Posts

Iván Hernández Dalas: Behind the scenes: Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid learns to sequence auto parts

Image
Boston Dynamics released a new video of the electric Atlas humanoid. The video shows behind-the-scenes snippets of the Atlas engineering team and the robot in various states of assembly and repair. It’s a refreshing look at the complex systems that make up a humanoid robot, and it’s also an honest look under the hood at a time when many companies are guarded about the IP within their robots. Aaron Saunders, chief technology officer at Boston Dynamics, will deliver the opening keynote at Robotics Summit & Expo 2025 , where he will unpack the new, electric Atlas humanoid and share insights from being at the forefront of humanoid development for years. This keynote will explore the challenges and opportunities of building humanoids for real-world applications, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Boston Dynamics continues to innovate and push the limit of robotics. The new video from previews many of the topics Aaron is likely to cover during his keynote. Here’s what I found ...

Iván Hernández Dalas: RightHand Robotics receives strategic investment from Rockwell Automation

Image
Simulation showing RightHand Robotics RightPick solution fulfilling orders from an AutoStore ASRS in collaboration with AMRs from OTTO Motors. | Credit: Rockwell Automation. RightHand Robotics, a leader in robotic piece-picking for logistics operations, has received a strategic investment from Rockwell Automation . Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Rockwell Automation is one of the world’s leading industrial automation providers. Rockwell’s investment comes at a pivotal moment for RightHand Robotics. It right-sized its operation in 2024 and co-founder Yaro Tenzer stepped in as CEO to expand operations in Europe and North America. The backing from Rockwell provides both financial stability and industry credibility to help RightHand Robotics scale its RightPick 4 piece-picking technology. RightPick 4 leverages artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotic grippers to autonomously pick individual items of varying shapes and sizes in different workflows. Duri...

Iván Hernández Dalas: Get ready for ROS 1 sunset and learn ROS 2 features at the Robotics Summit

Image
Source: OSRF The Robot Operating System, or ROS, has matured along with robotics research, development, and commercial use. The Open Source Robotics Foundation made the first public release of ROS 2 more than a decade ago, and ROS 1 is reaching its end of life on May 31, 2025. Attendees of the Robotics Summit & Expo , which will be on April 30 and May 1, can learn about how the operating system ‘s features continue to enable development and deployment. Geoffrey Biggs, chief technology officer of the Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF), will discuss how ROS 2 usage has grown for commercial products and services. He will examine ROS 2 successes across a wide range of fields, including warehouse robotics, in-factory transportation, long-term ocean research, delivery drones, hotel delivery, hospital automation, and even on the International Space Station. Biggs will also explain how the platform allows robot developers to receive the work of hundreds of engineers for much lowe...

Iván Hernández Dalas: Capstan Medical completes robotic catheter mitral valve replacement

Image
Capstan has developed a catheter-based treatment for cardiac valve replacements. Source: Capstan Medical Capstan Medical today said it has successfully completed its first in-human, robot-assisted transcatheter mitral valve replacements. The Santa Cruz, Calif.-based company claimed that it was “the first time a minimally invasive robotic structural heart platform has been used in clinical practice, successfully delivering a novel mitral valve into two human patients.” Dr. Gonzalo Martinez performed the minimally invasive procedures at Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile. Martinez, M.D., MPhil, is director of the Endovascular Therapy Center at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He was supported by Dr. Santiago Garcia, director of the Structural Heart Program at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. “We are honored to pioneer this innovation that has the potential to transform how we treat heart valve disease, especially for patients who aren’t candidat...

Iván Hernández Dalas: ARM Institute announces new project call, RoboticsCareer.org employer capabilities

Image
The nonprofit ARM Institute said it intends to be a broker between robotics and manufacturing stakeholders. | Source: ARM Institute The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute made two announcements today. The institute opened its latest project call, and it added employer capabilities to RoboticsCareer.org . The latest project call supports the ARM Institute’s effort to build a national repository for artificial intelligence-based manufacturing resources. For now, the ARM Institute is calling this national repository the “AI Data Foundry” program. This project call is separate from the call it made last week to support American manufacturing and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). “This project call marks a key milestone in the ARM Institute’s work to make AI in robotics more accessible to manufacturers,” Dr. Chuck Brandt, chief technology officer of the ARM Institute, told The Robot Report . “The special topic areas outlined in the project call were identified ...

Iván Hernández Dalas: Waymo robotaxis available in Austin exclusively through Uber

Image
After once being rivals, Uber and Waymo first partnered in late 2023. | Source: Uber Waymo robotaxis are now available in Austin exclusively through Uber. Waymo said riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Comfort, or Comfort Electric could be matched with a Waymo fully autonomous all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicle. Uber riders will be able to opt for a human-driven vehicle if they prefer. Both services will be priced the same, the companies said. Previously, Waymo offered rides in Austin only to its employees. Waymo riders can currently travel across 37 square miles of Austin – from Hyde Park, to Downtown, to Montopolis – with plans to expand in the future. Unlike Waymo’s deployments in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, Waymo robotaxis in Austin are available exclusively through the Uber app. According to Uber, a similar deal is in the works for Atlanta next . Once the Waymo arrives, riders can unlock the vehicle, open the trunk, and start the trip – all from the Uber a...

Iván Hernández Dalas: Amazon to discuss its robotics evolution at Robotics Summit & Expo

Image
Amazon’s warehouse robots include Sparrow, which sorts individual items for employees to package; Cardinal, which lifts packages and puts them in carts; and Robin, which lifts and sorts packages before they’re brought to the outbound dock. | Source: Amazon Amazon currently operates more than 750,000 robots that sort, lift, and carry packages across its facilities. Now the world’s largest robot operator, the company has come a long way since it acquired Kiva Systems in 2012. At the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo , Amazon will give attendees an inside look at its robotic evolution. Aaron Parness, the director of applied science in robotics and artificial intelligence at Amazon Robotics, will give a keynote presentation on Thursday, May 1, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. ET at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. During the keynote, Parness and Steve Crowe, the executive editor of robotics at WTWH Media, will discuss how Amazon is giving its robot arms a sense of touch to perform tas...