Articles tagged with "robotics-industry"
Your guide to Day 2 of RoboBusiness 2025 - The Robot Report
RoboBusiness 2025’s second day at the Santa Clara Convention Center features a robust agenda with over 60 speakers, a startup workshop, the annual Pitchfire competition, and more than 100 exhibitors. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. PT with the first keynote and the opening of the show floor, which includes the Engineering Theater, networking lounge, Startup Showcase, MassRobotics Startup Alley, and the KAIST Korean Pavilion. The initial keynote panel, moderated by Eugene Demaitre of The Robot Report, features industry leaders such as Sanjay Aggarwal (F-Prime), Jon Battles (Cobot), Amit Goel (NVIDIA), and Brian Gaunt (DHL Supply Chain), discussing the current state of the robotics industry. This is followed by a panel on “Closing the Robotics Gap With China,” involving Jeff Burnstein (A3), Georg Stieler (Stieler Technology & Market Advisory), and Eric Truebenbach (Teradyne Robotics),
roboticsAIautomationrobotics-industryrobotics-manufacturingautonomous-machinesrobotics-innovationYour guide to Day 1 of RoboBusiness 2025 - The Robot Report
RoboBusiness 2025, a leading event for commercial robotics developers and suppliers, launches with a packed agenda featuring over 60 speakers, a startup workshop, the Pitchfire competition, and more than 100 exhibitors. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. PT with a keynote by Deepu Talla, NVIDIA’s VP of robotics and edge AI, focusing on the advancement of physical AI in robotics. Following this, a panel titled “Lessons Learned From the First Humanoid Deployments” includes experts from NVIDIA, Agility Robotics, and The Robot Report. The show floor opens at 10:00 a.m., offering various attractions such as the Engineering Theater, Startup Showcase, and international pavilions, culminating in a networking reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Day 1 also features multiple breakout sessions starting at 11:30 a.m., covering diverse topics like Singapore’s role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and robotics, sensor evolution in ag
roboticsAIhumanoid-robotsrobotics-industryrobotics-conferencerobotics-technologyrobotics-innovationA guide to everything happening at RoboBusiness 2025 - The Robot Report
RoboBusiness 2025 is set to begin at the Santa Clara Convention Center, offering attendees a comprehensive program focused on robotics and AI advancements. The event features over 60 speakers, including industry leaders from NVIDIA and other key organizations, alongside a startup workshop, the annual Pitchfire competition, and extensive networking opportunities. More than 100 exhibitors will showcase the latest technologies and solutions aimed at addressing robotics development challenges. Attendees can utilize the RoboBusiness App to plan their schedules and connect with peers. The event opens with a ticketed Welcome Reception and includes keynote presentations such as Deepu Talla’s discussion on “Physical AI for the New Era of Robotics” and a panel on humanoid deployments. Day 1 includes breakout sessions, Engineering Theater presentations, and networking events, with the show floor open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The following day features a “State of Robotics” keynote panel addressing technical breakthroughs and industry trends, followed by a session on “
roboticsAIrobotics-conferencerobotics-industryhumanoid-robotsrobotics-technologyrobotics-startupsTesla Optimus Plans Evaporated - CleanTechnica
Tesla has reportedly abandoned its ambitious plan to deploy 10,000 Optimus robots internally by the end of 2023, a target previously announced by Elon Musk during an investor call earlier this year. According to reporting from The Information, these plans were scrapped over the summer, and the promise that the robots would be “doing useful things by the end of the year” appears unlikely to be fulfilled. Instead, Musk may showcase a “dancing troupe” of Optimus bots at Tesla’s upcoming annual meeting, which some interpret as more of a publicity stunt than evidence of practical progress. This development fits a broader pattern observed by industry watchers, where Musk tends to make bold claims when facing setbacks, sometimes doubling down on optimistic projections despite missed deadlines or unfulfilled promises. For example, Musk has suggested that Optimus could eventually represent 80% of Tesla’s value, a statement viewed skeptically given the current lack of tangible results. Meanwhile, the global robotics landscape is evolving rapidly, with China leading
roboticsTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotsautomationrobotics-industryindustrial-roboticsrobot-patentsChina to build robot 'boot camps' as gyms to power next-gen humanoids
China plans to establish a network of robot "boot camps"—large-scale training facilities acting as gyms or obstacle courses for humanoid robots—in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai. The largest facility, located in Beijing’s Shijingshan district, will span over 108,000 square feet and generate more than 6 million data points annually. These camps will simulate real-world environments such as factories, retail shops, elderly care centers, and smart homes, enabling robots to practice tasks and gather standardized, high-quality training data. This initiative aims to address the current bottleneck in China’s robotics industry caused by inconsistent and costly data collection methods, facilitating improved AI development and data sharing among robotics companies. This effort is part of China’s broader strategic push to lead in embodied intelligence—AI integrated into physical robots—and to compete with the United States, which currently deploys far fewer industrial robots annually (about one-tenth of China’s 300,000). The boot camps will form a national network linked across
