Ivan Hernandez Dalas - Mechatronics

Alligator can be deployed in infrastructure-free environments, manned or unmanned. | Source: Skana Robotics Defense technology startup Skana Robotics recently unveiled its latest autonomous vessel, the Alligator. The amphibious vessel  combines infrastructure-free deployment, crewed or uncrewed operation, and the ability to carry and launch other autonomous systems. The Alligator is designed to deliver logistics, sensors, and personnel between water and land.  It features a 1,500 kg (3,306.9 lb.) payload capacity, a 300 nautical mile (555.6 km) range, and a top speed of 40 knots (74 kph). “From the seaside, Alligator approaches the shoreline with its tracks retracted, behaving like a standard surface vessel,” Idan Levy, co-founder and CEO of Skana Robotics, told The Robot Report . “The reverse is similar: From land, Alligator drives down a natural or semi-prepared shoreline, enters the water on its tracks, stabilizes, then retracts the tracks and transitions into full ma...

The Robot Report Podcast · From Combat to Space: Mike LeBlanc on Humanoid Robotics In Episode 224 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre recap the major robotics news of the week. Our guest this week is Michael LeBlanc, co-founder of Foundation Robotics. The company is developing humanoid robots for deployment into challenging applications. Mike LeBlanc, co-founder of Foundation Robotics Having been a major in the U.S. Marine Corps and a graduate of Harvard Business School, LeBlanc’s work sits at the intersection of national security , robotics, and leadership under pressure. Previously, LeBlanc co-founded security robot provider Cobalt Robotics , where he raised $120 million from top-tier investors, led a 250-person team, and oversaw its acquisition. At Foundation Robotics, LeBlanc is building next-generation, rugged humanoids for the U.S. Department of War and first responders. Mike also discusses the potential for the company ‘s robots to some...

The ReBeLMove Pro acts as a versatile base for multiple add-ons, including order-picking systems, smart shelving units, and collaborative robots equipped with conveyor belts. | Source: igus Businesses of all sizes need automation that they can easily integrate into existing processes without previous robotics experience, according to igus GmbH. Last month, it launched the ReBeLMove Pro, which it said can be customized for a range of applications. The company is using the modular autonomous mobile robot, or AMR, in its own operations. “igus itself is already using the ReBeLMove Pro as a shuttle to transport products away from injection-molding machines in production,” stated Sebastian Thorwarth-Kienbaum, a low-cost automation expert at igus. “These are tedious, routine tasks in material handling that companies find difficult to get people excited about.” igus develops and produces motion plastics. The Cologne, Germany-based company said its self-lubricating, high-performance polym...

Antioch co-founders Harry Mellsop, Alex Langshur, Colton Swingle, and Collin Schlager. Source: Antioch Safely validating artificial intelligence to run physical systems in the real world is one of the hardest challenges in autonomy, according to Antioch Inc. The startup has raised pre-seed funding from investors including Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer of Palantir Technologies Inc. Stanford University graduates Harry Mellsop, Alex Langshur, Colton Swingle, and Collin Schlager co-founded Antioch early in 2025. The New York-based company said it is building a simulation platform to enable robotics teams to build, test, and deploy autonomous systems entirely in software . Antioch builds infrastructure to democratize development Antioch’s stated mission is to eliminate lengthy testing cycles that slow robotics progress by giving developers access to “Tesla-level infrastructure.” “At Tesla, I saw first-hand how the right simulation tools let you develop and iterate exception...

Generations in Dialogue: Bridging Perspectives in AI is a podcast from AAAI featuring thought-provoking discussions between AI experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts from different age groups and backgrounds. Each episode delves into how generational experiences shape views on AI, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations that come with the advancement of this transformative technology. Embodied AI, robotics, perception, and action with Professor Roberto Martín-Martín In the third episode of this new series from AAAI, host Ella Lan chats to Professor Roberto Martín-Martín about taking a screwdriver to his toys as a child, how his research focus has evolved over time, how different generations interact with technology, making robots for everyone, being inspired by colleagues, advice for early-career researchers, and how machines can enhance human capabilities. About Professor Roberto Martín-Martín: Roberto Martín-Martín is an Assistant Professor of Com...

The public-private consortium will award up to $2 million for multiple projects. Source: ARM Institute The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute last week said the final version of Technology Project Call 26-01 is publicly available. The core-funded call is looking to serve high-priority defense application areas. Dual-use technology that also benefits the broader U.S. manufacturing sector is preferred, but this project call primarily focuses on defense applications, noted the ARM Institute. Founded in 2017, the ARM Institute said it partners with industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers of all sizes. The Pittsburgh-based Manufacturing Innovation Institute ( MII ) also works on workforce development, strengthening global economic competitiveness, and improving national security and resilience. Project call seeks defense projects The ARM Institute plans to award about $2 ...