Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Microsoft Merges Copilot Apps and Discontinues Unsuccessful AI Features
Microsoft is merging its consumer and business Copilot applications while discontinuing several unsuccessful AI features. This decision reflects the company's recognition that personal and professional AI uses often overlap, and that its previous strategy was overly complex compared to competitors like ChatGPT and Claude. The consolidation of Copilot apps comes amid a broader trend in the AI application market, where other companies are also streamlining their offerings. Microsoft plans to remove features such as Group Chats and AI-generated podcasts by August 18, 2026, while providing a replacement for some functionalities to professional users. Looking ahead, Microsoft aims to create a more cohesive Copilot experience, acknowledging the need for improvement. The company has indicated that some features may temporarily disappear during the transition, and it is clear that the future of Copilot hinges on its ability to adapt and meet user needs effectively.
AI Apps Microsoft Copilot
The Importance of Companion Mobile Apps in Robotics and Automation Systems
Companion mobile apps are becoming essential in robotics and automation, allowing operators to manage machines remotely. As the International Federation of Robotics reported 542,000 industrial robot installations in 2024, the need for efficient monitoring and maintenance alerts has surged, making these apps integral to operations. The rapid growth of robot fleets, now exceeding 4.6 million units globally, necessitates real-time telemetry and role-based access in companion apps. These applications must provide offline functionality and timely alerts to prevent operational delays, as a five-minute lag in communication can lead to significant production losses. Looking ahead, the evolution of robotics-as-a-service is transforming companion apps to support features like usage-based billing and in-app payments. This shift indicates that the role of these apps will expand beyond monitoring to include handling regulated financial data, reflecting the changing landscape of industrial automation.
Automation Robotics Software automation companion apps cybersecurity
Alibaba Introduces Over 50 Innovations Across 20+ Apps on HarmonyOS Platform
Alibaba has launched more than 20 applications featuring over 50 innovations native to HarmonyOS. These include Amap's AR walking navigation, DingTalk's AI meeting capabilities through Xiaoyi, and Taobao's immersive browsing experience, alongside Qwen's unified drag-and-drop AI analysis. This significant rollout highlights Alibaba's commitment to enhancing user experience within its ecosystem by leveraging Huawei's HarmonyOS. The integration of advanced features across various applications aims to streamline workflows and improve accessibility for users, showcasing Alibaba's strategic focus on innovation. Looking ahead, industry observers will be keen to see how these new features impact user engagement and adoption rates within Alibaba's ecosystem. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Industry
Google Expands AI Mode to Integrate with Popular Apps Like Instacart and Canva
Google has announced an update to its AI Mode, allowing users to link and interact with select apps such as Instacart, Canva, and YouTube. This enhancement enables users to complete tasks directly within the conversational search experience, moving beyond simple question answering. The integration of these apps is significant as it positions Google to compete more effectively with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, both of which offer app integrations. By encouraging users to utilize AI Mode for planning and shopping, Google aims to increase engagement with its platform. Looking ahead, Google plans to expand the range of supported apps, building on previous capabilities introduced at Google I/O. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI Apps Google ai mode
Kubota Introduces Autonomous M5 Narrow Diesel Tractor to Address Labor Shortages
Kubota unveiled the M5 Narrow diesel specialty tractor at CES 2026, showcasing its integrated autonomous capabilities designed for agriculture. This innovation is crucial as the agricultural sector faces a significant labor shortage, with the average farmer nearing 60 years old and over 40% of farmers aged 65 and older. The introduction of physical AI into heavy machinery is essential for maintaining productivity in challenging environments like vineyards and orchards, where precision is critical. The importance of this development lies in its potential to mitigate the impact of an aging workforce in agriculture and construction. As skilled operators retire, the need for intelligent machines that can operate autonomously becomes increasingly urgent. The agricultural sector, particularly in permanent crops, requires advanced technology to navigate complex environments and ensure efficient production. Looking ahead, the focus will be on how these autonomous machines can adapt to the unique challenges of various agricultural settings. With the labor gap becoming a structural issue rather than a cyclical one, the deployment of advanced autonomous solutions will be vital for the future of food production and infrastructure development.
