ThinKom Solutions, a company based in Hawthorne, California, has introduced Alecto, a self-funded mobile high-power microwave (HPM) directed energy weapon aimed at neutralizing swarms of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Announced on May 4, 2026, the development of Alecto leverages ThinKom's proprietary Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) antenna technology. This innovation is specifically designed to meet the Counter-UAS (C-UAS) needs of the Department of Defense, addressing growing concerns over the increasing use of drone swarms in military and security operations. The introduction of Alecto represents a significant advancement in directed energy capabilities, providing a new tool for defense against aerial threats.
Mobile Robot (AGV/AMR)
Autonomous Vehicle / UGV
Research Institute
Original from SpaceWar: ThinKom Develops Self-Funded Mobile HPM Weapon to Counter Drone Swarms
ThinKom Develops Self-Funded Mobile HPM Weapon to Counter Drone Swarms
RobotToday Initiative
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
MIT and Toyota Research Institute Unveil SceneSmith for Robot Household Training
MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Toyota Research Institute have developed SceneSmith, an AI-powered system that allows robots to practice household tasks in a virtual environment. This system utilizes three visual language models to collaboratively create realistic 3D scenes, enabling robots to learn complex sk...
AI Robotics Virtual Reality
ParaZero Technologies Launches DefendAir for Autonomous Drone Interception in Military Applications
ParaZero Technologies has introduced its DefendAir platform, designed to intercept first-person view (FPV) drones autonomously before they can strike military vehicles. This system utilizes a non-explosive net-based interception method, creating a 360-degree defensive envelope around assets. The platform aims to enhance protection for both moving and stat...
Military
AVI-SPL and Volvo Autonomous Solutions Launch Freight Operations Between Dallas and Houston
AVI-SPL, in partnership with Volvo Autonomous Solutions, has initiated commercial autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston using the Volvo VNL Autonomous vehicle powered by the Aurora Driver. This operation will facilitate the transport of audio-visual electronics, including new products and end-of-life equipment for recycling, enhancing A...
Autonomous Vehicles News Technology
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
Small-AI Models Gain Traction Around the World
One morning in 2019, Adebayo Alonge was in a Cape Town hotel room, preparing to demonstrate his startup’s AI answer to a serious problem in African health care: counterfeit medication, which kills thousands of people across the continent every year.The RxScanner is a handheld spectrometer that scans a pill with infrared light, then sends the item’s molecu...
Small-language-models Artificial-intelligence Llms
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
Autonomous vehicle hype is back, and Humble Robotics is bringing it to freight
The autonomous vehicle industry is experiencing a resurgence reminiscent of the 2016 hype cycle, with renewed interest and investment. Travis Kalanick, the co-founder of Uber, is re-entering the scene by establishing a robotics company, signaling a shift in focus within the sector. As competition intensifies, companies are engaged in fierce talent wars, v...
Startups Transportation autonomous vehicles
When a Materials Giant Meets Robotics: Covestro at Automate 2026
At Automate 2026, Covestro brought Makrolon, Bayblend, Baysafe BEF and Vulkollan to robotics — tackling weight, heat, sensing and sustainability for humanoids and AGV/AMRs.
Market and Business News
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Convenes Nine CMU-Rooted Robotics Firms at Automate 2026
At Automate 2026, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance convened nine robotics firms — most spun out of Carnegie Mellon — spanning materials, perception and AMRs.
Market and Business News
Zhang Yaqin: AI is not a bubble, but AI companies are.
In June, during an interview at the Tsinghua Wuxi Research Institute's Intelligent Industry Innovation Center, Academician Zhang Yaqin discussed the current state of AI investment and entrepreneurship, suggesting a more cautious approach to the rapidly growing sector. Zhang, who founded the Tsinghua University Intelligent Industry Research Institute (AIR)...
New laser weapon system uses rapid pulses to defeat drones swarms in seconds
Israeli startup Esh-Tech has unveiled an innovative laser-based air defense system aimed at countering the increasing threat of aerial attacks. The announcement was made during a technology showcase in Tel Aviv on October 15, 2023. This advanced system is designed to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for intercepting drones and other airborn...
Military
Capex Analysis 2025: AI Hyperscalers vs Humanoid Robots — Financing Risk Deep Dive
Compare how Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Tesla Optimus, Figure AI and UBTECH finance their Capex. Supply chain risk, ROIC analysis and a 3-dimension investment framework included.
Market and Business News
Oceaneering (acq Frog AGV)
United States
Oceaneering is an offshore technology and engineered services company that acquired Frog AGV systems. It supplies automated guided vehicles and subsea robotics for oil and gas, aerospace, and industrial customers.
OM Robot (CN)
United States
OM Robot (Omron Robotics) manufactures industrial, collaborative, and mobile robots for manufacturing automation. OTTO AMR and SCARA/delta robot lines are deployed globally with FLOW Core fleet management software.
Swiss Mobile Robotics Consortium
Swiss Mobile Robotics Consortium is a Swiss collaborative initiative focused on mobile robotics research and development, bringing together academic and industrial partners to advance autonomous mobile robot technologies.
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.
Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) (KR)
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean government aerospace research institute conducting R&D in satellites, launch vehicles, and aviation technology. URL resolved to a tourism website. KARI develops space exploration systems and unmanned aerial vehicles for national programs.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
United States
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a US ocean research institution known for developing underwater robotic vehicles (ROVs, AUVs) and sensor systems for deep-sea science. Website content was empty at time of scrape; classification based on the institution's well-established robotics research profile.
Southwest Research Institute
United States
Southwest Research Institute Robotics Division conducts applied R&D in industrial automation, manufacturing robotics, reliable space-qualified components, embedded systems, attitude control, and verification/validation for aerospace and terrestrial applications.
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