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Space Robotics Market Size, Shares, Business Growth and Upcoming Trends Forecast by 2032

2025-05-02 - 2025-05

The global space robotics market was valued at USD 4.77 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 9.88 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.42% from 2024 to 2032.

Space Robotics Market Overview:
The space robotics market is a rapidly evolving sector driven by increasing demand for satellite servicing, planetary exploration, and debris management in Earth's orbit. Robotics play a critical role in enabling autonomous operations in extreme space environments where human presence is limited. Government space agencies like NASA and ESA, along with private companies, are investing heavily in robotic technologies to support lunar missions, Mars exploration, and the development of space infrastructure. Technological advancements in AI, sensors, and lightweight materials are enhancing the capabilities and reliability of space robots. Key applications include robotic arms, planetary rovers, space manipulators, and autonomous servicing spacecraft. The market is also seeing a surge in partnerships between public agencies and private firms to accelerate innovation. As a result, the space robotics industry is poised for significant growth, contributing to the broader commercialization and sustainability of space activities.

Space Robotics Market Growth Factors:
The growth of the space robotics market is propelled by several key factors. Firstly, there's a rising demand for satellite servicing and debris removal, necessitating advanced robotic solutions to maintain and extend the life of satellites in orbit . Secondly, significant investments from both government and private sectors are fueling advancements in space exploration missions, including lunar and Martian expeditions . Thirdly, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with robotic systems enhances autonomy and efficiency, enabling robots to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention . Additionally, the proliferation of small satellites and the need for their deployment and maintenance are driving the demand for compact and versatile robotic systems . Collaborations between public agencies and private companies are also expanding the market, leading to innovative solutions and shared technological advancements . Furthermore, the development of autonomous robotic arms and manipulators is crucial for tasks such as sample collection and habitat construction in deep space missions . Lastly, the increasing focus on sustainable and cost-effective space operations underscores the importance of robotics in reducing mission risks and operational costs.

◘ The report further explores the Space Robotics business players along with their in-depth profiling
Northrop Grumman, Maxar Technologies, Honeybee Robotics, Astrobotic Technology, Intuitive Machines, Motiv Space Systems, Made In Space (Redwire), iSpace Inc., Astroscale, Altius Space Machines.

Space Robotics Market Segments:
◘ By Type: Robotic Arms, Rovers, Satellites
◘ By Application: Space Exploration, Research, Manufacturing

Space Robotics Market Drivers & Trends Analysis:
The space robotics market is experiencing robust growth, driven by several key factors and emerging trends. A significant driver is the increasing investment in space missions by both governmental and private entities, aiming to enhance satellite servicing, planetary exploration, and debris removal capabilities. Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, are enabling the development of autonomous robotic systems capable of operating in the harsh conditions of space. The rising demand for efficient maintenance and repair of geostationary satellites further propels market expansion. Additionally, the miniaturization of robotic components and the integration of modular and adaptable systems are facilitating more versatile applications. Collaborative international projects, such as NASA's Artemis missions and ESA's PERASPERA program, underscore the global commitment to advancing space robotics. As these trends continue, the market is poised for sustained growth, contributing significantly to the future of space exploration and commercialization.

Student Robotics Team, R Factor 6024 Becomes First Indian Team to Win the Engineering Inspiration Award at FIRST World Championships

2025-04-24 - 2025-04

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 24: Team R Factor 6024 - a Mumbai based team of students is thrilled to share that it has been awarded "The Engineering Inspiration Award" in the Johnson Division at the FIRST Robotics Championship, held in Houston, USA recently. What makes this win really historic is that this is the first time in the history of the World Championship that a team from India has won this highly prestigious award.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition operated by FIRST ("For Inspiration & Research of Science & Technology" - a global nonprofit based in the US) Each year, teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work to build robots capable of competing in that year's game. This year the World Championship had participation of 600 FRC teams from around 30 countries.

The Engineering Inspiration Award won by the Team R Factor 6024 celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team's school or organization, and community. Excerpts from the script - "This team rises to the top through efforts and partnerships. Robotics is more than engineering. It's a sport, it's therapy, it's a lifeline for students in rural communities. They build. They code. They train & design. This team established the sustainable practices of FIRST in their state. This team does it all! They have the STARRRRR factor."

At the World Championship, this is the most prestigious award at the Division level & the "Orange army" especially impressed the jury with their impactful outreach by advocating for FIRST to the STEM youth of India, notably Advocacy to the Goa government to make STEM curriculum and in Automation Expo reaching out to 800 corporations , partnering with Infinity X STEM foundation and workshops in engineering Techfests - through all these they have reached a myriad audience to promote STEM and inspire all stakeholders to promote and integrate STEM to create a skilled youth.

The team is a Pan India cohort of 8 schools from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune & Goa; comprising of 19 students from grades 8th to 12th. What sets Team R Factor 6024 apart from other Indian robotics teams is that they have built, wired and programmed the robot all by themselves, without any professional help. Under the able guidance of mentors Nilesh Shah & Parul Shah - at the Mumbai based Mind Factory, the team has worked tirelessly in their outreach efforts for FIRST & in creating this year's robot "The Goldfish".

The team members include Samridhi Swarup, Rinaesa Dedhia, Prapti Doshi, Ridhan Dedhia, Saksham Gupta, Rachit Jain & Arjun Vashistha from the Oberoi International School in Mumbai; Aryan Warke of PACE Junior College, Mumbai; Aditi Shah of DSB International School, Mumbai; Arjun Manmohan of Jamnabai Narsee School, Mumbai; Alisha Savant of Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune; Aarav Gupta, Arjun Kejriwal & Aryaman Kejriwal of The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai; Neel Mistry of Witty International School, Mumbai; Sai Pranav Gandhi of Sharada Mandir school, Miramar, Goa; Saachi Bafna of Rajhans Vidyalaya, Mumbai; Amaatra Narayan of Singapore International School, Mumbai and Jahnavi Balaji of Global Academy at ASU Prep.

China Has an Army of Robots on Its Side in the Tariff War

2025-04-23 - 2025-04

China’s secret weapon in the trade war is an army of factory robots, powered by artificial intelligence, that have revolutionized manufacturing.

Factories are being automated across China at a breakneck pace. With engineers and electricians tending to fleets of robots, these operations are bringing down the cost of manufacturing while improving quality.

As a result, China’s factories will be able to keep the price of many of its exports lower, giving it an advantage in fighting the trade war and President Trump’s high tariffs. China is also facing new trade barriers by the European Union and developing countries ranging from Brazil and India to Turkey and Thailand.

Factories are now more automated in China than in the United States, Germany or Japan. China has more factory robots for every 10,000 manufacturing workers than any other country except South Korea or Singapore, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

China’s automation drive has been guided by government directives and backed with huge investment. And as robots replace workers, automation positions China to continue to dominate mass production even as its labor force ages and becomes less willing to take industrial jobs.

He Liang, founder and chief executive of Yunmu Intelligent Manufacturing, one of China’s top producers of humanoid robots, said China was striving next to turn robotics into an entire new sector of business.

“The expectation for humanoid robots is to create another electric car industry,” he said. “So from this perspective, it is a national strategy.”

Robots are replacing workers not just in car factories but even in China’s many thousands of back-alley workshops.

Elon Li’s curbside workshop in Guangzhou, the commercial hub of southeastern China, has 11 workers who cut and weld metal to make inexpensive ovens and barbecue equipment. He is now preparing to pay $40,000 to a Chinese company for a robotic arm with a camera. The device uses artificial intelligence to observe how a worker welds the sides of an oven, and then duplicates the action with minimal human intervention.

Only four years ago, the same system was available only from foreign robot companies and cost nearly $140,000. “Before, I never would have imagined investing in automation,” Mr. Li said, adding that a human employee “can only work for eight hours a day, but a machine can work 24 hours.”

