All articles tagged with #robotics
Researchers demonstrated a skin-like, 3D-printed layer for robots that uses surface electrodes and electrical impedance tomography to map touch, achieving fairly accurate pressure mapping with just 16 electrodes and offering a scalable path for more natural robot and prosthetic sensing.
At the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, sprinting robots briefly beat the human 100m record yet crash or catch fire, underscoring rapid gains in whole-body control but clear limits in autonomy. The event showcased tasks from laundry and library shelving to firefighting and package delivery, highlighting commercial potential while many tasks remain teleoperated or require extensive multi-trial learning. Industry observers note that true autonomous, general-purpose robots are still years away despite billions invested, with cloud AI and 5G links shaping progress.
BlackBerry’s QNX software, embedded in about 275 million vehicles with a $950 million backlog, is expanding into robotics and other physical AI applications such as medical devices and industrial automation, aided by a Nvidia partnership to deploy AI-enabled systems.
XPeng shares fell about 7% after a Q2 revenue miss and softer Q3 guidance, overshadowing a $6.3B valuation for its IRON humanoid robotics unit backed by Alibaba and Tencent. NIO slipped ~4% in sympathy, while Tesla declined modestly. XPeng reported Q2 revenue of RMB19.74B (+8% YoY, +51.5% QoQ) with gross margin at 20.7% and vehicle margin at 12.1%; Q3 revenue guidance of RMB21.7–23.4B missed consensus around RMB25.9B; non-GAAP loss per ADR was RMB1.29. The robotics round highlights optionality beyond EVs, but investors should watch the upcoming conference call for delivery momentum and any overseas ramp updates.
China is rapidly expanding its robotics and AI-driven manufacturing, with over two million factory robots and a government push to lead in 'new productive forces'; vocational institutes are training engineers to design, program and even build robots while factories increasingly automate repetitive tasks, aiming to offset a shrinking, aging workforce by 2035; the transition could boost output but raises concerns about job losses and whether China can keep pace with AI development, all within a tightly controlled information landscape.
Xpeng plans to carve out its robotics unit as Dogotix, securing about $900 million in funding commitments from external investors led by IDG Capital, Alibaba, Tencent and Gaorong Ventures. Dogotix is valued at roughly $5 billion pre-money and about $6.3 billion post-money (if equity incentives are fully utilized), with Xpeng expected to hold about 81.97% under current terms (diluting to ~68.41% if all investments and warrants are exercised). The move creates a standalone robotics entity, transferring assets, IP and personnel and aiming to scale the Iron humanoid robot and other general-purpose robots, while excluding Xpeng's other businesses. The deal remains subject to closing conditions and is planned to complete within about 18 months of the first funding tranche.
A humanoid robot reportedly surpassed Usain Bolt’s track record and then achieved another major sprint milestone at the World Humanoid Games, underscoring rapid advances in athletic robotics.
In Beijing, humanoid robots showcased at the city’s robot games, breaking performance records in events such as weightlifting and tug-of-war and drawing cheers from spectators. The competition features participants from about 16 countries, underscoring rapid progress in humanoid robotics and AI, though experts say mass real-world deployment remains years away and that robots are still mainly used for demonstrations, research, and exhibitions.
Chinese humanoid robots at the opening of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing set records, including a 9.39-second 100m dash and a 2.88-meter high jump, beating Usain Bolt’s human marks; the event showcases rapid robotics progress but experts say mass deployment remains years away.
At the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, Chinese manufacturers showcased robot horses and dancing humanoids, while Unitree Robotics made its Shanghai stock market debut; the event also hosts the World Humanoid Robot Games with over 2,000 robots from 16 countries.
Unitree Robotics' new 'Superman' humanoid can perform a standing high jump of about two meters and run at 12.66 meters per second, surpassing human records. Built with roughly 40 joints and advanced AI for balance and articulation, the robot (alongside G1 and H2 models) has been showcased in a Chinese New Year demonstration and highlights China's rapid leadership in humanoid robotics; the article notes prior Chinese record feats and mentions a Unitree G1 listed at $17,990 on Amazon.
Unitree Robotics’ Shanghai IPO surged on debut as investors bet on humanoid robots, but founder Wang Xingxing warned a true 'ChatGPT moment'—robots completing about 80% of tasks in unfamiliar homes via text or voice—will likely arrive in 2–10 years due to generalization and precision challenges; China dominates near-term shipments and analysts see potential if software and AI integration improve profitability.
Unitree Robotics’ Shanghai IPO jumped about 460% on its debut, valuing the company at roughly $51 billion and signaling strong investor appetite for humanoid AI-powered robots. While Unitree competes with Tesla’s Optimus, the surge underscores a wave of robotics/AI optimism that could accelerate innovation and bolster Tesla through broader industry momentum.
China uses the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing to spotlight rapid advances in robotics, from autonomous robot dogs to helper bots, underscoring Beijing’s push to lead in robotics and related tech industries.
Unitree Robotics vaulted to about a $50 billion valuation on its Shanghai STAR Market debut, with shares finishing up 460% after opening at 150.8 yuan; the company, famous for backflipping humanoids and a new 'Superman' robot, is profitable but mainly sells to universities and research institutions, and it remains cut off from the U.S. market by export controls and a military‑company designation; the listing underscores China’s aggressive push into AI and robotics and is viewed as a bellwether for humanoid robotics demand despite uncertain consumer demand.