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Iván Hernández Dalas: Spencer Krause: Why Hardware is the New Engineering Frontier

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The Robot Report Podcast · Spencer Krause: Why Hardware is the New Engineering Frontier In Episode 227 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman recap the major robotics news of the week. Our guest on the show this week is Spencer Krause, CEO and co-founder of SKA Robotics. A longtime friend of the show, Krause shares insights into the development process for new robotics solutions, and a deep dive into ruggedized field robotics. From automating giant mining trucks to launching “software-defined” actuators, Spencer discusses the “mercenary” engineering mindset, including “war stories” from the field, and why hardware is the next frontier in the Post-AI era. Spencer Krause, CEO and co-founder of SKA robotics. Spencer Krause has been engineering and building robots for over 23 years. He is the President and CEO of SKA Robotics, which has served multiple Fortune 100 companies developing advanced field robotic systems. He recently cofounded Tension Dynamics b...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Chinese robotics outlook for 2026 includes cobot growth, competitive pressure

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Specs of the Unitree H2 humanoid robot, one of several being developed in China. Source: Unitree Based on our data, Chinese industrial robot sales again in 2025 by roughly 10%. With other major markets comparatively weaker, China further cemented its top position in global robot sales. For 2026, we are cautiously optimistic and expect mid- to high-single-digit growth. Sales of collaborative robots in China have outpaced the broader market over the past two years — and there are strong indications that this trend will continue. Key drivers include easier installation, high flexibility, relatively low energy consumption, and new applications, particularly in electric-vehicle manufacturing. Intense price pressure — and the consolidation that comes with it — will persist. At the same time, we see both industrial robots and cobots trending toward more “intelligent” solutions as a means of differentiation, such as semi-autonomous welding . After China ’s industrial robot exports gre...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: The hidden technology behind fluid robot motion

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A UR5 cobot uses strain wave gearing for smooth motions in material handling. Source: Universal Robots Long gone are the days of rigid robotics, where arms jerk and clank in the most unintuitive ways. These movements have hindered production and industry for years, requiring massive spaces to operate and maintain the machinery. Fluid robot motion has revolutionized the game, enabling machinery to operate in tighter spaces with greater mobility. Behind these innovations are several crucial components and technologies that are often overlooked. The importance of fluid robot motion Conventional robotic locomotion is restrictive, especially in fields that require a more delicate approach. Industries such as surgical science and emergency response require more flexible tools to support workers in hazardous and fragile environments. Historical machinery would be cumbersome in these applications, hindering efficacy. Soft robotics more reliably accomplishes complex assignments, enhanc...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Botsync brings in investment from SGInnovate to continue scaling robots, software

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The MAG autonomous mobile robot for intralogistics is in growing use in Asia-Pacific. Source: Botsync Singapore-based Botsync is a provider of mobile robots and orchestration software. This week, it obtained additional funding from SGInnovate as part of its extended Series A round. SGInnovate is a deep tech ecosystem builder and investor with backing from the government of Singapore . Its flagship platform connects individuals, founders, and companies with resources and opportunities across technological domains and stages of growth. The  firm  said its portfolio includes some of the most promising companies commercializing research from Singapore’s research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE) ecosystem. “The support from the Singapore ecosystem has been a strong factor in our growth so far, and we are very excited and grateful to have SGInnovate onboard in this next stage of our journey,” stated Rahul Nambiar, co-founder and CEO of Botsync. “Over the past year, we have se...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: NEURA Robotics partners with Bosch to advance German-made robotics

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NEURA Robotics’ quadruped, 4NE1 humanoid robot, and 4NE1 Mini at CES 2026. | Source: NEURA Robotics NEURA Robotics GmbH this week announced a new strategic technology and development partnership with Robert Bosch GmbH. The companies plan to support the industrial deployment of humanoid robotics and physical AI from Germany. The partners said they are expanding the data foundation for humanoid robotics. NEURA and Bosch will jointly collect real-world work, movement, and environmental data in Bosch facilities using advanced sensor technologies. As part of the collaboration, the companies will co-develop AI -based core and functional software, as well as intuitive user interfaces. The acquired real-world production data feeds directly into the Neuraverse, NEURA’s robotics ecosystem. It connects robots, the “world of things,” and physical AI to improve robotic capabilities through real industrial experience. Software updates and AI will enable continuous improvement across the entir...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: IFR names top 5 global robotics trends of 2026

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The International Federation of Robotics expects robot utility to continue to spread this year. Source: IFR The global market value of industrial robot installations has reached an all-time high of $16.7 billion, according to the International Federation of Robotics, or IFR. The Frankfurt, Germany-based organization predicted that a number of technological innovations, market forces, and new fields of business will drive future demand. Here are the top five trends the IFR identified for the robotics industry in 2026. 1. AI gives robots greater autonomy Robots that use artificial intelligence to work independently are becoming more common. The main benefit of AI in this context is the increased autonomy of robots empowered by AI. Different types of AI drive this trend: Analytical AI helps to process large datasets, detect patterns, and provide actionable insights. For example, it can autonomously anticipate failures before they occur in smart factories. Such AI can also support...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Humanoid and Siemens proof of concept shows the way to industrial deployments

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The HMND 01 wheeled, two-armed robot picks up a tote. Source: Humanoid Humanoid and Siemens AG yesterday said that they have completed a proof of concept, or POC, demonstrating the use of a mobile manipulator in industrial logistics. The POC involved Humanoid’s HMND 01 wheeled Alpha robot. The company deployed the robot in actual operations at a Siemens facility. Humanoid, which is formally known as SKL Robotics Ltd., structured the POC in two phases. The first phase focused on in-house development and demonstration. The company  said its team built a “physical twin” to support testing, optimization, and rapid iteration. In the POC, the HMND 01 Alpha conducted a tote-to-conveyor de-stacking task within Siemens’ logistics process. The  mobile manipulator  autonomously picked totes from a storage stack, transported them to a conveyor, and placed them at the designated pickup point for human operators. The system repeated this sequence until the stack was ful...
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