China's first heterogenous humanoid robot training facility set to put into use

2025-04-07 - 2025-04

China's first heterogeneous humanoid robot training facility, where humanoid robots in a variety of types are trained for their wide applications in different daily life and workplace scenarios, will be officially begin operation in July, expected to enable large-scale data sharing and utilization of heterogeneous humanoid robots, empowering the entire industry.

Run by the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, the facility is located in Zhangjiang area, Shanghai, and occupies an area of over 5,000 square meters, with more than 100 types of robots - the largest number of varieties in the country - from over a dozen enterprises being trained. Through simulating everyday and workplace scenarios at the training center, data are produced and collected while the robots are being trained to establish a database for the training of more robots and large models widely applied in industrial, service, medical, agriculture and other fields, the Global Times learned from the center on Monday.

According to Xu Bin, general manager of the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, regarded as foundational infrastructure for the development of artificial intelligence, the center is designed to drive and support the development of the humanoid robot industry by addressing key challenges, including developing shared technologies, building ecosystems, creating representative products, and implementing solutions in critical application scenarios, The Paper reported.

"We established the center to enable large-scale data sharing and utilization, empowering the entire industry," Xu said, explaining that heterogeneous humanoid robots are robots with varying structures and functional modules. Robots developed by different manufacturers differ in aspects such as the number of joints and motor power consumption, leading to distinct data sets that are not universally applicable.

During the first phase of the project, the robots will be trained with approximately 45 atomic skills such as grasping, picking, placing and transporting for establishing an atomic skill library for robotic manipulation tasks in specific scenarios, such as industrial and service scenarios, Yang Zhengye, director of market systems of the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, told the Global Times on Monday.

"The embodied robots being trained at the center are expected to accomplish more complex tasks requiring a sequence of actions based on their autonomous judgments formed through searching and matching the data collected through training," Yang said.

In order to accomplish a task, the robots will be trained to understand human's instructions, break the task down and then finish it by using visual and motion data, he said.

At the center, humanoid robots continuously practice actions such as "grasping" by replicating movement data collected from human trainers.

According to a data collector, generating data, collecting data, augmenting data, and analyzing data are the most fundamental core tasks at the training center. A single action may need to be repeated up to 600 times a day by a data collector for the robots to learn from. For humans, the action of "grasping" is simple, but for robots, even small differences in the size, shape and placement angle of the object being grasped will generate different data, The Paper reported.

At the training center, robots of various sizes simultaneously undergo training for different scenarios and tasks, focusing on 10 key scenarios, including industrial, domestic, and tourism services. These tasks are broken down into specific actions, such as folding clothes, picking up and moving objects, organizing shelves, and cleaning large equipment in dangerous environments.

According to Yang, the training center is currently undergoing testing and adjustments, and is capable of generating 20,000 to 30,000 data entries daily. It is expected to enter full operation in July, with a daily output of up to 50,000 data entries. It is expected that the collection of over 10 million real-machine data entries will be achieved within the year.

Kawasaki unveils hydrogen-powered robotic horse that you can ride

2025-04-06 - 2025-04

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled Corleo, a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robotic vehicle designed for riders, at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. This innovative concept integrates artificial intelligence and clean energy technologies to navigate diverse terrains. (See video below.)

Corleo’s four independent robotic legs enable balanced and stable movement across various surfaces. Each leg operates separately, allowing the robot to traverse rough and uneven terrain with ease.

Equipped with a 150cc hydrogen engine, Corleo generates electricity to power its limbs. This clean energy approach positions the robot as an environmentally friendly off-road mobility platform.

Drawing inspiration from Kawasaki’s motorcycle designs, Corleo features a streamlined body composed of metal and carbon materials. Its front end includes a head-like shield reminiscent of motorcycle aesthetics, complete with built-in lights for visibility in various lighting conditions.

Instead of traditional controls, Corleo responds to the rider’s body movements. Shifting the center of gravity prompts the robot to adjust its steps accordingly. A heads-up display (HUD) provides real-time information on hydrogen levels, navigation, and movement stability, including weight distribution.

Why robotics is so hot right now

2025-04-04 - 2025-04

Nvidia’s leather jacket-clad CEO, Jensen Huang, seems to enjoy conducting recent keynotes flanked by an entourage of robots.

Part of this might be the futuristic vibes—a Star Wars-inspired droid is more fun on stage than the utilitarian chips that power it. But lately, these displays seem less about showmanship and more about staking a claim on an increasingly heated space.

Roboticists have been talking about a nearing inflection point. Certain advances in generative AI stand to change the way that general-purpose robots are trained and how they perform tasks. But risks also abound when applying foundation models to real-world scenarios, and truly general-purpose robots are still a ways off.

The feeling is evident in some recent investments from Big Tech companies. OpenAI began hiring new robotics staffers in January (it disbanded its previous team in 2021), and Meta was reported to be forming a humanoid robotics team in February. Google DeepMind demonstrated robots infused with its Gemini LLMs last month.

“The ChatGPT moment for general robotics is just around the corner,” Huang declared at CES this year.

Nvidia rolled out what it claims is the first open foundation model for generalized robot skills and capabilities at its GTC developer conference last month. At CES, it debuted a “world foundation model” called Cosmos, a system for using generated simulation to train robots.

A “crescendo”: Agility Robotics, whose humanoid robot, Digit, appeared at GTC last month, raisedis on the verge of raising $400 million in new funding, according to a report this week in The Information (the company declined to comment on the round).

Agility’s CTO, Pras Velagapudi, said a host of improvements are converging to make robots more viable: better actuation—the conversion of energy into motion—plus energy storage, on-board compute, “and a huge advancement in AI-based methodologies for controls and for behaviors.”

“What we’ve seen is really this confluence of technological advancement that’s really kind of hit a crescendo right now,” Velagapudi told Tech Brew. “It has all acted as an accelerator for our part of the industry. What we can do now with the software tools that are available on the hardware that we can now put together within the past few years has greatly accelerated the speed at which we’re able to unlock new capabilities and skills.”

Coco Robotics rolls out robot delivery with Uber Eats in Miami

2025-04-02 - 2025-04

MIAMI - Coco Robotics, a leading company in food delivery robotics, has initiated its robotic delivery operations in Miami, partnering with Uber Eats (NYSE: UBER), a prominent player in the ground transportation industry with a market capitalization of $152.6 billion. The service begins in the Wynwood neighborhood and Downtown Miami, with plans to reach Brickell and Miami Beach in the near future and further expansion throughout 2025. According to InvestingPro data, Uber maintains a strong financial health score, positioning it well for strategic partnerships.

Coco’s collaboration with Uber Eats allows customers to receive their food orders via emission-free delivery robots. This initiative is an extension of Coco’s existing operations in Los Angeles, where the company has successfully completed over half a million deliveries. The Miami market was chosen for its dynamic food and technology sectors, aligning with Coco’s goal of fostering a sustainable delivery system. Uber’s robust revenue growth of 18% in the last twelve months supports its expansion into innovative delivery solutions.

Zach Rash, co-founder and CEO of Coco Robotics, emphasized the importance of the expansion in achieving the company’s vision for a more sustainable and efficient delivery ecosystem. Customers ordering through Uber Eats from participating merchants in the service areas may have their orders fulfilled by Coco’s autonomous robots. In a move to encourage the new delivery method, customers who receive robot deliveries will have their tips refunded.

Megan Jensen, Head of Autonomous Delivery Operations at Uber, highlighted the significance of autonomous delivery in the company’s future strategy and praised Coco’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

Coco Robotics, established in 2020, has emerged as the largest urban robot delivery platform, completing over 500,000 zero-emission deliveries in the US and Europe. The company aims to provide a sustainable, dependable, and cost-effective last-mile logistics solution in urban settings.

