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 Aurora Aurora is releasing new hardware designed to scale its driverless trucking operations. Aurora races toward scale with new driverless hardware · Yahoo Finance
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 Tesla — Elon Musk Elon Musk discusses the manufacturing and design challenges ahead for Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot. Elon Musk spelled out how hard it will be to design Optimus, scale up manufacturing · Business Insider
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 Tesla — Elon Musk Elon Musk dismisses competitor humanoid robots as remote-controlled puppets rather than autonomous agents. Musk Says Rival Humanoid Demos Run on Remote Control and Scripts · eletric-vehicles.com
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