A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
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...
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...
Harris Aerial, founded by Ben Harris in 2014, specializes in manufacturing heavy-lift drones, distinguishing itself in a market dominated by smaller UAVs. The company began in a college apartment and has since evolved into a leading producer of American-made drones, focusing on the heavy-lift sector...
Japan is set to establish a new organization as early as the next fiscal year to invest in defense startups, focusing on advanced dual-use technologies, particularly in the drone sector. This initiative aims to enhance domestic production capabilities and promote exports of these technologies. The...
ABZ Innovation has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Szentendre, Hungary, which is recognized as one of the largest civilian drone production sites in Europe. This facility will enhance the manufacturing capabilities for agricultural and industrial drone technology in the region. The esta...
Birdstop, an autonomous security drone manufacturer, has relocated from Silicon Valley to Detroit to capitalize on the city's automotive supply chain. CEO Keith Miao emphasized that Detroit offers significant opportunities for scaling drone production, particularly due to the region's robust electro...
EIVIE, a US drone manufacturer, has successfully developed an NDAA-compliant drone using HP's additive manufacturing technology. This innovative approach allowed EIVIE to overcome the challenges of conventional manufacturing, which often requires extensive tooling and engineering for even minor desi...
U.S. drone propulsion manufacturer ePropelled has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing operations in New Hampshire, backed by $60 million in U.S. government funding. This initiative will increase the company's production space from 20,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet in Laconi...
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...
Carnegie Foundry, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and several prominent U.S. drone manufacturers, has launched a new initiative aimed at bolstering America's drone manufacturing capabilities. This initiative leverages over $50 million in CMU investments focused on robotics, ad...
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...
PowerLight Technologies, based in the U.S., has secured an expanded investment from the Department of War to enhance its Aerial ReCharge (ARC) system. This funding, part of the Operational Energy – Innovation (OE-I) Directorate, supports the ongoing development of ARC under the PTROL-UAS program, wi...
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...
Teradyne Inc. has announced a strategic investment in Bright Machines Inc., focusing on integrating robotics and test technologies with Bright Machines’ intelligent manufacturing platform. This collaboration aims to enhance AI infrastructure manufacturing, leveraging Teradyne's expertise in robotics...
Amazon has revealed plans to invest $100 million in a new robotics manufacturing plant located in Indiana. This strategic move aims to enhance Amazon's capabilities in robotics and automation, aligning with the company's ongoing commitment to innovation in supply chain management. The establishment...
Amazon has announced a significant investment exceeding $100 million to establish a new 585,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenwood, Indiana. This facility is expected to create 300 skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs, producing products that will enhance Amazon’s fulfill...
ABZ Innovation has inaugurated a new drone manufacturing facility in Szentendre, Hungary, which is among the largest dedicated civilian drone production sites in Europe. This expansion is driven by increasing demand for drones in various sectors, including agriculture and industrial cleaning, with t...
Lockheed Martin has announced plans to develop five prototypes of the Vectis stealth drone, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 2027. This initiative underscores Lockheed's commitment to advancing stealth technology and enhancing its capabilities in unmanned aerial systems. The Vectis project i...
James Slider, CEO of PDW Holdings, highlighted the necessity of establishing domestic production for drones and their critical components to support the U.S. military. He emphasized that while America excels in innovation, the real challenge lies in scaling production effectively. PDW has secured a...
Heven AeroTech has inaugurated a 56,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Winchester, Virginia, marking its first production site on the East Coast. This facility is part of a planned national network aimed at producing hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft systems, enhancing the company's existing...
In July and August, the U.S. government implemented stricter regulations on foreign-made advanced robotic systems and imposed significant tariffs on imported drones and their components, citing national security concerns. These tariffs, effective from September, are part of a broader initiative to l...
Firestorm Labs, based in San Diego, showcased its ability to manufacture UAV parts using 3D printing technology aboard the USS Essex during a two-week voyage to the Rim of the Pacific 2026 military exercise. The company produced over 1,000 drone components, which were assembled into Squall UAVs for...
Saildrone has announced a significant expansion in Europe, establishing multiple manufacturing sites and its EU headquarters in Copenhagen. This expansion includes contracts for building the 52-meter Saildrone Spectre in the Netherlands, the next-generation Saildrone Surveyor in Norway, and Surveyor...
EU Motors, a prominent manufacturer of high-performance brushless drone motors, has announced its goal to produce over 350,000 drone motors by 2026. The company is expanding its operations in the U.S. with plans to establish exclusive stator production and deploy advanced robotic assembly lines at i...
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...
Monava, a Swedish-Finnish defense technology company, has successfully raised new funding to bolster its AI-driven drone detection capabilities. This investment round, led by Gungnir Capital with participation from Foundry Ventures and Hede Capital, aims to commercialize Monava's technology and expa...
