Robotics dispatch — FRI · 13 NOV 2026

Launch

ASUS

ASUS has unveiled Gallop, its first humanoid robot, entering a crowded field of manufacturers betting that bipedal machines will eventually move beyond labs.

ASUS announces first humanoid robot: Gallop · CNBC

Launch

Apple · Unitree

Apple's long-rumored humanoid robot project has adopted locomotion technology from Unitree, marking the consumer electronics giant's entry into physical AI hardware.

Apple's Decade-Long Secret R&D Humanoid Robot Finally Adopts Unitree Technology · 36Kr

Launch

Volkswagen

Volkswagen is converting its ID. Buzz electric van into a robotaxi platform, marking the company's entry into autonomous ride-hailing.

The VW ID. Buzz Is Getting A New Job As A Robotaxi · InsideEVs

Launch

Waymo

Waymo is planning a 200,000-square-foot warehouse in South Philadelphia, likely to support autonomous vehicle operations in a new market.

Waymo Reportedly Planning 200K SF South Philly Warehouse · Bisnow

Launch

Dronetag

Dronetag has released a new receiver designed to close a detection gap in remote identification systems for drone detection, regulation, and response.

New Dronetag receiver tackles a major Remote ID detection gap for DFR · DroneDJ

Launch

unnamed Japanese startup

A Japanese startup has set 2027 as its target date to begin human trials of a brain-computer implant.

Japan Startup Targets Brain Implant Trials in 2027 · News On Japan

Launch

Huibao

China approved the world's first commercial brain-computer interface for clinical use, leading to twelve implants in the first year, with Shanghai's Huibao covering up to thirty percent of costs.

China's Brain-Computer Interface Sector Enters First Year of Clinical Application: World's First Approval Leads to 12 Commercial Implants, Shanghai's Huibao Reimburses Up to 30% · BigGo Finance

Launch

Joby Aviation · Blade · Aero · USAC Airways — Rob Wiesenthal

Blade, now owned by Joby Aviation, is relaunching BLADEone, a premium jet service with sixteen-seat retrofitted aircraft between New York and South Florida, in partnership with Aero.

Blade's BLADEone Enhanced Jet Service Returns with Flights between the New York City area and South Florida, in Partnership with Aero · Joby Aviation

Funding

Vigilant Works · Backswing Ventures

Backswing Ventures backs Vigilant Works, a startup building autonomous systems to intercept hostile drones.

Vigilant Works: Backswing Ventures Invests In Autonomous Counter-Drone Technology · Pulse 2.0

Research

Researchers have grown human neurons in a lab and wired them into a humanoid robot, creating a hybrid biological-mechanical system.

Lab-Grown Human Neurons Power a Humanoid Robot · The Scientist

Research

K-Moonshot

K-Moonshot announced funding support for brain-computer interface research bridging basic neuroscience and clinical applications.

K-Moonshot Boosts Brain–Computer Interface Research Linking Basic Science and Clinical Engineering · DongA Science

Opinion

Unite.AI examines the liability and accountability questions raised as humanoid robots begin deployment in industrial settings.

Humanoid Robots Are Coming to Factories. Who Is Responsible When They Fail? · Unite.AI

Opinion

Neuralink

Neuralink shifts ambitions from computer control to restoring motor function in paralyzed patients, setting a more ambitious next frontier.

Neuralink gave paralysed people a reason to wake up in the morning. The goal now is to help them actually GET OUT OF BED. They can already control computers with their thoughts. Next challenge? Getting their own bodies moving again. Neuralink wants to · X

Other

OpenAI

OpenAI shut down its dedicated robotics unit as GPT models began controlling robots directly, betting that general AI could replace specialist teams.

Exclusive: OpenAI disbands its stand-alone robotics team as its general models start running robots · Fortune

Other

Washington, D.C.'s city council deadlocked on a bill that would have regulated autonomous robotaxis, leaving the technology's future in the capital uncertain.

Fate of self-driving robotaxis in DC unclear after tie vote defeats Council bill · NBC4 Washington

Other

New Orleans city officials outline preliminary regulations for autonomous ride-hailing services, with no concrete rules or deployments announced.

New Orleans leaders discuss proposed rules for driverless ride services · FOX 8 Local First

Other

A Washington, D.C., committee rejected a bill that would have expanded driverless taxi operations in the district.

Driverless taxis bill fails to pass DC committee · NBC4 Washington

Other

A Washington, D.C. bill that would have authorized driverless rideshare services failed to advance, leaving the capital without a regulatory pathway for autonomous vehicle deployments.

Bill to bring driverless ridesharing to DC fails · WUSA9

Other

Waymo

Waymo's driverless vehicle became an unwilling witness to a Denver chain-reaction crash, leaving police with no one to interrogate.

Body-cam video shows Denver police trying to question a driverless Waymo after chain-reaction crash · 9News

Other

Washington, D.C.'s city council rejected a proposal to expand robotaxi operations, blocking further autonomous vehicle deployment in the nation's capital.

DC Council: Robotaxi Bill Fails · DC News Now