Uber, known for revolutionizing personal transportation, continues to innovate in the delivery domain. The partnership with Coco Robotics represents a step forward in its mission to create opportunity through movement and to introduce new efficiencies in how food and goods are transported in cities. With analysts maintaining a strong buy consensus and projecting further growth, Uber’s strategic initiatives appear well-positioned. For detailed analysis and additional insights, investors can access comprehensive research reports on InvestingPro, which offers exclusive financial metrics and expert perspectives on over 1,400 US stocks.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Coco Robotics.

In other recent news, Uber Technologies Inc. has maintained its Outperform rating with a $95 price target by Bernstein analysts, who emphasize the significance of 2025 for the company’s future. The analysts noted Uber’s recovery from previous lows and highlighted the importance of the autonomous vehicles debate and its potential impact on Uber’s market position. Uber’s growth prospects are deemed critical, with a focus on mobility expansion and successful integration of autonomous vehicle players. In another development, Uber has expanded its shuttle service at New York’s JFK airport with four new routes and plans to launch a similar service at Boston Logan International Airport. This expansion is part of Uber’s broader strategy to increase its transportation offerings. Additionally, Uber Eats has partnered with Petco Health and Wellness Company to offer pet essentials for delivery across the contiguous United States, further diversifying its retail services. This collaboration allows Uber Eats users to access a range of Petco products, enhancing convenience for pet owners. Meanwhile, the autonomous vehicle sector remains a focal point for Uber, with Bernstein analysts suggesting that the emergence of multiple AV tech providers could influence Uber’s business model and market competitiveness.

US Scientists Create 3D-Printed Robots That Walk Without Electronics, Cost Is Just...

2025-04-01 - 2025-04

The researchers aimed to create robots that could walk directly off the 3D printer, powered by air and made from flexible, soft materials.

Researchers at UC San Diego have made a breakthrough in robotics, creating a six-legged walking robot that can function without electronics or intricate assembly. This innovative machine is powered by compressed gas and can be 3D-printed in a single process using just one material. According to its creators, the robot can literally "walk right off the 3D printer" with just the addition of a compressed gas cartridge, making it a game-changer in the field of robotics.

The researchers aimed to create robots that could walk directly off the 3D printer, powered by air and made from flexible, soft materials. Unlike traditional robots with rigid parts, these innovative robots are constructed from simple, inexpensive 3D-printing filaments. This design approach not only yields robust robots but also significantly reduces production costs, with each device costing approximately $20 to manufacture.

"This is a completely different way of looking at building machines," said Michael Tolley, a professor in the UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the paper's senior author.

How does it work?
To enable the robots' movement, the researchers developed a pneumatic oscillating circuit, similar to steam engine mechanisms, to control the soft actuators' repeated motions. This circuit coordinates the movement of the six legs by precisely delivering air pressure, alternating between two sets of three legs. Each leg boasts four degrees of freedom, allowing it to move up and down, and forward and backward. This flexibility enables the robot to walk in a straight line.

The researchers tested the robots in the lab and showed that as long as they were connected to a source of air or gas under constant pressure, they could keep functioning non-stop for three days.

Use of such robots
These innovative robots are designed to operate in environments where electronic devices would fail, such as areas with high radiation levels, disaster zones, or even in space. In laboratory tests, the robots demonstrated impressive endurance, running continuously for three days when connected to a steady air or gas supply. Further, outdoor tests showed that the robots could move untethered using a compressed gas cartridge, successfully navigating various surfaces, including turf, sand, and even operating underwater.

Future developments for these robots include:

1. Integrating compressed gas storage within the robot's design
2. Utilizing recyclable or biodegradable materials to enhance sustainability
3. Incorporating manipulators, such as grippers, to expand the robot's capabilities and potential applications

IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India Celebrate Successful Collaboration with 135 Robot Deployments Across India

2025-03-29 - 2025-03

In a groundbreaking partnership aimed at revolutionizing industrial automation in India, IRTI-Robotics, a leading robotics solutions provider, has successfully collaborated with FANUC Robotics India to deploy a total of 135 industrial robots across the country. This significant milestone marks a momentous leap forward in the adoption of advanced robotics technology in India’s manufacturing sector.

The deployment of 135 robots spans various industries, including automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. By introducing cutting-edge automation solutions, IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India are not only enhancing production capabilities but also empowering Indian manufacturers to meet global quality standards with greater precision, speed, and consistency.

The successful deployment of these robots is the result of an extensive collaboration between IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India, two major players in the global automation industry. This partnership is a direct response to the growing demand for smarter, more efficient manufacturing processes that can cater to the challenges of an evolving industrial landscape.

IRTI-Robotics, known for its expertise in providing tailored robotics solutions for a wide range of industries, leveraged its deep understanding of local needs and applications. FANUC Robotics, a global leader in industrial automation with a strong foothold in India, contributed its world-class robots and cutting-edge technology to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

The 135 robots deployed under this collaboration are now operational in manufacturing plants across the nation, streamlining operations and driving significant productivity gains. These robots are being used for a wide array of tasks, such as material handling, welding, assembly, painting, and packaging. Their precise and consistent performance is enabling companies to reduce human error, enhance worker safety, and improve overall production throughput.

As India continues to emerge as a manufacturing powerhouse, the need for advanced automation has never been more critical. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to robotics to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. In particular, industries like automotive manufacturing and electronics assembly are benefitting from the high precision and repeatability of robotic systems.

The successful deployment of 135 robots marks just the beginning of what is expected to be a long-term collaboration between IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India. With the Indian government’s push towards “Make in India” and the growing trend of digital transformation, the demand for automation is expected to increase, creating new opportunities for both companies.

Both IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India are committed to further expanding their footprint in India, helping businesses across the country transition towards Industry 4.0. Plans are already in motion for additional robot deployments and expansion into new sectors, including food processing, textiles, and renewable energy.

The successful partnership between IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India signals a promising future for industrial automation in India. With technology continuing to evolve and manufacturers embracing the benefits of robotic automation, the country is poised to be at the forefront of the global industrial revolution.

By providing businesses with state-of-the-art robotics systems, IRTI-Robotics and FANUC Robotics India are not just transforming individual production lines—they are driving the transformation of India’s industrial ecosystem as a whole. IRTI-Robotics is a leading provider of advanced automation and robotics solutions. With a focus on innovation and customer-centricity, IRTI-Robotics helps businesses across a wide range of industries implement cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, and safety.

Cellular Immunity, Robotics, and Cargo Departure Preps Top Crew Day

2025-03-27 - 2025-03

The Expedition 72 crew members explored ways to protect their immune and circulatory systems in microgravity and tested robotic docking procedures aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. The orbital residents also finished packing a U.S. cargo craft ahead of its departure on Friday.

Without Earth’s gravity pulling down, an astronaut’s body begins quickly changing in a multitude of ways that teams of doctors study every day to keep crews healthy on long-duration missions. One experiment, the Immunity Assay investigation, collects blood and saliva samples from crew members for processing and stowage in science freezers. Afterward, the samples are returned to Earth for analysis to detect space-caused cellular stress and tissue damage possibly leading to treatments for crews. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Flight Engineer Takuya Onishi submitted his samples for the study on Thursday that may help researchers prevent stress-related immunity conditions in space and on Earth.

Station Commander Alexey Ovchinin and Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, continued their space biology investigation exploring how blood flows from the brain to their limbs in microgravity. The duo took turns wearing sensors attached to their forehead, fingers, and toes revealing how the circulatory system adapts to spaceflight. The veteran cosmonauts are in the middle of a weeklong study adding to the vast knowledge of space medicine doctors will use to protect crews traveling farther away from Earth.

As humans begin spending more time off the Earth the space industry continuously advances promoting new technologies benefitting crews in space as well as society on Earth. A pair of toaster-sized Astrobee robotic free-flyers were maneuvering inside the Kibo laboratory module testing autonomous docking techniques on Thursday. NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit activated the devices and monitored them in collaboration with engineers on the ground. The technology demonstration may enable satellite servicing, orbital refueling, spacecraft repair, and manufacturing in space.

