Articles tagged with "modular-robotics"
China's LimX Dynamics raises funds to build humanoid robot 'brains'
Chinese robotics company LimX Dynamics has secured approximately $200 million in Series B funding to advance its development of embodied intelligence in humanoid robots. The funding round included investors such as UAE-based Stone Venture, Oriental Fortune Capital, JD.com, and others. LimX Dynamics focuses on integrating AI with physical machines, enabling robots to learn and adapt through interaction with their environment—a concept known as embodied intelligence, which is a subset of Physical AI. The company has developed two core technologies: COSA (Cognitive OS of Agents), a software platform serving as the robot’s “brain” that controls whole-body motion, and Tron 2, a modular hardware system for building humanoid robots. COSA functions similarly to the human cerebellum, enabling fluid, coordinated movements and real-time task reprioritization without human intervention. Their humanoid robot, Oli, stands 5 ft 4 in tall, weighs 121 pounds, and features dual arms with seven degrees of freedom, capable of handling objects up
roboticshumanoid-robotsAIembodied-intelligencemodular-roboticsautonomous-robotsphysical-AIChina robotics firm unveils world's first modular AI service space
Chinese robotics firm AI² Robotics has introduced ZhiCube, the world’s first modular embodied AI service space featuring its AlphaBot 2 humanoid robot. ZhiCube is a customizable unit designed for deployment in commercial, cultural, and tourism venues, with interchangeable modules for coffee, ice cream, entertainment, and retail services. The system leverages AI² Robotics’ GOVLA full-body embodied large model to enable adaptive human–robot collaboration, allowing the robot to perceive its environment, understand tasks, and dynamically adjust roles based on foot traffic and task complexity. For example, during busy periods, the robot collaborates with human staff to manage high-demand tasks, while in specialty services like coffee preparation, humans focus on creativity and robots handle standardized processes. AI² Robotics plans to deploy 1,000 ZhiCube units across China within three years, aiming to establish a scalable urban intelligent infrastructure. The system benefits from extensive real-world testing, with over 50,000 hours of failure-free operation, and
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-service-spacemodular-roboticsintelligent-manufacturinghuman-robot-collaborationAI-powered-robotsScientists create brain-less robots that run on air, not electricity
A research team at the University of Oxford has developed a novel class of soft robots—termed “fluidic robots”—that operate entirely without electronics, motors, or computers, relying solely on air pressure for movement, sensing, and coordination. These robots are constructed from small modular units that function as muscles, sensors, or valves depending on their arrangement, allowing them to be combined like LEGO blocks into various shapes and functions. The robots demonstrate rhythmic, synchronized movements purely through mechanical design and physical interaction with their environment, without any programmed control. Inspired by natural systems that exhibit coordinated behavior without centralized nervous systems, the team created prototypes including a “shaker robot” that sorts beads by tilting a platform and a “crawler robot” that detects edges to avoid falling. The synchronization of movement arises from feedback loops generated by contact forces between the robot’s limbs and the ground, a phenomenon explained using the Kuramoto model of synchronization. This self-organizing behavior, likened to fireflies flashing in unison,
roboticssoft-robotsfluidic-robotsair-powered-robotsmechanical-designsynchronizationmodular-roboticsUS firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armor
US robotics company Swarmbotics AI has introduced FireAnt, a new lightweight, ground-based autonomous unmanned vehicle designed to operate in coordinated swarms for anti-tank missions. FireAnt is built to detect, track, and engage heavy armored targets such as tanks, functioning semi-independently within swarms controlled by a single human operator. The system emphasizes swarm autonomy, enabling robots to share targeting data, adapt to battlefield changes in real-time, and accelerate the kill chain process. FireAnt is ruggedized to IP67 standards, resistant to dust, water immersion, heat, vibration, and shock, making it suitable for diverse combat environments. The FireAnt platform is modular and interoperable, supporting quick payload changes for various missions including reconnaissance, mapping, data relay, and anti-armor tasks. It integrates with common robotic software architectures like ROS 2 and JAUS, facilitating connection to broader defense networks. Swarmbotics co-founder Drew Watson likens FireAnt’s approach to the successful use
