On Thursday, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), a leading Chinese chip foundry, announced its financial results for the 2024 fiscal year, revealing record-high annual revenue of RMB 57.8 billion ($8.07 billion), marking a 27.7% increase compared to the previous year. The company reported a gross margin of 18.6% and a capacity utilization rate of 85.6%. Despite the impressive revenue growth, SMIC faced challenges as its net profit attributable to shareholders declined by 23.3% year-on-year, totaling RMB 3.7 billion ($520 million). This decline in profit highlights the pressures the company is experiencing in a competitive market, influenced by factors such as rising costs and geopolitical tensions affecting the semiconductor industry.
SMIC’s 2024 revenue hits record high, but net profit declines
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
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
ROBOTTODAY Weekly July 6 – 10, 2026
This week in robotics: AI² Robotics raises $735M for wheeled humanoids, Unitree G1 performs first live surgery, Dexmal launches DexOS platform, Agility Robotics announces SPAC, and Ondas acquires DZYNE for $875.8M. July 6–10, 2026.
RobotToday Weekly
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
Unbounded Power Launches K15 Robot with Full CE Certification for Global Markets
On July 9, 2026, Unbounded Power announced that its second-generation K15 robot has achieved full industrial-grade CE certification, making it the world's first embodied intelligent robot to do so. The K15 has passed multiple EU standards, including CE-MD for machinery safety and EN ISO 13849 for functional safety, confirming its compliance with the highe...
Embodied Intelligence Industrial Robotics CE Certification
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
Humanoid Robot Wire Harnesses Emerge as a Critical System Technology
A RobotToday engineering deep dive into humanoid robot wire harnesses: 3D dynamic fatigue, 10-100 Gbps EMI shielding, FPC cost reduction, and global standards.
Components and Hardware
2026H2 Robotics Events Briefing: Tailored Recommendations for Robotics Readers
Discover the ultimate directory of global robotics events in 2026. Tailored briefings for engineers, investors, and founders on humanoid robots, AI, and industrial automation by RobotToday.
Events Market and Business News
European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2027 | Europe's Leading Robotics & AI Conference
Join the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2027 in Birmingham, bringing together Europe's robotics, AI, automation, research, industry, startups, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of robotics.
Events
ROBOTTODAY Weekly June 30 – July 4, 2026
Unitree wins CSRC approval for China’s first humanoid IPO, Korea unveils ₩312T AI investment, RoboCup 2026 opens in Incheon, and Paris launches Europe’s inaugural Physical AI summit.
RobotToday Weekly
Future Pulse 2026 | The Dutch Robotics Conference
Explore Future Pulse 2026, the Netherlands' leading robotics conference bringing together AI, automation, robotics, industry, research, and government in Eindhoven.
Events
ASRock Industrial Computer Corporation
Taiwan
ASRock Industrial, a global leader in edge computers and industrial motherboards, delivers high-performance industrial computers, motherboards, and mini PCs. Subscribe for the Latest Automate Show Updates Copyright © 2013-2026 A3 Automate.
B&R Industrial Automation
Austria
At the center of B&R’s approach is a unified automation architecture that combines powerful control, flexible I/O, intuitive HMI, motion, and integrated safety in one cohesive environment. The company gives system integrators, OEMs, and project-driven organizations the performance, openness, and.
Herr Industrial, Inc
United States
US provider of industrial paint finishing systems, air pollution control, material handling, and control systems since 1971. Delivers turnkey automation solutions for metal, plastic, and wood finishing with installation and maintenance services.
Langebaek Logistics A/S
Denmark
Scandinavian consultancy specializing in supply chain management, logistics optimization, and warehousing. Advises clients at strategic and operational levels, integrating automation and AI into logistics workflows.
Qubiqa (prev Univeyor Logistics) (DK)
Denmark
Qubiqa is a Danish supplier of intelligent material handling and logistics systems, providing turnkey intralogistics solutions including conveyor systems and palletizing equipment, specializing in the insulation manufacturing sector.
Scallog Scalable Logistics (FR)
French developer of goods-to-person robotic order picking systems for logistics warehouses. Robots integrate with existing WMS/ERP platforms; claimed ROI under two years with documented productivity gains above 40% in order picking operations.
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.
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