A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
The U.S. drone industry is evolving, driven by government policies and increasing commercial demand, prompting manufacturers to accelerate their production processes. This shift is not only transforming supply chains but also how companies approach product development, emphasizing agility and specia...
Beam Global has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ScoutDI, a Norwegian industrial drone company, for approximately $24 million. This acquisition aims to enhance Beam's capabilities in manufacturing inspection drones in the United States, leveraging ScoutDI's advanced drone systems and A...
France is advancing its domestic drone production through partnerships between major automotive companies and drone manufacturers. This initiative aims to utilize France's robust automotive manufacturing base to enhance the production of autonomous systems, reflecting a significant shift in industri...
Japanese startups are increasingly engaging in defense drone production, driven by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's initiative to reduce reliance on China and bolster local manufacturing capabilities. This shift highlights the strategic importance of drones in modern warfare, as evidenced by the P1-S...
The U.S. military is currently testing the Rapidly Deployable Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (RD-SUADS) developed by Trust Automation. This counter-drone system is designed for rapid deployment and can operate independently for up to four days using an integrated diesel generator, making it suita...
Recent research published in the International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications introduces a novel method for controlling drone formations. This approach utilizes fuzzy logic processing combined with a self-coupling proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, aiming to enhance t...
The US Air Force's XQ-67A uncrewed aircraft has successfully completed a test flight, showcasing integrated mission systems and beyond-line-of-sight data links. This demonstration aims to enhance the support uncrewed aircraft provide to crewed fighters, improving operational reach and situational aw...
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced significant industry support for a proposed rule change that would permit commercial drones to utilize additional cellular spectrum. This announcement, made on October 27, includes endorsements from various drone companies, telecommunications...
Percepto has launched Axion, a software platform designed to enhance the analysis of data collected by industrial drones. This new platform utilizes AI to provide insights from existing drone fleets and inspection records without requiring companies to purchase new hardware. By leveraging over 160 s...
Reach Power has successfully demonstrated a pioneering autonomous drone flight lasting 10 hours, powered wirelessly. This achievement showcases the integration of onboard visual navigation and autonomous energy management, enabling the drone to operate without external intervention or physical power...
ABZ Innovation has launched the C30, an industrial water jetting drone designed for heavy cleaning tasks at height, on October 23, 2026. This European-built drone effectively cleans steel structures, tanks, silos, and wind turbines using high-pressure water alone, achieving significant results in fi...
The expansion of U.S. drone manufacturing is driving aircraft developers to rapidly introduce new systems with advanced capabilities such as thermal imaging and onboard AI. Manufacturers face the challenge of integrating complex technologies into reliable, flight-ready drones, which can lead to sign...
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a three-year contract valued at up to $60 million to create a long-range, maneuverable interceptor missile. This development is part of the US Army's Xtended Range Counter-sUAS (XRC) program, aimed at enhancing the military's capabilities against drone threats....
The US military is advancing a multifaceted approach to counter the increasing threat posed by drones, utilizing various technologies including microwave weapons, interceptor missiles, and electronic warfare systems. This diverse toolkit is essential as drones differ significantly in size, speed, an...
Amazon's proposed Prime Air drone delivery service in Westborough, Massachusetts, is facing a regulatory review due to community opposition. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has informed Amazon that it must secure a state certificate of approval before establishing its takeof...
Global Ordnance has entered into a master supply agreement with Sparkz to produce drone battery packs specifically for the US military. This collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of military drones by ensuring a reliable supply of advanced battery technology. The partnership is significant...
Recent advancements in monocular Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) and perception-aware planning have been reported in the Journal of Field Robotics. These innovations are set to significantly improve the performance of autonomous drone racing by enabling more accurate navigation and obstacle avoidance...
Europe's industrial leaders are enhancing productivity and innovation by utilizing NVIDIA's CUDA-X and Omniverse libraries, along with Cosmos and Nemotron models, throughout the engineering and manufacturing lifecycle. The NVIDIA Factory Operations Blueprint (FOX) is now available in early access on...
Australia has announced new underwater warfare payloads for its unmanned naval drones, which will be tested during the AUKUS Pillar II exercise in the US. These modular payloads will be integrated onto Anduril’s Ghost Shark, C2 Robotics’ Speartooth, and Ocius’s Bluebottle unmanned vessels, enabling...
At the recent AUSA event, drones and counter-drone technology were the focal points, showcasing the Army's commitment to innovation in defense. The Army is actively seeking to enhance competition among industry players by integrating new vendors into its procurement processes. This strategy aims to...
The U.S. Army is developing a strategy to utilize low-cost kamikaze drones, specifically the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), to enhance its combat effectiveness against maritime and land threats. This approach was discussed during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual symposium i...
Antigravity has reduced the price of its A1 drone to $799 by introducing a new 'Follow Me' kit that replaces the original FPV headset with a wristwatch and ring control. This change allows users to easily launch and control the drone while engaging in activities, making it more accessible for beginn...
Micro Yi Intelligent Manufacturing has initiated a subscription for its first stock of industrial embodied intelligence. This move is significant as it tests the company's profit margins in a competitive market. The subscription is expected to attract interest from investors looking to capitalize on...
Modern autonomous drones are increasingly utilizing sensor fusion, which combines cameras, LiDAR, positioning systems, and other sensors to enhance their environmental awareness. This technology allows drones to navigate complex and unpredictable environments such as construction sites and agricultu...
The US Navy successfully established a remote control link with an MQ-25A Stingray unmanned refueling aircraft from the USS Ronald Reagan, located over 2,100 miles away. This milestone demonstrates the Navy's commitment to integrating drones into carrier operations, utilizing a satellite network for...
