robots

Le Parisien reports that Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's digital transformation minister, is backing a new project to deploy an 'army of robots' on the battlefield, intended to replace human soldiers at the front. The initiative reflects Ukraine's growing push into autonomous and remotely operated ground systems as the war with Russia continues and manpower pressures mount.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, and NASA says it cannot move it for the time being. Engineers are working to understand the fault on Canadarm2, which is essential for catching cargo spacecraft, moving astronauts during spacewalks and repositioning modules. The outage raises questions about station operations until the arm is restored.

Ukraine reports a first-of-its-kind engagement in which one of its unmanned surface vessels destroyed a Russian kamikaze drone boat at sea. The clash marks a military milestone in the growing battle between robotic vessels in the Black Sea, with both sides increasingly relying on uncrewed craft for attack and defense.

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.

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reportedly erased Russian gains, defeating a Russian pincer movement with the help of robotic systems. The robots carried out combat airdrops and cleared mines, reducing risk to Ukrainian soldiers. The operation is drawing attention as one of the most prominent examples of unmanned ground systems being used directly in frontline combat.

At the United Nations, world leaders are framing the risks of artificial intelligence in starkly different ways. Some warn of autonomous 'killer robots' on the battlefield, while others point to the longer-term threat of 'super intelligence' beyond human control. The divide highlights the challenge of crafting international AI governance, with countries prioritising different dangers as they push for new rules on the fast-moving technology.

A Ukrainian commander has described how his troops conduct ground assaults during daylight hours while deploying ground robots and other unmanned systems at night. The explanation highlights how Ukraine's forces are increasingly relying on robotic vehicles to move supplies and support attacks while reducing risk to soldiers, with darkness offering cover from Russian drones and observation.

Researchers have unveiled a paper-thin swimming robot powered by living muscle cells rather than motors. The soft robot can navigate its way through a watery maze, showing how engineered biological tissue can be used to drive tiny machines. The work highlights progress in biohybrid robotics, where living cells give devices flexibility and responsiveness that conventional actuators cannot match.

Ukraine is reported to be sending unmanned ground vehicles fitted with grenade launchers to attack Russian positions, replacing infantry in certain assaults. The deployment reflects Kyiv's growing reliance on robotic systems to conserve manpower and reduce casualties at the front. The development adds to ongoing discussion about how drones and ground robots are reshaping combat tactics in the war.

Ukraine says a secret military operation, supported by robotic systems, targeted around 3,000 Russian soldiers. Details of the push remain scarce, with Kyiv releasing few specifics about where or how the robot-aided assault was carried out. The claim has drawn attention as an early example of ground robots being used in large-scale combat operations, though it has not been independently verified.

The American Enterprise Institute has published an analysis arguing that the rise of autonomous robot trucks offers a preview of how artificial intelligence will reshape the labour market. The piece uses self-driving freight as a case study for which jobs may be automated, which will change rather than disappear, and what that means for workers and policymakers.

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.

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 International Federation of Robotics reports the number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide has exceeded five million. The milestone reflects steady automation adoption across manufacturing industries, driven by labor shortages, falling robot costs and rising demand for productivity. Coverage highlights the pace of robot deployment in sectors such as automotive, electronics and logistics, and what continued growth could mean for industrial employment.

Pharmaceutical company Roche has outlined plans to move towards autonomous, AI-driven laboratories. According to a Reuters report, the Swiss drugmaker intends to use artificial intelligence and robotics to automate research workflows, accelerating drug discovery and reducing the need for manual lab work. The announcement highlights how major pharma firms are adopting AI to speed up experimentation and research.

Chinese state media is highlighting the country's push in embodied AI, robots that learn tasks and then carry them out in real workplaces rather than staying in research settings. The report points to machines moving out of demonstration classrooms into practical jobs in industry and services, part of China's broader effort to lead in humanoid and industrial robotics.

NASA says it is troubleshooting the transporter that moves the International Space Station's robotic arm along the station's truss. Engineers are working to restore the system, which is needed to reposition the Canadarm2 so it can support operations outside the orbiting laboratory. The issue has drawn attention from space watchers monitoring the station's day-to-day maintenance challenges as the outpost ages.

Canadarm2, the large robotic arm aboard the International Space Station, has stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would complicate station operations. Details on the cause and possible repairs remain limited, and observers are awaiting confirmation from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.

A world robotics conference is taking place in Pittsburgh, with exhibits ranging from robotic dogs to humanoid robots designed to box. The event highlights the breadth of current robotics development, from quadruped machines used for inspection and research to humanoids demonstrating balance and movement. Coverage has focused on the wide variety of machines on display and what they suggest about how quickly the field is advancing.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of autonomous warfare systems. The push reflects Ukraine's wartime drive to scale unmanned ground and aerial vehicles amid manpower shortages and ongoing fighting with Russia.

The U.S. Army has chosen a humanoid robot and four supporting technologies following selection from 103 proposals submitted after live demonstrations at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The decision points to the Army's effort to bring robotic systems into its future force plans. Details on the winning platforms and technologies have drawn attention from defence industry observers tracking military robotics development.

Tesla has reportedly increased production of its Optimus humanoid robot tenfold, but the robotic hands remain the weak point, lagging behind the rest of the program. The news has drawn attention from robotics watchers, who see the hand dexterity problem as a key hurdle for the robot doing useful work. Tesla has yet to give detailed public figures on production volumes or hand reliability.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance for surgical robots, outlining its thinking for developers and manufacturers of robotic surgical systems. The document is expected to shape regulatory expectations in a growing medtech field, and industry stakeholders will likely be able to comment before a final version is adopted.

Le Parisien reports that Ukraine's digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov is pushing a new strategy to deploy an "army of robots" on the front lines, aiming to replace human soldiers with ground machines and reduce casualties in the war against Russia. The plan highlights Kyiv's growing reliance on unmanned and autonomous systems to offset manpower shortages.

Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics has carried out what it calls the world's largest-scale performance of full-size humanoid robots, streamed in real time. Footage shows a coordinated group of the company's humanoids moving together in sync. The event has drawn hundreds of thousands of reactions, fueling fresh online debate about how quickly China's humanoid robotics industry is advancing.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov has announced a new 'Army of Robots' initiative, his latest move since leaving office. The program signals a push to expand autonomous and robotic systems in Ukraine's armed forces, building on the country's wartime drive to scale up unmanned technology. The announcement drew attention alongside other Ukraine-related news, including appeals over the humanitarian crisis in flooded Oleshky.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

Ukraine says it carried out Operation Vivaldi, using heavy drones to deliver unmanned ground combat robots some 10 kilometres behind Russian lines. The operation is being described as a first in modern warfare, pointing to a new phase in which robotic systems operate deep in contested territory rather than only at the front. Observers see it as a sign of how quickly drone-delivered robotics are changing battlefield tactics in the war.

NASA says it is currently unable to move the International Space Station's large robotic arm, the Canadarm2, for the time being. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks outside the orbiting laboratory. Few further details about the cause of the problem or expected repair timeline have been released, and observers are waiting for updates from the agency.

The global fleet of industrial robots operating in factories has reached five million units, a milestone in the automation of manufacturing. The figure reflects years of steady adoption across industries such as automotive, electronics and logistics, with strong demand from major manufacturing economies. Observers see it as evidence of how deeply robotics has become embedded in modern production lines.

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.