In a recent interview, Tony Zhao and Cheng Chi discussed their innovative "data-first" philosophy, which they believe is pivotal in advancing technology within their industry. They emphasized the impending end of teleoperation, suggesting that reliance on remote control systems is becoming obsolete. Zhao and Chi expressed their concerns about the current state of the industry, which they feel is caught in a transitional phase between traditional generative pre-trained transformers (GPT) and the more advanced ChatGPT models. Their insights reflect a broader trend in technology, where data-driven approaches are increasingly seen as essential for progress. The interview sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry as it navigates this critical evolution.
Sunday Robotics Founders on the "GPT Moment" for Physical AI and Breaking the Data Bottleneck
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Sanctuary AI and Skild Collaborate to Enhance Industrial Robots with Physical AI
In September, the robotics industry witnessed contrasting developments. On September 10, Skild, a U.S. robotics modeling company, announced its collaboration with NVIDIA and Foxconn to deploy models on dual-arm robotic arms for precise assembly in the Blackwell system. Four days later, Danish collaborative robot manufacturer Universal Robots unveiled a ne...
Physical AI Industrial Robotics Automation Technology
SiMa.ai Secures $150 Million in Series C Funding to Enhance Physical AI Platform
SiMa.ai has successfully raised $150 million in Series C funding, achieving a valuation of $1.45 billion. This funding round, which was co-led by Fidelity Management & Research Company and Amplify, aims to support the expansion of SiMa.ai's physical AI platform into various sectors, including humanoid robots, vehicles, and drones. The significance of this...
AI AI Funding & Investment Robotics
Gecko Robotics CEO Emphasizes Human Control in Physical AI Development
Jake Loosararian, CEO of Gecko Robotics, highlights the importance of human oversight in the evolving landscape of physical AI. He emphasizes that as autonomous systems become more integrated into real-world applications, particularly in military and industrial environments, maintaining human control is crucial for safety. This perspective is particularly...
Memo Unveils Physical-WAM to Enhance Embodied Intelligence at Global Digital Trade Expo
At the Global Digital Trade Expo on September 24, Memo introduced the Physical-WAM, the world's first physical-world action model equipped with physical perception capabilities. This innovation aims to address the challenges faced by robots in understanding and interacting with the physical world, which has hindered the widespread adoption of embodied int...
Embodied Intelligence Physical AI Robotics
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
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...
Skydio Introduces F10 Lightrunner, MegaDock, and New Software for Autonomous Drone Operations
Skydio has unveiled its first fixed-wing drone, the F10 Lightrunner, at the Ascend conference in Nevada. This aircraft is designed for long-distance missions, capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph and operating within a 30-mile radius for up to two hours. Alongside the F10, Skydio introduced the MegaDock and two software platforms, Asset Command and Secur...
News
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
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...
Vesoma Launches With Humanoid Vesoma 1 Aimed at Learning Through Interaction
Vesoma, the startup behind the Kyle humanoid prototype, has publicly emerged with its first product, Vesoma 1. The company, which began operations in December 2025, has over 60 employees and has established more than 3,500 square meters of lab and office space in Munich, Germany, and Limassol, Cyprus. The first units of Vesoma 1 are currently under constr...
Vesoma Europe
Robotiq Launches Open-Source Software Tools for Enhanced Adaptive Grippers
Robotiq has introduced three open-source software tools for its adaptive grippers, aimed at enhancing robotics development. These tools include a ROS 2 package, a standalone C++ SDK, and updated Isaac Sim assets, all available on Robotiq’s GitHub repository. This release marks the initial components of Robotiq’s Contact Core software layer for physical AI...
AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute
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.
Ortelio Ltd
United Kingdom
Ortelio Ltd is a UK cloud robotics research company founded in 2011 that develops AI platforms giving robots intelligence for service and healthcare tasks.
Parata Systems
United States
Durham, North Carolina pharmacy automation maker acquired by BD in 2022; builds robotic vial-filling and packaging systems.
Pensa Systems
United States
Austin-based AI retail shelf platform using autonomous drones and CV to detect stockouts; customers include J&J, AB InBev, and Circle K.
Human in Motion Robotics
Canada
Vancouver, Canada medical-robotics company founded 2016 builds the XoMotion self-balancing exoskeleton for people with spinal cord injury or stroke.
LG Display
Korea, Republic of (South)
Seoul display maker (KRX:034220, NYSE:LPL), formed 1999, that launched plastic OLED humanoid-robot face panels for industrial settings in 2026.
Roboblock System Co., Ltd.
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean robotics distribution and development company founded in 1997; supplies AI robots, drones, humanoid kits, and VR/AR systems internationally.
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