Now Robotics

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says it used ground robots fitted with grenade launchers to attack Russian shelters while infantry stayed out of direct contact. Operators reportedly controlled the machines from safe positions tens of kilometers away. The unit claims no side has used similar tactics before in this war, with United24 also covering the operation.

The Canadarm2 robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, according to a report by Ars Technica. The arm is critical for docking spacecraft, moving cargo and performing spacewalk support, so a failure would raise immediate operational concerns for NASA and its station partners. Details on the cause of the fault and the outlook for repairs were not given.

Police investigating a terrorism case have released images of suspects, and a bomb-disposal robot fired at a van during the operation. Sky News is providing live updates on the probe as details of the suspects and the incident involving the vehicle emerge. The investigation remains ongoing.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, and NASA says it is currently unable to move it. The Canada-arm2 manipulator is a critical tool for capturing cargo vehicles and supporting spacewalks, so any outage draws close attention. Engineers are assessing the fault, and officials stress the problem is described as temporary while troubleshooting continues.

New reporting puts the global fleet of industrial robots at five million units, a milestone for factory automation. The figure lands as the industry tests whether humanoid robots can live up to years of hype, with traditional robotic arms still doing the bulk of real manufacturing work. Observers are weighing how quickly humanoids might move from demos to production lines.

China is rapidly advancing its robotics industry, and Hong Kong is struggling to keep pace. Reporting by DW highlights how the mainland's push into automation and robot manufacturing is outstripping Hong Kong's efforts to build its own role in the sector, raising questions about the city's competitiveness and how it can find a niche alongside China's booming robotics revolution.

China has introduced three new criteria that humanoid robot companies must meet before going public, according to CNBC. Regulators are reportedly tightening scrutiny of listings in the fast-growing robotics sector, and few if any of the current developers satisfy the new requirements. The rules could slow the wave of IPOs expected from companies racing to commercialise humanoid robots.

China accounted for 77.9% of worldwide humanoid robot shipments in the first half of the year, according to new figures from IDC reported by TechNode. The data underlines China's dominant position in the emerging humanoid robotics industry, far outpacing all other countries in the number of units shipped globally.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm aboard the International Space Station, has reportedly stopped working, according to Ars Technica. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so its failure could complicate station operations and resupply missions. Details on the cause and repair prospects remain limited, and space watchers are discussing what the breakdown means for the aging station.

The Yuelu Conference 2026 opened in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, on September 23–24, bringing together artificial intelligence companies, robotics developers, researchers and investors. The event featured an opening ceremony, ten 'AI+' themed forums and other sessions focused on AI development and investment in the region.

NASA is troubleshooting the transporter system that moves the International Space Station's robotic arm along the station's truss, according to Ars Technica. The issue affects the mobile base that allows the Canadarm2 to relocate and support operations outside the orbiting laboratory. Details on the nature of the fault and its impact on station operations remain limited.

Chinese state media reports that the country's embodied AI sector is shifting from research settings into practical deployment, with robots taking on actual jobs in industry and services. The report highlights China's push to turn embodied artificial intelligence from a laboratory technology into a working part of the economy, as companies and institutions expand real-world applications.

A world robotics conference is being held in Pittsburgh, showcasing a wide range of machines including robot dogs and humanoid boxers. The event highlights advances in robotics and positions the city, long associated with Carnegie Mellon University's robotics research, as a hub for the industry.

Commentary is pointing to a so-called killer robot revolution: the growing development and potential battlefield use of autonomous weapons that can select and engage targets without human intervention. The debate centres on how quickly these systems are advancing and whether militaries and governments are prepared for the ethical and strategic consequences.

The American Enterprise Institute has published a piece examining what autonomous robot trucks reveal about the future of artificial intelligence and employment. The argument suggests self-driving freight is an early test case for how AI will reshape work, raising questions about which jobs automation replaces and what new roles it may create for workers.

New research published in Nature reports that fundamental kinematic indicators from robot-assisted surgery can predict both a surgeon's level of expertise and clinical outcomes for patients. The findings suggest movement data captured during robotic procedures could serve as an objective measure of skill, with potential uses in surgical training, assessment and quality monitoring.

Robotics startup Microagi has hired eight university researchers, the latest example of young robotics companies recruiting directly from academia. The trend points to growing competition for specialized talent as startups race to develop advanced robots and compete with established labs for the limited pool of researchers with hands-on expertise.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have grown living human skin on a robotic finger, a bioengineering milestone demonstrated by the university's lab. The cultured skin covered the mechanical digit and reportedly showed enough flexibility and self-healing properties to mark a step toward lifelike robotics. Commenters see potential uses in humanoid robots, medical testing and tissue research, while others debated the ethical and practical limits of combining living tissue with machines.

Embodied AI company Knowin published a technical report on September 24 for GLOW, a framework designed to let household robots learn a new task from a single complete human demonstration. The approach aims to reduce the training data normally required for robot skills, drawing attention from robotics observers following the Pandaily coverage.

Forbes reports on robots being developed to draw blood from patients, taking over a task traditionally performed by phlebotomists. The piece highlights how automated blood-drawing devices could ease staffing shortages and improve accuracy in hospitals and clinics, while raising questions about how patients will react to a machine handling a delicate, personal medical procedure.

South Korean robotics company Angel Robotics has launched PHAI-X1, a wearable robot platform aimed at physical AI research. The system is intended to give researchers a hardware base for developing and testing AI that interacts with the physical world, such as exoskeleton control and human-assistance applications. Details on pricing and availability were not included in the initial announcement.

Reports indicate that robots are being used in a widening range of tasks on construction sites, with new opportunities emerging for automation in the building industry. Observers point to robots taking on repetitive, heavy or hazardous work as the technology matures. The development reflects a broader push across construction toward automation amid labour shortages and efficiency demands.

Estonian authorities say Russian intelligence services were behind an arson attack against Milrem, an Estonian defense contractor, in the capital Tallinn on August 15. The claim has drawn attention amid heightened tensions over Russia's war in Ukraine, with Milrem known for producing military robotics used by Ukraine. Observers see the attack as part of a broader pattern of Russian sabotage and hybrid operations targeting European defense and infrastructure.

France’s first bar run by AI-powered robots has opened in Avignon. The venue uses robotic systems to prepare and serve drinks, marking a first for the country’s hospitality sector. The opening is drawing attention as an example of automation arriving in French bars and restaurants.

MLB.com has highlighted the biggest storylines around the automated ball-strike system in the Wild Card Series, the opening round of the baseball postseason. The piece spotlines how the ABS challenge system is being used in playoff games for the first time and which calls or controversies stood out. Fans are watching closely to see how robot umpires affect high-stakes October baseball.