Launch BYD · Tesla BYD will debut its first humanoid robots in August, escalating competition with Tesla in physical AI. BYD to debut first humanoid robots in August as rivalry with Tesla intensifies · South China Morning Post
Launch Amazon · Zoox Amazon's Zoox becomes the first company to win U.S. approval to operate paid robotaxis without a human safety driver—a regulatory milestone that clears the path for autonomous vehicles to ferry passengers for money. EXCLUSIVE: Amazon's Zoox wins first US approval for paid robotaxis without human controls · Reuters
Launch Waymo Waymo is deploying its autonomous vehicles as mobile sensors to detect road damage for Austin's public works department. Waymo's self-driving cars are helping Austin find potholes. Here's how the pilot is working. · kvue.com
Launch Waymo Waymo has resumed freeway operations in Phoenix following a software update, expanding its driverless service beyond surface streets. Waymo resumes freeway rides in Phoenix after software upgrades · AZ Family
Launch Elroy Air Elroy Air's cargo drone, manufactured in Sacramento, completed fully autonomous deliveries for the U.S. Army, marking the company's advance toward commercial deployment. Elroy Air cargo drone, to be built in Sacramento, performs fully autonomous deliveries for US Army · The Business Journals
Launch Israel Aerospace Industries · Technion · Israel Fire and Rescue Authority · Israeli Ministry of National Security — Moshe Levy, Asaf Schuster Israel Aerospace Industries is testing an AI-powered drone that spots wildfires within minutes of ignition, using infrared sensors to scan hundreds of square kilometers from the air. Israel tests AI-powered drone that can spot wildfires before they spread · calcalistech.com
Launch Walmart Walmart launches drone delivery service in Apopka, Florida, expanding its autonomous logistics footprint amid local scrutiny over airspace and safety. Walmart drone delivery takes off in Apopka, bringing convenience — and questions — overhead · WKMG
Launch Unifly Unifly has released CONDUCT 2, a software platform designed to manage drone traffic in urban airspace. Unifly Advances Urban Drone Operations with CONDUCT 2 Airspace Management · uasweekly.com
Launch Mayhem The Mayhem 10 drone now features software enabling coordinated swarm attacks, marking a significant capability upgrade in autonomous multi-unit drone warfare. Mayhem 10 drone gains software for hunter-killer swarm missions · Interesting Engineering
Launch CHAOS Industries · Atropos CHAOS Industries acquired Atropos, a counter-drone specialist, to bolster its defenses against unmanned aircraft. CHAOS Industries Acquires Atropos to Expand Counter-Drone Capabilities · The Defense Post
Launch Singapore Ministry of Defence · ST Engineering · Saab · Penguin Shipyard International — K. Shanmugam Singapore launched its second drone command warship, RSS Valour, designed to orchestrate fleets of unmanned systems across sea and air. Singapore Launches Second Drone Command Warship as Navy Expands Autonomous Fleet · SOFX
Launch Waymo · Google Waymo's redesigned Ojai robotaxi cabin now integrates Google's Gemini AI to handle in-car commands and passenger queries while the Waymo Driver manages navigation. Say hi to new Ojai in-car experience · Waymo
Funding Royal Air Force · Royal Navy · British Army · Uncrewed Systems Centre — Keir Starmer The UK committed £5 billion to building a sovereign drone ecosystem, funding manufacturing, testing, and autonomous systems across its armed forces. UK Backs Sovereign Drone Ecosystem with £5 Billion Investment · Dronelife
Research Google Google has integrated its Gemini AI model into a humanoid robot, enabling it to navigate and respond to real-world environments without pre-programmed instructions. Google’s Gemini Can Now Stomp Around as a Humanoid Robot · WIRED
Research A study finds humanoid robots can assist teachers in classrooms without displacing them, suggesting a collaborative rather than replacement model for educational AI. Humanoid classroom robots show potential as teaching assistants, not teacher replacements · Phys.org
Opinion — Kurt Knutsson Viral videos of humanoid robots malfunctioning near crowds—swinging wildly, surging toward festival-goers, even kicking a child—expose the absence of basic safety guardrails in public spaces. Humanoid robot videos show machines lashing out · foxnews.com
Opinion Harper Adams University — Fernando Auat Cheein Harper Adams University's robotics specialist argues humanoid robots could become farming's next evolutionary step, handling multiple tasks alongside human workers. Humanoid robots are 'next stage' in farming · BBC
Opinion ZenaTech, Inc. · Chevron Corporation · Halliburton · ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation — Shaun Passley ZenaTech, which acquired drone surveyor Velocity Geomatics, is betting that higher oil prices will drive energy companies to expand their use of aerial inspection technology. Explosive Growth of Drone Technology in Oil & Gas is The Next Wave of Expansion Happening from The Sky · TradingView
Other The U.S. is moving to block robot imports from China, prompting Beijing to threaten retaliation in an escalating trade dispute over physical AI technology. China Threatens Retaliation as U.S. Moves to Block Robot Imports · The New York Times
Other FCC · Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF — Arundhati Sarkar China's commerce ministry threatened retaliation after the FCC restricted imports of foreign-made advanced robotic devices on cybersecurity grounds. China warns of countermeasures after FCC restricts humanoid robot imports (BOTZ:NASDAQ) · Seeking Alpha