Artificial Intelligence
Intel spins out AI robotics company RealSense with $50 million raise
The new company, known as RealSense, was announced Friday and comes alongside a $50 million Series A funding round that includes MediaTek Innovation Fund and Intel Capital, the chipmaker’s venture arm that it is also spinning out.
Innovation
UK sets sights on humanoid robot future
AI and robots are part of Labour’s plans to build out a high-tech economy, but a robot workforce is a long way off
Stone is being carved by robots and AI. Buildings could be next
An exclusive look at the stone carving startup Monumental Labs and its growing ambitions.
10 Amazing Humanoid Robots Already Walking Among Us Today
Walking, talking humanoid robots that were once firmly the domain of science fiction are on their way. In fact, a Morgan Stanley report recently predicted that 13 million human robots will be among us by 2035, rising to one billion by 2050.
Technology
In China, delivery robots now ride the subway to restock 7-Eleven stores
The project, reportedly the first of its kind in the world, will see robots ride subway trains to deliver goods to more than 100 stores across Shenzhen
What if Chinese, US firms make humanoid robots together? Tech CEO calls for collaboration
With advantages respectively held by China and the US, the founder of Unitree Robotics points to opportunities for their private companies to work together
Kawasaki has created a four-legged robot you ride like a horse
Kawasaki has unveiled a futuristic twist on personal mobility: a four-legged robot named CORLEO, which is designed to let you ride like a horse.
Entertainment
Blurring the Lines of Reality: Creating Characters That Are Robots or AI
I’ve been a science fiction fan for as long as I can remember. Whether watching Star Trek reruns as a child or spending hours engrossed in the works of Asimov, Bradbury, Butler and others, escaping to universes populated by aliens and robots is one of my greatest joys.
'Murderbot' is latest show to explore how humans, robots can coexist
The titular character of the Apple TV+ series “Murderbot” doesn’t call itself Murderbot because it identifies as a killer; it just thinks the name is cool.
Murderbot, a.k.a. “SecUnit,” is programmed to protect people. But the task becomes less straightforward when Murderbot hacks the governor module in its system, granting itself free will. But the freedom only goes so far — the robot must hide its true nature, lest it get melted down like so much scrap metal.
Research
This Guy Attached 21 Chef’s Knives to a Slicing Robot Arm to Determine Which One Is Best
Certified kitchen knife nerd Scott Heimendinger used a robot arm on multiple chef’s knives to collect 100,000 data points about which blades cut most efficiently. He’s ranked them from best to worst.
Trends
Global industrial robot market contracted 5.8% last year, reports Interact Analysis
The 2023 slump in the global industrial robot industry continued through 2024, with sales revenue declining 5.8% year over year, according to Interact Analysis. The market research firm attributed this decline to slow demand caused by a dip in manufacturing activity over the year, coupled with a decrease in average prices.