Two men in their 20s were located using an artificial intelligence-powered drone that employed thermal imaging. The hikers had deviated from the established walking track in Kosciuszko national park, New South Wales. They were found approximately half a kilometre off the main trail on Tuesday. This incident marked the first deployment of the FRNSW drone's AI detection system for missing person rescues. Authorities successfully located the individuals within five hours of them going missing.
General Intuition successfully raised \$320 million in funding. This capital will be specifically utilized to advance robotic training methods. Their unique approach involves leveraging extensive video game clips for AI development. These clips contain embedded action labels, which greatly accelerates the learning process for robots. This method promises a faster and more efficient way to train sophisticated autonomous systems.
Orbbec showcased industrial-grade 3D cameras at Automate 2026. Their presentation focused on applications for complex automation scenarios. A key feature highlighted was the integration of Artificial Intelligence into their systems. This AI enhances robotic perception capabilities significantly. Information regarding this showcase was initially published by The Robot Report.
Video Friday features robotics videos demonstrating various robot capabilities, such as advanced hand mechanisms, safe human interaction approaches ("SoftMimic"), and dynamic obstacle navigation by robots like Digit. Highlighted topics include the DARPA Lift Challenge and a look at fire-fighting robotics. Furthermore, content explores future potential, including using AI to understand animal language from sources like whale behavior research. The weekly selection also provides upcoming event calendars for major robotics conferences.
MIT developed a novel system utilizing two language models for improving robotic task execution. The first language model's function is to interpret vague human instructions into clearer commands. Subsequently, the second model helps robots filter out extraneous or irrelevant details from those complex instructions. This dual-model approach enhances robot understanding, allowing them to focus precisely on key actions required by the user. The technology aims to make robots more capable assistants in domestic and industrial settings.
All three ROS 2 distributions, including the new Jazzy release, are now natively available on Homebrew-macOS via a specific tap. Installing with `brew install ros2-jazzy` grants immediate access to key components like Gazebo Harmonic (gz-sim8), ros2_control, MoveIt 2, and Nav2. This setup runs directly on macOS without requiring Docker or Virtual Machines. These installations are not static snapshots, ensuring they remain synchronized with upstream developments. Furthermore, patched tutorials for MoveIt 2 and TurtleBot4 are available specifically for the Jazzy distribution on macOS users.
Kawasaki Robotics displayed advanced automation technologies at Automate 2026 in Chicago. The showcase highlighted how robotics, AI, machine learning, and vision systems are transforming industry. A major feature was the unveiling of the new "RL030N" robot platform. This platform boasts 8 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) and is specifically designed for Physical AI applications. The company also showcased its patented Pulseboard technology among its offerings.
Flexiv introduced two novel adaptive robots to advance industrial automation capabilities. These new machines feature enhanced tactile sensing and advanced physical AI functionalities. The company unveiled the Enlight robotic arm and the Mico dual-arm robotic platform. Both units represent a notable advancement in force-controlled robotics and embodied intelligence. The flagship model, the Enlight, is described as a seven-axis adaptive robot.
Hexagon's global Robot Generation study reveals public acceptance of robots in workplaces, with both adults and children showing openness to their use. Adults generally expressed a preference for robots performing physical or repetitive tasks. However, the report indicates that people are setting specific boundaries regarding appropriate robot deployment locations. Notably, respondents showed less enthusiasm or cited reservations about using robots in sensitive environments like hospitals or schools. Overall, public desire favors robots augmenting industrial and factory settings rather than care or educational ones.
ABB Robotics and California bionics company Psyonic are collaborating to enhance robotic gripping and dexterity. Their new approach leverages real-world manipulation data collected from human prosthetic usage. This integration aims to overcome the significant industrial challenge of limited robotic handling capability. The partnership combines Psyonic's Ability Hand with ABB's GoFa robot arm. Improving these capabilities is expected to reduce engineering time by as much as 30%.
Limitless Labs secured $20 million in a Series A funding round. This capital infusion is earmarked for expanding the company's physical AI platform. The company specializes in developing AI software tailored for CNC programming and precision manufacturing processes. Dell Technologies Capital and Square Peg co-led this successful fundraising round. Further investment participation came from Grove Ventures and Meron Capital, among others.
Teradar is participating in a paid technical evaluation program with a German automaker. This assessment focuses on validating Teradar's terahertz (THz) vision technology. The goal is to integrate the THz sensing for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The technology aims to improve upon limitations found in current sensors like cameras, radar, and lidar. Successful testing will advance autonomous driving platforms utilizing THz capabilities.