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The latest robotics stories across every category.

Last successful news refresh: Oct 31, 2026, 7:01 AM PDT · Scheduled daily at 7:00 AM Pacific

Stories

30 stories

Editorial illustration of beetle, snake, quadruped, and seal-inspired robots serving inspection, response, and companionship roles.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

Unusual robotic animals can prove their utility

The Robot Report surveys animal-inspired robots used or proposed for inspection, disaster response, research, and companionship, ranging from beetle-scale soft robots and snake-shaped pipe inspectors to quadrupeds and robotic pets. One cited example is KAIST’s BeetleBot, whose artificial muscles, camera, tactile sensor, and gesture control were reported in Science Advances on August 19, 2026; KAIST describes narrow-space inspection and object retrieval as future applications, not established field deployments. The article is a broad feature mixing research demonstrations, commercial products, historical examples, and speculative uses rather than a single new study or independent performance test.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 31, 2026

Editorial illustration of an autonomous inspection drone linking thermal and sensor findings across an electrical substation.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Percepto launches Axion AI platform to unify inspection data analysis

Percepto has launched Axion, a software-as-a-service platform intended to analyze inspection data from supported third-party drones, fixed and mobile sensors, existing archives, and Percepto's own autonomous systems. The company says Axion organizes findings by asset, relates anomalies to equipment context and inspection history, and lets operators query their data in plain language.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 30, 2026

Editorial illustration of a quadruped robot using its arm and body to move a large tire on an outdoor robotics test course.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Consumer · Summary

Video Friday: Spot Plays to Show Its Whole-Body Manipulation

IEEE Spectrum's latest Video Friday is a curated collection of robotics demonstrations rather than a report on one product or research result. The lead video shows the Robotics and AI Institute's Spot system rolling, uprighting, dragging, and recovering a 15-kilogram tire outdoors using coordinated motion from its legs, body, and arm.

IEEE Spectrum Robotics · Published Oct 30, 2026

Editorial illustration of a generic industrial humanoid carrying a tote in a warehouse with abstract market graphics in the background.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Humanoids · Summary

Humanoid developer Agility now expects to raise $465M in SPAC deal

Agility Robotics and Churchill Capital Corp XI now expect about $465 million in gross proceeds from their proposed SPAC transaction and related financing, before transaction expenses. The total comprises about $164 million remaining in Churchill XI's trust, a roughly $201 million PIPE led by Foxconn at $10 per share, and $100 million of equity funding already received after the deal was announced.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 30, 2026

Editorial illustration of a robotics conference panel, expo floor, and podcast team recording a recap.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

RoboBusiness 2026 recap

The Robot Report’s podcast team recaps RoboBusiness 2026, held October 20–21 in Santa Clara and reported by the organizer to have drawn more than 2,000 attendees. The episode covers keynote panels, the Women in Robotics lunch, sessions on AI in production and robotics-as-a-service, and the expo floor; it is a podcast roundup rather than independent testing of the featured systems. The page says this was the event’s 20th anniversary and final edition under the RoboBusiness name before a planned October 2027 return as Robotics Summit West, and the episode includes a WiBotic sponsor message.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 30, 2026

Editorial illustration of an imported industrial robot and machine-tool equipment undergoing inspection at a U.S. port.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

White House makes Section 232 determination regarding foreign-made robots

President Donald Trump determined that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and related components threaten to impair U.S. national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The October 28 proclamation directs the commerce secretary and U.S. trade representative to negotiate with trading partners and report on progress within 180 days. It does not impose a new robotics tariff now.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 29, 2026

Editorial illustration of an open robotics engineering handbook surrounded by a humanoid, robotic hand, AI network, and construction robot.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Humanoids · Summary

2026 Robotics Handbook looks at humanoids, AI, and design choices

The Robot Report's 2026 Robotics Handbook collects previously published and commissioned material on humanoid design, artificial intelligence, dexterous manipulation, construction automation, and engineering components. The public introduction presents it as a free overview of design choices, technical challenges, and market opportunities rather than a single new research study.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 29, 2026

AGIBOT co-founder Peng Zhihui presenting the Worken productivity framework on stage at AGIBOT Innovation Day 2026.