Ukrainian forces successfully evacuated a wounded soldier using a heavy-lift drone, marking a significant milestone in unmanned medical evacuation. This operation, announced by Ukraine’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade on October 19, is noted as the first documented instance of such a rescue from the...
The US Army's Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) has formed a partnership with the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) to conduct tests on drone-defense systems in Africa. This collaboration is significant as it aims to bolster the military's capabilities in counterin...
Skyports Drone Services is deploying fully automated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones for the HumeLink West power lines project in New South Wales, Australia. This initiative is part of Transgrid's HumeLink project, which aims to enhance Australia's electricity network by constructing appr...
A pilot from the US Air Force successfully directed an uncrewed YFQ-44A Fury drone during a flight, marking a significant advancement in military aviation. This demonstration, which took place in October 2026, showcased the potential for crewed fighters to command autonomous drones, enhancing combat...
The US Transportation Department has announced an immediate ban on unauthorized drone flights along the US-Mexico border. This measure aims to enhance security operations, particularly in combating illicit activities associated with drug cartels. The decision is significant as it underscores the US...
The US Army is progressing with its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, aimed at developing high-energy laser weapons to combat drone threats on the battlefield. This initiative focuses on creating modular systems that can be easily transferred between various military vehicles, enhancing ai...
A drone attack has struck an industrial facility located in the Surgut district of Russia, which is known for its oil and gas assets. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and security concerns in the region, particularly related to critical infrastructure. The attack on the Surgut industri...
A series of drone strikes targeting at least seven cargo vessels in the Black Sea has raised alarms among NATO members, particularly Romania and Bulgaria. These incidents, which have resulted in two fatalities and left 25 individuals missing, are perceived as potential provocations by Russia, testin...
The U.S. Department of Defense is significantly increasing its investment in autonomous systems, with recent contracts awarded to various companies for drone production and AI-piloted aircraft. Notably, Orqa U.S. secured a $38 million contract for the Drone Dominance Gauntlet II program, while Shiel...
Skyports Drone Services has initiated automated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations to oversee the construction of the HumeLink West electricity transmission project in Australia. This innovative deployment enables the collection of aerial survey data without the need for on-site dr...
Amazon's initiative to expand drone delivery services into Massachusetts is encountering significant resistance from local residents and lawmakers. On October 14, four members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation urged for a comprehensive environmental review before Amazon initiates operati...
At the recent Industrial Expo, the collaboration between Huichuan Technology and Amio showcased advanced capabilities in flexible manufacturing. Their demonstration highlighted a robot's ability to handle irregular materials, emphasizing the importance of industrial embodied intelligence in modern p...
Rownd, a defense autonomy startup, has obtained a $10 million contract from the Department of War to advance its development of low-cost, autonomous drones for military use. This initiative is part of Rownd's strategy to create attritable mass, allowing military forces to deploy affordable drones th...
Poland's Air Force is currently operating at peak readiness due to ongoing threats from Russian drones, as stated by Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak. With 80 percent of their focus on air defense, the modernization of Poland's integrated air defenses is still three to four years away, leaving the Air Force...
The US military, as articulated by Col. Dustin Thomas of DCMA, is focusing on optimizing its drone inventory and training programs to maximize combat effectiveness. This initiative is crucial for ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently, providing the best value for military expenditures. B...
On July 17, 2026, Sumitomo Forestry and Mazex announced the introduction of the Karusuke series of forestry cargo drones, aimed at enhancing smart forestry in Japan. The Karusuke 25 drone offers the same payload capacity as the Morito 25 but at a reduced price and smaller size, making it more access...
The AUSA 2026 exhibition showcased a notable decline in heavy armour presence, emphasizing a shift towards 4x4 mobility solutions and FPV drone strike munitions. This transition reflects evolving military strategies that prioritize agility and precision in combat scenarios. The reduced focus on hea...
On October 13, two cargo vessels were targeted in drone strikes, marking a continuation of escalating attacks on maritime traffic in the western Black Sea. This incident highlights the growing tensions in the region, with Bulgaria pointing to Russia as the responsible party behind these assaults. T...
Powerus has launched the Guardian-3, a fully autonomous drone interceptor, marking a significant advancement in counter-drone technology. This third-generation system aims to minimize human operator involvement, building on the semi-autonomous capabilities of its predecessor, the Guardian-2. While t...
Powerus Corporation has introduced the Guardian-3, a counter-drone interceptor capable of transitioning from vertical hovering to forward flight autonomously. This third-generation aircraft was showcased at the Association of the United States Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., highligh...
The Association of the United States Army conference continued in Washington, D.C., showcasing a variety of drones and counter-drone systems. Among the exhibits was an amphibious robot designed to transport ground robots across water, highlighting advancements in military robotics. As the event pr...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently claimed that drone strikes targeting Russian data centers, specifically those of Yandex, have diminished disinformation efforts from Russian bot farms. He noted a perceived reduction in hate and division on social media platforms following the strikes...
Badland Batteries inaugurated its 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fargo, North Dakota, on October 8, 2026. This plant will produce lithium-ion pouch cells specifically for drones, defense platforms, and autonomous systems, utilizing domestic and allied raw materials. The grand opening w...
AEVEX Corp. has introduced its Specter jet-powered drone at the AUSA annual meeting in Washington, D.C. This aircraft represents a significant advancement in the U.S. military's one-way attack drone initiatives, following the development of the Phoenix Ghost family sent to Ukraine in 2022. Designed...
The USS Ohio has been fitted with the DRAKE jammer, enhancing its capability to detect and disrupt drones when surfacing. This advancement underscores the U.S. Navy's commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its operations. The implementation of the DRAKE jammer is significant as it a...
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