roboticsunmanned-ground-vehiclesautonomous-robotsrobotic-warfareswarm-roboticsmilitary-technologymodular-roboticsDriverless vehicles by US firm offer vision-based AI for farm automation
Bonsai Robotics, a US startup, has introduced three autonomous agricultural vehicles under its Amiga brand, powered by its vision-based AI platform, Bonsai Intelligence. The vehicles—Amiga Flex, Amiga Max, and Amiga Trax—are designed to enhance farm automation by enabling precise, adaptable operations across varied terrains and tasks such as spraying, towing, hauling, mowing, and weeding. The Amiga Flex, comparable in size to a small ATV, serves as a modular, durable platform tailored for researchers and innovators to rapidly test and deploy field robotics, supporting payloads up to 800 lbs and towing capacities of 1,600 lbs. It features a swappable battery system for over eight hours of operation and open interfaces for integration with diverse sensors and implements. The Amiga Max and Amiga Trax extend this autonomy to more specialized agricultural and industrial applications. The Amiga Trax is a low-clearance, modular vehicle suited for rugged outdoor tasks in vineyards, cane fruit,
roboticsautonomous-vehiclesagricultural-automationAI-driven-autonomymodular-roboticsfield-roboticssmart-farmingVideo: Speedy 'drone painter' covers 200 sqft per minute with ease
Lucid Bots has introduced a new painting module for its Sherpa drone, enabling it to spray paint and coat building exteriors with remarkable speed and efficiency. Previously used for cleaning windows and exteriors, the Sherpa drone can now cover over 200 square feet per minute, operating up to 160 feet high with continuous power via a tether. This advancement allows a single operator to manage the drone easily, completing jobs up to three times faster and at about half the traditional cost, significantly improving productivity and safety in high-risk, labor-intensive exterior work. The Sherpa drone leverages embodied AI, which enables it to interact with the environment by adjusting for factors like wind and surface texture to apply paint evenly. This capability addresses critical labor shortages and safety concerns in the construction industry, where many skilled workers are retiring and tasks often involve hazardous conditions. The modular design of the painting attachment allows existing Sherpa users to upgrade without purchasing new equipment, facilitating adoption. With applications already underway in stadium waterproofing and graffiti
roboticsdronesembodied-AIconstruction-automationindustrial-paintinglabor-safetymodular-roboticsRendezvous Robotics exits stealth with $3M to build reconfigurable space infrastructure
Rendezvous Robotics, a company emerging from stealth mode with $3 million in pre-seed funding, aims to revolutionize space infrastructure by overcoming the traditional constraints imposed by rocket fairings on hardware size and assembly. Founded by Ariel Ekblaw, Phil Frank, and Joe Landon, the company is developing “tesserae,” modular, flat-packed tiles that can autonomously assemble, reconfigure, and scale space structures in orbit using magnetic docking and swarm robotics. Each tile is equipped with its own processor, sensors, and battery, designed for low-cost mass manufacturing. This technology promises to enable larger, more adaptable space structures such as antennas and solar arrays, which are critical for advanced communications and national security missions. The company has already demonstrated its tile prototypes on Blue Origin’s New Shepard and aboard the International Space Station (ISS), validating autonomous docking and reconfiguration capabilities. Rendezvous Robotics plans to conduct further demonstrations on the ISS in early 2026 and subsequently deploy a mission outside the ISS
robotspace-roboticsmodular-roboticsautonomous-assemblyspace-infrastructureelectromagnetic-dockingsatellite-technologyRonovo Surgical’s Carina robot gains $67M boost, J&J deal