AGIBOT Innovation Day 2026 · company press photograph · AGIBOT

AI & Autonomy · Summary

AGIBOT introduces Worken to measure robot productivity at AGIBOT Innovation Day 2026

AGIBOT introduced Worken, a proposed measure of productive robot work, at its October 29 Innovation Day in Shanghai. The company defines the metric as active robots multiplied by autonomous working hours and an output-efficiency ratio. The idea is to distinguish robots merely built or powered on from machines completing acceptable work with limited intervention.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 29, 2026

Editorial illustration of industrial robots working in automotive, electronics, and life-sciences production cells.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

North American robot orders climb 24.8% in Q3 of 2026, says A3

North American companies ordered 10,989 robots worth $723.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Association for Advancing Automation. That was 24.8% more units and 26.1% more value than a year earlier. Orders for automotive components, semiconductors and electronics, plastics, life sciences, and metals all rose, while food and consumer-goods orders fell.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 28, 2026

Editorial illustration of a highly automated warehouse whose main flow leads toward one large shipping corridor.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

What Symbotic’s Walmart growth teaches robotics startups about anchor customers

A Robot Report analysis uses Symbotic's relationship with Walmart to examine the tradeoff in building a robotics company around one anchor customer. Symbotic's filing for the quarter ended June 27 says its largest customer supplied 90.5% of revenue; its annual report identifies Walmart as that customer. Symbotic reported $720.8 million in quarterly revenue and $55 million in net income, but the quarter also included $19.4 million in investment gains and negative non-GAAP free cash flow.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 28, 2026

Illustration of a robotic arm handling a sample vial in a chemistry laboratory.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

Warp Sciences emerges from stealth, to apply robotics to drug research

Warp Sciences says it has emerged from stealth with $215 million in funding to build a U.S. chemistry research service combining chemists, AI, and robotics. Its first planned offering is lead-optimization analog synthesis: making variations of candidate molecules for drug researchers to compare. The company describes an increasingly automated lab, but has not published customer results showing faster drug discovery.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 28, 2026

Illustration comparing a robot gripper missing an apple with a model prediction of a successful grasp.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

AI & Autonomy · Summary

WorldOracle Tests Whether World Models Can Reliably Predict Real-World Executions

WorldOracle is a research benchmark that compares a robot world model’s predicted outcome with a recorded real-world attempt starting from the same observation and action sequence. It tests whether the prediction gets physical outcomes, object positions, key interaction details, and multiple camera views right, including when a grasp fails. In experiments with seven models, the researchers found different failure patterns; the paper is a preprint, not proof that any model can safely control a robot.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 28, 2026

Editorial illustration of a mobile robot receiving distorted sensor data as a person approaches its safety zone.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Humanoids · Summary

Your Robot’s Safety Functions Already Work. What If the Input Lies?

Sponsored content from VicOne argues that robot safety functions can fail when sensor readings, messages, or model inputs are deliberately manipulated, even if the control logic behaves as designed. The company cites its own lab tests, published adversarial-input research, and a ROS 2/DDS message-injection demonstration; it also notes that an acoustic gyroscope attack was shown on drones, not on a humanoid. This is vendor-sponsored cybersecurity guidance and product positioning, not an independent evaluation of VicOne’s tools or proof that the cited attacks work against every robot.

IEEE Spectrum Robotics · Published Oct 27, 2026

Red ANYmal X quadruped inspection robot walking through an industrial plant with process equipment.

ANYmal X at an industrial plant · ANYbotics

Industry · Summary

ANYbotics begins delivering ANYmal X legged robot for explosive atmospheres

ANYbotics says it has begun delivering ANYmal X, a four-legged inspection robot designed for potentially explosive oil, gas, and chemical facilities, with Equinor and DSM-Firmenich among the named customers. The company says the robot is built to meet ATEX and IECEx standards and uses thermal, visual, acoustic, and gas sensors while feeding inspection results into plant-maintenance systems. Delivery status, the reported early-access testing across hundreds of missions, and performance benefits are company-reported; the article does not provide independent field results.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 27, 2026

A BMW vehicle moving through a production area equipped for Automated Driving In-Plant.

