Waymo is repurposing the batteries from its autonomous vehicles to support energy storage solutions. This innovative approach, announced recently, aims to enhance sustainability by utilizing the batteries for grid storage, thereby contributing to renewable energy efforts. The initiative comes as part of Waymo's broader commitment to environmental responsibility and efficient resource management. By integrating these batteries into energy systems, the company hopes to extend their lifecycle and reduce waste, aligning with growing demands for sustainable practices in the tech industry. This development not only underscores Waymo's leadership in autonomous technology but also highlights its proactive stance in addressing climate change challenges.
Waymo to turn retired robotaxi batteries into solar power storage systems
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
RobotToday Weekly Briefing August 31 – September 4, 2026
This week in robotics: NVIDIA agrees to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, Figure signs a $3.5 billion compute deal with Nscale for up to 100,000 GPUs, Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercabs in Austin under NHTSA scrutiny, and Uber and Wayve bring the UK its first autonomous rides. August 31 – September 4, 2026.
RobotToday Weekly
Data Collectors at JD Teach Robots to Live Like Humans Through Daily Activities
At JD's Robot Data Collection Center in Suqian, data collectors are teaching robots to mimic human activities such as cooking and scanning. This innovative approach transforms everyday actions into precise data points, essential for training embodied intelligent models. The center aims to collect over 10 million hours of quality data within two years, rec...
AI Data Collection Robotics
Lan Xiaohuan Discusses China's Data Economy, Robotics, and AI Landscape
Lan Xiaohuan, an economics professor at China Europe International Business School, has authored the bestselling book, How China Works: An Introduction to China’s State-led Economic Development. In his discussions, he highlights the economic factors contributing to China's significant trade surplus and advocates for an enhanced social safety net. Xiaohuan...
JD Cloud Pursues 'Physical AI' Vision from Airport Advertising to JDD Conference
JD Cloud is advancing its 'physical AI' initiative, which spans from advertising in airports to its annual JDD conference. This strategy focuses on integrating robots, embodied data, and home devices, marking a shift as AI technology transitions from digital screens into tangible real-world applications. This development is significant as it highlights JD...
Microsoft to Set Monthly Cloud Gaming Limits for Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Starting November
Microsoft's Xbox division announced that starting in November, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will face monthly limits on cloud gaming hours. This decision comes after years of offering unlimited access, as the company aims to balance usage with rising operational costs. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming, while Premium and E...
Wayve Partners with Uber to Launch Robotaxi Services in London
Self-driving startup Wayve has initiated robotaxi rides in London in collaboration with Uber, initially featuring safety drivers in the vehicles. This launch marks a significant step towards the company's goal of providing fully driverless services. Wayve's CEO, Alex Kendall, emphasized the importance of their end-to-end AI technology, which enables auton...
Uber Launches Supervised Robotaxi Service in London with Human Assistance
Uber has introduced a robotaxi service in London, allowing users to book rides in autonomous vehicles. However, each ride will still include a human driver in the front seat to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations. This development is significant as it marks a step towards the integration of autonomous vehicles into urban transportation. Th...
Nscale Partners with Figure to Provide $3.5 Billion in AI Cloud Computing Capacity
Nscale has entered into a significant agreement to provide a minimum of $3.5 billion in AI cloud computing resources to the robotics startup Figure. This partnership not only enhances Figure's technological capabilities but also signifies Nscale's commitment to supporting innovative robotics solutions. The collaboration is crucial as it allows Figure to l...
Zoox Launches Robotaxi Service to Las Vegas Airport, Competing with Traditional Ride-Hailing
Zoox has expanded its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas to include rides to and from Harry Reid International Airport, starting Thursday. This move marks a significant milestone for the Amazon-owned company, which has spent over a decade developing its unique self-driving robotaxi that operates without traditional controls. The expansion is crucial...
Transportation autonomous ride-hail autonomous vehicles
Japan Leverages Retired Warships for Diplomatic Influence in Southeast Asia
Japan is strategically converting its retired warships into diplomatic tools to enhance its influence across Southeast Asia. This initiative aims to strengthen maritime security partnerships and foster regional cooperation, reflecting Japan's commitment to stability in the area. The significance of this move lies in Japan's efforts to counterbalance China...
Military
Zoox and Waymo Accelerate Robotaxi Expansion in Competitive U.S. Market
Amazon.com, Inc.'s Zoox and Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo are intensifying their efforts in the robotaxi sector, with both companies expanding their testing and commercial services across multiple U.S. cities. Zoox plans to initiate testing in Houston and San Diego, increasing its operational presence to 12 locations, while Waymo is set to offer public rides in D...
Strategies for Securing Identities During Corporate Restructuring in Cloud Environments
During corporate restructuring, such as mergers or splits, IT teams prioritize the functionality of emails, files, and business applications in the new environment. This focus, while understandable, can lead to significant oversights in identity security, which is crucial for protecting sensitive information. The importance of securing identities cannot b...
Business Internet Technology
Waymo
United States
Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary operating Waymo One robotaxi service across 10 US cities with 500,000+ weekly rides.
Didi Chuxing (CN)
China
Didi Chuxing is a Chinese ride-hailing platform that has expanded into autonomous vehicle research and development. The company operates a large-scale mobility service network and invests in self-driving technology.
Drone Delivery Canada
Canada
Operates the FLYTE proprietary platform for automated cargo UAS, with integrated air traffic management and DroneSpot depots for medical and commercial use.
Duckietown Robotics
United States
Educational robotics platform provider offering autonomous vehicle kits and AI curricula used by 250+ universities worldwide.
Datanomix
United States
No-Operator-Input production monitoring software that turns CNC machine data into real-time visibility and prescriptive coaching for manufacturers.
Data Science Automation, Inc.
United States
Pittsburgh-area automation systems integrator since 1993; NI Select Partner; 3,000+ solutions across manufacturing, R&D, government, and test automation.
Anyscale
United States
Anyscale is a San Francisco AI infrastructure firm behind Ray, the open-source engine for large-scale model training; Nscale agreed to buy it for $1.65B.
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.
Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)
United States
VA–Univ. of Pittsburgh research center founded 1994, developing wheelchair robotics and assistive mobility tech for veterans and people with disabilities.
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.
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