A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
The global market for professional service robots experienced significant growth, with nearly 250,000 units sold in 2025, marking a 24 percent increase from the previous year. The transport and logistics sector dominated this market, accounting for approximately 117,500 robots sold, which represents...
Tokyo has launched the GMO Humanoid Ambulance, an emergency service for malfunctioning humanoid robots. This innovative service aims to address the challenges of robot breakdowns in public spaces, particularly in busy environments like Haneda Airport. The introduction of the Humanoid Ambulance is s...
From August 19 to 23, 2026, the World Robot Conference (WRC 2026) took place in Beijing, where UBTECH showcased a range of humanoid robots designed for industrial, commercial, and home applications. Highlighted products included the industrial humanoid robot Cruzr Y1, the commercial service robot Wa...
Recent discussions have highlighted the high repair costs and limited service options for consumer robots, particularly in the case of humanoid robots and robotic dogs. Users have reported significant expenses for repairs, such as a $30,000 bill for a humanoid robot that suffered a minor fall, leadi...
In Beijing, 72 robots are now operational across 14 municipal parks, enhancing services such as cleaning, patrolling, and guiding visitors. These robots address critical tasks in park management, including waste collection and ecological monitoring, significantly easing the workload of human staff,...
From July 20 to 22, a roundtable dialogue on Sino-British home service policies was held in Beijing, organized by the National Development and Reform Commission's International Cooperation Center. Key stakeholders from both countries discussed the industry's development, highlighting the entry of a...
A recent study by ethologists at ELTE revealed that visitors at public events were more likely to notice an autonomous service robot than a human server. The experiment found that candy offered by the robot was taken more quickly, indicating a higher level of curiosity and engagement with the roboti...
The humanoid robot industry is shifting focus towards service applications by 2026, as evidenced by Robot.com's R-noid robot, which can be deployed in just 8 to 12 weeks. This rapid deployment is particularly suited for commercial kitchens, warehousing logistics, and chain hotels, rather than tradit...
UBTECH has commenced large-scale production of humanoid robots, targeting industrial, commercial, and home consumer markets. The company's Vice President, Jiao Jichao, highlighted their commitment to collaborative software-hardware R&D, which enhances the robots' capabilities in various real-world a...
Striding AI has unveiled its latest innovations, the humanoid H1 and the narrow wheeled-arm C1 robots, designed specifically for 24/7 convenience store operations. These robots are engineered to operate without requiring any modifications to existing shelf layouts or store designs. The introduction...
For nearly four decades, robots have primarily operated in controlled environments such as automotive plants and large distribution centers. These robots were typically fixed in place, with dedicated maintenance crews available on-site. Additionally, manufacturers could dispatch service engineers to...
The robotics industry is increasingly focused on the deployment and sales of robots, yet there is a significant gap in discussions regarding post-deployment support. Specifically, the challenges of field service are becoming apparent as robots require maintenance and repairs after installation. For...
Recent developments suggest that humanoid robots could be the first large-scale commercial application of solid-state batteries, rather than electric vehicles. This shift highlights the potential for advanced battery technology to enhance robotic capabilities, making them more efficient and versatil...
Excelland Robotics, founded in Shenzhen in 2013, has been enhancing the role of robots in commercial settings for over a decade. The company has sold more than 114,600 robots to over 5,100 customers worldwide as of March 2026, focusing on specific tasks that allow for gradual technology expansion in...
KUMA, a leading manufacturer of lawn mower robots, has announced its entry into the domestic market, emphasizing its commitment to commercial applications. This strategic move is expected to enhance KUMA's market presence and cater to the growing demand for automated lawn care solutions. The signif...
During the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Unitree's founder announced that humanoid robots could achieve commercial viability within two years. This shift indicates a significant transition in the industry, moving from entertainment-focused applications to practical uses in various sectors, incl...
China's humanoid robot manufacturers have captivated investors with impressive demonstrations over the past two years, showcasing robots that can perform feats such as breakdancing and marathon running. However, at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, which runs from August 18 to 22, these compani...
The second World Humanoid Robot Games took place on August 16-17 at the Beijing Wuzhou Hotel, featuring a hotel guest service competition. During the event, robots were tasked with moving luggage, restocking rooms, and tidying bedding within a strict 30-minute timeframe, demonstrating their capabili...
In 2025, nearly 200,000 professional service robots were sold globally, marking a 9% increase. Notably, the cleaning robots segment saw a significant rise of 34%, while medical robots experienced an impressive growth of 91%. These statistics indicate a shift from experimental use to economically via...
Tesla's Optimus robots will not be used to repair Starmind satellites in orbit, as confirmed by recent statements from Elon Musk. Instead, these robots are intended to assist in the construction and operation of the Terafab chip manufacturing facility in Texas. The AI1 satellites, designed to disint...
