University of Auckland — Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES)
New Zealand's premier robotics research centre at University of Auckland, covering robot learning, sensing, human-robot interaction, and autonomous systems.
The Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES) at the University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading academic robotics research centre, advancing knowledge and innovation in robotic, automation, and sensing technologies. CARES conducts internationally recognised research across four transdisciplinary themes: human-robot interaction, sensing and perception, planning and control, and mechanism design for autonomous systems operating in dynamic and unstructured environments. The centre integrates expertise from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, software engineering, computer science, and healthcare disciplines to deliver applied robotics solutions for manufacturing, healthcare, primary industries, and service sectors.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact University of Auckland — Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES)
WEBSITE
https://www.auckland.ac.nzPHONE
+64 9 373 7599HEADQUARTERS
New Zealand
Company Facts
Founded
1883
Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
employees 10000+
Primary Region
Oceania
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
Keywords
- University of Auckland — Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES)
- CARES
- UoA Robotics Group
- University of Auckland CARES
- robot learning
- autonomous systems
- human-robot interaction
- sensing
- mechatronics
- machine learning
- robot perception
- New Zealand robotics
- motion planning
- Education & Research
- Research Institute
- Human-Machine Interaction
- Control & Software
- Collaborative Robot
- Consumer Robot
- Healthcare & Senior Care
WRC 2026 Exhibitor Map: 248 Robotics Companies Mapped
We classified 248 WRC 2026 exhibitors with the RobotToday taxonomy. Humanoid leads at 77 companies; the chain narrows to 11 in compute and 2 in power.
Researchers Develop BeyondMimic Framework for Humanoid Robots to Perform Agile Acrobatics
Researchers have introduced a new framework named BeyondMimic, enabling humanoid robots to execute agile, humanlike movements without the need for separate training for each skill. This system allows robots to perform complex maneuvers such as cartwheels and spin kicks by learning from human motion data, addressing the limitations of current humanoid control systems that often require extensive fine-tuning. The significance of BeyondMimic lies in its ability to teach robots a wide range of skills through a two-stage learning framework. The first stage employs reinforcement learning to track human motions, utilizing a shared reward structure to avoid the need for motion-specific tuning. The second stage introduces a latent diffusion model, allowing the robot to generate and adapt movements based on existing skills, thus overcoming challenges in natural skill transitions. Looking ahead, the BeyondMimic framework demonstrates promising capabilities, such as smoothly transitioning between walking and acrobatics. The potential for integrating waypoint tracking with obstacle avoidance suggests further applications in dynamic environments. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI and Robotics
The 9th China Robot Summit Set to Begin in Hangzhou This September, Welcoming Exhibitors
The 9th China Robot Summit is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou this September, inviting exhibitors to showcase their innovations. This event aims to highlight advancements in robotics and intelligent manufacturing, providing a platform for industry leaders to connect and share insights. The significance of the summit lies in its potential to drive collaboration and investment in the robotics sector. As the industry continues to evolve, the summit serves as a critical venue for discussing trends and challenges, particularly in the context of recent funding developments and market dynamics. Looking ahead, attendees can expect to see a diverse range of exhibitors and presentations that will explore the future of robotics and intelligent systems. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Automation AI
Unauthorized Drones Disrupt Wildfire Response Efforts in the Northwestern U.S.
Unauthorized drones continue to pose significant challenges to wildfire response efforts in the Northwestern U.S., particularly affecting operations at the Wrights Spring Fire in Oregon. The Northwest Incident Management Team 7 reported five drone incursions over several days, which grounded aerial firefighting operations, including UAVs and Type 1 helicopters. This disruption has serious implications for firefighting effectiveness and safety. The grounding of aerial resources due to unauthorized drone activity has raised concerns among firefighting officials. Cheyne Rossbach, a spokesman for the incident management team, highlighted that these incursions hindered reconnaissance and fire suppression efforts, impacting the safety and efficiency of operations. The Wrights Spring Fire, which has burned approximately 55,500 acres and is 65% contained, has seen about 700 personnel involved in firefighting efforts. Looking ahead, the potential for collisions between drones and manned aircraft remains a critical concern. Officials emphasize the importance of public awareness regarding temporary flight restrictions in disaster areas. As the wildfire season progresses, monitoring drone activity will be crucial to ensure the safety of firefighting operations and prevent further disruptions.