Ronovo Surgical, a Shanghai-based company, has secured $67 million in its Series D financing round, led by Johnson & Johnson’s corporate venture capital arm, JJDC. This latest funding adds to previous rounds, bringing Ronovo’s total capital raised to over $100 million in 2025. Alongside the financing, Ronovo entered a targeted collaboration with Johnson & Johnson to promote commercialization of its Carina modular robotic surgery platform in China. The partnership aims to provide hospitals in parts of China access to Carina’s technology combined with complementary J&J MedTech surgical tools. The Carina platform, unveiled in February 2023, is a modular, configurable robotic system designed to assist laparoscopic surgeries across multiple specialties, including general surgery, gynecology, urology, and thoracic surgery. It addresses key challenges in minimally invasive procedures by offering surgeons flexibility in instrument choice and anatomical access. In March 2025, Carina received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMP
robotsurgical-robotmedical-roboticsRonovo-SurgicalCarina-platformmodular-roboticsrobotic-surgeryChina's humanoid robots impress with ballet moves on dance debut
China’s robotics company LimX Dynamics recently debuted its full-size humanoid robot, LimX Oli, in a live dance performance featuring ballet-inspired moves at the World Robotics Conference 2025. Standing about 5.5 feet tall with 31 degrees of freedom, Oli demonstrated impressive balance, mobility, and expressive capabilities, marking a novel fusion of robotics and performance art. This event followed the robot’s official unveiling on July 30, positioning Oli as a versatile platform aimed at advancing humanoid robotics research and applications. Oli is offered in three versions—Lite, EDU, and Super—with prices starting around $21,800. Its modular hardware and software design allows users to customize attachments such as hands or grippers, making it adaptable for industrial, research, and experimental uses. An open SDK provides developers full control over joint movement, sensor data, and task scheduling, enabling Oli to serve both as a research testbed and a deployable system in manufacturing or warehouse environments. LimX Dynamics, founded
robothumanoid-robotroboticsAI-integrationmodular-roboticsdance-performanceLimX-DynamicsOli: LimX’s new humanoid robot masters gym, warehouse, dance floor
LimX Dynamics, a Chinese robotics company, has unveiled its full-sized humanoid robot named LimX Oli, designed to advance embodied AI and automation in manufacturing, warehousing, and research. Available in three variants—Lite, EDU, and Super—starting at about $21,800, Oli features a modular arm system with interchangeable attachments such as standard hands, precision grippers, and dexterous robotic hands. This modularity allows the robot to perform a wide range of tasks across different environments, from lifting dumbbells in a gym to sorting items in a warehouse and even performing Chinese kung fu and dancing, showcasing its strength, agility, balance, and full-body disturbance recovery capabilities. Standing 1.65 meters tall with 31 degrees of freedom, Oli is tailored for AI researchers, robotics engineers, and system integrators, offering an open SDK that provides full access to sensor data, joint control, and task scheduling. This flexible hardware-software design and scalable development toolchain make it a powerful
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsmodular-roboticswarehouse-automationreinforcement-learningembodied-intelligence'Robot metabolism' concept could help them grow by consuming each other
Researchers at Columbia University have introduced the concept of "robot metabolism," a novel approach enabling robots to physically grow, heal, and improve themselves by absorbing and reusing parts from their environment or other robots. This idea draws inspiration from biological systems, where organisms adapt and sustain themselves through modular components like amino acids. The research team demonstrated this concept using "Truss Links," magnetic building blocks that can self-assemble into complex structures and integrate new parts to enhance functionality, such as a tetrahedron robot that developed a walking stick to increase its speed downhill by 66.5%. This advancement aims to overcome the current limitations of rigid robotic bodies that depend heavily on human intervention for repairs and upgrades. By mimicking nature’s modular and adaptive processes, robot metabolism could lead to truly autonomous machines capable of self-maintenance and physical evolution. Potential applications include disaster recovery, where robots could self-repair in unpredictable environments, and space exploration, where robots might build and adapt without human resupply. Published in Science Advances,
robotself-healing-robotsmodular-roboticsautonomous-robotsrobot-metabolismadaptive-robotsrobot-self-repair