Launch Dairy Queen Dairy Queen has deployed a humanoid robot to staff a 24-hour ice cream parlor in Shanghai, marking an early real-world test of service robots in quick-service restaurant settings. Humanoid Robot Starts Work at Dairy Queen's 24-Hour Shanghai Ice Cream Parlor · 一财全球Yicai Global
Launch Waymo Waymo launches its public driverless taxi service in Denver on Tuesday, expanding beyond its established operations in San Francisco and Phoenix. Waymo will offer public rides in Denver starting Tuesday · The Colorado Sun
Launch Waymo Waymo is expanding its driverless taxi service into a snowy city, testing whether its technology can handle winter conditions that have long stumped autonomous vehicles. Waymo's Newest City Brings Its Biggest Challenge Yet: Rides In The Snow · InsideEVs
Launch Waymo Waymo is launching robotaxi service in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, extending its driverless ride-hailing footprint beyond its established West Coast markets. Waymo accelerates robotaxi expansion with launches in Denver, San Diego and Tampa · TechCrunch
Launch Tesla Tesla is expanding its robotaxi fleet in preparation for its Cybercab launch event. Tesla surges Robotaxi fleet ahead of Cybercab launch event · Teslarati
Launch Czech firm A Czech manufacturer has unveiled a hybrid VTOL cargo drone capable of lifting 100 kilograms, combining vertical takeoff with fixed-wing efficiency for longer-range deliveries. Czech Firm Unleashes Hybrid VTOL Cargo Drone With 100-Kg Lift Capacity · thedefensepost.com
Launch TEKEVER · Flowcopter TEKEVER acquires propulsion-tech startup Flowcopter to bolster its autonomous drone capabilities. TEKEVER acquires Flowcopter to expand autonomous capabilities through breakthrough propulsion technology · suasnews.com
Launch InDro Robotics InDro Robotics has won qualification as a supplier on Canada's new Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace, opening access to government contracts. InDro Robotics selected as qualified supplier under Canada’s Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace · Canadian Manufacturing
Launch Paradromics Paradromics has won FDA approval to begin human trials of its high-bandwidth brain-computer interface, clearing the way to test a system designed to restore communication in paralyzed patients. Paradromics Secures FDA Approval for Brain-Computer Interface Integration · SynBioBeta
Funding Easy Aerial · Insight Partners Easy Aerial, a drone maker, has closed a $20 million Series A round led by Insight Partners. Drone-Maker Easy Aerial Closes $20M Series A Led by Insight Partners · citybiz
Research KAIST · Yonsei University — Jae-Woong Jeong KAIST researchers led by Jae-Woong Jeong remotely controlled a wireless brain implant in South Korea from Chicago, demonstrating that scientists could conduct neuroscience experiments across continents without disrupting animal behavior. A Brain Implant in Korea Was Just Controlled From The US · ScienceAlert
Opinion UBS UBS argues that physical AI's economic value will accrue to component makers rather than robot manufacturers. UBS says a new 'physical AI' era favours the makers of robot parts, not the robots themselves · Proactive financial news
Opinion Waymo A San Francisco father recounts a moment of panic when his toddler fell in front of a Waymo, raising questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles in unpredictable street situations. A toddler fell in an S.F. crosswalk. Then her dad saw a Waymo coming · San Francisco Chronicle
Opinion An opinion piece argues that autonomous weapons systems could fail precisely by adhering too rigidly to their programmed rules of engagement. The Next Autonomous-Weapon Failure May Be A Drone That Obeys Every Rule – OpEd · Eurasia Review
Other UBTECH · Leapmotor UBTECH's humanoid robot business is surging, according to the Chinese automotive and robotics news outlet Gasgoo. Gasgoo Daily: China Issues Guidelines for Automakers Going Global; Leapmotor Tops 100K Deliveries Again; UBTECH's Humanoid Robot Business Surges · Gasgoo
Other Waymo Waymo's plan to deploy cheaper robotaxis faces obstacles as China tightens restrictions on autonomous vehicle operations. Waymo's cheaper robotaxis collide with China crackdown · Axios
Other SiMa.ai · ARK Electronics SiMa.ai and ARK Electronics announced a partnership to develop intelligent, autonomous drone technology. SiMa.ai and ARK Electronics Partner to Accelerate Intelligent, Autonomous Drones · PR Newswire
Other Hannover Medical School — Ryan Archer A woman's brain implant controlling her movement disorder failed in public at Hannover Medical School, leaving her arm frozen in a gesture illegal in Germany. Her Brain Implant Ran Out of Charge in Public, and Her Right Arm Rose into a Salute She Could Not Lower · Medical Daily