Articles tagged with "AI-automation"
German military drones, robots hunt radioactive waste in danger zones
German researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics (FKIE) have developed AI-powered drones and robots designed to rapidly detect radioactive waste in hazardous or inaccessible environments. These unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and ground vehicles (UGV) integrate gamma detectors with electro-optical and infrared cameras, combined with advanced sensor fusion, automation, and probabilistic search algorithms. The technology can localize radioactive sources within a few feet in minutes, significantly reducing the time needed to find radioactive, chemical, or biological hazards during emergencies. This project is supported by the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and CBRN Protection (WIS). The detection process involves two phases: an initial exploration phase where the drone follows a predefined flight path measuring background radiation, and a targeted search phase triggered by anomaly detection. In the search phase, the drone autonomously adjusts its flight path using real-time sensor data and stochastic algorithms that estimate the probable location of radioactive sources. The system generates
robotsdronesradioactive-waste-detectionAI-automationsensor-fusionhazardous-environment-monitoringmilitary-technologyMicrosoft to help Aalo Atomics modernize nuclear project licensing
Aalo Atomics, an Austin-based nuclear energy startup, has partnered with Microsoft to accelerate the licensing and permitting process for nuclear projects by leveraging Microsoft’s Generative AI tools and automation technologies. The collaboration aims to automate and simplify the traditionally slow and complex regulatory procedures that delay nuclear manufacturing and deployment. By deploying AI agents and expanding these into a comprehensive digital platform, the companies seek to transform how nuclear energy systems are licensed, built, and operated at scale, ultimately boosting permitting speed and operational efficiency. The partnership builds on Aalo Atomics’ use of Microsoft’s Generative AI for Energy Permitting Solution Accelerator, which has already addressed key industry challenges by integrating AI into workflows using diverse datasets such as design data and risk models. This initiative won two awards at Microsoft’s annual Hackathon and is rapidly expanding to include a broader suite of AI agents for various tasks. Aalo Atomics’ CTO Yasir Arafat and SVP Jon Guidroz emphasize that this AI-driven approach aims to overcome permitting bott
energynuclear-energyAI-automationMicrosoft-Azuregenerative-AIenergy-permittingdigital-platformVention announces full-stack AI and automation platform expansions - The Robot Report
Vention unveiled its “Zero-Shot Automation” capabilities at its sixth annual Demo Day, aiming to simplify industrial automation by unifying hardware and software with AI that operates seamlessly from cloud to edge. This approach eliminates the need for traditional hardware integration or complex planning, enabling faster transitions from design to deployment. With over 25,000 machines deployed globally across 4,000 factories, Vention’s platform supports applications like palletizing, welding, and machine tending, allowing businesses to design, program, and operate custom automation solutions within days. The company emphasizes a software-defined automation environment where configurations and applications are cloud-defined, reducing reliance on specialized system integrators and expert roboticists. Leveraging NVIDIA’s foundation models based on transformer architectures, Vention’s AI enables robots to adapt to environmental changes without additional training, enhancing perception, grasping, manipulation, and collision-aware motion planning. CEO Etienne Lacroix highlighted the “separation of duty” concept, where programmers and floor installers can focus on their
roboticsAI-automationindustrial-robotssoftware-defined-automationmachine-learningcloud-roboticsmanufacturing-technologyTop OpenAI, Google Brain researchers set off a $300M VC frenzy for their startup Periodic Labs
