Launch Boston Dynamics · Hyundai Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot First Stock has been deployed on a Hyundai assembly line in South Korea, marking a concrete move from prototype to factory floor. Humanoid Robot 'First Stock', Enters South Korean Automotive Production Line · Gasgoo
Launch Zhongke Tianhang Zhongke Tianhang announced a partnership with China's National Center to deploy humanoid robots in high-end manufacturing facilities. WAIC 2026 | Zhongke Tianhang partners with National Center, accelerating humanoid robot deployment in high-end manufacturing · Gasgoo
Launch Xiaomi Xiaomi displayed its factory robot at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference alongside over 300 physical robots, releasing operational performance data. Xiaozhi Weekly News | Over 300 Physical Robots Appear at WAIC; Xiaomi Robot Reveals Factory "Report Card" · Gasgoo
Launch SAIC Mobility SAIC Mobility is building a purpose-designed robotaxi from scratch, targeting a 2027 debut. SAIC Mobility starts purpose-built Robotaxi project, targets 2027 debut · Gasgoo
Launch MINIEYE · StarCharge MINIEYE and StarCharge have partnered to deploy automated charging hubs designed for driverless vehicle fleets. MINIEYE, StarCharge partner on automated charging hubs for driverless fleets · Gasgoo
Launch Saronic Saronic's autonomous drone was deployed to locate and rescue downed U.S. pilots in a real-world operation. Saronic autonomous drone helps rescue downed US pilots · Fox Business
Launch An autonomous cargo drone network is ferrying pathology samples across NHS hospital sites, replacing courier runs that once took hours. Autonomous Cargo Drone Network Accelerates NHS Pathology Logistics · Unmanned Systems Technology
Launch Figure AI · BMW Figure AI's F.02 humanoid robot contributed to 30,000 BMW X3 vehicles at the automaker's South Carolina plant with 99%-plus accuracy before retirement. F.02 Contributed to the Production of 30,000 Cars at BMW · Figure
Launch Dexterity Dexterity deployed Instinct, a tactile AI system that guides robotic hands through box-packing tasks with an 81% production success rate. Introducing Instinct · Dexterity
Launch Joby Aviation · Toyota Motor Corporation Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor Corporation established a joint venture to scale production of electric air taxis combining aircraft design with manufacturing expertise. Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor Corporation Launch Initial Phase of a Strategic Manufacturing Alliance to Realize Air Mobility for All · Joby Aviation
Funding NEURA Robotics · Amazon · NVIDIA · Qualcomm Technologies NEURA Robotics closed a $1.4 billion Series C, the largest funding round for a full-stack robotics company, backed by Amazon, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Bosch. NEURA Robotics Announces Record Series C of up to $1.4 Billion to Accelerate the World’s Leading Physical AI Platform · Neura Robotics
Research Seoul National University · EAD — Jun Won Choi Seoul National University's SafeDrive model teaches self-driving cars to reason through emergency maneuvers rather than simply mimicking human reactions. A new AI model wants self-driving cars to think before they swerve · Digital Trends
Opinion NVIDIA NVIDIA showcases graphics and simulation tools for physical AI applications at SIGGRAPH. At SIGGRAPH, NVIDIA Advances Graphics and Simulation With Agentic and Physical AI · NVIDIA Blog
Opinion Anduril An emerging robotics company explores whether humanoid robots could fire mortars and breach doors in future combat scenarios. Could humanoid robots be used to fire mortars? | Defense Dollars · Defense News
Opinion Waymo Waymo pushes to launch driverless operations in Washington D.C. but faces local regulatory and political resistance. Waymo really wants to operate in D.C. But does D.C. want Waymo? · The Detroit News
Other World Artificial Intelligence Conference — Jared Perlo, Dawn Liu, Erin Tan Hundreds of thousands descended on Shanghai's World Artificial Intelligence Conference to gawk at humanoid robots and dancing machines as China flexes its AI muscles. Inside China’s big AI show: Robot police, dancing humanoids and a roof collapse · NBC News
Other Waymo Waymo says it will keep talking to Washington regulators about robotaxi deployment this summer, with no deal or timeline confirmed. Exclusive: Waymo expects D.C. robotaxi talks to continue this summer · Axios
Other Waymo Waymo's driverless vehicle blocked a San Francisco fire station entrance, forcing firefighters to manually move the car during an emergency. Firefighters Had to Move a Waymo Themselves After It Blocked an Emergency Call · inc.com