Articles tagged with "AI-navigation"
China's new deep-sea robot drills and monitors seabed at 4,147 ft
China has successfully tested its first domestically developed deep-sea robot capable of three-dimensional drilling and real-time in-situ monitoring within seabed strata. The robotic system completed a trial at a depth of 1,264 meters (approximately 4,147 feet) in the South China Sea, meeting all its design objectives. Developed by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources, the robot simultaneously drilled targeted seabed formations and collected over 2,000 data sets, including methane concentration, dissolved oxygen, and subsurface structural information. This data aims to enhance understanding of geological conditions and support future deep-sea exploration. The robot stands about 2.5 meters tall, weighs roughly 110 kilograms, and integrates a drilling mechanism with multiple sensors, enabling it to operate within seabed layers rather than just on the ocean floor. It features advanced autonomous navigation with AI algorithms, inertial navigation, and magnetic beacon-assisted positioning, achieving a three-dimensional positioning error below 0.3 meters
robotdeep-sea-explorationunderwater-drillingAI-navigationseabed-monitoringbiomimetic-designmarine-roboticsHyundai’s MobED wins robotics award for stable all-terrain motion
At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB won the Best of Innovation Award in Robotics for its MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), a compact four-wheeled robot designed to navigate challenging terrains such as steep ramps and high curbs. Utilizing Hyundai’s proprietary Drive and Lift (DnL) technology, MobED maintains stability on uneven surfaces by independently adjusting each wheel to keep the platform level. The robot is offered in two versions: the Basic model, a controller-operated platform for developers, and the Pro model, equipped with LiDAR, camera sensors, and AI algorithms for autonomous navigation and a “follow-me” mode, making it suitable for urban environments and commercial use. MobED is intended for diverse applications including last-mile logistics, service industry roles as a digital guide or mobile advertising platform, and carrying various payloads up to 47 kg (Basic) or 57 kg (Pro). The Pro model can reach speeds up to 10 km/h. First
roboticsautonomous-robotsHyundai-MobEDall-terrain-robotAI-navigationlast-mile-deliveryrobotics-innovationWaymo Drives Right into Police Scene, and Golf Course - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights two unusual incidents involving Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, underscoring challenges the company faces in programming its robotaxis to handle complex, real-world scenarios. In one case, a Waymo vehicle drove directly into an active police scene where officers had guns aimed at a suspect lying on the street. Unlike a human driver who would instinctively avoid such a situation, the Waymo car slowly passed right by the suspect, revealing a lack of common-sense judgment in navigating emergency scenes. This is not the first time Waymo vehicles have entered police scenes, suggesting the company needs to improve its software to better recognize and avoid such situations, though the article also raises the question of how the system should respond if a police vehicle is attempting to pull it over. In a separate incident, a Waymo vehicle was recorded driving across a golf course. The vehicle was reportedly intended to drive onto a nearby soccer field but missed its target, ending up on the golf course instead. The details
robotautonomous-vehiclesWaymoself-driving-carsAI-navigationrobotaxiautonomous-driving-challengesMobED: Hyundai’s first mass-produced robot for logistics, home use
Hyundai Motor Group has introduced MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), its first mass-produced autonomous robot designed for both industrial logistics and everyday use. Developed by Hyundai’s Robotics Lab, MobED was showcased at the International Robot Exhibition 2025 in Tokyo and is slated for sale in the first half of 2026. The compact, four-wheeled robot features AI-powered route planning and obstacle avoidance, utilizing LiDAR and cameras for environmental perception. Its modular design allows adaptation to various roles, including delivery, research, media, and lifestyle services like golf assistance. MobED’s standout feature is its eccentric control mechanism, enabling it to adjust posture and height actively to maintain balance on uneven terrain and narrow indoor corridors. Each wheel integrates Hyundai’s drive-and-life (DnL) modules, combining driving, steering, and height adjustment in a compact unit. Two versions will be available: a pro model with full AI autonomy, advanced sensors, and a “follow-me” mode for logistics and inspection tasks