Industry · Summary

Embotech and BMW move 1M vehicles with automated driving technology

Embotech and BMW say Automated Driving In-Plant has moved 1 million newly built vehicles across four factories in Germany and the U.K. The partners report about 3,500 vehicle movements per day and availability above 99.5%, with infrastructure-mounted lidar and offboard planning guiding otherwise unmodified cars. Those operating figures come from the companies; BMW plans a further rollout, including its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant in 2027.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 27, 2026

Illustration of a tracked autonomous pile-driving machine installing a steel post at a utility-scale solar construction site.

AI-generated illustration · Created with OpenAI image generation for RobotMe

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Xpanner launches autonomous pile driver for solar farm contruction

Xpanner introduced the X1 Piling R6, a tracked system designed to drive posts at utility-scale solar and battery-storage sites under the supervision of one operator. The company lists a 97-kilowatt engine, piles up to 23 feet long, and a maximum driving depth of 15.7 feet, while its software records position, depth, and plumb for each installation. These specifications and productivity benefits are company claims from a product launch, not independently measured field results.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 27, 2026

A construction worker standing beside a large excavator at an active earthmoving site.

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Bedrock Robotics nears $1B in total funding as demand for autonomous heavy equipment surges

Bedrock Robotics says it raised $600 million in Series C funding at a $4.1 billion valuation, bringing its total funding to nearly $1 billion. The company is expanding autonomous excavator deployments and says it aims to have a triple-digit number of machines working across the U.S. in 2027, while exploring trenching and other equipment types. The funding and deployment plans are company-reported; the article does not provide independent performance or return-on-investment measurements.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 26, 2026

Two orange and gray OnLogic Helix industrial computers shown on a light background.

OnLogic industrial computing hardware · OnLogic

Industry · Summary

OMRON to acquire OnLogic to address edge AI applications

OMRON agreed to acquire industrial-computer maker OnLogic and its parent, Interlogic, for $675 million. The companies expect the transaction to close around January 2027, subject to regulatory approval, with OnLogic retaining its Vermont headquarters, brand, direct-sales model, and current management. Plans to combine OnLogic’s rugged edge computers with OMRON’s sensing, control, and robotics products describe the companies’ intended strategy, not a completed integration.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 26, 2026

Agility Robotics Digit at Web Summit. Archive photograph of an earlier generation.

Archive photo · Web Summit

Humanoids · Summary

Agility and GXO Logistics plan expanded deployment of Digit humanoid

Agility Robotics and GXO Logistics plan to expand their use of Digit humanoids beyond their existing Georgia operation. They report that its Georgia robot fleet has carried over 100,000 totes, and they expect to start deploying Digit 4 at additional U.S. sites in early 2027 before moving to Digit 5. GXO has not disclosed the investment or a return-on-investment timeline.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 26, 2026

Sereact and Universal Robots dual-arm returns-handling setup with the partnership announcement graphic.

Source article image · Sereact

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Teradyne Robotics partners with Sereact to scale physical AI in retail and logistics

Teradyne Robotics and Sereact are pairing Universal Robots arms with Sereact’s Cortex software for variable retail, logistics, and manufacturing tasks. The companies say hundreds of arms are already installed in dual-arm systems at European customer sites, including CEVA Logistics operations that process Zalando returns in Germany and Poland. Those deployment counts and performance descriptions come from the partners, while expansion into North America remains a plan.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 25, 2026

Eka Robotics’ official announcement photograph of a robotic gripper manipulating a lit object.

Source article image · Eka Robotics

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Eka Robotics raises $150M to scale its vision-force-action model for robots

Eka Robotics says it raised $150 million in Series A funding to expand its vision-force-action model and customer deployments. The company trains robots in simulation using reinforcement learning to handle varied objects and tasks, then transfers those skills to physical machines. Its reported speed and ability to generalize are company claims rather than independently verified results in the article.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 24, 2026

Architectural rendering of Generative Bionics’ planned Physical AI data factory.

Publisher original · Generative Bionics / The Robot Report

Humanoids · Summary

Generative Bionics to launch Physical AI Data Factory in Italy

Generative Bionics plans a 5,000-square-meter Physical AI Data Factory in Italy, targeted to open by the fourth quarter of 2027. It says fleets of its GENE.01 humanoid will work in recreated industrial settings to generate motion, contact, and other physical data; digital twins will extend the training and testing. AMD is named as the computing partner. The facility and later expansion sites are plans, not operating facilities yet.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 23, 2026

Red ETH Zurich quadruped stands beside a giant Rubik’s Cube.

