Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Meet Ashok Elluswamy, The AI Architect Now Leading Tesla's Optimus Program
In the wake of Milan Kovac's departure, Ashok Elluswamy, a seasoned leader in AI software, has been appointed to lead Tesla's Optimus project. This initiative aims to develop and deploy humanoid robots on a large scale, a key objective for CEO Elon Musk. Elluswamy's extensive experience in artificial intelligence positions him as a pivotal figure in advancing this ambitious vision. As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of technology, Elluswamy's leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges associated with bringing humanoid robots to market.
Optimus Tesla AI Ashok Elluswamy Elon Musk
DobotWAM Achieves Top Ranking in Embodied Intelligence with 99.25% Success Rate
Yuejiang Technology has announced that its DobotWAM model has achieved an impressive 99.25% success rate in the LIBERO benchmark for embodied intelligence, outpacing competing models. This achievement marks a significant transition in the field from traditional collaborative robotics to advanced embodied intelligence technology, emphasizing its applicability in real-world scenarios and precision tasks. The model's superior performance is attributed to significant advancements in spatial understanding and dynamic motion modeling, establishing DobotWAM as a leader in the robotics industry.
Embodied Intelligence Robotics AI Automation
Robot Talk Episode 137 – Getting two-legged robots moving, with Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi
Claire recently engaged in a conversation with Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University, regarding advancements in bipedal robotics. Dosunmu-Ogunbi, who is recognized as the first Black woman to hold this position, specializes in control systems that enhance bipedal locomotion, including the ability of robots to walk and navigate stairs. Her research not only contributes to the field of robotics but also aims to inspire future generations in engineering education. This dialogue highlights the innovative strides being made in robotics and the importance of diversity in STEM fields.
Abundance and the Bitter Lesson: Ashok Elluswamy Outlines Tesla’s Unified AI Future
At the 2026 ScaledML Conference, Tesla's Vice President of AI Software presented the company's comprehensive strategy for achieving full autonomy in its vehicles. The presentation highlighted the innovative use of a singular generative "world simulator" that underpins both the driverless taxi operations in Austin and the development of humanoid robots in Fremont. This approach aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Tesla's autonomous systems by creating a unified platform for simulation and training. The conference served as a significant platform for Tesla to showcase its advancements in artificial intelligence and automation technology, emphasizing the company's commitment to pioneering autonomous solutions in urban transportation and robotics.
Optimus Tesla US Ashok Elluswamy
FCC swamped with angry pleas over DJI, Autel drone ban
The ongoing debate in Washington regarding Chinese drones has evolved beyond a national security issue confined to congressional hearings, now affecting the lives of thousands of Americans. This controversy touches various sectors, including employment, emergency response, agricultural operations, photography, and search-and-rescue missions. As concerns about the implications of these drones grow, individuals and businesses are increasingly voicing their opinions, highlighting the personal stakes involved in the broader discussion. The intersection of national security and local livelihoods underscores the complexity of the situation, prompting a reevaluation of policies that could impact both safety and economic stability across the country.
News
Tesla AI Chief Details Unified 'World Simulator' for FSD and Optimus
In a recent technical deep-dive, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's Vice President of AI and the lead for the Optimus project, unveiled the company's comprehensive neural network strategy for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. During the presentation, Elluswamy confirmed that the same "neural world simulator" and underlying architecture utilized for FSD will be adapted for Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus. This development highlights Tesla's commitment to integrating advanced AI capabilities across its product lines, aiming to enhance the functionality and efficiency of both autonomous vehicles and robotics. The announcement underscores the company's innovative approach to AI, which is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of transportation and automation.
Optimus Tesla World-Models AI Ashok Elluswamy FSD
Tesla Optimus Shows Off Kung Fu Moves, as AI Lead Highlights Unified Self-Driving Brain
Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, showcased its capabilities in a recent video by engaging in a sparring match with a human, revealing impressive speed and fluidity. The demonstration, which has garnered attention for its innovative approach to robotics, was accompanied by insights from Ashok Elluswamy, the lead for the Optimus project. He emphasized the company's strategic initiative to integrate the artificial intelligence models used for Optimus with those powering Tesla's self-driving vehicles. This move aims to enhance the functionality and efficiency of both technologies, reflecting Tesla's commitment to advancing AI in various applications.
Optimus Tesla AI Ashok Elluswamy Elon Musk robotics
BeingBeyond Unveils Being-M0.7: A Revolutionary Humanoid Robot for Mobility and Dexterity
On July 15, BeingBeyond officially launched the Being-M0.7, the world's first full-body mobile operation implicit world action model (Latent WAM). This model enables robots not only to 'see' the world but also to 'understand' how it operates, facilitating full-body movements and dexterous actions. It connects visual perception with physical interaction, allowing robots to exhibit human-like coordination. The significance of Being-M0.7 lies in its ability to learn from over 10,000 hours of human first-person video pre-training, enabling it to predict physical changes based on implicit visual and motion information. Before executing commands, the model learns three core capabilities: visual context understanding, future state prediction, and implicit representation of humanoid kinematics. This foundational understanding precedes its ability to control movements. Looking ahead, BeingBeyond's advancements in implicit world action models are noteworthy. The Being-M0.7 expands the capabilities of previous models, transitioning from desktop dexterous tasks to full-body mobile operations. Future demonstrations will likely showcase the robot's understanding of physical interactions and its ability to perform complex tasks autonomously, marking a significant step in humanoid robotics development.