The Cygnus cargo craft is in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm and still attached to the Unity module’s space-facing port. Robotics controllers will remotely command Canadarm2 to detach Cygnus from Unity overnight then release it into Earth orbit at 6:55 a.m. EDT on Friday. NASA Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers will be on duty monitoring Cygnus as it departs the space station completing a seven-and-a-half-month stay at the orbital lab. NASA+ will begin its broadcast of Cygnus’ release and departure at 6:30 a.m.

Ayers and fellow NASA astronaut Anne McClain finished packing Cygnus and configured the spacecraft for its removal on Thursday. The duo exited Cygnus, closed its hatch, conducted leak checks, then depressurized the vestibule, or the area in between Cygnus and the orbiting lab.

Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov spent the first half of his shift servicing an oxygen generator in the Zvezda service module. In the afternoon, Peskov tested a video camera that can image natural and manmade catastrophes on Earth in a variety of wavelengths. He wrapped up his day continuing to replace life support gear that condenses and purifies water in Zvezda.

US robotics companies push for national strategy to compete with China

2025-03-27 - 2025-03

Representatives of companies — including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics — on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots.

Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe.

The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be “anybody’s to win,” Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. “I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We’re leading in AI, and I think we’re building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we’re going to continue to build and stay ahead.”

The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the “physical manifestation” of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place.

Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race,” the association said in a statement.

The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of “the increasing global competition in the space” as well as the “growing sophistication” of the technology.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are “very good” and that China is “devoting a lot of resources very quickly.”

“So we need to maintain our innovation and maintain our culture of entrepreneurship,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. “You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?” Chen said.

China is the world’s largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics.

Robotics manufacturers in Japan and Europe still dominate the global market for hulking factory robots, though the share of Chinese manufacturers in its domestic market has grown to roughly half, according to IFR.

Electronics-free robots can walk right off the 3D-printer

2025-03-25 - 2025-03

Imagine a robot that can walk, without electronics, and only with the addition of a cartridge of compressed gas, right off the 3D-printer. It can also be printed in one go, from one material.

That is exactly what roboticists have achieved in robots developed by the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California San Diego. They describe their work in an advanced online publication in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems.

To achieve this feat, researchers aimed to use the simplest technology available: a desktop 3D-printer and an off-the-shelf printing material. This design approach is not only robust, it is also cheap—each robot costs about $20 to manufacture.

"This is a completely different way of looking at building machines," said Michael Tolley, a professor in the UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the paper's senior author.

These robots could be used in settings where electronics cannot function. For example, the robots could be used for scientific reconnaissance in areas with strong radiation, or for disaster response or space exploration.

The researchers tested the robots in the lab and showed that as long as they were connected to a source of air or gas under constant pressure, they could keep functioning non-stop for three days. The team also showed that the robots could walk outdoors, untethered, using a compressed gas cartridge as a power source, and traverse different surfaces, including turf and sand. The robot can even walk underwater.

The goal was not only to design robots that could walk right off the printer with the addition of an air power source, but also to do so with flexible, soft materials. "These robots are not manufactured with any of the traditional, rigid components researchers typically use," Tolley said. Instead, they are made of simple 3D-printing filament.

The biggest challenge was creating a design that would include artificial muscles and a control system, all printed out of the same soft material, in a single print. The team, led by postdoctoral scholar Yichen Zhai in Tolley's research group at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, adapted a 3D printing technique that they used previously to build an electronics-free gripper. Their efforts led to the fabrication of a six-legged robot. "We have taken a giant leap forward with a robot that walks entirely on its own," Zhai said.

To drive the robots to move, the team created a pneumatic oscillating circuit to control the repeated motions of soft actuators, similar to the mechanism that drove a locomotive's steam engine. The circuit coordinates the movement of the six legs by delivering air pressure at the right time alternating between two sets of three legs. The robots' legs are capable of moving in four degrees of freedom—up and down, forward and back, which in turn allows the robot to walk in a straight line.

Next steps include finding ways to store the compressed gas inside the robots and using recyclable or biodegradable materials. The researchers are also exploring ways to add manipulators, such as grippers, to the robots.

Tolley's lab partnered with the BASF corporation through their California Research Alliance (CARA) to test various soft materials that could be used on standard 3D printers. Some of the high-end materials they tested are not commercially available, but researchers also successfully printed the robots with off-the-shelf, standard materials.

Prior to this publication, the research team completed the 3D-printed walking robot in 2022 and showcased it at that year's Gordon Research Conference on Robotics.

Nvidia’s Support Boosts Stereotaxis (STXS) in Advancing Robotic Surgery

2025-03-23 - 2025-03

We recently compiled a list of the Top 8 AI News Updates Investors Shouldn’t Miss. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Stereotaxis, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:STXS) stands against the other AI stocks.

On March 19th, the stock market bounced back after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25% to 4.5%. The Fed also anticipated two rate cuts this year despite elevated inflation. The S&P 500 index was up over 1%, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped by well over 200 points. The rally was led by the magnificent seven stocks after weeks of market declines amid trade wars and disappointing economic data.

Elsewhere, AI continues to transform industries and individual lives, from AI nurses reshaping hospital care to schools reporting that students are learning faster and more effectively with AI.

Furthermore, AngelList CEO Avlok Kohli claimed that all software companies are AI companies now.

Meanwhile, security risks surrounding AI continue to loom. Computer scientist and AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li co-authored a report suggesting that lawmakers should consider AI risks that “have not yet been observed in the world” when devising AI regulations. The report highlighted that the novel risks posed by AI could require legislation that compels AI developers to publicly report their safety tests and security protocols.

We selected AI stocks by reviewing news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment taken from Insider Monkey’s Q4 2024 database of over 1000 hedge funds.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Stereotaxis, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:STXS) engages in discovering, designing, and delivering innovative surgical robotic systems, instruments, and information systems for minimally invasive endovascular surgeries. Its robotic systems help physicians operate with precision and safety, boosting productivity and connectivity in the operating room. The company is focusing on enhancing its robotic systems and the operating room environments using AI, automation, and data integration.

Overall, STXS ranks 8th on our list of top AI news updates investors shouldn’t miss. While we acknowledge the potential of STXS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than STXS but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Exploring the frontier of AI, robotics and creativity in content production

2025-03-21 - 2025-03

In recent years, the use of robotics in content production has been steadily increasing. From robotic arms and rigs, to drones that push the boundaries of what content creators can capture, these technologies have become commonplace in the industry.

WPP has been working with Boston Dynamics' Spot robot since 2020, leveraging LiDAR technology to capture entire environments, which is particularly important in virtual production – an increasingly crucial component of AI-powered advertising content creation.

However, there are limitations to how robotics are currently used in these environments.

Robotic arms and rigs can be heavy and time-consuming to set up, sometimes taking up to half a day. Even minor shot adjustments can require dismantling and rebuilding the entire setup, eating into valuable shooting time.

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of human camera operators is also crucial, reducing their exposure to hazardous locations, extreme conditions and physically demanding tasks. Even in controlled settings – like filming luxury ads – operators often face challenges, such as holding high-angle shots of luxury cars or capturing intricate details of watch parts and fine leatherwork. These repetitive and awkward positions can be uncomfortable and exhausting.

Lights, camera, Atlas

To explore potential solutions to these challenges, WPP collaborated with NVIDIA, Boston Dynamics and Canon to investigate how combinations of the latest technologies could be applied to future production sets.

“When we saw the unique way that WPP was using Spot,” says Vatche Arabian, Senior Marketing Manager at Boston Dynamics, “it made us want to work with WPP more on other unique use cases for both Spot and then looking towards the future with cool things that we could do with Atlas that would help production.”

For the first time, Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot was placed behind a camera to demonstrate how humanoid robotics might address some of the issues faced on sets today and elevate human creativity.

