Launch Fraunhofer IPA Fraunhofer IPA has released a benchmark for evaluating humanoid robots in cleanroom and industrial settings, addressing a gap in standardized performance assessment for physical AI in controlled environments. Fraunhofer IPA launches benchmark to assess humanoid robots for cleanroom and industrial applications · Cleanroom Technology
Launch Sentante Sentante has integrated endovascular physical AI into its surgical robot, enabling autonomous navigation through blood vessels. Sentante brings endovascular physical AI to surgical robot · MassDevice
Launch — Adam A humanoid robot is being deployed to an Upstate New York school, marking a real-world test of physical AI in education. Adam Interviews: Humanoid robot coming to Upstate NY school – RochesterFirst · RochesterFirst
Launch Baidu · Didi · AutoX China has resumed issuing robotaxi licenses after a regulatory pause, signaling renewed government backing for autonomous vehicle deployment in the country. China Resumes Issuing Robotaxi Licenses After Long Freeze · Bloomberg.com
Launch Waymo Waymo has begun mapping Portland's streets as it prepares to launch driverless taxi service in the city. Self-Driving Taxi Service Waymo Begins Mapping Portland Streets · Portland Monthly
Launch Ford · Apple Ford is integrating Apple Maps into its self-driving system, pairing the carmaker's autonomous technology with Apple's mapping infrastructure. Ford Will Use Apple Maps in New Self-Driving System · The New York Times
Launch BETTA BETTA has launched an autonomous underwater drone designed for subsea inspection and survey missions. BETTA Autonomous Underwater Drone Launched · Unmanned Systems Technology
Launch Flock Safety · Aerodome — Josh Walkos Flock Safety has deployed Flock Alpha, an autonomous police drone that reads license plates from half a mile away at 60 MPH, escalating its street-level surveillance network into the sky. Police Are Deploying 60 MPH Autonomous Drones to Read Your License Plate from the Sky · Yahoo
Launch mimic robotics · Black Forest Labs · Audi — Elvis Nava, Oliver Sanchez, Stefanos Charalambous Mimic Robotics unveiled FLUX-mimic, a video-action model built with Black Forest Labs for robotic hand dexterity, with early deployments at Audi. Introducing FLUX-mimic: Scaling Video-Action Models for General Purpose Dexterity · mimic robotics
Funding Ropedia Ropedia closes a $22 million funding round to expand its platform for collecting human movement data that trains embodied AI systems. Ropedia raises $22M to scale human-centric data collection for embodied AI · SiliconANGLE
Opinion Hyundai Hyundai denies that humanoid robots figure in labor negotiations, a defensive statement that suggests the company has quietly advanced plans that union workers fear. Hyundai claims humanoid robot plan is not part of talks with striking workers · Ars Technica
Opinion US House of Representatives · Pentagon · Federal Communications Commission — Richard Chen, John Moolenaar The US House passed military restrictions on Chinese humanoid robots, stopping short of a broader commercial ban as Washington tightens tech controls. US eyes ban on Chinese humanoid robots as US-China tech rivalry intensifies · South China Morning Post
Opinion AeroVironment AeroVironment CEO claims a strategic role for the company in U.S. counter-drone defense without disclosing concrete new contracts or systems. AeroVironment CEO details company's 'critical role' in US autonomous, counter-drone system defense · Fox Business
Opinion Ondas 24/7 Wall St. speculates that Ondas, an autonomous-defense drone maker, might attract acquisition interest. Is Ondas in Play? Potential Acquirers Eye This Autonomous-Defense Specialist. · 24/7 Wall St.
Other Waymo A thief in Miami commandeered a self-driving Waymo during a botched online marketplace transaction, exposing a vulnerability in how autonomous vehicles handle unauthorized occupants. Thief escapes in self-driving Waymo after online sale meetup in Miami goes wrong · NBC 6 South Florida