Periodic Labs is a new startup founded by Liam Fedus, a key researcher from OpenAI, and Ekin Dogus Cubuk, a former Google Brain machine learning and material science expert. Emerging from stealth mode last month, the company aims to revolutionize material science by integrating advanced AI technologies with robotic automation. The founders identified a convergence of breakthroughs: reliable robotic arms capable of powder synthesis, efficient machine learning simulations modeling complex physical systems, and large language models (LLMs) with enhanced reasoning abilities—partly developed by Fedus’s team at OpenAI. This synergy allows Periodic Labs to automate the discovery and synthesis of new compounds, with LLMs analyzing experimental results and guiding subsequent steps. Cubuk previously co-authored a 2023 Google research paper demonstrating a robotic lab creating novel compounds suggested by language models, underscoring the feasibility of their approach. Despite initial speculation, OpenAI did not invest in Periodic Labs after Fedus’s departure, though he left with their apparent blessing
robotmaterials-sciencemachine-learningAI-automationrobotic-labmaterial-synthesissimulation-modelingUnitree's humanoid robot wows with crazy Kung-fu moves, backflips
Unitree Robotics recently released a video showcasing its G1 humanoid robot performing advanced KungFu moves, including high kicks, spins, punches, one-legged balances, rapid kicks, low sweeps, somersaults, aerial twists, and backflips. The 45-second clip, titled “KungFu Kid V6.0,” demonstrates the robot’s agility, balance, and speed without any video speed-ups. The G1 uses its hands to maintain stability during complex maneuvers and lands smoothly after each move, highlighting significant improvements in its physical capabilities. Despite the impressive martial arts display, some viewers have expressed concerns about the robot’s practical utility in everyday life, questioning its usefulness beyond entertainment and research demonstrations. Unitree positions the G1 primarily as a research and educational platform targeted at universities, robotics enthusiasts, and industrial applications such as factories and warehouses. Priced at $21,500, the G1 is not currently aimed at general household tasks, although it reportedly possesses some basic functions
roboticshumanoid-robotUnitree-G1AI-automationrobotics-researchindustrial-robotsrobot-agilityCrack the code to startup traction with insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a panel featuring Rajat Bhageria (Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (Partner at NEA), and Murali Joshi (Partner at ICONIQ) will explore the challenging journey of achieving product-market fit, a critical yet often misunderstood phase in a startup’s lifecycle. Drawing from their diverse experiences—Bhageria’s founder perspective scaling AI-driven automation in food production, Bordetsky’s investor insight from companies like Uber and Twitter, and Joshi’s track record of driving over $2.5 billion in investments—the discussion will focus on effective testing strategies, real-time iteration, and how to genuinely listen to customers without being overwhelmed by feedback. This session aims to provide founders with actionable guidance to move beyond guesswork and build products that truly resonate with users, whether they are still developing prototypes or scaling existing traction. Taking place on the Builders Stage from October 27–29, 2025, at Moscone West in
roboticsAI-automationstartup-growthfood-production-technologyTechCrunch-Disruptproduct-market-fitventure-capital4AG Robotics picks up $29M for mushroom harvesting robots - The Robot Report
4AG Robotics has secured CAD 40 million (approximately $29 million USD) in a Series B funding round to scale production and meet growing demand for its mushroom harvesting robots. The company’s AI-powered robotic platform, which autonomously harvests, trims, and packs mushrooms, is already deployed on farms in Canada, Ireland, and Australia, with upcoming expansions planned for the Netherlands and the U.S. Founded in 1999 as TechBrew Robotics, 4AG’s technology addresses significant labor shortages and high production costs in the mushroom industry, where harvesting can represent up to 50% of expenses. The robots integrate with existing Dutch-rack infrastructure, offering growers consistent quality, reduced labor costs, and real-time operational data. This latest funding round, led by Astanor Ventures and Cibus Capital and supported by several existing investors, brings 4AG’s total capital raised over the past two years to $57.5 million. The company plans to use the funds to expand manufacturing in British
roboticsagricultural-robotsmushroom-harvestingAI-automationprecision-agriculturerobotic-farmingrobotic-grippersRichtech Robotics' ADAM serves drinks at Kennedy Space Center - The Robot Report