The usefulness of humanoid robots like Atlas stems from their design, which is tailored to navigate and interact with the world that humans inhabit. Their ability to repeat complicated movements allows them to seamlessly integrate into existing workflows and use equipment such as production cameras in new ways. This compatibility means that production companies can leverage their existing technologies, like state-of-the-art cinematic cameras, in innovative ways when working with humanoid robots, rather than having to start from scratch and develop entirely new systems. Canon's cutting-edge Cinema Cameras and lenses were utilised for the shoot including the EOS C400, EOS C80 and CN-R primes lenses, providing outstanding clarity and organic colour science to the production.

4 Leading Robotics Stocks to Watch Amid 2025 Automation Boom

2025-03-17 - 2025-03

The robotics industry is poised for unprecedented growth in 2025, driven primarily by the seamless integration of artificial intelligence technologies. This fusion is creating opportunities across multiple sectors with companies like UiPath PATH, Nvidia NVDA, Intuitive Surgical ISRG and Tesla TSLA, among others, capitalizing on the growth through innovations poised to transform everything from manufacturing floors to surgical suites.

Global advisory firm Benchmark International projects a robust 15.1% annual growth rate, with the market expected to reach $169.8 billion by 2032.

Manufacturing continues to be at the forefront of robotics adoption, with costs plummeting to make implementation more accessible than ever. Industrial robots that cost $27,000 in 2017 are projected to be available for as little as $10,856 by 2025, according to Statista analysis. This cost reduction is driving unprecedented adoption rates across global manufacturing sectors.

Healthcare represents another frontier for robotics transformation. The medical service robots market is expected to reach $84.8 billion by 2028. Breakthrough research from Johns Hopkins and Stanford demonstrates robots learning surgical procedures simply by observing and mimicking video demonstrations.

The emergence of collaborative robots (cobots) marks a significant shift in how humans and machines interact in workplaces. Market research by IDTechEx projects cobot sales volume to increase 6,100% between 2025 and 2045, with packaging and palletizing in the food and beverage industry experiencing particularly rapid growth.

In defense and space exploration, robotics is reshaping possibilities. Companies like Palantir, Anduril and AeroVironment are securing major contracts for autonomous systems development. Meanwhile, SpaceX's innovative use of robotic arms to catch reusable rockets and NASA's AI-powered Mars rovers highlight the critical role robotics plays in space exploration.

As we enter 2025, the robotics industry stands at an inflection point where rapidly advancing technology, decreasing costs, and expanding applications across diverse sectors create unprecedented investment opportunities. The fusion of AI and robotics isn't just reshaping individual industries — it's fundamentally transforming how we work, heal, and explore our world and beyond.

The Robotics Screen makes it easy to identify high-potential stocks at any given time — just like the four mentioned above. Leveraging advanced tools, the thematic screens identify companies shaping the future, making it easier to capitalize on emerging trends.

Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 30 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Screens and discover your next big opportunity.

UiPath: Revolutionizing Enterprise Automation With AI Agents

UiPath stands at the forefront of the robotics software revolution, transforming how enterprises operate through its powerful agentic automation platform. The company's strategic acquisition of Peak demonstrates its commitment to enhancing vertical AI solutions that optimize industry-specific operations.

By integrating Peak's purpose-built AI applications, UiPath now enables organizations to make highly complex decisions around inventory planning and pricing optimization with unprecedented accuracy. This acquisition perfectly positions UiPath to capitalize on the convergence of automation and agentic AI, creating specialized decision-making agents that deliver tangible business outcomes quickly. As exemplified by their success with Heidelberg Materials, UiPath's combined technologies drive revenue growth and margin improvement through intelligent, autonomous processes.

With the RPA market projected to witness a 19% CAGR over the next decade, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company represents a compelling investment in the future of enterprise automation. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

NVIDIA: The Architect of Robotics' AI Revolution in 2025

NVIDIA stands at the forefront of the robotics revolution, leveraging its unparalleled AI expertise to power the next generation of intelligent machines. The company's bold venture into robotics through Project GR00T represents a watershed moment, creating a foundation model that will enable humanoid robots to understand natural language, learn from demonstrations, and perform complex tasks autonomously. This strategic initiative positions NVIDIA as the driving force behind robotics' "ChatGPT moment" that industry insiders anticipate is just around the corner.

The upcoming release of Jetson Thor in the second half of 2025 will provide robotics manufacturers with unprecedented computing power specifically designed for humanoid applications. Already empowering Tesla's Optimus bot and autonomous robotaxi service, NVIDIA's advanced chips are becoming the brain center of robotics innovation across multiple industries.

As robotics transitions from specialized industrial applications to mainstream adoption, NVIDIA's established AI leadership provides investors with exposure to this transformative technology at its very foundation. The company isn't just participating in the robotics revolution — it's providing the essential neural architecture that will define its future. NVDA currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Intuitive Surgical: Pioneering the Future of Robotic Surgery

Intuitive Surgical stands as the undisputed leader in surgical robotics, positioned to transform healthcare through its revolutionary da Vinci platform. With its newest FDA-cleared iteration, the da Vinci 5, the company has elevated minimally invasive surgery to unprecedented levels through enhanced tactile feedback and advanced 3D vision systems.

This technological marvel builds upon Intuitive's impressive installed base of over 7,500 systems worldwide and more than 11 million completed procedures, creating an insurmountable competitive moat. As the global surgical robotics market expands from $12.5 billion in 2025 to a projected $45.9 billion by 2034, Intuitive's first-mover advantage and continuous innovation pipeline ensure its dominance in this high-growth sector.

This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company's vast repository of procedural data provides unmatched AI-learning opportunities, enabling continuous improvement in surgical outcomes and solidifying Intuitive Surgical as the premier investment vehicle to capitalize on healthcare's robotic revolution.

Robotics Researchers Bring The Electric State’s Cosmo to Life

2025-03-14 - 2025-03

If you pay any attention to the world of robotics and spend any time watching science fiction, you know that there’s a big gap between what robots can do on screen and what they’re actually capable of in real life. The guest you’ll meet in today’s episode is bridging that gap.

Dennis Hong is a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at UCLA and the director of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, or RoMeLa. His robots range from floating balloons with spindly legs to thick-thighed humanoid creations that dominate on the soccer pitch. He recently sat down with me to talk about these inventions and to share how he built a custom robot for the new sci-fi movie called The Electric State that comes out today on Netflix. Here’s our conversation.

Thanks so much for coming on to chat today. It’s great to have you here. Dennis Hong: Thanks for having me.

Feltman: So, I understand that you just helped work on some robots related to, uh, Electric State. And maybe based on some interviews I’ve seen of you, that was kind of a full-circle moment because of what got you interested in robotics.

So would you tell us more about that?

Hong: Yeah, absolutely. Uh, when I was seven years old, when I was a kid, I watched the movie Star Wars for the first time. Episode IV was the first one. I watched that at the Hollywood Mann’s Chinese Theatre [now the TCL Chinese Theatre], and all the spaceships and all the lightsabers completely blew me away, and I completely fell in love with the movie.

But if you remember in the movie, there’s two robots in the movie they call the droids. Everybody knows C-3PO, the humanoid robot, and R2-D2, the one that looks like a trash can. Completely captivated me—so on my way home, back in the car, I told my mom and dad, I said, I’m going to grow up to become a robot scientist.

And I follow my dreams, and I’m here today.

Feltman: Very cool. So tell me a little bit about what you did with Electric State.

Hong: Sure. So I’m the director of RoMeLa, the Robots and Mechanisms Laboratory at UCLA. We build so many different types of robots: climbing, jumping, rolling robots, human robots, amoeba robots, chemically actuated robots, uh, you name it.

But for this one, it’s a little bit different. There’s a new movie, The Electric State, from one of my favorite graphic novels, and the Russo brothers [Anthony and Joseph Russo]—you probably know the directors—they were making a movie, and I got to be a part of the creation of this.

In the movie, there is—the main character is a robot called Cosmo, and we got to build the actual Cosmo for the movie.

Feltman: Very cool. And were there any unique challenges to creating that sort of entertainment-inspired robot versus the very functional humanoid robots that you sometimes work on in your lab?

