In a groundbreaking development for artificial intelligence in sports, Sony AI has unveiled Ace, a robot that has successfully defeated elite human players in competitive physical sports. This achievement was highlighted in an article published today in the journal Nature. The match took place in December 2025, where Ace showcased its advanced capabilities by skillfully returning the ball to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata. This milestone not only marks a significant advancement in AI technology but also raises questions about the future of robotics in competitive environments. The motivation behind creating Ace was to explore the potential of AI in mastering complex physical tasks and to push the boundaries of machine learning in real-world applications.
Sony AI table tennis robot outplays elite human players
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
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
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...
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
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
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
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
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.
Patten Studio
United States
Patten Studio is an interactive design studio based at MIT Media Lab roots, creating technology-driven art installations and experiential environments for brands and public spaces. Work involves sensing, embedded computing, and responsive physical interfaces, with peripheral relevance to human-machine interaction.
Shenzhen Macrotellect Technology (CN)
Macrotellect develops BrainLink EEG headsets and brainwave sensing devices for consumer and research applications. The company focuses on brain-computer interface technology enabling non-invasive neural signal acquisition and human-machine interaction.
Soul Machines
New Zealand
New Zealand AI company (now in receivership as of February 2026) that developed lifelike digital human avatars powered by large language models for customer service and enterprise deployment. Created Digital Workers and Workforce Connect platforms.
Leave a comment