Richtech Robotics Inc. showcased its semi-humanoid service robot, ADAM, at the Legacy of Launch 75th Anniversary event held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The invitation-only event, organized by the U.S. Space Force Historical Foundation, celebrated 75 years of space exploration achievements. ADAM, equipped with two arms and powered by AI running on NVIDIA technology, serves drinks with milliliter-level accuracy by monitoring each cup in real time and adjusting pour parameters accordingly. The robot has already served over 16,000 drinks at venues such as Clouffee & Tea in Las Vegas and is designed to operate in hospitality environments where most tasks occur at counters, offering a stationary but recognizable humanoid form to enhance customer experience. Founded in 2016 and based in Las Vegas, Richtech Robotics develops collaborative robots for hospitality, healthcare, retail, and industrial sectors, with clients including Hilton, Sodexo, and Boyd Gaming. Besides ADAM, the company also offers Titan, a
roboticsservice-robotsAI-automationhumanoid-robotshospitality-technologyindustrial-robotsNVIDIA-AICohesive Robotics releases Smart Welding Robotic Workcell - The Robot Report
Cohesive Robotics Inc. has launched the Smart Welding Robotic Workcell, an AI-driven automation solution aimed at enhancing manufacturing productivity by addressing fabrication bottlenecks, improving accuracy, and increasing production capacity. The workcell leverages the company's proprietary Argus OS software, which uses 3D scanning and artificial intelligence to automatically identify parts and program industrial and collaborative robots for various welding processes—including MIG, TIG, and laser welding—without the need for traditional programming or manual guidance. This system simplifies fixturing, supports batch processing of different part SKUs, and integrates collision checking and motion planning to optimize welding tasks. Designed for high-mix, high-variability production environments, the Smart Welding Robotic Workcell features automatic vision-based detection for weld joints, compatibility with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and a submillimeter-accurate 3D camera. It also includes an intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) mobile station for ease of operation. Cohesive
roboticssmart-weldingindustrial-robotsAI-automationmanufacturing-technologyrobotic-workcellwelding-technologyGoogle and Westinghouse use AI to automate nuclear construction
Westinghouse Electric Company and Google Cloud have partnered to accelerate nuclear reactor construction by integrating AI technologies. Westinghouse’s proprietary AI platforms, HiVE and bertha, are combined with Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, Gemini, and BigQuery to autonomously generate and optimize modular work packages for advanced reactors, particularly the AP1000® modular reactors. This collaboration leverages extensive nuclear industry data and cutting-edge generative AI to streamline complex engineering workflows, aiming to reduce the traditionally labor-intensive construction process and enhance operational efficiency across existing nuclear plants. HiVE, introduced in 2024, is a nuclear-specific generative AI system built on over 70 years of proprietary data, while bertha, a large language model named after Westinghouse’s first female engineer, focuses on reactor lifecycle tasks such as maintenance and inspections. The partnership has already demonstrated success through a proof of concept using Westinghouse’s WNEXUS digital plant design platform, showing the potential for AI to transform nuclear construction into a
energynuclear-energyartificial-intelligencemodular-reactorsGoogle-CloudWestinghouseAI-automationRoboworx to aid Miso Robotics in installation, maintenance of its Flippy robots - The Robot Report
Miso Robotics has partnered with Roboworx to provide installation, maintenance, and ongoing support for its Flippy Fry Station, an automated frying robot designed to address labor shortages in the restaurant industry. Flippy automates frying tasks with precision and consistency, powered by Miso’s proprietary Kitchen AI, and offers 99% uptime with self-healing capabilities. The robot enhances labor flexibility by allowing employees under 18 to operate it legally and is offered through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model with no upfront costs, making it a cost-effective alternative to full-time staff. Currently, Flippy is deployed in 20 locations, including Jack in the Box and White Castle, with further rollouts planned. The collaboration leverages Roboworx’s nationwide network of robot technicians to support both new and existing Flippy installations, ensuring rapid deployment, preventative maintenance, on-demand repairs, and customer training. Roboworx’s services aim to maximize the value of Miso’s automation systems
roboticsrestaurant-automationFlippy-robotMiso-RoboticsRoboworxAI-automationrobotics-maintenance