Hong: Absolutely. I was a professor at Virginia Tech for 11 years, and I joined UCLA about 10 years ago. And UCLA—we’re in LA. There’s Hollywood. So one of my main things that I wanted to do is try to connect the film industry with the robot industry.

I met a lot of really famous movie directors, casting directors, even producers, and I showed them our robots—jumping, climbing robots. And everybody was like, “Wow, Dr. Hong, this is great,” but they always say the same thing: “But we do not need these robots for our industry. We have green screen. We have CGI.”

So in the movie industry, they don’t need humanoid robots—until I met the Russo brothers. Now for this new movie, Electric State, it was a little bit different. So in the movie, they use CGI.

China manufacturing, AI pose an ‘existential threat’ to US in robotics sector

2025-03-13 - 2025-03

Automation enabled by intelligent robots will allow for a massive expansion in production capacity across industries, and China is currently “the only country that is positioned” to achieve a high level of automation, according to a report published this week by US-based independent research company SemiAnalysis.

“China’s robotics localisation effort is well under way,” the report said. It pointed out that Chinese manufacturers’ share in the world’s largest robotics market was approaching 50 per cent, up from 30 per cent in 2020.

“While Chinese manufacturers are currently on par with Western giants in the low-end market, our supply chain review leads us to believe that local firms are beginning to take over the higher-end market segments.”

The rise of Unitree Robotics exemplifies that shift. The Hangzhou-based start-up makes “the only viable humanoid robot on the market”, according to the report. It pointed out that Unitree’s G1 robot was also “entirely decoupled from American components”.
Should China achieve full-scale automation “without the US following suit”, it would pose “an existential threat” to the world’s largest economy, according to the report. That scenario would see China benefit from a “massive expansion in production capacities [across various industries] supported by intelligent robotics systems”.

The assessment made by SemiAnalysis researchers reflects the success of China’s strategy to push forward industrial automation, as part of broader efforts to upgrade its economy amid a deepening tech rivalry with the US.
Manufacturing dominance is key in robotics, as the field involves fine-tuning and repeated recreation of a robot to achieve a functional, scalable and cost-effective product, according to the report.

“The impact of this in robotics will be exponential,” the report said. “There will be robotics systems manufacturing more robotics systems, and with each unit produced, the cost will be driven down continuously and the quality will improve.”

At present, building a robot arm modelled after Danish firm Universal Robots’ UR5e in the US is about twice more expensive than making one in China, according to the report.

China recorded 470 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, up from 402 a year earlier, according to the World Robotics 2024 report published in November. The country now ranks third in the ratio of robots to factory workers, after South Korea and Singapore.
Unitree has also highlighted AI’s role in advancing the capabilities of robots. In January, the start-up showed off the dancing skills of its humanoid robots at the Spring Festival Gala, China’s most-watched television show with more than 1 billion viewers.
The show featured the world’s “first large-scale, fully AI-driven and fully automated cluster humanoid robot performance in history – a perfect collision of technology and traditional culture”, Unitree said.

Gemini Robotics brings AI into the physical world

2025-03-12 - 2025-03

Introducing Gemini Robotics, our Gemini 2.0-based model designed for robotics

At Google DeepMind, we've been making progress in how our Gemini models solve complex problems through multimodal reasoning across text, images, audio and video. So far however, those abilities have been largely confined to the digital realm. In order for AI to be useful and helpful to people in the physical realm, they have to demonstrate “embodied” reasoning — the humanlike ability to comprehend and react to the world around us— as well as safely take action to get things done.

Today, we are introducing two new AI models, based on Gemini 2.0, which lay the foundation for a new generation of helpful robots.

The first is Gemini Robotics, an advanced vision-language-action (VLA) model that was built on Gemini 2.0 with the addition of physical actions as a new output modality for the purpose of directly controlling robots. The second is Gemini Robotics-ER, a Gemini model with advanced spatial understanding, enabling roboticists to run their own programs using Gemini’s embodied reasoning (ER) abilities.

Both of these models enable a variety of robots to perform a wider range of real-world tasks than ever before. As part of our efforts, we’re partnering with Apptronik to build the next generation of humanoid robots with Gemini 2.0. We’re also working with a selected number of trusted testers to guide the future of Gemini Robotics-ER.

We look forward to exploring our models’ capabilities and continuing to develop them on the path to real-world applications.

Gemini Robotics: Our most advanced vision-language-action model
To be useful and helpful to people, AI models for robotics need three principal qualities: they have to be general, meaning they’re able to adapt to different situations; they have to be interactive, meaning they can understand and respond quickly to instructions or changes in their environment; and they have to be dexterous, meaning they can do the kinds of things people generally can do with their hands and fingers, like carefully manipulate objects.

While our previous work demonstrated progress in these areas, Gemini Robotics represents a substantial step in performance on all three axes, getting us closer to truly general purpose robots.

Generality

Gemini Robotics leverages Gemini's world understanding to generalize to novel situations and solve a wide variety of tasks out of the box, including tasks it has never seen before in training. Gemini Robotics is also adept at dealing with new objects, diverse instructions, and new environments. In our tech report, we show that on average, Gemini Robotics more than doubles performance on a comprehensive generalization benchmark compared to other state-of-the-art vision-language-action models.

Valens Semiconductor, RGo Robotics, and CHERRY Embedded Solutions Partner to Design Optimized AI Robotic Systems

2025-03-11 - 2025-03

HOD HASHARON, Israel and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valens Semiconductor (NYSE: VLN), RGo Robotics, and CHERRY Embedded Solutions, today announced a partnership to enhance the design and deployment of AI robotic systems. This collaboration integrates RGo's advanced Perception Engine, Valens' VA7000 MIPI A-PHY connectivity chipsets, and CHERRY's Rockchip-based hardware module, delivering unprecedented design flexibility, cost-efficiency, and performance for mobile machines manufacturers, without compromising on performance.

Advanced robotic and intelligent mobile systems rely on AI algorithms, operating primarily on video data from cameras. Short-range connectivity constraints of camera interfaces have often forced developers to place processing units adjacent to cameras, increasing system cost and complexity. Valens' MIPI A-PHY solution, offers the robotics industry reliable high-bandwidth extension.

MIPI A-PHY is the first SerDes standard for sensor connectivity of the widely used CSI-2 interface, ensuring the reliable extension of high bandwidth video to a centralized processing unit over extended distances. As a standard designed for automotive environments, MIPI A-PHY offers exceptional signal integrity for highly demanding electromagnetic conditions. As such, the technology is well suited for machine vision applications including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), edge perception for human driven machines, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and service robots.

"Our Robotics Perception Engine demands high-quality video data, and that's exactly what Valens' connectivity solution provides while allowing us to distance the processing unit from the sensors," said Amir Bousani, Co-Founder & CEO at RGo Robotics. "This will lead to more sensor fusion with optimized designs, while significantly reducing system costs and complexity."

"Our collaboration with RGo Robotics underscores the critical role of MIPI A-PHY technology in delivering high-performance connectivity for AI-driven perception systems," said Gili Friedman, Head of the Cross-Industry Business Unit at Valens Semiconductor. "With our VA7000 MIPI A-PHY chipsets, we're allowing robotics developers to optimize camera placement in their systems, paving the way for smarter, more efficient automation. This automotive-grade standard is the foundation for innovation, across industries."

"The addition of Valens VA7000 MIPI A-PHY connectivity into our portfolio opens new opportunities for our platform," said Dr. Manfred Mueller, Head of Business Development at CHERRY Embedded Solutions. "Valens and A-PHY solve a pain point for the machine vision industry. With this standard, our customers will be able to simplify their multi-camera system architecture."

The joint demonstration by will be on display at Embedded World 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 11-13 at Hall 2, Booth #454.