roboticsautonomous-robotsHyundai-MobEDlogistics-robotsAI-navigationindustrial-robotsmobile-robotsHyundai Motor Group Unveils Production-Ready Autonomous Mobility Robot Platform ‘MobED’ at iREX 2025 - CleanTechnica
Hyundai Motor Group unveiled MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), its first mass-produced autonomous mobility robot platform, at the International Robot Exhibition 2025 (iREX 2025) in Tokyo. Developed by Hyundai’s Robotics LAB, MobED evolved from a 2022 CES concept into a production-ready AI-powered robot designed for diverse industrial and everyday applications. The platform emphasizes three core pillars: Adaptive Mobility (hardware), Intuitive Autonomy (software), and Infinite Journey (applications). MobED features an innovative eccentric posture control mechanism for stable movement on varied terrains, automotive-grade engineering for durability and precision, and AI-based autonomous navigation using LiDAR-camera fusion sensors. Two models, MobED Pro and MobED Basic, are slated for sales in the first half of 2026. MobED’s Adaptive Mobility allows it to dynamically adjust posture and height to maintain balance on uneven or inclined surfaces, enabling seamless navigation across indoor and outdoor environments without needing environment-specific designs. Its Intuitive Autonomy
roboticsautonomous-robotsAI-navigationmobility-robot-platformHyundai-Motor-Groupindustrial-robotsadaptive-mobilityWalk me: Smart robot chair walks, climbs stairs, and folds itself
Toyota unveiled Walk Me, an innovative four-legged autonomous chair designed to enhance mobility for people with reduced movement capabilities. Unlike traditional wheelchairs that rely on wheels, Walk Me uses four robotic limbs inspired by animal locomotion—specifically goats and crabs—to navigate uneven terrain, climb stairs, and move over obstacles such as gravel and slopes. The chair integrates advanced sensors, including LiDAR and weight sensors, to maintain balance, detect obstacles, and ensure user safety. It can adjust its base and tilt automatically to prevent falls, while collision radars halt movement if an object or person crosses its path. The chair offers multiple control options, including manual steering via side handles, integrated buttons, and voice commands, allowing for hands-free operation. Its ergonomic seat adapts to the user’s shape, providing spinal support, and a small armrest display shows vital information like battery life and distance traveled. Powered by a compact battery capable of a full day’s use, Walk Me includes safety features such as joint monitoring and
roboticsassistive-technologyautonomous-mobilitysmart-sensorsbiomimetic-designbattery-powered-devicesAI-navigationSkyline Nav AI’s software can guide you anywhere, without GPS — find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Skyline Nav AI, founded by Kanwar Singh, has developed Pathfinder, an AI-driven vision-based navigation system that can guide users without relying on GPS. The software matches visual inputs—such as buildings, roads, or aerial views—to a database to provide real-time navigation, making it especially useful in environments where GPS signals are blocked, like urban canyons or mountainous terrain. Beyond civilian applications, the technology addresses critical national security concerns by serving as a backup against GPS jamming, a growing threat in modern warfare. This capability has already attracted partnerships with the Department of Defense, NASA, and defense contractor Kearfott, despite Skyline being a small startup with just eight employees. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Singh introduced Pathfinder Edge, a compact edge computing device that runs a streamlined version of Pathfinder, enabling GPS-independent navigation on various platforms without requiring cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Singh envisions Skyline’s technology complementing GPS rather than replacing it, similar to how modern communication systems seamlessly
AI-navigationedge-computingGPS-independent-navigationdefense-technologyautonomous-systemsvisual-navigationGPS-jamming-countermeasuresUS firm's firefighting drones aim to cut response time to under ten mins
Seattle-based startup Seneca has developed an autonomous firefighting drone system designed to drastically reduce wildfire response times to under ten minutes. These modular drones, capable of carrying over 100 pounds of fire-suppressing agents each, use AI and advanced computer vision to navigate and extinguish fires rapidly and safely. Operating solo or in swarms of four to six units, the drones can deliver between 500 and 1,000 pounds of suppression power per mission without requiring helipads, refueling, or extensive ground infrastructure. The system is portable, remotely deployable with only an approximate fire location, and built to integrate seamlessly with existing firefighting operations. With wildfire intensity in the U.S. having more than doubled over the past two decades—causing an estimated $1 trillion in annual economic losses and threatening 115 million Americans—Seneca’s technology aims to address a critical gap in rapid fire suppression. The drones can access hazardous or remote areas inaccessible to human crews, enabling early-stage fire containment during
