Now Robotics

Ukraine has sent grenade-launcher equipped ground robots to attack Russian shelters while its infantry stayed out of direct contact, with operators controlling the assault from positions tens of kilometers away. Ukraine's Third Army Corps said no one has used similar tactics in this war before, and United24 reported the operation. The attack highlights how unmanned systems are increasingly replacing troops in frontline assaults.

A major counter-terrorism investigation is under way in the UK after police released images of suspects and deployed a bomb-disposal robot that fired at a van during operations. Sky News is running live updates on the probe as further details about the arrests and the alleged plot emerge, drawing intense public attention.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to buy robot dogs, according to ABC News. The robotics platforms could be used for surveillance or patrol tasks in ICE operations. The news is drawing attention over the use of advanced robotics in immigration enforcement and questions about privacy and the role of autonomous machines in policing.

Ukraine says its forces have taken around 250 Russian soldiers prisoner during an offensive in which remote-controlled, unmanned vehicles — dubbed 'zombie cars' — were reportedly used to lead assaults and draw fire. The operation highlights Kyiv's growing use of robotic systems on the battlefield to reduce risks to its own troops while pressuring Russian positions.

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 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.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm used to capture cargo ships and move astronauts around the exterior of the International Space Station, has stopped working. The failure raises concerns about resupply operations and station maintenance, which depend heavily on the arm. Engineers are reportedly assessing the problem and possible fixes.

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.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly erased recent Russian territorial gains in what is being called Operation Vivaldi, with robots performing combat airdrops and clearing mines on the battlefield. The operation is being highlighted as another example of Ukraine's growing use of unmanned ground systems to reduce risks to soldiers while carrying out dangerous tasks under fire.

Industrial robot deployments in factories have reached around five million units worldwide, according to figures reported by Euronews. The milestone comes as the industry weighs whether humanoid robots can justify the current wave of hype, with conventional industrial automation still doing most of the actual work on factory floors.

China is advancing rapidly in robotics and automation, while Hong Kong risks falling behind in the race to adopt and develop robot technology. According to DW, Hong Kong is struggling to keep pace with the mainland's push into industrial and service robotics, raising questions about the city's ability to remain competitive as automation reshapes industries across the region.

The Yuelu Conference 2026 was held in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, on September 23–24, 2026. The event brought together artificial intelligence companies, robotics developers, researchers and investors, and featured an opening ceremony along with ten 'AI+' themed forums. The conference is being discussed as a notable gathering of China's AI and robotics sectors, highlighting Changsha's role as a hub for the industry.

Chinese regulators have introduced three new criteria that humanoid robot companies must meet before listing on the stock market, and according to CNBC reporting, few if any of the country's robotics firms currently satisfy them. The move suggests Beijing wants to rein in speculation in a hyped sector where many startups remain pre-revenue and heavily loss-making.

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.

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.

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.

The large robotic arm aboard the International Space Station has stopped functioning, according to Ars Technica. The Canadarm2 is essential for catching cargo spacecraft, moving equipment, and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would complicate station operations. Details on the cause of the malfunction and any repair plans were not included in the available reporting.

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 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.

NASA says it is troubleshooting the transporter that moves the International Space Station's robotic arm along the station's truss. The issue affects the mobile system that repositions the arm for maintenance and operations work outside the station. Details on the nature of the fault and any impact on station operations have not been given.

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 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.

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.

Black Forest Labs has announced Flux 3 Action, a 7-billion-parameter open-weight world action model designed for robotics. The model is being released openly so developers can adapt it to control robots, and the announcement has drawn attention among AI and robotics researchers debating how far vision-action models can push general-purpose robot control.

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.

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.