Black Box
Global IT infrastructure provider delivering networking, KVM, pro AV and connectivity solutions, including industrial IoT and AMR/AGV enablement.
Black Box is a global digital infrastructure and technology solutions provider headquartered in Plano, Texas. Founded in 1976 as Expandor Inc. by Eugene Yost and Richard Raub, the company has operated for more than 40 years as a designer and manufacturer of IT infrastructure products and a provider of network and system integration, managed services, and connectivity solutions to Fortune 100 and global enterprises. Black Box rebranded from AGC Networks in November 2021 following AGC's 2019 acquisition of the Black Box Corporation. The company designs and manufactures pro AV, KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switching, structured cabling, and networking products known for reliability, performance, and security.
As of 2022 it operated across roughly 75 locations in 35 countries with more than 3,800 employees, serving financial services, technology, healthcare, retail, public services, and manufacturing markets. In the industrial and manufacturing domain, Black Box supports Industry 4.0 initiatives by enabling factory connectivity, modernizing production control rooms, and integrating industrial IoT systems.
Its connectivity portfolio supports automation environments, including networking infrastructure for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and real-time industrial automation. Rather than building robots, Black Box functions as an enabling infrastructure and connectivity supplier underpinning automated and robotic deployments on the factory floor. The company is part of the Essar-affiliated AGC group and continues to expand managed services, cybersecurity, and digital workplace offerings for large enterprises worldwide.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact Black Box
WEBSITE
https://www.blackbox.com/PHONE
+1 724 746 5500HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
1976
Primary Role
System Integrator
Company Size
-
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
Subsidiary / Acquired
Funding Total
-
LG Electronics Showcases Robotics at 2026 First Global Challenge in Incheon
LG Electronics is actively participating in the 2026 First Global Challenge, an international youth robotics competition taking place at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. The event, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday, gathers youth teams from 185 countries to design and build robots aimed at addressing global challenges, particularly focusing on wildfire prevention and recovery due to climate change. This year's competition, themed “Igniting Innovation,” emphasizes the importance of robotics in tackling pressing issues like wildfires. LG's involvement includes sponsoring the event and showcasing its latest robotics technologies at an exhibition booth. The company also features its humanoid robot, LG CLOiD, allowing visitors to engage with the technology and learn about the innovative solutions being developed by young participants. As LG increases its investment in robotics as a key growth area, it aims to integrate physical AI into its strategy. The company recently launched LG Data Factory to enhance data management for robotics training. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
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Zhiyuan's Data Business Struggles to Support Robotics at $20 Per Hour
Zhiyuan's data business is facing challenges as it operates at a rate of $20 per hour, which is insufficient to sustain the robotics industry. The company is exploring new avenues to enhance its offerings and address the growing demand for data in robotics. This situation highlights the broader issue within the robotics sector, where the cost of data collection and processing is becoming a critical factor. As companies seek to innovate and improve their robotic systems, the financial viability of data services like those offered by Zhiyuan is under scrutiny. Looking ahead, industry stakeholders should monitor how Zhiyuan adapts its business model to better serve the robotics market. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Automation AI
Fudan Team Develops Robot Mat Capable of Harvesting Ground Electricity, Eliminating Battery Needs
A team from Fudan University has developed an innovative robot mat that can harness electricity from the ground, thus removing the necessity for batteries. This advancement could significantly impact the design and functionality of mobile robots, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. The ability to extract energy directly from the ground is a game-changer in robotics, as it addresses one of the major limitations of mobile robots: battery dependency. This technology could lead to longer operational times and reduced maintenance costs, enhancing the overall performance of robotic systems in various applications. Future developments in this area will be crucial to watch, particularly how this technology can be integrated into existing robotic platforms. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Automation AI
Huawei Unveils XMFS Prototype for Cross-Node Shared Memory at LPC 2026
Huawei presented its XMFS prototype at the Linux Plumbers Conference 2026, showcasing a new approach to cross-node shared memory. This innovative system utilizes POSIX file calls to facilitate memory sharing across different nodes, enhancing performance and efficiency in distributed computing environments. The introduction of XMFS is significant as it addresses the growing need for efficient memory management in multi-node systems. By enabling cross-node shared memory, Huawei aims to improve data accessibility and processing speed, which are critical for applications requiring high-performance computing. Looking ahead, industry observers will be keen to see how XMFS evolves and whether it will undergo further development to achieve mainline review status. The potential impact of this technology on distributed computing and memory management practices will be closely monitored in the coming years.
