Spotlight
Innovation
Why Tesla's turn to robots has divided Wall Street
In just a decade, Tesla grew its electric vehicle sales from 32,000 units to 1.8 million — making it, for most of that stretch, the world’s largest seller of pure EVs. But while it was aggressively ramping up EV production, the company was also changing its mission.
In 2006, CEO Elon Musk said Tesla’s purpose was to transition the world from fossil fuels to solar power and EVs. In recent years, Musk has turned his focus elsewhere.
“Tesla is arguably the world’s biggest robotics company,” Musk said at Tesla’s “AI Day” in 2021. “Because our cars are semi-sentient robots on wheels.”
Robots race against humans in Beijing half-marathon
The winning robot crossed the finishing line in two hours and 40 minutes, while the men's winner of the race had a time of one hour and two minutes.
Hugo winner Liu Cixin on the rise of humanoid robots
Despite their vast potential for practical benefits, humanoid robots could have a disruptive impact on human society as technology advances, said Liu Cixin, celebrated science fiction writer and Hugo Award-winning author, ahead of the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon, which kicked off in Beijing on Saturday.
Technology
Hyundai Putting 'Tens of Thousands' of Advanced Robots to Work
The move is part of a larger partnership between the two to "build a vibrant robotics ecosystem in the U.S." Boston Dynamics wrote in a press release. The large Hyundai order will enable Boston Dynamics to integrate its manufacturing capabilities, making it one of the leading manufacturers of advanced mobile robots in the world.
Robot Picks Fruit And Changes Light Bulbs With Measuring Tape
How far can you stretch a measuring tape before it buckles? The answer probably depends more on the tape than the user, but it does show how sturdy the coiled spring steel rulers can be.
Thailand Deploys Humanoid Robot Dressed in Police Uniform
Unperturbed by the dystopian optics, the Royal Thai Police have deployed a humanoid police robot during a festival.
Watch: China races robots in Beijing half marathon
Robots ran alongside humans at the Yizhuang half marathon in Beijing on Saturday.
Twenty-one humanoid robots, designed by Chinese manufacturers, raced next to thousands of runners completing the 21km (13-mile) course.
ABB plans to spin off its robotics division
One of world’s top industrial automation providers is becoming more independent. ABB Group announced during its earnings call today that it plans to spin off its entire robotics division. The Zurich-based company said it intends for the business to start trading as a separately listed company in the second quarter of 2026.