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Iván Hernández Dalas: What evolving robot standards mean for implementations of cobots

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New standards for force- and power-limited robots are intended to improve safety. Source: IDEC Industrial automation continues as a fast-growing market, with manufacturers and end users of all types eager to reap the benefits of reliable and rapid execution for many types of tasks. Some people think of autonomous vehicles, remote-controlled drones, and software “bots” as robots, but industrial robots and cobots are characterized as programmable manipulators of three or more axes. Many industries use traditional robots, which have experienced a 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years, according to the International Federation of Robotics ( IFR ). However, the market for force- and power-limited robots — commonly referred to as collaborative robots or cobots — in its infancy, and the IFR predicted that its growth rate could be much stronger. While both robots and cobot arms include provisions to protect workers, cobots are designed to work side-by-side with ...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Top 10 robotics developments of January 2026

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The robotics industry hit the ground running in January 2026. The year kicked off with CES, which brought an avalanche of news, and the momentum continued with companies hitting milestones and debuting new systems. Here are the 10 most popular articles on  The Robot Report  in the past month. Subscribe to  The Robot Report  Newsletter  and listen to  The Robot Report  Podcast  to stay up to date on the latest robotics developments. 10. Doosan Bobcat unveils RX3 autonomous concept loader At CES, Doosan Bobcat Inc. introduced a suite of AI-powered, autonomous, and electrified technologies such as the Rogue X3 concept loader. It is designed to simplify operations and increase productivity for construction equipment. The electric-powered Bobcat RX3 is in its third generation. Read more . 9. Neocis’ Yomi platform completes over 100,000 osteotomies Neocis said in January 2026 that clinicians have completed numerous bone surgeries using the Yomi p...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: First patient enrolls in clinical trial for Wandercraft Atalante X exoskeleton

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The Atalante X self-supporting exoskeleton is being tested for clinical use. Source: Wandercraft Robotics and wearable technologies show promise in helping patients in rehabilitation. The first patient has enrolled in a new clinical trial at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for Atalante X, a robotic exoskeleton from Wandercraft. “This pilot study is designed to answer an important, practical question: Can Atalante X, a self-balancing exoskeleton, be used safely and effectively in a thoracic surgical ICU [intensive care unit]?” said Matthieu Masselin, co-founder and CEO of Wandercraft. Thoracic surgery patients are often unable to stand for even a minute without the assistance of two or more healthcare providers, according to ICU clinicians. The first days after surgery are often a difficult period for mobilizing a patient, but even a few minutes of upright posture can benefit cardiorespiratory function, vital sign stability, muscle preservation, and psychological well-being, Wandercr...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: New York Robotics launches with 160 startups in its ecosystem

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Robotics experts, including Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, co-founder of NYR (right), testifying in favor of Massachusetts’ bill to ban weaponized robots. | Source: New York Robotics New York Robotics, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the robotics community in the New York Tri-State region, this week officially launched with more than 160 robotics startups in its ecosystem. Nearly 100 of these are in New York City alone, it said. New York Robotics ( NYR ) said it hopes to establish the city as a global contender in robotics alongside hubs such as Boston, Silicon Valley, Pittsburgh, Munich, Zurich, Singapore, and Odense, Denmark. It began as a Meetup group in 2021 and has been preparing for this launch for two years, Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, the co-founder and executive director of NYR, told The Robot Report .  Since 2024, NYR has organized more than 20 events. When Hennessey-Rubin moved to New York in 2018 and worked at a robotics startup, he realized that there were many other start...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Robot Talk Episode 142 – Collaborative robot arms, with Mark Gray

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Claire chatted to Mark Gray from Universal Robots about their lightweight robotic arms that work alongside humans. Mark Gray has worked in automation for the last 30 years, first involved in machine vision and robotics and finally collaborative robots or cobots. As country manager, Mark was the first person to work for Universal Robots in the UK and has carried out projects with many research institutes such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the National Robotarium, and Bristol Robotics Lab. View Source
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Webinar examines evolving automated storage and retrieval systems

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A webinar will examine the changes in ASRS to meet industry needs. Source: peerawat, AI, via Adobe Stock Automated storage and retrieval systems, or ASRS, offer efficient throughput and maximize space utilization. However, they have been widely regarded as inflexible and difficult to implement. That is changing, as robotic shuttles combine the precision of traditional ASRS with the adaptability of mobile robots. Newer  grid storage  options can handle cold chain, pallets, and variable case sizes. In addition, software and AI are providing more intelligent routing, dynamic inventory management, and integration with warehouse management system (WMS). They can also provide predictive analytics, demand forecasting, and real-time reporting. How do current automated storage and retrieval systems compare with very narrow aisle (VNA) and high-reach autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)? What are the roles for manual and robotic picking? When can we expect to see more micro-fulfillmen...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: NHTSA to investigate Waymo after an AV hit a child near a Santa Monica school

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Waymo’s sensor stack on top of a Waymo autonomous vehicle. | Source: Waymo The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, today said it is opening an investigation into Waymo LLC, a self-driving vehicle developer and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. The agency is investigating an incident in which a Waymo vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, Calif., last week. According to the NHTSA, on Jan. 23, a child ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV toward an elementary school. When the child emerged from behind the SUV, a Waymo autonomous vehicle ( AV ) struck the child. The accident occurred during normal school drop-off hours, said the NHTSA. It added that other children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles were in the vicinity. Waymo claimed that its technology detected the child as soon as she emerged from behind the parked vehicles. The company said its vehicle braked hard, reducing speed from approximately ...
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