roboticshumanoid-robotsAI-trainingrobotics-industryChina-technologyrobot-boot-campsembodied-intelligenceChina adds more robots than US, Japan, Germany and Korea combined
China has significantly outpaced other leading industrial nations in the adoption of factory robots, installing nearly 300,000 new units last year alone and bringing its total to over 2 million robots in operation. This surge positions China as the world’s largest user of industrial robots, surpassing the combined installations of the US, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. The rapid growth is largely attributed to the Chinese government’s strategic initiatives, including the Made in China 2025 campaign launched in 2015, which aims to reduce reliance on imports and boost domestic manufacturing capabilities in robotics, semiconductors, and AI. Government support through low-interest loans, subsidies, and assistance in acquiring foreign companies has been pivotal in this expansion. China’s factories now produce about one-third of global manufactured goods, outstripping the combined output of several major economies. Since 2017, Chinese factories have consistently installed over 150,000 robots annually, with a recent shift toward domestically produced robots accounting for 60%
robotsautomationmanufacturingChinaindustrial-robotsrobotics-industryfactory-automationAlloy is bringing data management to the robotics industry
Alloy, a Sydney-based startup founded by Joe Harris in 2025, is addressing a critical challenge in the robotics industry: managing the massive amounts of data robots generate daily from sensors and cameras, which can reach up to a terabyte per robot per day. Alloy provides specialized data infrastructure that encodes, labels, and organizes this multimodal data, enabling users to search through it using natural language to identify bugs and errors efficiently. The platform also allows users to set automated rules to flag future issues, akin to observability tools in software development, helping robotics companies reduce the time spent manually diagnosing problems. Since its launch, Alloy has partnered with four Australian robotics firms and aims to expand into the U.S. market. The company has raised over AUD 4.5 million (approximately USD 3 million) in pre-seed funding led by Blackbird Ventures. Alloy’s solution stands out because many robotics companies currently rely on retrofitted data tools not designed for robotics or build their own internal systems
roboticsdata-managementrobotics-industrysensor-datarobotics-startupdata-infrastructurerobot-data-analysisUpdated ANSI/A3 standards address industrial robot safety - The Robot Report
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has published the updated ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025 standard, marking the most significant advancement in industrial robot safety requirements in over a decade. This U.S. national adoption of ISO 10218 Parts 1 and 2 revises the previous 2012 standard and includes comprehensive safety requirements for industrial robots, applications, and robot cells. A3 plans to release Part 3 later in 2025, focusing on safety for users of industrial robot cells, which will be provided free to current purchasers of the full standard. The update reflects A3’s commitment to enhancing safety for millions working with industrial robots worldwide. Key enhancements in the revised standard include clarified functional safety requirements to improve usability and compliance, integrated guidance for collaborative robot applications, new content on end effectors and manual load/unload procedures, updated robot classifications with corresponding safety functions and test methods, and the inclusion of cybersecurity guidance as part of safety planning. Terminology has also
industrial-robotsrobot-safety-standardsANSI/A3-R15.06-2025ISO-10218automation-safetycollaborative-robotsrobotics-industryFrom 5 to 5M: Robotics experts share lessons from scaling deployments at RoboBusiness - The Robot Report
The article previews a panel discussion titled “Scaling Robot Deployments: from 5 to 5M” at RoboBusiness 2025, focusing on the challenges and lessons learned in expanding robotic operations from small-scale proofs of concept to large, global deployments. The panelists, all experienced robotics founders and executives, emphasize that scaling robotics requires more than just technical innovation; it demands operational efficiency, employee training, evolving workforce roles, and strong executive support. The discussion aims to provide candid insights into what strategies have proven effective, what obstacles remain, and how the robotics industry can build towards scalable automation. Panelists include Jordan Bryan (Bear Robotics), who has driven significant growth in active robots and locations through operational optimization; Saman Farid (Formic), who leads a robotics-as-a-service company helping manufacturers overcome labor and productivity challenges by removing barriers to automation adoption; and Florian Pestoni (InOrbit.AI), who develops AI-powered orchestration platforms to manage and scale robot operations globally. Also featured are