dronesfirefighting-technologyautonomous-dronesAI-navigationwildfire-suppressionfire-responsedrone-swarmsNew drone completes 1,000-mile tests in GPS-denied environments
Auterion, a Swiss-American uncrewed vehicle software company, has unveiled the Artemis drone, a long-range deep strike system capable of flying up to 1,000 miles and operating effectively in GPS-denied environments. Tested extensively in Ukraine under the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit’s Artemis program, the drone employs advanced visual targeting and a built-in terminal guidance system to ensure high-precision strikes. Designed similarly to the Shahed drone and developed in Ukraine, Artemis can carry warheads up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms) and utilizes Auterion’s Skynode N mission computer and Visual Navigation system for precise navigation and targeting. Production lines are being established in the U.S., Ukraine, and Germany to support large-scale manufacturing. Operational tests in Ukraine validated the drone’s capabilities in ground launches, long-distance flights, and terminal targeting with and without GPS, confirming its readiness for deployment. Auterion partnered with a confidential Ukrainian hardware manufacturer and allied firms in the U.S. and Europe
robotautonomous-dronesdrone-technologydefense-technologyAI-navigationGPS-denied-navigationmilitary-roboticsDoorDash’s Dot robot delivers food with a smile and glowing eyes
DoorDash has introduced Dot, a 350-pound, four-wheeled autonomous delivery robot designed specifically for local commerce, capable of carrying up to 30 pounds—equivalent to about six stacked pizza boxes. Dot features a bright red exterior with playful LED eyes and a cartoon-like mouth that opens to release deliveries. Standing 4.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it can transport groceries, toiletries, and food items with custom trays and insulated liners. The robot can travel at speeds up to 20 mph, navigating sidewalks, bike lanes, and narrow driveways, aiming to provide faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable delivery options while reducing traffic congestion. Equipped with eight cameras, four radars, and three LiDAR sensors, Dot autonomously scans its surroundings to select optimal routes and safely avoid obstacles without human remote control. It also includes interactive features such as a colorful LED message strip and audio alerts to create a friendly, approachable presence for customers. The robot operates on a sw
robotautonomous-deliveryDoorDash-Dotdelivery-robotAI-navigationelectric-vehiclelast-mile-deliveryANYbotics earns strategic investment from Climate Investment - The Robot Report
ANYbotics AG, a Zurich-based company specializing in quadruped robots for autonomous industrial inspections, has received a strategic investment from Climate Investment (CI), increasing its total funding to over $150 million. The company’s flagship robot, ANYmal, is designed to operate safely in hazardous, explosive, and all-weather conditions, providing early detection of asset degradation, such as equipment overheating, abnormal vibrations, and gas leaks. ANYmal D is already conducting thousands of inspections weekly, autonomously navigating complex industrial sites with AI-powered capabilities including collision avoidance and stair climbing. The investment will support the upcoming market launch of ANYmal X in 2026, an Ex-certified legged robot tailored for explosive environments, enabling continuous and safe inspections in such zones. ANYbotics also recently introduced enhanced gas-leak and presence-detection features, integrating gas detectors and acoustic imaging to precisely locate leaks and measure ambient gas concentrations. The funding will further aid ANYbotics’ global expansion and strengthen collaborations with CI’s extensive network
roboticsindustrial-automationautonomous-robotsenergy-sectoremissions-reductionAI-navigationhazardous-environment-robotsRobomart’s shuttle-sized RM5 offers autonomous grocery shopping
