Posts

Iván Hernández Dalas: Schaeffler plans to deploy 1,000 Hexagon humanoids by 2032

Image
The AEON humanoid from Hexagon features two legs that end in wheels, providing more flexibility than a typical bipedal robot. | Source: Hexagon Schaeffler AG last week said it is expanding its partnership with Hexagon Robotics Division. The company said it will deploy at least 1,000 of the AEON humanoid robots across its global production system by 2032. Schaeffler will also provide its high-precision actuators for AEON , further strengthening the technological alignment with Hexagon. “We have developed a humanoid specifically for the industrial market, leveraging our core expertise in sensor fusion, spatial intelligence, and physical AI,” stated Arnaud Robert, president of Hexagon Robotics. “We are delighted to see our humanoid AEON move into real-world production. Working with Schaeffler allows us to deliver demonstrable business value across various factory environments and scale our operations.” Last year, Schaeffler completed a pilot program with Hexagon’s robots. During t...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: Ultralightweight sonar plus AI lets tiny drones navigate like bats

Image
This small drone is using sonar, similar to bats’ echolocation, to navigate through a grove of trees. Image credit: Nitin Sanket. By Nitin Sanket , Worcester Polytechnic Institute To help small aerial robots navigate in the dark and other low-visibility environments, my colleagues and I developed an ultrasound-based perception system inspired by bat echolocation. Current robots rely heavily on cameras or light detection and ranging , known as lidar, or both. But these sensors fail in visually challenging conditions, such as smoke, fog, dust, snow or complete darkness. I’m a scientific engineer who develops bio-inspired microrobots. To solve this challenge, my research team looked at nature’s experts at navigating in poor visibility: bats. They thrive in dark, damp and dusty caves and can detect obstacles as thin as a human hair using echolocation while weighing as little as two paper clips. They emit sound waves and listen to weak echoes reflected from objects. However, enabl...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: Project CETI deploys autonomous underwater gliders to better observe sperm whales

Image
The Project CETI glider communicates with the team when it surfaces periodically. | Source: Project CETI, David Gruber The Cetacean Translation Initiative, also known as Project CETI, yesterday said it is working with French robotics developer Alseamar to deploy underwater gliders capable of following sperm whales by listening to their voices. The team published a peer-reviewed study diving into the latest research. Until recently, Project CETI has tracked whale movements using a variety of technologies, including deploying buoys or boats to collect data and attaching tags to whales using drones. With the glider, the organization can follow whales underneath the surface. “There are so many challenges with the whales, because they’re only at the surface for 10 minutes, and then they’re diving for 50 minutes. Predicting when and where they are in this three-dimensional space out there in the ocean is one of our biggest challenges,” David Gruber, founder and president of Project...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: GFT Technologies AI-powered robots move from inspection to action for automakers

Image
GFT integrates robots, sensors, and software for visual inspetion. Source: GFT Technologies While many manufacturers use artificial intelligence for visual inspection, most systems stop at anomaly detection. This requires human workers to act, creating delays and risk. GFT Technologies SE today launched AI-driven robotic arms that can not only detect defective parts but also remove them from the production line. “Auto manufacturers have been asking the same question for years: ‘How do we get AI off the screen and onto the floor?’ With this launch, that question has an answer,” stated Brandon Speweik, head of manufacturing at GFT . “Bringing AI into the physical realm for auto manufacturers requires a partner who understands the intricacies of both the technology and the factory floor. That’s been  GFT ‘s role for 35 years, and this is the natural extension of it.” GFT Technologies said it delivers advanced digital transformation solutions, modernizes technology architectures,...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: Flex and Teradyne expand partnership to scale physical AI

Image
Flex is working with robotics and AI to help customers accelerate data center deployment. | Credit: Flex With a vision to standardize automation on a global scale, Flex and Teradyne Robotics have expanded their long-term partnership to accelerate the deployment of physical AI and intelligent robotics across the manufacturing sector. The collaboration establishes a dual-track strategy where Flex serves as both the manufacturer of Teradyne’s core robotics components and a primary testing ground. Flex plans to deploy collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots ( AMRs ) from Teradyne units Universal Robots ( UR ) and Mobile Industrial Robot ( MiR ), respectively, across its own production facilities worldwide to drive operational efficiency. The expansion signals a strategic pivot from traditional hardware support to the front lines of physical AI , where the boundary between robot manufacturer and end user is increasingly blurred. By integrating Teradyne Robotics ‘ cobots and ...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: Apptronik’s new CPO hire a major step in right direction

Image
Appronik is preparing for a major growth phase as it begins manufacturing and selling its Apollo humanoid robot. | Credit: Apptronik Apptronik has signaled its transition from experimental robotics to commercial powerhouse by tapping Daniel Chu, the visionary behind Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing launch, as its new chief product officer. By securing a leader who successfully navigated the leap from lab-bound AI to real-world infrastructure, Apptronik is positioning its humanoid robots as the next great frontier in scalable, mass-market technology. Daniel Chu will lead Apptronik’s product roadmap. | Credit: Apptronik The addition of Chu—and veterans from Amazon, Boston Dynamics, and Paramount+—marks a pivotal shift for the Austin-based startup from ambitious R&D to aggressive market entry. Backed by a fresh $935 million Series A and the impending reveal of its flagship humanoid, Apptronik is no longer just building robots; it is building the commercial infrastructure to int...
Read more

Iván Hernández Dalas: Appetronix acquires Cibotica to automate restaurant kitchens

Image
Cibotica, now part of Appetronix, offers Remy, an automated salad and bowl assembly line that can work with a range of ingredients. | Source: Appetronix Appetronix today announced it acquired Cibotica, which develops ingredient dispensing and portioning technology. The acquisition opens new doors for Appetronix, which has focused on establishing standalone, autonomous restaurants. The acquisition will bring Cibotica’s flagship product, an automated bowl and salad assembly system, to Appetronix’s restaurants. The companies did not disclose the financial details of the deal. “With Cibotica, what they’ve done is created this amazing equipment that’s very modular,” Nipun Sharma, the CEO of Appetronix, told The Robot Report . “It goes into existing restaurants. It automates a big percentage of tasks that are done in current restaurants. They’ve already done the work. We already have an infrastructure that we can benefit from the technology, because our machines can use what they’ve dev...
Read more