roboticsrobot-deploymentautomationrobotics-scalingrobotic-operationsAI-in-roboticsrobotics-industryChina experiences physical AI surge - and how the U.S. should respond - The Robot Report
The article highlights China's rapid surge in physical AI and industrial automation, underscored by the latest data from the International Federation of Robotics showing that China received 54% of the roughly 520,000 industrial robots installed worldwide in 2024. This contrasts with declines in robot shipments in the European Union, Japan, and the U.S. China has overtaken the U.S. in robot density, a key automation metric, reflecting its decisive push toward smart, connected manufacturing aimed at technological leadership and potential reshoring benefits. Supported by state policies and a robust domestic industrial ecosystem, China’s share of the industrial robot market has grown significantly, with local suppliers dominating collaborative and mobile robots. The country leads in sectors like electric vehicles, batteries, photovoltaics, drones, and autonomous driving, and Chinese industrial robots are notably more affordable than European or Japanese alternatives. China’s strong emphasis on STEM education has cultivated a deep talent pool, graduating far more science majors than the EU or U.S., and Chinese-origin scholars
robotsindustrial-automationChina-technologyhumanoid-robotsAI-in-roboticsmanufacturing-automationrobotics-industryInside Singapore's Physical AI Revolution
The article highlights Singapore’s emerging leadership in physical AI and robotics, as discussed in Episode 210 of The Robot Report Podcast. Key figures from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Certis Group, and the Home Team Science & Technology Agency emphasize Singapore’s strategic advantages, including a robust manufacturing base, a supportive innovation ecosystem, and strong government-industry-academia collaboration. The EDB is actively fostering growth in the robotics sector by providing economic incentives and building a talent pipeline. The guests also stress the critical importance of integration, reliability, and scalability in deploying robotics and AI solutions effectively within various sectors. Additionally, the episode covers notable robotics news, such as Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot performing a triple backflip on America’s Got Talent, showcasing advances in reinforcement learning for robot agility and recovery. However, the act did not advance in the competition. The article also reports on Intuitive Surgical’s planned permanent layoff of 331 employees at its Sunnyvale headquarters, representing about 2% of
roboticsartificial-intelligenceSingaporeBoston-DynamicsSpot-robotautomationrobotics-industryWhy Runway is eyeing the robotics industry for future revenue growth
Runway, a New York-based company known for its AI-powered video and photo generation tools built over the past seven years, is now targeting the robotics industry as a new avenue for revenue growth. The company’s advanced world models—large language models that simulate realistic versions of the real world—have attracted interest from robotics and self-driving car companies seeking scalable and cost-effective training simulations. Runway’s co-founder and CTO, Anastasis Germanidis, explained that while the company initially focused on creative and entertainment applications, inbound requests from robotics firms revealed broader use cases for their technology beyond entertainment. Robotics companies are leveraging Runway’s models to create highly specific training simulations that are difficult, costly, and time-consuming to replicate in real-world environments. These simulations allow for controlled testing of different actions and scenarios without altering other environmental variables, providing valuable insights into outcomes that physical testing cannot easily achieve. Rather than developing separate models for robotics and autonomous vehicles, Runway plans to fine-tune its existing models and is
roboticsAI-simulationself-driving-carsrobot-trainingvisual-generating-toolsrobotics-industrymachine-learningIFR examines humanoid adoption trends around the globe - The Robot Report
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) highlights the growing interest and development of humanoid robots worldwide, emphasizing their potential to automate complex tasks that traditional robots cannot easily handle due to their human-like dexterity and adaptability. While humanoids are unlikely to replace existing robots, they are expected to complement and expand current robotic technologies. Various regions have distinct approaches: China prioritizes humanoids for service sectors and aims to build scalable supply chains; the U.S. focuses on practical applications in logistics and manufacturing driven by private investment and AI advancements; Japan treats humanoids as social companions addressing societal needs like elder care; and Europe emphasizes ethical considerations, human-centric design, and collaborative robots that enhance human work rather than replace it. The IFR’s recent paper on humanoid robots outlines these regional trends and underscores the uncertainty about when mass adoption will occur. It also notes that while the technology is advancing rapidly, the integration of humanoids varies significantly based on cultural, economic, and strategic priorities. The report suggests that humano
robothumanoid-robotsrobotics-industryautomationartificial-intelligencemanufacturing-roboticsrobotics-investmentThe state of humanoids: Where is the market headed?
