Recent advancements in robotics hardware have led to the emergence of highly capable autonomous mobile robots, quadrupeds, robotic arms, and humanoid robots, which are now more commercially available than ever. However, many organizations face significant challenges in adopting these technologies due to the complexities associated with software development. Creating robotic applications often necessitates specialized knowledge in platforms like ROS 2 (Robot Operating System 2). This gap in expertise hinders the widespread implementation of robotic solutions in various sectors, despite the promising capabilities of the hardware. As the industry continues to evolve, addressing the software barriers will be crucial for facilitating broader adoption and maximizing the potential of robotic innovations.
Interview with Olo Robotics COO Eleanor Tang-Smith: Making robot programming accessible to everyone
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
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
Epson Launches AX6 Cobot Featuring Compact Design and No-Code Programming
Epson Robots has introduced the AX6 collaborative robot, expanding its six-axis robot line. This new cobot is designed with power- and force-limiting features, enabling safe operation alongside humans without traditional safety barriers, as confirmed by Rick Brookshire, director for product and robot development at Epson. The introduction of the AX6 is si...
Arms / Manipulators Assembly Cobot Arms
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
Understanding the Necessity of End-of-Line Testing Equipment for Manufacturers
End-of-line testing is crucial for manufacturers to verify product quality before it leaves the production line. This testing serves as a final quality checkpoint, ensuring that products meet performance standards. Common tests include assessing balance, vibration, torque, pressure, electrical performance, dimensions, and functional operation. The signifi...
Engineering Manufacturing balance testing
Humanoid Robot Manufacturers Face Profit Challenges Amid Shift to Dexterous Hands
Humanoid robot manufacturers are struggling with profitability as they face high costs and low margins. A humanoid robot priced at 85,000 yuan typically yields a gross margin of around 10%, with some companies like Yushu Technology projecting a rise to 60.13% by 2025, despite risks from price wars. The cost of dexterous hands, which accounts for 10% to 15...
Humanoid Robots Dexterous Hands Robotics Manufacturing
Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026: 58 Pittsburgh Startups Pitch to Investors
58 health, deep tech and robotics startups pitched at Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026 in Pittsburgh. Full company list, program and 2025 funding data.
Market and Business News
The Missing Price: What Non-Disclosure Reveals About the Humanoid Market
Of 131 announced robot models, 33 publish no price. US makers withhold at twice the rate of Chinese ones — and the reason is stage, not strategy.
Market and Business NewsYuanqi 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.
The Mobile Robot Company
Denmark
Danish startup founded by ex-MiR and Geekplus veterans, won a 2026 IFOY AWARD for its J1600 self-driving pallet jack.
AMR Integration
United States
Kaysville, Utah AMR systems integrator and arm of In-Position Technologies (operating since 1997); deploys MiR, AGILOX and Gausium mobile robots.
Robot Center
United Kingdom
St Albans, England robotics reseller incorporated 2011; supplies MiR AMRs, Dobot cobots, and Temi service robots to UK manufacturing and healthcare sites.
GMO Humanoid Lab
Japan
Tokyo Physical AI lab opened April 2026 by GMO Internet Group, running whole-body humanoid control research and Japan's Humanoid Hack hackathons.
Hubei Jingchu Humanoid Robot Co., Ltd 湖北荆楚人形机器人有限公司
China
HUST-spinout Wuhan maker of direct-drive humanoid and quadruped robots, including the compact Jingchu Xiaochu and heavy-duty Jingchu Heibao.
Humanoid
United Kingdom
UK startup building commercially scalable, general-purpose humanoid robots via its KinetIQ VLM/VLA framework, offered as RaaS.
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