Robotics dispatch — MON · 28 SEP 2026

Launch

An unnamed Chinese roboticist has unveiled what he claims is the first embodied AI robot built entirely on domestic electronics, framing the advancement as a shift toward indigenous autonomy systems rather than imported components.

World’s first embodied AI robot with fully domestic electronic architecture unveiled marking shift from key components to underlying autonomy: expert · globaltimes.cn

Launch

Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics plans to deploy 25,000 industrial humanoid robots, betting that its Atlas can scale from research lab to factory floor.

Boston Dynamics to Launch 25,000 Industrial Humanoid Robots · Tomorrow's World Today

Launch

Tesla

Tesla has ramped Optimus production tenfold but the humanoid robot's hands remain a bottleneck for practical deployment.

Tesla’s Optimus production is up tenfold but the robot hands lag · The Next Web

Launch

Kodiak Robotics

Kodiak Robotics is expanding its autonomous trucking operations into the Dallas-Houston corridor, one of the nation's busiest freight routes.

Kodiak Targets Dallas–Houston for Driverless Trucks · Heavy Duty Trucking

Launch

Faraday Future · AIxC

Faraday Future is pivoting into a robotaxi and physical AI holding company, merging its robotics unit with AIxC in a deal valuing the robotics business at roughly $200 million.

Faraday Future Announces Strategic Upgrade into Robotaxi and EAI Cabin Technology Operator and Physical AI Investment Holding Company; To Combine Its Robotics Business at Approx. $200 Million Valuation with AIxC (soon FFR) for a Standalone Listin · businesswire.com

Launch

Waymo · Jaguar

Waymo has begun testing its driverless taxi service in Munich using Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, marking the company's expansion into Germany.

Waymo Robotaxis Arrive in Munich as Testing With Jaguar I-PACEs Begins · eletric-vehicles.com

Launch

Tesla

Tesla's Robotaxi now opens its trunk automatically when passengers are dropped off, a minor but telling step toward fully autonomous ride-hailing service.

Tesla Robotaxi Adds Automatic Trunk Opening at Drop-Off · BASENOR

Launch

Aurora

Aurora has disclosed a target of 30,000 autonomous trucks and $5 billion in revenue by 2030, laying out an ambitious roadmap for its freight-hauling ambitions.

Aurora targets 30,000 driverless trucks, aims $5B revenue by 2030 (AUR:NASDAQ) · Seeking Alpha

Launch

Mazda

Mazda is adding LiDAR-equipped autonomous driving capabilities to its electric SUV at a sub-$22,000 price point, bringing self-driving tech to the mass market.

Mazda’s Electric SUV Gains LiDAR Self-Driving Tech For Under $22k · Carscoops

Launch

Matternet

Matternet unveiled the M3, its next-generation autonomous drone platform designed to scale package delivery across urban and suburban routes.

Matternet Unveils M3, Its Next-Generation Autonomous Drone Delivery Platform · GlobeNewswire

Launch

SkyfireAI · DBOX · Drone Nerds

SkyfireAI, DBOX, and Drone Nerds have formed a partnership to develop autonomous drone operations across the United States.

SkyfireAI, DBOX and Drone Nerds team on autonomous drone operations in U.S. · Military Aerospace

Launch

DSV · Skyways

DSV, the Danish logistics giant, is deploying autonomous drones with Skyways to deliver cargo offshore, extending supply-chain automation beyond land.

DSV takes autonomous drone logistics offshore with Skyways · Splash 24/7

Launch

Ondas Holdings · SSE plc

Ondas Holdings' Cyberhawk drone has won a multi-year contract with UK utility SSE plc to inspect and survey electricity networks.

Ondas' Cyberhawk(TM) Secures Multi-Year Agreement for SSE plc's Electricity Network Inspection and Surveying · TradingView

Launch

Tycho.AI · USSOCOM

Tycho.AI won a contract with U.S. Special Operations Command to build an autonomous counter-drone interceptor.

Tycho.AI to develop small autonomous counter-drone interceptor for USSOCOM · Military Aerospace

Funding

Elroy Air

Elroy Air raised fresh capital to scale production of its Chaparral cargo drone.

Elroy Air secures fresh funding to scale Chaparral drone production · DroneDJ

Funding

Precision Neuroscience

Precision Neuroscience raised $250 million in Series D funding to advance commercial deployment of its brain-computer interface technology.

Precision Neuroscience Raises $250M Series D to Commercialize Brain-Computer Interface · citybiz

Funding

Draganfly · Unusual Machines

Draganfly secures $10 million in strategic investment from Unusual Machines and an unnamed U.S. fund to expand its defense operations and accelerate drone development.

Draganfly Announces Strategic Investment from Unusual Machines and a Leading U.S. Investment Fund · Draganfly

Research

ARC Advisory Group surveys the state of dexterous robotic hands in China, mapping localization efforts and the suppliers leading the sector.

China Humanoid Robot Dexterous Hands: Localization, Technology Routes, and Leading Suppliers · ARC Advisory Group

Research

Chinese researchers are moving embodied AI systems from laboratory settings into deployed roles performing actual work tasks.

Xinhua Headlines: Out of the robot classroom: China's embodied AI takes on real-world jobs · Xinhua

Research

China holds 60 percent of global humanoid robot patents, according to an analysis that underscores the country's dominance in physical AI intellectual property.

China tightens humanoid patent grip with 60% share · The Korea Herald