In Episode 207 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman cover significant developments in the robotics industry, including leadership changes at key humanoid robotics companies Agility Robotics and Boston Dynamics. Aaron Saunders, CTO of Boston Dynamics, announced his departure, while Melonee Wise, chief product officer at Agility Robotics, is leaving the company after joining in 2023 and leading its engineering and product teams. The episode also features insights from a panel at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo, where experts discussed the evolving landscape of humanoid robots, focusing on industry dynamics, emerging safety standards, and future challenges and opportunities. The podcast highlights the financial difficulties faced by iRobot, maker of the Roomba vacuum, which reported a 23.3% year-over-year revenue decline in Q2 2025, continuing a downward trend with a 32% drop from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025. Despite generating $127.6 million in
roboticshumanoid-robotsAgility-RoboticsBoston-DynamicsiRobotrobotics-industryrobotics-market-trendsCan iRobot bounce back? Deep concerns overshadow $127M Q2
iRobot Corp., known for its Roomba robot vacuums, reported a disappointing second quarter for 2025, with revenue falling 23% year over year to $127.6 million. The decline reflects ongoing struggles including slowing demand, increased competition, and fallout from Amazon’s terminated $1.7 billion acquisition deal. While revenue grew 6% in Japan, it dropped sharply in the U.S. (33%) and EMEA (17%). CEO Gary Cohen, who took over in May 2024 after the failed Amazon deal and the departure of founder Colin Angle, acknowledged that results missed expectations due to market challenges and slower scaling of new products. Despite improvements in gross margins and operating efficiency, iRobot’s cash reserves have dwindled from $69.9 million in March to $40.6 million in June, raising liquidity concerns. The company has suspended financial guidance and earnings calls, and its board is reviewing strategic alternatives including a potential sale or refinancing. iRobot’s difficulties stem
roboticsiRobotRoombarobotics-industryfinancial-performanceproduct-launchmarket-challengesPrismaX launches teleop platform for robotic arms - The Robot Report
PrismaX, a San Francisco-based startup with $11 million in funding, has launched a teleoperation platform for robotic arms aimed at bridging the gap between robotics and mainstream adoption. The platform allows users to remotely operate robotic arms and serves as a foundational step toward a future where humans and robots collaborate to enhance human capabilities. PrismaX’s co-founder and CEO Bayley Wang emphasized that this tele-op system is a proof of concept for a labor market where humans and robots work hand in hand, with the company focusing initially on teleoperations and visual data collection to train AI models. PrismaX has outlined a roadmap aligned with the robotics industry's evolution: in the short term, teleoperators will gather data and gain experience; in the mid-term, operators will manage fleets of robots performing real tasks; and in the long term, robots will achieve high autonomy powered by foundational AI models. The company envisions a self-reinforcing "data flywheel" where increased robot operation generates valuable datasets that improve AI,
roboticsteleoperationrobotic-armsAIautomationteleop-platformrobotics-industryLuma and Runway expect robotics to eventually be a big revenue driver for them
AI video-generation startups Luma and Runway are expanding their focus beyond traditional movie studio clients, exploring new markets such as robotics and self-driving car companies for future revenue opportunities. Although specific companies in these sectors have not been disclosed, these discussions indicate a strategic move to diversify their applications of AI video technology. Luma, in particular, is positioning itself to support robotics by developing 3D AI world models slated for early 2024, aiming to enable machines to better perceive and interact with their environments. Meanwhile, Runway is also eyeing the video game industry as another potential avenue for growth. Both companies are actively seeking to leverage their AI capabilities in emerging fields beyond entertainment, signaling a broader vision for their technology’s commercial use.