Source article image · ETH Zurich RSL

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Video Friday: Quadruped Robot Solves Giant Rubik’s Cube by Itself

IEEE Spectrum’s Video Friday roundup features a quadruped using its feet to solve a Rubik’s Cube autonomously. The post also collects other robotics clips and brief editorial comments; it is a video roundup rather than a single research report. Watch the source page for the demonstration and the other featured projects.

IEEE Spectrum Robotics · Published Oct 23, 2026

Two robot grippers manipulate a patterned cloth in a Dream Labs Dream-1 demonstration.

Dream-1 demonstration · Dream Labs

AI & Autonomy · Summary

Dream Labs raises $90M and launches Dream API

Dream Labs says it raised $90 million in seed funding and opened Dream API, which turns camera input and written instructions into robot actions. Its Dream-1 model is intended to transfer skills across different robots, beginning with gripper-equipped machines and tabletop tasks. Claims that it can control unfamiliar hardware without task-specific training come from the company and remain to be tested broadly by users.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 22, 2026

Agility Robotics and AGCO logos over a Digit robot image announcing their planned factory pilot.

AGCO and Agility announcement graphic · Agility Robotics

Humanoids · Summary

AGCO to deploy Agility Digit humanoid in Kansas factory

Agricultural-equipment maker AGCO and Agility Robotics signed an agreement to pilot Digit humanoids at AGCO’s Hesston, Kansas, factory in 2027. The initial work is expected to include sorting and stacking parts and placing totes. The deployment is planned; the article does not report results from robots already working at that factory.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 21, 2026

Illustration of an orchard research robot testing apple picking while a grower and engineer observe in Washington State.

AI-generated illustration · AI illustration

Industry · Summary

Reservoir launches new agricultural robotics incubator for Washington growers

Reservoir and Washington agricultural partners announced an incubator that will let robotics startups test with growers and researchers in orchards, vineyards, and berry fields. The project is meant to expose machines to difficult specialty-crop conditions and help address labor pressure. It extends Reservoir’s field-testing approach beyond its existing Salinas hub.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 20, 2026

Official event graphic · The Robot Report / Robotics Summit & Expo West

Industry · Summary

RoboBusiness rebrands as Robotics Summit & Expo West

Event organizer Arrowfly is renaming RoboBusiness as Robotics Summit & Expo West, with the first event under that name planned for October 2027 in Santa Clara. Its program will emphasize bringing commercial robots from pilots into scaled deployments, including fleet operations, support, and business strategy. A separate Robotics Summit & Expo Boston will retain a stronger engineering focus.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 20, 2026

Presenters and attendees onstage at a previous robotics awards gala.

Publisher original · The Robot Report

Industry · Summary

2027 TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards open nominations

The Robot Report opened nominations for its rebranded TRR50 Robotics Innovation Awards, formerly RBR50. It is seeking robotics advances made during 2026 in categories including Robot of the Year, applications, and AI use. The source page lists a January 2027 submission deadline and says winners will be recognized at the June 2027 Robotics Summit in Boston.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 20, 2026

A da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system displayed at a hospital.

Industry · Summary

Avenda Health expands Unfold AI platform to support intraoperative prostate cancer care

Avenda Health added a Surgery Mode to Unfold AI, its prostate-cancer mapping software. The new view is designed to give surgeons access to 3D disease maps, MRI slices, and risk information during prostate procedures, including robotic surgery. The article cites research and company claims about possible clinical benefits; it does not establish that the update has improved patient outcomes in routine care.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 20, 2026

Gecko Robotics Toka 4 inspection crawler on the outside hull of a Navy test ship, with engineers and sailors watching from the deck.

Gecko inspection · Navy archive · U.S. Navy / Eric (Jhon) Parsons

Industry · Summary

Gecko Robotics’ Navy contract ceiling rises to $300M

Gecko Robotics says the ceiling on its U.S. Navy and General Services Administration contract rose to $300 million from an initial $71 million. The company’s inspection robots and AI tools assess ship and submarine structures, including corrosion beneath deck coatings. A higher contract ceiling permits more work but does not mean the full amount has been ordered or spent.

The Robot Report · Published Oct 20, 2026