Pudu Robotics' PUDU T300 Achieves CE-MD and CE-RED Certifications Empowering Global Smart Manufacturing with International Safety Standards

2025-03-10 - 2025-03

SHENZHEN, China, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics sector, today announced its innovative industrial delivery robot, the PUDU T300, has obtained both the CE-MD (Machinery Directive) and CE-RED (Radio Equipment Directive) certificates by TÜV SÜD, a world-renowned testing and certification organization. These certifications validate the robot's full compliance with the EN ISO 3691-4 and EN 1175 standards — critical benchmarks for safety, wireless performance, and functional reliability in industrial automation. The milestone underscores Pudu Robotics' commitment to delivering secure, market-ready solutions for global enterprises.

Designed to transform internal logistics in manufacturing environments, the PUDU T300 is Pudu Robotics' flagship industrial delivery robot. With a remarkable payload capacity of 300 kilograms, it effortlessly handles material transport across production lines, inter-zone deliveries, and quality inspection sample transfers. Powered by cutting-edge PUDU VSLAM+ visual positioning technology, LiDAR, and SLAM navigation, the T300 adapts seamlessly to dynamic factory layouts without requiring costly infrastructure changes. Its autonomous charging and rapid battery swap capabilities ensure uninterrupted 24/7 operation, boosting productivity in even the most demanding settings.

The T300 integrates multi-layered safety systems, including 360° LiDAR, depth cameras, collision-resistant edges, and emergency stop functions. These features ensure compliance with human-robot collaboration standards, enabling safe operation in complex environments like assembly lines and hazardous material zones.

By securing CE certifications through TÜV SÜD's rigorous evaluation, the T300 meets EU requirements for mechanical safety and electromagnetic compatibility, clearing its entry into regulated industries such as automotive, biopharmaceuticals, and logistics across Europe. The certifications also streamline expansion into North America and Southeast Asia, offering enterprises a risk-mitigated solution for automation upgrades.

In safety-sensitive fields like chemical and food processing, the T300's certified design provides critical protection against operational liabilities. TÜV SÜD's globally recognized endorsement further establishes the robot as a compliance benchmark in the competitive AMR market. Currently, the T300 is widely utilized in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, aiding numerous enterprises in achieving intelligent transformation in logistics.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the service robotics sector, is dedicated to enhancing human productivity and living standards through innovative robot technology. With a focus on R&D, manufacturing, and sales of service robots, Pudu Robotics holds over a thousand authorized patents worldwide, encompassing a wide range of core technologies. The company's robots have been widely adopted in various industries, including dining, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, education and manufacturing. To date, Pudu Robotics has successfully shipped over 80,000 units to a variety of markets, with a presence in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. For more information on business developments and updates, follow PUDU on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

IISc’s AI, robotics set to revolutionise IVF success

2025-03-08 - 2025-03

BENGALURU: With declining fertility and delayed pregnancies driving demand for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), IISc researchers are working on new solutions to improve IVF success rates.

Current IVF success rates remain at just 30-40%, highlighting the need for technological advancements. While fertility clinics are working on improving procedures, researchers from IISc’s Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed SpOvum Technologies, a startup aimed at making ART more precise. The company was founded by IISc researchers Santosh Bhargav and Ramnath Babu, who were working under faculty member GK Ananthasuresh in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

A key challenge in IVF is the fertilisation procedure itself. Currently, embryologists use Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a technique that requires manually injecting a single sperm into an egg using a glass micropipette. However, this method is nearly 30 years old.

SpOvum has developed ROBO-ICSI, a gripper-based technique that stabilises the egg cell using a robotic hand while sperm injection takes place. This approach reduces the risk of harm to the egg and simplifies the process.

The company is also working on automated systems to select the best sperm and embryos using computer-aided semen analysis (CASA) and quantitative embryo assessment techniques.

AI is also transforming IVF by reducing human subjectivity in embryo selection. AI can analyse time-lapse videos of developing embryos, identify crucial morphological features, and assist in selecting the best one for implantation.

“Studies show that AI systems perform on par with senior embryologists,” said Keshav Malhotra, vice-chairman of Embryology at the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction. AI also helps assess egg and sperm quality and can detect rare but serious errors, such as sample mix-ups.

IISc researchers are also studying the fundamental biology of IVF. Srimonta Gayen’s lab at the Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics is investigating epigenetic differences between naturally conceived and IVF embryos.

Nauticus Robotics makes first step to acquire subsea robotic services provider

2025-03-06 - 2025-03

U.S.-based developer of subsea autonomous robotic systems and software Nauticus Robotics has initiated a process to acquire compatriot SeaTrepid International, a provider of subsea robotic services.

Nauticus Robotics reported it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the assets and business of SeaTrepid as part of what the company says is a strategic acquisition that underscores its commitment to innovation and revenue growth in 2025.

John Gibson will remain the CEO and President of the combined company, while SeaTrepid’s CEO Bob Christ will become the President of SeaTrepid Operations.

“Minimal ROV investment occurred in the last fifteen years industry-wide, which has caused some stagnation. We look forward to combining with Nauticus to extend ROV capabilities and enhance execution on a global scale,” said Christ.

Nauticus noted that the integration of its ToolKITT AI-driven autonomy software into SeaTrepid’s existing ROV fleet will showcase unprecedented advancements in power efficiency and operational performance across the industry.

The companies plan to maintain their current locations and workforces due to the complementary nature of the businesses and expectation of new project growth throughout 2025.

The combined company’s revenue is expected to be around nine times higher than that of standalone Nauticus in 2024.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the consent of certain creditors of both parties to the transaction. Completion is expected in May.

Nvidia's CEO Said The 'Robotics Era' Is Coming. This Company Looks To Lead It.

2025-03-05 - 2025-03

Interest in robotics companies has picked up since Nvidia (NVDA) Chief Executive Jensen Huang proclaimed that "the robotics era is just around the corner" in January during his keynote speech at CES 2025. But for now there's a dearth of investable robotics stocks. That's likely to change as artificial intelligence gives robots the ability to move about safely with humans everywhere people go.

Richtech Robotics (RR) hopes to lead in the coming "robotics era." The Las Vegas-based company makes commercial and industrial robots for delivery and cleaning as well as food and beverage service for bars and restaurants.

Richtech Robotics Products
It's a pretty impressive lineup.

Richtech Robotics offers a robot called Medbot for medical deliveries within hospitals and another called Titan for ferrying heavy payloads in automotive service departments and other locations. It also has a robot called Matradee Plus for carrying meals in restaurants from the kitchen to a customer's table.

To date, Richtech has deployed more than 300 robots across the U.S. It also makes heavy-duty floor-cleaning robots.

The newest robots from Richtech are beverage-serving robots for restaurants and bars. They include Adam, a two-armed robot that can interact with customers while it makes coffee, boba tea and other drinks. A newer product is the Scorpion robot bartender and mixologist.

Targeting Bigger Contracts
Richtech is targeting bigger contracts with larger deployments of its AI-enabled robots in the year ahead, Casella said.

Many potential enterprise customers have taken a "wait-and-see attitude" to robotic solutions, he said. "We're at a point now where we have the proof points and the case studies and more importantly we've got robots out in the world working. So this is not just a research project any more. We've moved far beyond that. We're ramped up and ready to start to deploy significant numbers of robots in the coming months and years."

He added, "The next wave of this robotics revolution starts to become powerful when people understand that this is not going to be a severely disruptive change to your existing operation procedure. But it's going to be a seamless installation and integration into how you are working today. And it's going to have significant added benefits."

Zeno Mercer, research lead for the Robo Global Index Series at VettaFi, told IBD that he sees a ramp for robotics over the next five years. The technology is transitioning from what is technologically feasible to what makes practical business sense, he said.

Humanoid Robots
One area of investment by tech giants like Tesla (TSLA) has been in humanoid robots. But not all robots need two arms and two legs to get the job done, he said.

Meanwhile, robotics investments will expand from self-driving cars to other autonomous mobile robots, Mercer said.