roboticsAIvideo-generation3D-AI-modelsself-driving-carsrobotics-industryAI-technologyTesla is reportedly behind on its pledge to build 5,000 Optimus bots this year
Tesla is significantly behind its goal to produce at least 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots in 2025, having manufactured only a few hundred units by mid-year, according to two sources. This shortfall suggests Tesla will either need to accelerate production substantially or delay its target. The lag comes amid broader financial challenges for Tesla, including a reported decline in second-quarter earnings driven by falling electric vehicle sales, reduced regulatory credit income, and lower solar and energy storage revenues. Despite the current production delays, CEO Elon Musk reaffirmed Tesla’s long-term ambitions for the Optimus robot during the recent Q2 earnings call, announcing plans to begin production of the latest Optimus 3 model by early 2026. Musk expressed confidence in scaling production rapidly, aiming to reach one million units annually within five years. However, Musk’s history of optimistic timelines—such as previous unfulfilled projections about Tesla’s autonomous vehicle fleet—suggests that these targets may face similar challenges in realization.
roboticsTeslaOptimus-robothumanoid-robotsrobot-productionautomationrobotics-industryThe search is on: Help us find the most promising robotics startups - The Robot Report
The Robot Report has launched the Robotics Startup Radar, a new program designed to spotlight promising early-stage robotics startups with innovative full systems, enabling technologies, or business models across any industry. The initiative aims to identify and showcase companies that could become influential players in the robotics sector in the coming years. Submissions for the inaugural 2025 list are open until August 29, 2025, and will be reviewed by the editorial team, though submission does not guarantee inclusion. Selected startups will gain significant exposure through digital promotional assets, press releases distributed to major newswires, and coverage on The Robot Report and Automated Warehouse websites, as well as WTWH Media’s social channels. This program offers robotics founders a valuable opportunity to attract attention from investors, engineers, and industry peers. For inquiries, Brianna Wessling, Associate Editor at WTWH Media, is the contact for the 2025 Robotics Startup Radar, while Courtney Nagle handles sponsorship information.
roboticsstartupsrobotics-industryautonomous-vehiclesrobotics-technologyrobotics-innovationrobotics-startupsRecapping Robotics Summit & Expo 2025
The Robot Report Podcast’s Episode 199 features Cam Myers, CEO of CreateMe Technologies, discussing the innovative integration of robotics and adhesive technology in garment manufacturing. Myers highlights the challenges of automating clothing production and the advantages of adhesives over traditional sewing, emphasizing potential reshoring of manufacturing due to shifting tariffs. He also outlines CreateMe’s future focus on sustainability and adapting to changing consumer demands. This episode marks the podcast’s first to include a video interview on their YouTube channel. The episode also covers key industry news, including Aldebaran—the maker of the humanoid robots Nao and Pepper—entering receivership after financial struggles despite past successes and acquisitions. Additionally, the U.S. Congressional Robotics Caucus has been relaunched as a bipartisan effort to promote robotics research and industry competitiveness, with new co-chairs appointed. Lastly, Amazon is reportedly developing AI software to train humanoid robots for package delivery, aiming to enhance automation in its logistics operations.
roboticshumanoid-robotsautomationmanufacturing-technologyadhesive-technologyrobotics-industryCongressional-Robotics-CaucusTop 50 robotics innovations special report
roboticsinnovationawardstechnologyautomationrobotics-industryRBR50Locus Robotics surpasses 5B picks with its warehouse automation
Locus-Roboticswarehouse-automationmobile-robotslogisticssupply-chaintechnology-innovationrobotics-industry