Agriculture Artificial Intelligence Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Construction Educational Opinion
SpaceX's Starmind Targets AI Labs with $6.3 Billion Compute Contracts
SpaceX's Starmind is designed to provide wholesale AI compute services to businesses, particularly AI labs and cloud customers, rather than individual consumers. The service operates similarly to AWS, where users benefit from applications running on Starmind without direct subscriptions. The compute capacity of a single AI1 satellite is comparable to one NVIDIA GB300 rack, emphasizing its enterprise-grade capabilities. The significance of Starmind lies in its positioning as a potential fourth hyperscaler, joining the ranks of AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The Reflection AI contract, valued at $150 million per month, exemplifies the enterprise-focused model, with total payments potentially reaching $6.3 billion through 2029. This contract highlights the growing demand for AI compute resources, particularly from AI-native startups and labs. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on securing additional enterprise contracts as Starmind expands its offerings. No consumer-facing products or subscriptions have been announced, and the current strategy is to cater to businesses with substantial AI workloads. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Google rolls out Gemini Omni Flash for autonomous video creation across apps
Google has initiated the rollout of its latest multimodal AI model, Gemini Omni Flash, which is designed to enhance user interactions across various platforms. This launch began in October 2023 and aims to integrate advanced AI capabilities into Google's suite of services. The motivation behind this development is to provide users with a more seamless and efficient experience by allowing the model to process and respond to inputs in multiple formats, including text, images, and voice. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Gemini Omni Flash is expected to significantly improve the way users engage with Google's applications, making interactions more intuitive and responsive. The rollout is part of Google's ongoing commitment to innovation in artificial intelligence, positioning the company at the forefront of the AI landscape.
Unitree Launches UniStore — the World's First Humanoid Robot App Store, 24 Motion Apps Available at Launch
Unitree Robotics has launched UniStore, a new app store designed for its range of robots, including the G1, H1, B2, and Go2 models. This innovative platform enables users to easily download and install intricate motion packages, featuring popular routines such as Jackson dance moves, Leeter Kune Do, and Charleston, directly from a mobile application. The launch of UniStore marks a significant advancement in enhancing the capabilities of robotic systems, allowing for greater customization and user engagement. This initiative reflects Unitree's commitment to making robotics more accessible and interactive for consumers, as it simplifies the process of programming complex movements into their robots.
Robotics
The app store for robots has arrived: Hugging Face launches open-source Reachy Mini App Store with 200+ apps
Hugging Face, a New York City-based startup known for its open-source AI models, has launched the Reachy Mini App Store, a platform designed for its low-cost physical robot, Reachy Mini, which debuted in July 2025. Priced at $299, the robot aims to make robotics accessible to hobbyists and developers. The App Store features over 200 community-built applications, allowing users to download and create custom apps without needing a technical background. This initiative is part of Hugging Face's broader goal to democratize robotics, enabling individuals to develop functional software for the robot using simple English commands. The launch comes as Hugging Face has sold around 10,000 Reachy Mini units, with 3,000 sold in the past two weeks alone. The platform supports various AI models, including Hugging Face's own ML Intern, and offers tools for users to simulate and test their apps in a virtual environment. By removing traditional barriers to robotics development, Hugging Face aims to shift the focus from technical expertise to creativity in programming robotic behaviors. The App Store is part of Hugging Face's ongoing "Le Robot" project, which seeks to provide open-source resources for robotics development.
Technology
NVIDIA Brings GeForce RTX Gaming to More Devices With New GeForce NOW Apps for Linux PC and Amazon Fire TV
At the CES trade show taking place this week in Las Vegas, NVIDIA unveiled significant enhancements to its GeForce NOW cloud gaming service. The company announced the introduction of additional devices and games, expanding the platform's versatility and accessibility for gamers. This upgrade is powered by the advanced GeForce RTX 5080-class performance, leveraging the capabilities of the NVIDIA Blackwell RTX architecture. The initiative aims to provide an enriched gaming experience, catering to the growing demand for cloud-based gaming solutions.
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Join the RobotToday community on LinkedIn
Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.
