancements in robotics technology and its implications for urban infrastructure. The importance of this transformation lies in the potential for industrial r...
Robotics Automation AI
Niantic Spatial Introduces Places Library Featuring 100 Real Environments for Robot Training
Niantic Spatial has launched its Places Library, providing robotics developers with a catalog of 100 real environments for training and evaluation. The assets, available as USDZ files, include two representations for each environment: a Gaussian splat for visual appearance and a mesh for collision detection. This initiative aims to enhance embodied AI tra...
Niantic Spatial Flexion
China's Industrial Robot Installations Reached 354,000 in 2025, Dominating Global Market
In 2025, China installed 354,000 industrial robots, marking a 20% increase from the previous year and representing 59% of global installations, as reported by the International Federation of Robotics. This achievement solidifies China's position as the largest industrial-robot market for the second consecutive year. The global operational stock of industr...
News Feed
RobotPlusPlus Enhances Industrial Maintenance with HighMate Series at SMM 2026
RobotPlusPlus showcased its HighMate Series at SMM 2026 in Hamburg, focusing on industrial cleaning and corrosion control. The HighMate AP-F-CO Coating Robot+VOC Recovery System aims to reduce workers' exposure to hazardous tasks at height while enhancing the efficiency and consistency of cleaning and surface treatment processes. This development is signi...
Specialized Robots Demonstrate Advanced Functions in Extreme Environments
Recently, several domestic specialized robots have gained attention online for their remarkable capabilities. These include a robotic wolf that can withstand temperatures of 500°C and a flying rescue device from Hangzhou police that autonomously reaches water rescue points at a speed of 14 meters per second. Many observers noted that science fiction scena...
Specialized Robots Firefighting Robots Rescue Technology
OmniHand Secures 7 Gold Medals at Robot Olympics Amid Factory Challenges
At the second World Humanoid Robot Games, OmniHand, developed by Shanghai Limiting Point Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., won seven gold medals in precision tasks such as powder weighing and bottle opening. These achievements highlight the importance of dexterity in robotics, particularly for applications in factories and everyday life. CEO Qiao Tianjie e...
Robotic Hands Industrial Automation Humanoid Robots
RobotToday Weekly September 21 – 25, 2026
Cognex buys RealSense, Qualcomm acquires PickNik, the IFR counts 5 million factory robots, AGIBOT deploys 300 robots at Chimelong, and Tekever raises $580 million.
RobotToday Weekly
Enhancing Military Logistics Networks with Software and Edge AI for Contested Environments
The article discusses the role of software, edge AI, and resilient connectivity in bolstering military logistics in contested environments. These technologies are essential for ensuring that logistics networks can operate effectively even under challenging conditions. Strengthening military logistics is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and ef...
Networks & Digital Warfare artificial intelligence AI contested logistics
Global Industrial Robot Fleet Reaches 5 Million Units Driven by China’s Growth
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reported that the global industrial robot fleet hit a record 5 million units in 2025, with over 600,000 new installations that year. China led the growth, contributing 354,000 installations, which accounted for 59% of the global total. The U.S. surpassed Japan to become the second-largest market, with nearly ...
AI AI Funding & Investment Capital Markets
Challenges in Scaling Industrial Augmented Reality Pilots and Recent Developments
A recent exploration into industrial augmented reality (AR) highlighted the challenges faced in scaling pilots beyond initial demonstrations. While the technology proved effective for single high-value assets, transitioning to a fleet of machines revealed significant complexities in preparation and implementation. The initial success of AR pilots often le...
Factory / Digital Transformation
China Installed 354,000 Industrial Robots in 2025, Representing 59% of Global Total
On September 24, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) released its report 'World Robotics 2026,' revealing that China deployed 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, marking a 20% increase year-on-year and accounting for 59% of global installations. This figure surpasses the previous record by nearly 60,000 units, reinforcing China's position as the...
Industrial Robots Automation Robotics Market
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
ADEK Industrial Computers
United States
US-based industrial PC manufacturer building custom rugged rack-mount, panel, and embedded computers for robotics, SCADA, and HMI applications since 1993.
Aichi Robot Industrial Promotion Council
Japan
Japanese industry council promoting robotics development and diffusion in Aichi Prefecture, one of Japan's largest robot manufacturing hubs.
Arctek Robótica Industrial
Brazil
Brazilian industrial robotics system integrator in Curitiba, Parana, specializing in robotic welding, automated handling, palletizing, and custom automation.
DRT Co.,Ltd.
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean drone manufacturer specializing in cleaning drones, defense drones, and drone software for safety-critical environments.
Easy Aerial
United States
US drone-in-a-box maker delivering NDAA-compliant tethered and free-flight autonomous UAS for defense, security, and critical infrastructure.
Eelume
Norway
Norwegian AUV startup offering snake-like autonomous underwater robots for subsea inspection, maintenance, and mine countermeasures.
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
Hsinchu County, Taiwan applied-technology research institute founded 1973; over 6,500 staff developing autonomous mobile robots and AI perception systems.
ROS-Industrial
United States
Open-source consortium managed by SwRI extending ROS to industrial manufacturing automation, with global hubs in Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
E-COBOT
France
French AMR manufacturer and system integrator offering the HUSKY robot range and MyCobot fleet management software.
EasyMile
France
Toulouse, France autonomous-vehicle software company founded 2014; EZTow and EZDolly systems automate industrial tow tractors and cargo movers at airports.
Filics
Germany
Munich-based robotics startup making ultra-flat omnidirectional AMRs that drive under Euro pallets for space-efficient intralogistics.
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