New Mobile System Enhances Drone Operations with Persistent Nanogrid Technology
Three US companies, Sesame Solar, Target Arm, and AG3 Labs, have introduced the first Made-in-USA Persistent Drone Operations Nanogrid. This innovative mobile system integrates power generation, autonomous drone launch and recovery, and configurable small drones to enhance operational efficiency in combat and other environments. The significance of this development lies in its potential to minimize downtime for drones, which is crucial for maintaining continuous operations. By automating the launch, recovery, and recharging processes, the Nanogrid addresses challenges faced by drone teams, particularly in remote or contested areas where conventional fuel resupply is difficult. Looking ahead, the companies anticipate that this system will find applications beyond military use, including border monitoring, search and rescue, and critical infrastructure inspections. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
News
Xiaomi Expands Apple Device Integration with HyperOS 4 Features
On October 7, Xiaomi announced enhanced integration with Apple devices in HyperOS 4, allowing users to share photos, files, contacts, and web pages seamlessly across both ecosystems. This new functionality includes two-way access to iPhone and Xiaomi cloud photo albums, notification syncing, and the ability to reply to messages without switching devices. The integration supports various Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Users can view and control their Xiaomi phone through Xiaomi’s connectivity app on Mac and iPad, provided they have compatible software versions, a shared Xiaomi account, and the necessary network connection. This feature aims to enhance user experience by bridging the gap between Xiaomi and Apple ecosystems. HyperOS 4 was initially introduced with the Xiaomi 18 Pro series in September, and a wider rollout is set to commence on October 15. As Xiaomi continues to expand its software capabilities, it will be interesting to observe how this integration impacts user adoption and the competitive landscape between Xiaomi and Apple.
News Feed
Mecka Secures $60 Million in Series B Funding to Enhance Robotics Data Infrastructure
Mecka has successfully raised $60 million in Series B funding, led by Sequoia Capital, to enhance its robotics data infrastructure and commercial deployments. The company specializes in capturing human demonstrations using proprietary multi-sensor hardware, converting this data into training signals for robotic systems, and collaborating with researchers on the EgoVerse study. This funding is significant as it positions Mecka to bridge the gap between available AI training data and the real-world operational needs of robots. With a reported run-rate revenue exceeding $100 million as of June 2026, Mecka anticipates reaching $300 million by year-end, indicating strong growth in the robotics sector. Looking ahead, Mecka plans to utilize the new capital to develop more data-capture hardware and expand its research and deployment capabilities. The company aims to provide tailored training data for various robotic applications, emphasizing the importance of human-like learning for future robotic systems.
AI Funding & Investment Physical AI Startups AI Data deployment
Microsoft Unveils New AI PCs Featuring Nvidia's RTX Spark Chip and Enhanced Windows 11
Microsoft has announced the specifications and pricing for its new Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip. The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,600, while the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is priced from $6,000, designed for on-device AI model execution with enhanced hardware capabilities. These new devices are significant as they cater specifically to developers, offering advanced features like superior cooling and a revamped Windows 11 with 'Execution Containers' for easier AI agent sandboxing. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the need for orchestration and memory management in AI applications, highlighting the platform's future direction. Looking ahead, Microsoft is positioning these PCs as versatile tools not only for developers but also for content creation and gaming. The company is incentivizing trade-ins of MacBook Pros, reflecting the competitive landscape in the developer community. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI Hardware TC Microsoft nvidia
Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra Featuring Nvidia AI Chip
Microsoft has announced the launch of its Surface Laptop Ultra, priced at $2,599, which features an Nvidia AI chip capable of running large AI models locally. This device, available for preorder and shipping on October 16, includes a unique magnetic USB-C port and aims to enhance AI capabilities in consumer devices. The introduction of the Surface Laptop Ultra is significant as it positions Microsoft to compete more effectively in the growing AI market, allowing users to run AI workloads without incurring cloud costs. The laptop's specifications include up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory and a Blackwell RTX Spark GPU, which offers computing power comparable to Nvidia's DGX-1 data center server. Looking ahead, Microsoft is also set to integrate Meta's Muse AI agent into Windows, reflecting the increasing importance of personal AI agents. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Academician Zheng Nanning Discusses Embodied Intelligence Beyond Humanoid Robots
