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Iván Hernández Dalas: California lawmakers open the gate for autonomous trucks in the state

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Autonomous trucks have gained traction in some parts of the U.S., but until now, they haven’t been able to operate in California. | Source: Plus AI The California Department of Motor Vehicles this week adopted new regulations that pave the way for autonomous trucks to test and deploy statewide, as well as expand safety and oversight requirements for all self-driving vehicles. The California DMV’s new rules allow autonomous trucking companies to apply for a testing permit. They also require companies to demonstrate the safety of their technologies. Prior to the rule change, the state prohibited autonomous vehicles ( AVs ) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lb. (4,536.3 kg) or more from operating on roads. “California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety,” stated Steve Gordon, director of the California DMV. “These updates support the...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Teradyne Robotics revenue rises at the start of 2026

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The UR8 Long cobot offers a 1,750 mm reach in a compact, lightweight design. | Source: Universal Robots Teradyne Robotics, which includes collaborative robot arm maker Universal Robots and autonomous mobile robot developer Mobile Industrial Robots, this week said it brought in $91 million in the first quarter of 2026. This is an increase both from its Q1 2025 sales, which reached $69 million, and from Q4 2025, which reached $89 million. It also marks the organization ‘s fourth consecutive quarter of growth. “In robotics, we delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of sequential growth,” Greg Smith, the CEO of Teradyne, said during an earnings call. “This is particularly notable because Q4 is typically our strongest quarter, and Q1 is typically down. We’re seeing strong customer engagement across e-commerce, electronics manufacturing, and semiconductor end markets.” Teradyne Robotics’ quarterly revenue from Q1 2020 to Q1 2026. Source: Teradyne, The Robot Report Robots are part ...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Launchpad Build AI offers MLM to speed industrial automation design

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The Manufacturing Language Model uses data from live production environments to lower the barriers to robot adoption. Source: Launchpad Build AI Launchpad Build AI today announced a series of milestones as it grows and develops artificial intelligence for assembly automation. The company has launched its Manufacturing Language Model, established U.S. headquarters in California, rebranded, and appointed senior technical leaders. “Physical AI isn’t just the future; it exists in the here and now,” stated Jon Quick , CEO of Launchpad Build AI. “What better place to be building it than in El Segundo surrounded by first-class entrepreneurs, top-tier talent, and established deep tech and defense tech companies. This is an important step forward in our journey alongside the launch of our Manufacturing Language Model and rebrand as Launchpad Build AI.” Founded in 2020 as Launchpad, the company has developed AI systems to accelerate the design and delivery of robotics and automation by up ...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Schaeffler plans to deploy 1,000 Hexagon humanoids by 2032

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

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

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

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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,...
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