Sony's cutting-edge table tennis robot, Ace, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first autonomous robot to secure victories against top human players in official competitions. This groundbreaking event highlights Ace's exceptional capability to comprehend and react to various spins, demonstrating the significant advancements in physical artificial intelligence. The robot's performance not only showcases its technical prowess but also opens new avenues for the integration of AI in competitive sports, emphasizing the evolving relationship between technology and human athleticism.
Humanoid
Autonomous Vehicle / UGV
Education & Research
Human-Machine Interaction
Original from leaderobot.com: Sony's Table Tennis Robot Ace Makes History by Defeating Elite Human Players
Sony's Table Tennis Robot Ace Makes History by Defeating Elite Human Players
RobotToday Initiative
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
BYD Advances Humanoid Robot Production, Targeting 40 Million Vehicle Market
At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, BYD showcased its humanoid robot, marking a significant step in its production phase. This move signals BYD's ambition to enter a new trillion-yuan market, leveraging its extensive dealership network for customer service roles. The strategy is noteworthy as it reflects BYD's ability to integrate manufacturing capabilities a...
Humanoid Robots Automotive Technology Manufacturing Innovation
Humanoid Robots Poised to Revolutionize Service Sector, Not Manufacturing Lines
The humanoid robot industry is shifting focus towards service applications by 2026, as evidenced by Robot.com's R-noid robot, which can be deployed in just 8 to 12 weeks. This rapid deployment is particularly suited for commercial kitchens, warehousing logistics, and chain hotels, rather than traditional manufacturing environments. This shift is crucial d...
Humanoid Robots Service Automation Restaurant Technology
Chinese Humanoid Robots Experience Over 400% Growth in European Market by Mid-2026
The Chinese humanoid robot industry is rapidly reshaping the competitive landscape in Europe, with shipments to the region projected to grow over 400% year-on-year by mid-2026. This surge has positioned Europe as the largest overseas market for Chinese humanoid robots, surpassing North America. This growth is significant as it highlights the systemic adva...
Humanoid Robots Automation Manufacturing
Humanoid Robots Excel in Medical Procedures Ahead of Nature Publication
A humanoid robot developed by the Advanced Robotics and Controls Lab at UC San Diego has successfully performed various medical procedures, including the first-ever live minimally invasive surgery, as reported in Nature. This robot, named Yush, demonstrated capabilities in physical examinations, emergency interventions, and fine-needle surgeries, showcasi...
Humanoid Robots Surgical Robotics Medical Automation
Dynamic Pricing Could Enhance Profitability for Air Taxis, Researchers Suggest
Research presented at the Korea Drone and UAM Expo indicates that dynamic pricing could make airport air taxis economically viable. The study, led by Mark Hansen from the University of California, Berkeley, highlights that airport transportation may be a strong commercial opportunity for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, particularly...
Advanced Air Mobility Air Taxi Drone News
Obayashi Corporation Launches 18-Month Project with Humanoid Robots in Construction
Obayashi Corporation has initiated an 18-month joint verification project utilizing humanoid robots at a construction site near Tokyo. The project aims to address the critical labor shortage in Japan's construction industry, where over one-third of workers are aged 65 and older, while less than 10% are under 30. The introduction of humanoid robots is seen...
Humanoid Robots Construction Automation Robotics
Current Disturbances Impacting Online Localization for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
The Journal of Field Robotics has published an early view article discussing the challenges of online localization for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the presence of current disturbances. This research highlights the difficulties faced by AUVs when global references are not available, which is crucial for their navigation and operational efficie...
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Correction Notice for Research Article on Robot Peer Failures and Student Learning
An erratum has been issued for the research article titled 'Observing a robot peer’s failures facilitates students’ classroom learning' published in Science Robotics. This correction addresses inaccuracies found in the original publication, ensuring the integrity of the research findings. The importance of this erratum lies in its impact on the understand...
Errata
International Research Team Embarks on Greenland Expedition to Study Melting Glaciers
An international team of researchers is set to begin a six-week expedition in Greenland on July 16, 2026, to investigate the rapid melting of fjord glaciers and its implications for the Atlantic Ocean. The study aims to assess how this melting contributes to potential climate tipping points, particularly affecting ocean currents. The research is part of a...
rrs sir david attenborough glaciers melting fjord glaciers
STMicroelectronics Invests in Oversonic Robotics to Enhance Humanoid Robot Development
Oversonic Robotics, an Italian cognitive robotics firm known for RoBee, has announced a strategic investment from STMicroelectronics, Fondazione ENEA Tech Biomedical, and SpotInvest. This investment aims to accelerate Oversonic's industrial, technological, and international growth, particularly in the cognitive humanoid robotics sector. The involvement of...
Humanoids News artificial intelligence
Robot.com Introduces R-noid Humanoid Robot for Challenging Labor Markets
Robot.com has officially launched R-noid, a humanoid robot designed to tackle repetitive and hard-to-fill jobs across various industries. Deployed under a Robot-as-a-Service model, R-noid can achieve autonomous operation within eight to twelve weeks, addressing significant staffing challenges in sectors like healthcare and food services. The introduction ...
Humanoids News automation
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
Humanoid M.AX Alliance
Korea, Republic of (South)
The Humanoid M.AX Alliance, established in April 2025, is a consortium comprising 224 entities focused on advancing Korea's humanoid robotics sector. Key initiatives include developing shared Robot AI Foundation Models, conducting R&D on next-gen humanoid technologies, and collaborating on AI semiconductors and mobility batteries. The Alliance also emphasizes startup acceleration and talent development through partnerships with leading universities.
Kind Humanoid (Acq. by 1X)
United States
NEO is an advanced humanoid robot designed for versatile applications in domestic and commercial environments. It utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms for natural language processing and machine learning to enhance user interaction. The robot is equipped with a modular hardware architecture, enabling scalability and customization. Key features include real-time data processing, autonomous navigation, and integration with IoT devices for smart home functionality.
Rotaku (humanoid robotics; limited public info)
United States
The humanoid robots developed feature a height of 1.7m, a weight of 45kg, and 22 degrees of freedom, enabling complex manipulation tasks. The system utilizes a robust SDK for high- and low-level control, alongside a data analytics stack for telemetry management. Advanced simulation environments support reinforcement learning for policy optimization, ensuring effective deployment in real-world scenarios.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI Robots)
United States
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI Robots) designs and manufactures vendor-independent vehicle automation systems. Its proprietary technology platform revolves around Mobius, an advanced autonomous command and control software suite. Mobius orchestrates multi-vehicle operations, integrating precise navigation, real-time obstacle detection, and path-planning capabilities into legacy fleets. The company's product line includes drive-by-wire hardware kits that convert standard industrial vehicles into autonomous units capable of remote teleoperation or fully automated execution. These solutions automate heavy machinery within the mining, agriculture, automotive testing, and government logistics sectors, emphasizing increased operational safety and predictable cycle times.
CalmCar Vehicle Vision (CN)
China
Chinese automotive AI company providing L2 to L4 intelligent driving solutions including ADAS, automated parking, and occupant monitoring systems. Products address urban traffic scenarios and driver/occupant monitoring using computer vision.
Vehicle Technologies Inc.
United States
Developer of autonomous and remote-controlled vehicle systems and drive-by-wire conversion technology. Provides unmanned ground vehicle platforms and electromechanical actuation systems for defence and commercial automation.
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.
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