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 United States is set to enhance its domestic drone manufacturing capabilities following a conditional loan commitment of up to $820 million to Performance Drone Works (PDW) from the Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital. This funding aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for...
The UK government has announced an investment exceeding £5 billion in drones and autonomous systems throughout the current Parliament. This significant funding is part of the Defence Investment Plan, which aims to enhance domestic manufacturing, testing infrastructure, and artificial intelligence ca...
ePropelled has unveiled its SKYLARK™ Series, an integrated propulsion system aimed at simplifying UAV manufacturing and enhancing aircraft performance. Introduced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, this product combines the motor and controller into a single unit, targeting light and med...
Emesent, an Australian drone mapping company, has raised $17 million to boost its AI-powered autonomous operations. This funding includes a $7 million venture debt facility from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and a $10 million equity round from notable investors such as Main Sequence a...
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...
The U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancers departed RAF Fairford in the U.K. over the weekend due to threats of a drone attack directed by Iran. This decision highlights the growing reality of drone threats against parked aircraft, a concern that has been emphasized for years. The Pentagon's slow progress in co...
OpenWorks Engineering has officially opened its US regional headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, and is planning to establish a manufacturing facility in Detroit, Michigan, by the end of 2026. This expansion marks a significant step for the UK-based company, which has been serving the US market for ov...
Continuous Composites has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract by the U.S. Navy to develop composite aircraft components that integrate electrical power conductors within their structures. This innovative approach aims to reduce the reliance on traditional wiring and connectors in unmanned aerial v...
At the 2026 World Robot Conference, JD.com announced its unique approach to the robotics industry, focusing on infrastructure rather than manufacturing. The company aims to invest over 10 billion yuan in robotics by 2028, establishing a framework that ensures robots are easy to purchase, use, and ma...
In a recent commentary, Chris Raabe, CTO of ACSL, discusses the lasting impact of the pandemic on global manufacturing, particularly in the drone sector. He highlights how the crisis revealed vulnerabilities in supply chains and engineering processes, which continue to influence the industry in 2026...
MP Materials has launched an initiative to produce neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, essential for drone motors, aiming to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources. Currently, 75% of U.S. imports of these magnets come from China, highlighting the need for domestic production. The initiative wil...
ABZ Innovation, a Hungarian manufacturer of spraying drones, is set to open a new facility in Szentendre, expanding its production capacity significantly. The 1,060-square-meter factory is expected to produce about 1,000 drones annually by the end of the year, with plans to reach 2,000 drones at ful...
Re:Build Manufacturing has initiated direct commercial sales of its new lithium-ion battery packs designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This product line includes the Core, Power, and Performance series, which cater to various energy configuration needs. The launch is part of a broader manuf...
Protolabs, a digital manufacturing company listed on the NYSE, is enhancing its rapid manufacturing capabilities to support drone manufacturers in accelerating their transition from prototype to production. This initiative comes in response to the increasing demand for commercial and defense drones,...
The UK government has announced a significant investment of £5 billion aimed at advancing autonomous systems as part of its defense strategy. This initiative, outlined in the latest Defense Investment Plan (DIP), emphasizes the development of a “hybrid navy” that integrates cutting-edge technology i...
Toronto-based INKAS has announced a significant expansion of its North American manufacturing capabilities with the addition of three new production facilities in Canada and the United States. This strategic move aims to more than double the company’s manufacturing space, enabling enhanced productio...
The UK Government is set to unveil its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which includes a significant commitment of £5 billion aimed at enhancing the integration of drones and autonomous systems within the armed forces. This investment will be implemented over the next four years, reflecti...
The Ministry of Defence has announced an initiative to develop at least six hybrid warships that will integrate with unmanned systems both in the air and at sea. This strategic move aims to enhance naval capabilities and modernize the fleet, reflecting a growing emphasis on advanced technology in mi...
China's recent decision to impose export controls on Red Cat Holdings and its subsidiary, Teal Drones, has raised concerns within the U.S. drone manufacturing sector. While the immediate effects on production may be minimal, this action highlights the pressing need for American manufacturers to thor...
A new presidential memorandum has been issued to address defense production bottlenecks, highlighting concerns about the United States' capacity to scale emerging technologies. This initiative, part of the Trump Administration's Drone Dominance program launched in June 2025, has primarily focused on...
Quantum Cyber (NASDAQ: QUCY) has taken a significant step towards enhancing domestic drone production by signing a letter of intent to acquire a 43,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This announcement, made on June 8, underscores the company's commitment to establishi...
Japanese industrial components supplier Misumi Group has officially launched Misumi Americas, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy. The company has unveiled a $1 billion (¥150 billion) global investment program designed to enhance its digital manufacturing and supply chain capabiliti...
Recent research has highlighted the supply risks associated with critical materials necessary for the development of autonomous machines. Conducted by a team of experts in materials science, the study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure the continued growth of this emergin...
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