Drone News Drone News Feeds FAA Fire and Police Firefighter News
Perceptron Launches Isaac 0.5 to Enhance Visual AI for Industrial Automation
Perceptron, a startup founded by former Meta scientists, has launched Isaac 0.5, a new model designed to enhance machine interaction in industrial environments. This software enables vision-guided robots to navigate complex settings like warehouses and factory floors, extracting visual intelligence from recorded videos. The significance of Isaac 0.5 lies in its general-purpose design, allowing flexibility in various tasks rather than being limited to repetitive functions. Co-founders Armen Aghajanyan and Akshat Shrivastava emphasize that their model addresses the limitations of existing AI solutions, which often require dedicated resources or are too narrow in scope. Looking ahead, Perceptron aims to revolutionize industrial automation with its innovative approach to visual AI. The model has been trained on a million hours of diverse video data, including ego and UMI video, to enhance its operational capabilities. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI Robotics Meta perceptron Startups
Hyundai's Atlas Robot Deployment Sparks Labor Concerns in Korea, Not in the US
Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy Atlas humanoid robots at its Georgia plant in 2028, highlighting a significant labor debate between Korea and the US. In Korea, union workers are advocating for job protections amid rising automation concerns, while no organized resistance has emerged in Hyundai's nonunion US factories. The Korean union has raised issues regarding the impact of physical artificial intelligence and robotics during labor negotiations, seeking transparency and safeguards against job losses. Although the union has not outright rejected the technology, a tentative agreement acknowledges the necessity of AI and robotics for Hyundai's competitiveness, emphasizing shared information and joint management of the transition. In contrast, the US lacks a comparable collective response, attributed to the weak presence of organized labor in the South and Hyundai's expanding workforce. Experts question whether the current calm will persist as humanoid robots transition from demonstrations to actual factory operations. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
All News
Bill Gates Advocates for Robot Tax and Human Reserved Jobs to Address AI Impact
Bill Gates recently shared his thoughts on the social implications of AI in a detailed essay on Gates Notes. He supports the idea of a 'robot tax' to discourage employers from replacing human workers with machines, suggesting that this could help fund retraining programs and enhance the safety net for displaced workers. Additionally, Gates proposed the concept of 'Human Reserved' jobs, where certain roles would be protected from AI encroachment, ensuring that humans remain in positions that require empathy and nuanced understanding. These proposals are significant as they aim to mitigate the labor market disruptions caused by AI advancements. Gates' suggestions reflect a growing concern among industry leaders about the balance between technological progress and its effects on employment. The idea of a robot tax could slow the transition to automation, while Human Reserved jobs would safeguard certain professions from being automated, thus preserving job opportunities for workers in vulnerable sectors. Looking ahead, the implementation of these ideas could reshape the regulatory landscape surrounding AI and automation. However, many questions remain regarding the specifics of how such policies would be enforced and who would be responsible for establishing these guidelines. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI Bill Gates
CISA Reports Cyberattacks Targeting Over 100 US Water Systems in July
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has confirmed that cyberattacks have targeted over 100 internet-exposed systems in the U.S. water and wastewater sector. This alarming trend highlights the scale of ongoing cyber threats against water providers in states such as Michigan and Minnesota, among others. These attacks primarily focus on programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that manage critical infrastructure, including water systems. CISA's advisory indicates that hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in PLCs from manufacturers like Rockwell, Schneider Electric, and Siemens, utilizing AI tools to develop targeted attack scripts. While the intrusions have not significantly disrupted water supplies, they have caused outages and raised safety concerns due to potential modifications of PLC shutdown processes. Looking ahead, the situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across critical infrastructure. U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran may be behind these opportunistic attacks, raising broader concerns about the resilience of American infrastructure against foreign cyber threats. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Security CISA critical infrastructure cybersecurity iran Water
Dreame Cancels Electric Hypercar Project After Brief Automotive Ambitions
Dreame, a Chinese company known for robot vacuums, has canceled its electric hypercar program, including the rocket-assisted version unveiled earlier this year. This decision marks a significant shift from the company's initial plans for a 1,876-horsepower electric supercar and a luxury SUV, which were first announced in 2025. The cancellation highlights the challenges faced by companies outside the traditional automotive sector when attempting to enter the electric vehicle market. Dreame's ambitious plans, including a hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 1.8 seconds, faced practical hurdles that ultimately led to the project's termination. Reports indicate that the automotive division, known as the Star Project, expanded rapidly but was followed by layoffs as the project was wound down. Looking ahead, Dreame has stated that technologies developed during the automotive project may be integrated into its existing smart home and mobility products. The cancellation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in transitioning from concept to mass production in the EV industry, where many companies have struggled despite initial enthusiasm.