Humanoid Robots Robotic Mobility AI Machine Learning
Fed Rate-Hike Bets Fuel Equities Rally | The Close 6/18/2026
Bloomberg Television is set to provide comprehensive news and analysis as Wall Street approaches its closing bell. The program will feature insights from a diverse panel of experts, including Mimi Duff, Senior Client Advisor and Head of the New York Office at GenTrust; Songyee Yoon, Founder and Managing Partner of Principal Venture Partners; and Alicia Reese, Senior Vice President of Equity Research at Wedbush. Other notable guests include Nicole Pullen Ross, Head of the Northeast Region at Goldman Sachs; Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist at Interactive Brokers; and George Gatch, CEO of JP Morgan Asset Management. The lineup also includes Chef and Restaurateur Kwame Onwuachi, former Lululemon Chief Investment Officer Julie Averill, Candle Media Founder and Co-CEO Kevin Mayer, and Joel Montaniel, Co-Founder and CEO of SevenRooms. This gathering of financial and culinary leaders aims to provide viewers with valuable perspectives on market trends and investment strategies as trading concludes for the day.
NMS:NVDA
Table tennis robot defeats some of world’s best players – why this has major implications for robotics
In December 2025, a groundbreaking table tennis robot named Ace demonstrated its advanced capabilities by outperforming elite human players, including renowned competitor Yamato Kawamata, during a series of evaluations. Developed by Sony AI, Ace's performance signifies a notable advancement in artificial intelligence and robotics, showcasing the potential for machines to excel in complex sports environments. This achievement highlights the ongoing integration of AI technology in competitive settings, raising questions about the future of human versus machine competitions in sports.
Sony AI table tennis robot outplays elite human players
In a groundbreaking development for artificial intelligence in sports, Sony AI has unveiled Ace, a robot that has successfully defeated elite human players in competitive physical sports. This achievement was highlighted in an article published today in the journal Nature. The match took place in December 2025, where Ace showcased its advanced capabilities by skillfully returning the ball to its human opponent, Yamato Kawamata. This milestone not only marks a significant advancement in AI technology but also raises questions about the future of robotics in competitive environments. The motivation behind creating Ace was to explore the potential of AI in mastering complex physical tasks and to push the boundaries of machine learning in real-world applications.
Beyond the VLA: NVIDIA’s DreamZero and the ‘GPT-2 Moment’ for Robotic World Models
NVIDIA GEAR Lab has introduced DreamZero, an advanced World Action Model (WAM) featuring 14 billion parameters. This innovative model employs video diffusion technology to provide robots with a form of physical "imagination," allowing them to complete tasks without prior training and adapt quickly to various robotic forms. The unveiling of DreamZero marks a significant advancement in robotics, showcasing the potential for enhanced flexibility and efficiency in robotic applications. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, NVIDIA aims to revolutionize how robots interact with their environments and perform complex tasks autonomously.
Dr Jim Fan NVIDIA World-Models Research embodied-ai
Greensea IQ and Ocean Power Technologies Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Autonomous Hull Maintenance
Greensea IQ and Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) have announced a strategic partnership to combine Greensea IQ’s EverClean robotic hull grooming system with OPT’s WAM-V® Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) platform. This collaboration, unveiled recently, aims to create a fully autonomous launch and recovery system designed to enhance the efficiency and environmental sustainability of hull maintenance operations. By integrating these advanced technologies, the companies seek to revolutionize the maritime maintenance sector, addressing the growing need for eco-friendly solutions in marine operations.
greensea iq ocean power technologies strategic collaboration autonomous hull maintenance
Tesla's Optimus Program Sees Leadership Change as VP Milan Kovac Departs
Milan Kovac, the Vice President responsible for Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot program, is set to leave the company amid ambitious plans by CEO Elon Musk to deploy "thousands" of Optimus units in factories this year. Kovac's departure raises questions about the future direction of the project, which aims to integrate advanced robotics into Tesla's manufacturing processes. Ashok Elluswamy, currently serving as Vice President of AI software for Autopilot, is anticipated to succeed Kovac and lead the Optimus initiative moving forward. This transition comes at a critical time as Tesla seeks to enhance its production capabilities and innovate within the robotics sector.
Optimus Tesla Elon Musk
ShengShu Technology Unveils Motubrain: A Unified "World Action Model" to Solve the Robotics Scaling Problem
ShengShu Technology has unveiled Motubrain, an innovative robotic brain designed to integrate perception and action seamlessly. This new technology aims to surpass traditional Variable-Length Architecture (VLA) models in performance on global benchmarks. The announcement was made recently, showcasing ShengShu's commitment to advancing robotics and artificial intelligence. By creating a hardware-agnostic solution, Motubrain allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in robotic applications, potentially transforming various industries that rely on automation and intelligent systems. The development of Motubrain reflects the growing demand for more sophisticated robotic technologies that can adapt to diverse environments and tasks.
WAM China ShengShu Technology world-model MotuBrainRobotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
