robots

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm outside the International Space Station, has stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The arm is critical for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so any outage raises immediate concerns about station operations. Details on the cause and expected repair timeline remain limited.

Chinese robotics firm Unitree staged what it calls the world's largest-scale live performance of full-size humanoid robots, streamed in real time to a global audience. The synchronised display of the company's humanoid robots drew well over a million likes, with viewers reacting to the speed and coordination of the machines and to how quickly the technology is moving from lab demos to public spectacle.

Elon Musk said Tuesday that 'jobs are going to change' as artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, telling an interviewer he expects an 'evolution of roles' as AI and robots take over tasks across different fields. He argued the most likely outcome is a transformation of work rather than mass disappearance of jobs. The remarks are drawing wide attention amid growing public debate over how AI will affect employment.

A startup claims its humanoid robot, priced at $3,555, can learn new household chores in as little as 30 minutes. The claim, reported by CNET, highlights the race to bring affordable humanoid robots to consumers. If accurate, such rapid task learning at a low price point would mark a notable step in home robotics, though the startup's figures have not been independently verified.

NASA is reportedly developing elements of a permanent Moon base ahead of crewed landings, sending infrastructure and equipment to the lunar surface before astronauts arrive. The approach would let robotic systems prepare habitats and resources in advance, supporting long-term human presence under the Artemis programme. Commenters are debating whether pre-positioning hardware is a smart way to de-risk crewed missions or an overly ambitious timeline.

Ukraine has mounted an offensive using unmanned ground robots that has reportedly reversed a year of Russian battlefield advances, according to the Atlantic Council. The operation marks a notable use of robotic systems in combat, allowing Ukrainian forces to press attacks while reducing risks to soldiers. The development is drawing attention as an example of how drone and robot technology is reshaping the war's front lines.

Ukraine is using unmanned, remote-controlled 'zombie cars' packed with explosives to destroy Russian defensive positions, a tactic that reportedly helped its forces capture around 250 Russian soldiers. The driverless vehicles are driven toward enemy lines and detonated, clearing fortifications without risking Ukrainian crews. The method highlights how cheap improvised drones and robots are reshaping battlefield tactics in the war.

Winners of a robotics competition are advancing military exploration of humanoid capabilities, according to the U.S. Department of War. The competition appears to serve as a sourcing mechanism for the armed forces' work on bipedal and humanoid robotic systems, with winning teams' technologies feeding into further military research and development.

Tesla has secured $30 billion in new credit facilities, funds the company plans to use to scale up production of its Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot. The move signals Tesla is preparing for major manufacturing expansion in its robotics and autonomous vehicle programs, and it is drawing attention from business and tech watchers tracking the company's next growth phase.

A circulating headline in Filipino claims that robots now have their own Olympics, framed with the warning that 'the end is near.' The item suggests robotic athletes are competing in Olympic-style events, though no further details, organisers, or results are provided in the available material. Discussion appears focused on how quickly robotics is advancing and what that could mean for humans.

AMD is reportedly acquiring World Labs, the AI startup focused on spatial intelligence and 3D simulation, in a deal valued at around $8.2 billion. Observers say the move points to a broader race in AI toward robotics and physically grounded simulation, raising questions about what the acquisition means for AMD's future chips and AI strategy.

Robot dogs will soon be deployed at Pittsburgh International Airport, where they will patrol the grounds to detect spills and monitor air quality. The deployment highlights the growing use of quadruped robots for routine inspection and safety tasks in public infrastructure, as airports and other facilities turn to automation to cut costs and improve monitoring.

A creator dressed in a robot suit visited a children's park in a Sakura School-style setup, and the kids' reactions were far from what was expected. The stunt has drawn huge attention online, with viewers sharing, liking and debating the surprising footage as it spreads across the robotics-themed video scene.

A Chinese theme park is running with hundreds of humanoid robots moving among visitors, in a project tied to robotics maker AgiBot. The experiment is being framed as an early glimpse of humanoid robots entering everyday public spaces, not just factories or labs. Commenters in tech circles are weighing whether this signals a near future where humanoids become commonplace.

The BBC is asking audiences whether they would pay for a robot designed to clean their homes. The question highlights growing consumer interest in domestic robotics, as companies work to bring automated household helpers to market and pricing remains a key barrier to adoption.

Researchers have unveiled a paper-thin biohybrid swimming robot driven by a single layer of genetically engineered, living muscle cells that contract in response to light, making the device move with a flapping motion. The work combines mechanical and biological engineering, and is drawing attention as an example of how living tissue can be integrated into soft robotics for swimming machines.

A roboticist at Caltech is arguing that safety should be the top priority in the development and deployment of humanoid robots. As companies race to put human-shaped machines into homes, factories and public spaces, the warning adds a cautionary voice to a fast-moving industry. The call reflects growing debate among researchers about how quickly humanoid robots should be rolled out and what protections are needed.

A new humanoid robot called Flourish One has been unveiled, built around Raspberry Pi hardware and marketed towards busy parents. The robot, covered by The Robot Report, is designed to help with household tasks. Details on pricing, availability and the company behind the product have not yet been widely reported, but the focus on family use rather than industry marks it out.

A new essay argues that so-called collaborative robots, or cobots, do not live up to their name, challenging a widely repeated claim in the robotics industry. The piece, shared by a commentator on human-machine interaction, is drawing attention among robotics and human-robot interaction practitioners who question how truly collaborative these industrial robots are in practice.

Newly released records show that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has planned to deploy Spot, a four-legged robot made by Boston Dynamics. The documents shed light on how the immigration agency intends to use quadruped robots in its operations, drawing attention from watchers of both border enforcement and robotics.

China shipped more than 19,000 humanoid robots in the first half of 2026, representing 77.9% of global shipments, according to figures attributed to IDC. Worldwide shipments reached nearly 25,000 units, up 432.1% year over year, and IDC reportedly raised its forecast for global humanoid robot shipments, underlining China's dominant position in the fast-growing robotics market.

Sam Esmail, the creator of the acclaimed series 'Mr. Robot', has left the talent agency CAA, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The exclusive did not specify where the writer-director is headed next or the reason for the move. Esmail has remained a prominent television producer through his overall deals and recent projects since 'Mr. Robot' ended.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to purchase modified Boston Dynamics robot dogs under a $1.3 million contract, according to the Boston Globe. The deal puts the quadruped robots, originally developed by the Massachusetts robotics firm, into the hands of a federal immigration enforcement agency, raising questions about how the technology will be used.

Reports question the reality behind China's robot charging infrastructure, dubbing it a 'mirage'. The claims suggest that widely circulated images and demonstrations of autonomous robot charging stations in China may not reflect genuine deployed capability. Commentary is centring on whether the technology is overstated for promotional purposes, and what that means for global perceptions of Chinese robotics progress.

Pittsburgh International Airport has introduced new robots tasked with monitoring its terminals for spills and overflowing trash cans. The autonomous units patrol the airport and alert staff to hazards and cleaning needs. The deployment is part of a broader effort by airports to use automation for routine facility maintenance, and it is drawing attention as another example of robotics entering everyday public spaces.