A groundbreaking development in robotics has emerged from Japan, where researchers have created a microscopic, shape-shifting robot inspired by children's toys. This innovative technology successfully demonstrated its potential by aiding in the preservation of Japan's rich historical narrative. The robot, which can alter its form and function, was unveiled during a recent scientific conference held in Tokyo. The motivation behind this invention lies in the desire to enhance preservation techniques for cultural artifacts and historical sites, making them more accessible and engaging for future generations. By utilizing advanced materials and engineering principles, the team was able to design a robot that can navigate intricate environments and perform delicate tasks, showcasing its versatility and effectiveness. This achievement not only highlights the intersection of technology and cultural heritage but also opens new avenues for research and application in the field of robotics.
SORA-Q: Baseball-sized shape-shifting rover that saved Japan’s SLIM moon mission
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Niantic Spatial Introduces Places Library Featuring 100 Real Environments for Robot Training
Niantic Spatial has launched its Places Library, providing robotics developers with a catalog of 100 real environments for training and evaluation. The assets, available as USDZ files, include two representations for each environment: a Gaussian splat for visual appearance and a mesh for collision detection. This initiative aims to enhance embodied AI tra...
Niantic Spatial Flexion
InVia Robotics Advises Mid-Sized Warehouses to Focus on Workflow for Automation Assessment
InVia Robotics has recommended that mid-sized warehouse operators prioritize workflow complexity over facility size when evaluating automation options. In a blog post dated September 25, 2026, the company emphasized that automation does not always require significant capital investment or a large fleet of robots. Instead, it suggested that operators utili...
WMS & SCM Software AMR and AGV warehouse automation
Research Highlights Risks of Smart Systems Including AI, Robotics, and Bioweapons
Recent discussions have highlighted the risks associated with advanced technologies, including industrial robots, drones, and AI systems. The USAF is now tasked with determining how to effectively use and maintain these technologies in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, ANYbotics has developed robot dogs capable of navigating secured facilities while adhering t...
AI and Robotics
Specialized Robots Demonstrate Advanced Functions in Extreme Environments
Recently, several domestic specialized robots have gained attention online for their remarkable capabilities. These include a robotic wolf that can withstand temperatures of 500°C and a flying rescue device from Hangzhou police that autonomously reaches water rescue points at a speed of 14 meters per second. Many observers noted that science fiction scena...
Specialized Robots Firefighting Robots Rescue Technology
PAL Robotics Unveils TIAGo Pro Arm for Advanced Manipulation and AI Research
PAL Robotics has launched the TIAGo Pro Arm, a standalone robotic manipulation platform designed for researchers in robot learning and physical AI. This new system is being showcased at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh, running from September 27 to October 1. The arm features seven degrees of freedom and is built on ROS 2 and ros_control, incorporating Series Elas...
Enhancing Military Logistics Networks with Software and Edge AI for Contested Environments
The article discusses the role of software, edge AI, and resilient connectivity in bolstering military logistics in contested environments. These technologies are essential for ensuring that logistics networks can operate effectively even under challenging conditions. Strengthening military logistics is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and ef...
Networks & Digital Warfare artificial intelligence AI contested logistics
IonQ to Install 256-Qubit Quantum Computer at Florida International University for Research
IonQ, a US quantum computing company, plans to install a 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami by late 2027. This installation will provide researchers and students direct access to IonQ's sixth-generation quantum hardware, marking the first deployment of the Superion 256 system in Florida. The significa...
Science
ITESO Team Develops RoboMeshA Portable Educational Platform for Robotics Learning
In Guadalajara, Mexico, a team from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, has developed RoboMeshA, a portable educational platform aimed at enhancing robotics and AI learning in high schools lacking advanced tools. This initiative, part of the EPICS in IEEE program, involves 15 engineering students and faculty advisors who designed a self-contained m...
Robotics Ai Type-ti
AthenaZero: A Robotic Arm Demonstrating Advanced Baseball Skills and Precision
AthenaZero, developed by the RAI Institute, has showcased its capabilities by successfully catching a baseball from 7.3 meters away, with the ball's flight time being less than 0.4 seconds. Additionally, it demonstrated its batting skills by adjusting its swing based on the pitch location, achieving a hit rate of 27 out of 33 attempts in testing. This inn...
Robotic Arms AI Dynamic Manipulation
University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal and KUKA Systems AWS Launch FSW Research Platform
The University of Applied Sciences in Magdeburg-Stendal, in collaboration with KUKA Systems AWS, has introduced a new research cell dedicated to friction stir welding (FSW). This initiative aims to enhance the development and testing of innovative manufacturing processes, leveraging advanced robotics and digital technologies. The centerpiece of this resea...
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
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
BioRobotics Laboratory, Korea University of Technology and Education
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean university research laboratory focusing on haptics, exoskeletons, rehabilitation robotics, and autonomous ground vehicles.
McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute
Canada
Hamilton, Ontario applied manufacturing research center at McMaster University; runs a 21,000 sq ft facility with seven research labs.
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
United States
The REC Foundation is a US nonprofit that runs VEX-based robotics and drone competitions reaching 1.1 million students across 70 countries.
DRT Co.,Ltd.
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean drone manufacturer specializing in cleaning drones, defense drones, and drone software for safety-critical environments.
Easy Aerial
United States
US drone-in-a-box maker delivering NDAA-compliant tethered and free-flight autonomous UAS for defense, security, and critical infrastructure.
Eelume
Norway
Norwegian AUV startup offering snake-like autonomous underwater robots for subsea inspection, maintenance, and mine countermeasures.
Yuanqi 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.
MFR (Mobile Fulfillment Robotics) — Samsung C&T Venture
Korea, Republic of (South)
Samsung C&T robotics initiative for mobile fulfillment and autonomous delivery robots deployed in residential complexes and logistics sites in South Korea.
Baubot
Austria
Austrian startup founded 2017 in Vienna building modular mobile construction robots for on-site 3D printing, drilling, milling, and welding tasks.
Black-I Robotics, Inc.
United States
US robotics firm building AI-powered mobile heavy-lift AMRs for mixed-case palletizing in warehouses and distribution centers.
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