Posts

Iván Hernández Dalas: PlusAI launches its upgraded autonomous driver for freight operations

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SuperDrive is an SAE Level 4 autonomous driving system that can be deployed on a range of vehicles. | Source: PlusAI PlusAI last week released SuperDrive 6.0, the latest version of its autonomous driving software engineered for commercial-scale deployment. This announcement comes as PlusAI plans to become publicly listed after being acquired by the special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, Churchill Capital Corp IX. The upgraded driver can handle night driving and construction zone handling, PlusAI said, which are crucial for commercial freight operations.  “SuperDrive 6.0 isn’t an incremental update; it’s a major advancement of what an autonomous ‘brain’ can do,” said David Liu, the CEO and co-founder of PlusAI. “By adding night driving and construction zone handling, autonomous trucks with SuperDrive could achieve 24/7 commercial operations. By doubling our predictive accuracy and supercharging our AI development pipeline, we have the potential to accelerate our devel...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: OpenAI robotics head resigns over Pentagon deal

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Source: AdobeStock The head of OpenAI’s hardware team, Caitlin Kalinowski, resigned over the weekend. In posts on social media, Kalinowski said she was concerned about OpenAI’s recent agreement with the Department of Defense.  The agreement would make OpenAI’s generative AI systems available inside secure Defense Department computing systems.  “I resigned from OpenAI. I care deeply about the robotics team and the work we built together. This wasn’t an easy call,” Kalinsowski wrote on X. “AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got. This was about principle, not people. I have deep respect for Sam and the team, and I’m proud of what we built together.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​” “To be clear, my issue is that the announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined,” she wrote in a follow-up post. “It’s a governance c...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Humanoid developer Agility Robotics rebrands

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Agility Robotics is dropping “Robotics” from its name as part of its rebrand. | Credit: Agility Agility Robotics has rebranded to Agility, dropping the “Robotics” suffix. In a recent blog post , the company explained the thinking behind the brand reboot, saying the change “allows space for us to grow as we explore new use cases, services, and industries.” Agility said it will continue to develop humanoid robots and remains on track to deliver the first cooperatively safe humanoid in 2026. Agility is an early pioneer in the humanoid market, but the company now has intense competition across the globe. Agility recently announced a deployment with Toyota Canada to deploy its Digit robot in its facilities after a successful year-long pilot. Toyota joins a growing number of Fortune 500 companies deploying Agility’s humanoids around the world, including  GXO Logistics , Schaeffler , and Amazon . Accompanying the name change is a refreshed logo and verbal identity inspired direc...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Plug-and-Play AI: Transforming robotics with modular skills

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The Robot Report Podcast · Plug-and-Play AI: Transforming Robotics with Modular Skills Episode 234 of The Robot Report Podcast features  Dinesh Narayanan , Head of Commercialization, General Robotics . Dinesh Narayanan, Head of Commercialization, General Robotics. Dinesh shared insights into the founding of General Robotics , highlighting the transition from Microsoft and the development of their proprietary platform, GRID. This platform aims to streamline the deployment and scaling of robotics solutions by integrating simulation, AI models , and deployment pipelines. Dinesh emphasized the importance of adaptability in AI techniques and the company’s focus on providing rapid prototyping and deployment capabilities. The conversation also touched on the potential of humanoid robots and the role of GRID in facilitating their development. Dinesh concluded by discussing the company’s business model and future aspirations, drawing parallels to the impact of platforms like AW...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Simbe Tally shelf-scanning robot achieves UL 3300 certification

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Tally autonomously scans aisles multiple times per day to identify out-of-stocks, pricing discrepancies, and misplaced items. | Source: Simbe Simbe said it achieved UL 3300 certification from UL Solutions for its Tally shelf-scanning autonomous mobile robot. Simbe earned this certification after Tally and its charging dock underwent third-party testing.  UL 3300 establishes stringent requirements for mechanical, electrical, and software systems in dynamic, public-facing environments. The standard is also included in OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program list of appropriate test standards, helping organizations align autonomous robot deployments with recognized workplace safety expectations. For retailers, the certification helps demonstrate that Tally can operate safely alongside shoppers and store associates, empowering teams to deliver the service and experiences that makes their stores shoppers’ favorite destination. “Since 2015, we’ve designed ...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Robot Talk Episode 147 – Miniature living robots, with Maria Guix

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Claire chatted to Maria Guix from the University of Barcelona about combining electronics and biology to create biohybrid robots with emergent properties. Maria Guix is a chemist and nanotechnology researcher in the University of Barcelona’s ChemInFlow lab, developing miniaturised living robots and integrating flexible sensors into microfluidic platforms to better understand biohybrid robotic platforms. Her PhD research at the Autonomous University of Barcelona focussed on nanomaterials for biosensing. She has held postdoctoral positions at IFW Dresden, Purdue University, and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, advancing biocompatible micromotors, magnetic microrobot automation, and functional living robots. View Source
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Iván Hernández Dalas: 11 women shaping the future of robotics

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The IFR’s 11 women who will shape robotics in 2026. | Source: IFR The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) today named 11 women it says are shaping the future of robotics. The IFR said it hopes the list will give women in the industry more visibility and acknowledgment.  Women have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Today, women make up only 16% of engineers. This is despite the fact that women make up over 40% of the global workforce.  “Women are critical contributors in the fast‑growing field of robotics,” said Dr. Susanne Bieller, general secretary of the International Federation of Robotics . “This is clearly illustrated by diverse teams developing unbiased AI technology and next-generation robotics systems. These projects aim to open up new sectors for automation, not only in traditional manufacturing settings, but also in healthcare and elderly care, or in consumer markets.” This year’s honorees include: Younseal Eum, the CEO of AeiROBOT...
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