Asha Sharma, the newly appointed head of Xbox at Microsoft and former executive at Instacart and Meta, has expressed concerns regarding the division's engagement with both developers and players. In her recent statements, she emphasized the need for a more collaborative approach to enhance the gaming experience. Sharma's remarks highlight a strategic shift aimed at fostering stronger relationships within the gaming community, which she believes is crucial for the future success of Xbox. Her comments come as the gaming industry continues to evolve rapidly, underscoring the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of its key stakeholders.
Education & Research
Collaborative
Original from CNBCTechnology: Microsoft Xbox CEO overhauls leadership amid sinking sales: 'We need to evolve how we work'
Microsoft Xbox CEO overhauls leadership amid sinking sales: 'We need to evolve how we work'
RobotToday Initiative
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
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
Microsoft and Palantir Urge Businesses to Retain AI Sovereignty Amid Rising Costs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently emphasized the importance of maintaining AI sovereignty in a widely discussed essay that garnered over 66 million views. He warned against relying on external AI models, advocating for companies to develop their own 'token capital' alongside human capital to create proprietary AI capabilities. This call to action comes...
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
OpenAI Launches GPT 5.6 as Preferred Model for Microsoft 365 Copilot Integration
OpenAI has announced that its latest model, GPT 5.6, will serve as the preferred AI model for Microsoft 365 Copilot, enhancing productivity applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This announcement came amid reports of Microsoft increasingly utilizing its in-house models, known as MAI, to reduce costs. The launch event took place on Thursday, reinf...
AI Copilot gpt-5.6
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...
NASA and Rice University Launch Open-Source Simulator for Space Robotics Research
Rice University and NASA have introduced the iMETRO Dynamic Simulation, the first open-source platform for developing robots for spacecraft and habitats. Unveiled at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Vienna, this simulator creates a digital twin of NASA's iMETRO facility, enabling global researchers to test intravehicula...
AI and Robotics
SpaceX's Starmind Plans 1 Million AI Satellites Amid Collision Risks
SpaceX has announced its ambitious Starmind project, which aims to deploy 1 million AI satellites in orbits between 500 and 2,000 km. This initiative, confirmed by Elon Musk on June 23, 2026, follows a merger with xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion. The satellites will function as orbital data centers, processing AI workloads powered by so...
SpaceX Proposes 1 Million AI Satellites to Address Ground Data Center Constraints
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Humanoid Robots Boosting Collaborative Robot Revenue by 10% to 30%
The collaborative robot industry is experiencing significant evolution, particularly with the rising popularity of humanoid robots. A recent report forecasts substantial revenue growth in the sector, largely attributed to strategic partnerships between collaborative robot companies and humanoid robot manufacturers. This trend is particularly pronounced in...
Collaborative Robots Humanoid Robots Robotics Supply Chain
Microsoft lays off nearly 5,000 employees across Xbox, commercial sales
Microsoft announced on Monday the elimination of approximately 4,800 positions, representing 2.1% of its global workforce. This decision marks the latest wave of layoffs within the company, raising concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on job security. The cuts are expected to primarily affect the Xbox division and commercial sale...
AI Enterprise Microsoft
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.
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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