Researchers at Delft University of Technology have equipped a sub‑100‑gram drone with a pair of rodent‑inspired artificial whiskers that provide real‑time tactile feedback. Each whisker contains three miniature pressure sensors at its base, detecting minute deflections, vibrations, and pressure changes when the whisker contacts a surface. An onboard processing pipeline, using only 34 kilobytes of memory, filters out propeller turbulence to deliver millimeter‑precision depth data. Flight tests showed the drone navigating pitch‑black enclosures, mapping unknown rooms, and [...]

In Episode 262 of The Robot Report Podcast, Teddy Haggerty, founder and CEO of Robo Inc., discusses the company’s shift from a distribution model to a robotics education and deployment platform. Haggerty explains how Robostore evolved into a localized, solution-first ecosystem that connects robotics, manufacturing, and education. He highlights the company’s expansion in Plainview, N.Y., and its focus on building infrastructure that supports the growing robotics industry. The conversation underscores Haggerty’s track record across multiple tech waves. [...]

IEEE Spectrum’s Video Friday showcased a diverse set of robotics demonstrations, including a quadrotor formed from two birotors, an undulatory robot that manipulates internal water to climb slopes and clear steps, and a wheeled quadruped adapted for underwater use. The video also highlighted Kubi 2.0, a telepresence AI robot, and Ugo Nova, a semi‑humanoid robot aimed at industrial deployment. Each clip emphasized novel design strategies and practical applications across aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic domains.

Toyota Motor announced that modernising its factories with robotics could cost about 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) annually from 2028. The estimate covers Toyota, its group companies, and major suppliers, and is based on the deployment of roughly 400,000 robots—including industrial, humanoid, and non‑humanoid units—to replace aging equipment and support automated logistics and human‑robot collaboration. The company did not confirm whether the investment will be realized or its duration. Analysts note that the move could signal a broader [...]

Arm Holdings PLC launched Arm Total Design for Physical AI, a program uniting more than 80 companies across the physical AI stack, including AWS, NXP, Siemens, and Unitree Robotics. The initiative introduces a Robotics Capability Framework that defines six levels of robotic sophistication, from reactive to self‑optimizing systems. Arm aims to improve interoperability in a fragmented industry by fostering collaboration among hardware, software, AI model, sensor, and cloud partners, drawing on its prior cloud ecosystem experience. The [...]

The Nevada Transportation Authority’s 100‑vehicle cap on Zoox’s robotaxi fleet will expire on September 25, allowing the Amazon‑owned company to expand its custom‑built autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas. Zoox currently operates about 100 robotaxis across four U.S. cities, with the majority in Las Vegas and San Francisco. The company has already begun charging rides in Las Vegas after receiving a federal safety exemption, and it plans to grow its fleet in response to rising demand and new permits for [...]

Icarus Robotics, a New York‑based startup, completed four parabolic‑flight tests of its free‑flying robot Joy in Canada, accumulating 22 minutes of microgravity operation. The trials validated Joy’s flight controller, sensor suite and dexterous manipulators, and allowed the company to rehearse crew coordination, scheduling and safety protocols ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration aboard the International Space Station. Icarus partnered with former astronaut Chris Hadfield because U.S. providers of parabolic flights are currently unavailable, highlighting a gap in domestic microgravity [...]