Academician Zheng Nanning, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Institute at Xi'an Jiaotong University, published an article discussing the growth of embodied intelligence in the physical world. He emphasized that a key direction for artificial intelligence is enabling machines to not only process information but also to flexibly perform various tasks in dynamic environments. This includes precise operations on industrial production lines, autonomous navigation in complex terrains, and dynamic movements in exhibition settings. Zheng clarified that embodied intelligence is not synonymous with humanoid robots; rather, it focuses on whether intelligent systems can truly engage with real-world environments, forming a closed loop of perception, cognition, decision-making, action, and feedback. The evaluation of embodied intelligence should be based on its ability to solve real-world problems, not merely its physical form. He likened understanding embodied intelligence to an infant's process of learning about the world through interaction with their environment. To enable machines to act in the world, embodied intelligence requires various capabilities, including the formation of world models, multimodal representation, causal reasoning, and the integration of generation and action. The development of embodied intelligence relies on high-quality multimodal data and realistic simulation environments. Current limitations include the black box problem, computational constraints, and an immature industrial ecosystem. In sectors like industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and urban governance, intelligent systems are evolving from mere tools to proactive systems capable of continuous learning and adaptation.
Embodied Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Robotics Machine Learning
WAIC Review 3/4: What Scientists and Skeptics Really Think About Embodied AI: The Sober Voices at WAIC 2026
UCL and HKUST researchers, plus robotics CEOs, challenged embodied AI hype at WAIC 2026, citing generalization limits and no third-party evaluation standard.
Handbook of Marine Craft Hydrodynamics and Motion Control Thor I. Fossen — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S1 of 6
Added mass, wave loading, DVL navigation: the marine GNC reference for USV, ROV and AUV service engineers. The hardest book on the RSF list, 5/5.
Underactuated Robotics Russ Tedrake — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S3 of 6
Legged robots fall over for control reasons, not mechanical ones. Tedrake's free MIT 6.832 notes explain why, and what a controller must do about it.
Planning Algorithms Steven M. LaValle — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S4 of 6
The reference that treats planning as a subject in its own right: configuration space, sampling-based methods, RRT. Free online, dual difficulty 4/5-2/5.
Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction Richard S. Sutton & Andrew G. Barto — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S5 of 6
“It's the AI” will not satisfy an OEM support call. Sutton & Barto turn that into something a service engineer can investigate. Free PDF, Part I 4/5.
Autonomous Mobile Robots Siegwart, Nourbakhsh & Scaramuzza — RSF Top 10 Robot Education Textbooks · No. 3
AMR and AGV fleets are the biggest robot service market. Siegwart decodes the vendor manual: odometry, localization, cost maps.
Inside Guident: How Harald Braun Is Building the Safety Layer Every Autonomous Vehicle Needs
Guident CEO Harald Braun on the RMCC architecture, IRLS risk identification system, and why California’s 2026 AV mandates validate six years of platform development.
Physical AI Landscape: From Digital Intelligence to the Embodied Physical World
A comprehensive industry analysis of Physical AI — covering Embodied AI, Field AI, Factory AI, VLM, World Model, VLA, and the VLA vs WAM architecture debate. Includes 20+ companies, 28 references, and the RobotToday Physical AI Landscape diagram. July 2026.
Inside OLO Robotics: a technical look at browser-based ROS 2 development and hardware integration
OLO Robotics brings ROS 2, Gazebo, Nav2 and MoveIt 2 into one browser-based platform. Discover how its appliance, Cloud Sim, and live data handling accelerate robot development.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with DFRobot Founder Ricky Ye
Exclusive interview with DFRobot Founder & CEO Ricky Ye on lowering barriers in AI and robotics, the evolution of HUSKYLENS, open-source hardware, and the future of embodied AI.