Transportation
Flying Lion Introduces Remote Staffing Service for Continuous DFR Operations
Flying Lion has unveiled a Remote Staffing Service aimed at assisting public safety and security organizations in operating Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs continuously. This service, announced at the National Real Time Crime Center Association conference in Phoenix, integrates remote pilots with Flying Lion’s proprietary pilot management software, enabling agencies to fill staffing gaps or launch new programs without altering existing technology. The significance of this service lies in its ability to provide agencies with flexible staffing solutions, allowing them to maintain 24/7 DFR operations. Barry Brennan, Founder and President of Flying Lion, emphasized that the service is not restricted to any specific drone or software platform, which enhances operational flexibility. The remote pilots can operate from an agency’s Real-Time Crime Center or Security Operations Center, ensuring critical aerial support is available promptly when needed. Looking ahead, the Remote Staffing Service can facilitate cross-jurisdictional and multi-agency operations, which is crucial as agencies expand their DFR programs. The service can be utilized for scheduled or on-demand staffing, thereby helping organizations manage their resources effectively. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Applications DFR dispatch Drone News Drone News Feeds Featured – Safety and Security
Unitree's IPO Highlights Challenges in Physical AI Amidst Market Volatility
Physical AI has emerged as a prominent sector in venture capital, with significant investments aimed at integrating advanced AI tools into robotics. Unitree, a leading Chinese robot manufacturer, recently went public with a valuation of $66 billion, but has since seen its value plummet by nearly 50%. Analysts attribute this decline to the robots' inability to perform value-creating tasks despite advancements in physical capabilities. The Actuate conference showcased the growing interest in AI-driven robotics, with attendance tripling since its inception in 2023. However, the industry faces a critical challenge: a shortage of high-quality training data for AI models. Developers are encouraged to adopt strategies similar to those used in frontier AI labs, focusing on diverse data sets and improved training methodologies to enhance performance. Looking ahead, the autonomous vehicle sector is leading the way in data collection and model development, with companies like Tesla and Wayve investing in humanoid robotics. The debate continues on the best approach to hardware and AI integration, with some experts advocating for co-design strategies to optimize performance in specific applications. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI Robotics Exclusive physical ai
ROBOTTODAY Weekly August 10 – 14, 2026
Your weekly robotics briefing: Unitree's IPO is swamped by retail demand, the US puts 100% tariffs on imported drones, LG and Nvidia commit to a 2027 humanoid, and Uber and Pony.ai bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe.
Inside Saga Robotics: UVC Light vs. Crop Disease
Saga Robotics CPO Damian Flynn on the Thorvald platform's UVC treatment system, its jump from UK strawberries to California wine grapes, and why he's “incredibly bullish” on applying automation and robotics into industries “most chaotic environment.”
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.
WAIC Review 1/4: Embodied AI's Industrialization Wave: Financing Data, Unit Economics, and a Widening Split
China's embodied AI sector raised $12.5B in H1 2026, but WAIC 2026 speakers detailed ROI demands, power bottlenecks, and the mass-production-to-sales gap.
WAIC Review 4/4: From Port AGVs to Hospital Night Shifts: What WAIC 2026 Reveals About Real Robot Deployments
From 530+ AGVs at a Singapore port to robots on Apple's line, WAIC 2026 speakers shared concrete data on where embodied AI robots are actually working today.
WAIC Review 2/4: World Models vs. VLA: Robotics' Next 'ChatGPT Moment'
At WAIC 2026, world-model and VLA camps staked rival paths to generalist robots; Zhiyuan, SenseTime and NVIDIA predict a robot 'ChatGPT moment' in 2-5 years.
Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice Beard & McLain — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S2 of 6
Beard & McLain derive the fixed-wing autopilot the RSF Top 10 never does: successive loop closure on roll, pitch, altitude and airspeed. 4/5.
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.
AGRICULTURAL ROBOTICS SERIES — Company Directory 2026
Access the definitive 2026 directory of 150+ agricultural robotics companies. A comprehensive reference guide covering autonomous tractors, harvest automation, precision weeding, and AI data platforms across the global agtech ecosystem.