Richtech and Serve Robotics (SERV) are "examples of companies that are in the early innings," Mercer said. "But there's not many of them right now. There will be more."

The best example of a successful robotics company today is Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), a maker of surgical robots, Mercer said.

"It's done very well and it's one of the best performers in our Robo robotics index," he said. "It's a great example of what's to come of companies that start to nail specific niches and even general robotics in the real world."

Race With China
One unanswered question is what role companies currently involved in industrial automation will play as robots leave the factory floor and mingle with humans, Mercer said. Such old-school automation companies include ABB (ABBNY), Rockwell Automation (ROK) and Siemens (SIEGY).

In addition to robot makers, there will be opportunities for companies that provide processors, sensors, computer vision and AI smarts, Mercer said. For instance, Nvidia processors are used by Richtech and Serve Robotics, among many others.

Shape-shifting robot swarm can move, stiffen, and adapt just like living cells

2025-03-03 - 2025-03

smart materials can change their shape or form in response to external stimuli, making them indispensable for many applications, including health equipment and automobiles, among others.

Now, a research team led by scientists from UC Santa Barbara and TU Dresden has developed a material-like robot collective that behaves like a smart material, capable of changing shape and transitioning between fluid and solid states.

The collective of robots can perform these functions while maintaining cohesion, supporting substantial weight, and even self-healing.

During embryonic development, a collection of seemingly simple cells transforms into tissues and organs through coordinated movements and changes in mechanical properties.

In a press release, one of the study’s co-authors, Prof. Otger Campàs, explained, “Living embryonic tissues are the ultimate smart materials. To sculpt themselves, cells in embryos can make the tissues switch between fluid and solid states.”

Replicating biological processes
To replicate the fluidity and movement of the embryonic cells, the researchers identified three biological processes occurring during embryonic development—fluidization, polarization, and adhesion.

Embryonic tissues are capable of switching between a fluid-like and solid state due to the internal forces in the cells. This allows them to move past each other, as a fluid does, and reorganize and stabilize like a solid.

The polarization process allows embryonic cells to orient in a certain direction, allowing directional forces to be applied accordingly. In other words, the cells can arrange themselves such that forces can be applied in an organized, directional manner rather than randomly.

Finally, embryonic cells maintain connections or adhesion with their neighbors even while rearranging, eventually providing structural strength once the organs are formed.

These three processes were key to developing a robot collective capable of rearranging and forming complex shapes.

Implementing a robot collective
Each robot in the system is a circular disc, like a hockey puck, five centimeters wide. The robots are powered by an internal lithium-ion battery, providing 30 minutes of continuous operation.

Eight gears run along the perimeter of the robots to facilitate movements against each other by pushing against each other. Additionally, rotatable magnets embedded around the perimeter maintain adhesion with the neighbors.

Each robot is equipped with a light sensor with polarized filters on top that can detect the direction of the polarized light, which tells each robot which way to rotate its gears. Polarized light is light waves that vibrate in a particular direction and not all directions.

Each robot is programmed on two parameters—the direction of the polarized light, which tells them which direction to move in, and the intensity of the polarized light, which controls how forcefully to move and how much to fluctuate those forces.

The programming creates the “if-then” ruleset (if light comes from this direction with this intensity, then move this way). This creates a flexible control system where the researchers can guide the collective behavior without needing to program new instructions for each desired movement or shape.

Think of it like a school of fish, where the movement of each fish determines the school’s behavior.

Cleanroom Robots in Healthcare Market Growth in Future Scope 2025-2032 | ABB, Denso Corporation, FANUC Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries

2025-02-25 - 2025-02

Latest Report, titled "Cleanroom Robots in Healthcare Market" Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2025-2032, by Coherent Market Insights offers a comprehensive analysis of the industry, which comprises insights on the market analysis. The report also includes competitor and regional analysis, and contemporary advancements in the market.
The report features a comprehensive table of contents, figures, tables, and charts, as well as insightful analysis. The Cleanroom Robots in Healthcare market has been expanding significantly in recent years, driven by various key factors like increased demand for its products, expanding customer base, and technological advancements. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Cleanroom Robots in Healthcare market, including market size, trends, drivers and constraints, competitive aspects, and prospects for future growth.

Meta Is Developing Humanoid Robots. This Has Huge Potential for Healthcare

2025-02-17 - 2025-02

On Friday, Meta leadership announced that it would be launching an entirely new division dedicated to its latest initiative: developing AI powered humanoid robots.
The division will reportedly be under its existing Reality Labs unit, which has achieved rapid success across multiple disciplines ranging from advanced wearable�s technology and Nano hardware to developing an entire ecosystem dedicated to virtual and augmented reality. In fact, Reality Labs was initially started as a sandbox for the more ambitious bets that the company was planning to embark upon. Over time, under the leadership of CEO and founder of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, many of these bets have transitioned from risky endeavors to widely adopted successes.

Zen Technologies invests in Vector Technics and Bhairav Robotics to strengthen defence capabilities

2025-02-16 - 2025-02

These acquisitions reinforce Zen�s commitment to innovation, indigenous defence manufacturing, and technological advancement in robotics, aerospace, and propulsion systems, further solidifying its position as a key player in India�s defence sector.
With these acquisitions, Zen Technologies expands beyond combat training into advanced defence technologies, strengthening its ability to deliver integrated solutions for armed forces worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreements, Vector Technics Private Ltd, Zen now holds a 51% controlling stake in Vector Technics, a leading provider of propulsion and power distribution solutions for drones and UAVs. This acquisition enables Zen to expand into aerospace components and reinforce its role in supporting global drone and robotics industries

Robotics startup Figure AI in talks for new funding at $39.5 billion valuation, source says

2025-02-15 - 2025-02

Feb 14 (Reuters) - Robotics startup Figure AI is in talks to raise $1.5 billion in funding that would value the company at $39.5 billion, with Parkway Venture Capital expected to lead the Series C round, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Major tech companies, including Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab, Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab and Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab, alongside various startups, are rushing to make humanoid robots, as advanced AI models accelerate innovation in robotics and automation.

Companies are betting on humanoid robots to meet potential labor shortages and perform repetitive tasks that could be dangerous or tedious such as logistics, warehousing and manufacturing. Figure AI counts German automaker BMW as a customer.
Last year, the startup said it raised $675 million in a funding round, with big-name investors such as OpenAI, Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab, Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab founder Jeff Bezos, valuing the company at $2.6 billion.
Figure AI's founder and CEO Brett Adcock said last week that the startup exited its collaboration agreement with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, citing an internal breakthrough in AI for robots.

Thailand - Official opening of the new mechatronics and robotics workshop at Don Boscov Technical College in Bangkok

2025-02-13 - 2025-02

Bangkok, Thailand - February 2025 - On 11 February, Don Bosco Technological College in Bangkok celebrated the official opening of its new mechatronics and robotics laboratory. Present at the event were Mr. Alexander Leutgeb, Second Secretary for Economic Affairs of the German Embassy in Bangkok; Mr. Marius Mehner, Deputy Executive Director and Head of the Business Services Department of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Fr Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, Superior of the Thai Province (THA); Fr Phonchit Phoolvithayakij, Rector, Fr John Lissandrin of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco Association; and other distinguished guests. After the guests were welcomed by the Provincial, Mr. Mehner and Mr. Leutgeb gave their speeches, which were followed by the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the workshop. The Don Bosco Technological College in Bangkok is the only vocational college that has been following a German mechatronics and robotics programme since 2020, a five-year programme through which students obtain a German vocational certificate and a Thai vocational certificate as well as a higher vocational diploma. When students in this department complete their third year, they do an internship at Pathum Thani Brewery Co., Ltd. (Boonrawd Brewery Co., Ltd.). This project is collaboration between many sectors, which helps train Thai students to have valid skills and experience in the application of three main engineering disciplines: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and automation control engineering. By bringing computer and information technology together, the programmer enables students to design and manufacture modern parts and products.

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