Robomart’s RM5 is an innovative autonomous electric vehicle designed to revolutionize grocery and meal delivery in urban areas. Unlike small sidewalk delivery robots, the RM5 is shuttle-sized, capable of carrying up to 500 pounds across 10 climate-controlled lockers, allowing it to handle multiple orders simultaneously. With a top speed of 25 mph, a 112-mile range, and level-4 autonomy, it can safely navigate city streets and efficiently complete multi-stop delivery routes. Launching later in 2025 in Austin, Texas, the RM5 aims to bring a mobile marketplace directly to customers’ doors, enhancing convenience while maintaining product freshness. The RM5’s design balances practicality and urban compatibility, offering a middle ground between small delivery bots and larger vehicles. Its fully electric drivetrain supports sustainable local logistics, while the flat $3 delivery fee model challenges traditional high-commission delivery apps, benefiting both retailers and budget-conscious consumers. Customers order via a user-friendly app, select items from partnered stores, and
robotautonomous-vehicleelectric-vehiclelast-mile-deliveryurban-logisticsAI-navigationgrocery-deliveryPhotos: DJI unveils first robot vacuum cleaner with drone-like power
DJI, renowned for its drones, has entered the home cleaning market with the launch of Romo, its first robot vacuum cleaner, unveiled on August 6, 2025, in China. The Romo series includes three models—S, A, and P—priced between $650 and $950, aiming to redefine smart home cleaning by leveraging DJI’s advanced vision and navigation technologies. Unlike typical robot vacuums that use a top-mounted LiDAR, Romo employs two front-facing fisheye cameras and three wide-angle laser modules to detect obstacles as small as 2 millimeters, enabling precise navigation around cables, pet toys, and other small objects. Its AI-driven mapping system stores detailed floor plans locally for privacy and adapts in real-time to obstacles like furniture or pet messes, ensuring efficient cleaning without collisions. The Romo boasts powerful 25,000Pa suction, dual roller brushes to prevent hair tangling, and extendable side arms for edge cleaning. It intelligently adjusts
robotrobot-vacuumsmart-homeAI-navigationDJIcleaning-technologyhome-automationWill Automated Delivery Robots Solve Last-Mile Delivery Issues? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the potential and challenges of automated delivery robots in addressing last-mile delivery issues, as highlighted during the Traffic Safety Forum at the 125th New York International Auto Show. A key focus was on urban mobility safety and how emerging technologies, including autonomous delivery robots like Coco, are shaping city streets. Coco, an electric delivery robot developed by COCO, demonstrated its capabilities by autonomously navigating a crowded indoor environment to deliver cookies to forum participants. The robot’s advanced sensors, AI, and remote human monitoring ensure safe and efficient operation, even in complex spaces. Despite some instances of deliberate obstruction by humans, Coco’s performance illustrated the promise of such technology in enhancing urban logistics while maintaining safety. The forum also featured insights from city officials and industry experts on integrating technology and data to improve road safety and urban transportation. NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez shared the city’s approach to these challenges, while representatives from Nexar and Verra Mobility highlighted the importance of smart dash cameras and automated enforcement solutions in
robotautonomous-deliveryurban-mobilityAI-navigationelectric-delivery-robotlast-mile-deliveryrobotics-safetyWhy Cartken pivoted its focus from last-mile delivery to industrial robots
Cartken, an autonomous robotics startup initially focused on last-mile food delivery on college campuses and in Tokyo, has pivoted toward industrial applications for its robots. Co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch explained that while industrial use was always a consideration, interest from companies needing robots for factories and labs revealed a significant market demand. In 2023, Cartken secured its first major industrial client, German manufacturer ZF Lifetec, which repurposed Cartken’s food delivery robot, the Cartken Courier, to transport production samples. This success highlighted the robots’ value in optimizing material and production flows, prompting Cartken to increasingly target industrial sectors. The transition from food delivery to industrial use was facilitated by the robots’ AI, trained on extensive delivery data, enabling them to navigate diverse terrains and obstacles both indoors and outdoors. Cartken expanded its product line with the Cartken Hauler, capable of carrying up to 660 pounds, and the Cartken Runner, designed for indoor deliveries, with plans for
robotindustrial-robotsautonomous-deliveryAI-navigationrobotic-fleetlast-mile-deliveryCartkenBoosted by defense and Starlink, Orca AI pulls in $72.5M for its autonomous shipping platform
autonomous-shippingAI-navigationdefense-technologyIoTfuel-efficiencymaritime-technologyStarlink