Pudu Robotics, recognized for its delivery and cleaning robots, is diversifying into semi-humanoid and quadruped robots. This expansion was showcased at IFA 2026 in Berlin, where Pudu presented the D7 semi-humanoid, the D5-W quadruped, and the CC1 Pro cleaning robot, marking a significant broadening...
The rental prices for humanoid robots in China have significantly decreased, with daily rates dropping from five-figure yuan amounts in early 2025 to between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 in early 2026. Some listings, such as those for Unitree humanoids, are now available for as low as ¥289 per day, although th...
Recent developments suggest that solid-state batteries could see their first large-scale commercial application in humanoid robots rather than electric vehicles. This shift is driven by three companies that are moving away from collecting real machine data. A Tsinghua University PhD graduate has lef...
Recent developments indicate that the first large-scale commercial application of solid-state batteries may not be in electric vehicles but rather in humanoid robots. This shift highlights the growing interest in robotics and the potential for advanced battery technology to enhance robot capabilitie...
A new AI framework has been developed to improve service robots' ability to understand 3D spaces. This advancement allows robots to recognize not just general categories like 'furniture,' but also specific types such as chairs, tables, and bookcases. Additionally, it helps robots differentiate betwe...
LUUM, a California-based company, is automating eyelash extension appointments using robots and AI. Their system focuses on the precise placement of individual lashes, while human beauty professionals handle client consultations and final touches. Currently available in Dallas, the Bay Area, and Ora...
China's humanoid robot industry is transitioning from impressive demonstrations to practical applications in everyday environments. Companies are exploring roles for these robots in workplaces and services, with a significant lead over U.S. counterparts in terms of speed and scale. In the first half...
Motion, a pioneer in Humanoids-as-a-Service (HaaS) in Europe, has successfully raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Extantia Capital. This investment will enable Motion to transition its five pilot projects with Belgian industrial and logistics companies into full-scale production, e...
Tau Robotics has introduced a pilot program allowing San Francisco residents to hire humanoid robots for cleaning tasks at $30 per hour. The robots, named Chelsea and Elon, are designed to perform chores such as vacuuming and cleaning kitchen counters, with each unit costing $50,000 to produce. The...
Zoox is set to begin offering paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone as the first company in the United States to charge for rides in a fully autonomous vehicle designed without a steering wheel. This development highlights Zoox's commitment to advancing autonomous transpo...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted Zoox a temporary exemption from eight federal motor vehicle safety standards, enabling the company to charge for rides in its custom-built robotaxi. This exemption is crucial as it removes one of the last regulatory barriers Zoox...
Unitree and UBTECH are at the forefront of the evolving robotics industry, each championing distinct approaches to the commercialization of embodied artificial intelligence. Unitree focuses on developing affordable industrial-scale humanoid robots, aiming to make advanced robotics accessible for var...
SpaceX's Starmind project, aimed at deploying up to 1 million AI satellites, was filed with the FCC on January 30, 2026. The initiative is designed to minimize reliance on external suppliers, with CEO Elon Musk stating that current chip production capabilities only meet 2% of the projected needs. Th...
Zoox has unveiled its latest robotaxi model, featuring enhanced cushioning, a lighter color scheme, and improved communication capabilities. The new design includes a more advanced microphone and speaker system, allowing for clearer interactions with Zoox Support. This innovation aims to elevate the...
China's robotics industry is making significant strides as GigaAI, in collaboration with the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre and the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Industry Alliance, introduced the SeeLight S1, the country's first general-purpose household humanoid robot. This unveiling took place o...
On April 29, 2026, Boyin Hechuang and Dige Industrial formalized a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai, signaling a pivotal advancement in the integration of artificial intelligence with embodied intelligent robots within the logistics sector. This partnership is designed to tackle ongoing l...
As the food and retail sectors evolve, JAKA is observing a rising interest in the use of commercial robotic arms to enhance operational efficiency without disrupting existing workflows. These robotic solutions, particularly compact mini arms, are designed for environments where space, safety, and co...
In a bid to enhance efficiency and employee well-being in the service and hospitality sectors, a company is integrating cobot robots into its operations. These robots assist with repetitive and physically demanding tasks, allowing staff to prioritize guest interactions and improve service quality. T...
Mercado Libre, a leading e-commerce platform in Latin America, has entered into a commercial agreement with Agility Robotics to implement its humanoid robot, Digit, in fulfillment centers located in Texas. This partnership, announced on December 10, 2025, aims to enhance operational efficiency and s...
Goldman Sachs analyst Jacqueline Du has forecasted a transitional phase in the robotics industry characterized by the emergence of specialized robots, such as tour guides and entertainers, before the advent of general-purpose autonomous machines. This prediction highlights the current trend where Ch...
China Pacific Insurance has introduced the country's first insurance product tailored for humanoid robots, aiming to mitigate risks associated with their commercial use. This innovative offering covers various aspects, including manufacturing defects and third-party liability, reflecting the growing...
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
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