robots

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm on the International Space Station, has stopped working, according to a report by Ars Technica. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks outside the station. Engineers are reportedly working to diagnose the fault, and the outage raises questions about operations aboard the ageing orbital outpost until the arm can be restored.

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.

Elon Musk said Tuesday that "jobs are going to change" as artificial intelligence and robots reshape the workplace, telling CBS News he expects an "evolution of roles" across different fields. His remarks came in response to concerns about AI's impact on the future of work, as debates intensify over automation displacing workers and creating new kinds of jobs.

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.

An engineer has written about a hands-on crash course in robotics, arguing that the key lesson was learning when to step back and let automated systems act rather than intervene. The piece walks through practical mistakes and fixes from building and running robots, and it is drawing attention from readers interested in hands-on robotics experience.

A Hindi-language animated story is drawing large audiences online, telling the tale of three children who build a unique robot that begins moving on its own at night. The story mixes children's science themes with a spooky twist, and its popularity suggests strong demand for Hindi animated entertainment aimed at family and young viewers.

A new humanoid robot priced at $3,555 is drawing attention for being deliberately slow and basic. Commentators say the low cost is the real achievement: affordable hardware could open robot development to hobbyists, labs and startups, much as cheap components did for other technologies. Coverage frames its simplicity as a feature rather than a flaw.

A robotics item associated with Round2World is drawing large audiences under the title 'Dumb Robot'. Beyond the headline, no verified details have been released about what the robot is, who built it, or where it was filmed. Viewers are sharing the content widely, and discussion is focused on the machine's apparent shortcomings rather than any confirmed technical facts.

Anthropic is asking whether it is possible to predict which jobs robots will take on as robotics and AI capabilities advance. The question touches on a growing debate among researchers, employers and workers about automation's impact on labour markets, and which occupations are most exposed in the coming years.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has acquired a fleet of Boston Dynamics robot dogs to carry out safety checks. The deployment of the four-legged robots by a federal law enforcement agency is drawing attention to the growing use of robotics in government and policing, with debate expected over the appropriateness of such technology in immigration enforcement work.

NASA is reported to be working on sending humanoid robots to the moon, according to a Popular Science story circulating on social media. The idea of humanlike robotic explorers working on the lunar surface is drawing attention among space enthusiasts, who are discussing how such machines could support future crewed missions and operate in environments too risky for astronauts.

Amazon has passed the milestone of one million robots working in its warehouses worldwide. The machines move entire shelves of products, carry heavy loads, pick up objects, and some can detect when an item needs handling. The news is drawing attention to the scale of automation in Amazon's logistics network and renewed debate about the role of robots in replacing human warehouse workers.

Arrowfly, the parent company of robotics publication The Robot Report, has launched AI for Engineers, a new platform aimed at helping engineers understand and adopt artificial intelligence. The offering includes events designed to guide engineers through the practical challenges of navigating AI technologies in their work, marking an expansion of the company's coverage beyond robotics into broader engineering-focused AI education.

Bethel presented its new robot joint modules for the first time at the 2026 World Manufacturing Convention, marking its entry into the robotics components market. The debut drew attention from the manufacturing and automation sectors, with observers watching how the modules could serve the fast-growing demand for humanoid and industrial robot parts.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is purchasing robot dogs from Boston Dynamics under a $1.3 million contract. The deal puts the quadruped robots, best known for industrial and research uses, into the hands of a federal immigration enforcement agency, a pairing likely to spark debate over the militarisation of police and border enforcement technology.

NASA is developing plans to send humanoid robots to the moon, according to Popular Science. The robots would reportedly operate on the lunar surface, potentially carrying out tasks ahead of or alongside human astronauts as part of the agency's broader moon exploration ambitions.

Universal Robots has launched its seventh-generation platform for industrial automation, designed to be ready for AI integration in collaborative robot applications. The announcement was reported by Machine Design. Details beyond the launch itself, including pricing and availability, were not provided in the available reporting, so the full scope of the new platform remains unclear.

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, a 432.1% year-over-year increase, and IDC also raised its global humanoid robot forecast. Commenters are citing the numbers as evidence of China's dominance in a fast-scaling robotics industry.

Tangent Robotics, a startup spun out of Columbia University, has raised $4.5 million to develop robotic dexterity technology. The funding will support the company's work on robots capable of fine, human-like manipulation, a key challenge in robotics. The early-stage round signals continued investor interest in academic spinoffs advancing robot manipulation for industrial and research applications.

Ukraine has put a new uncrewed ground robot, nicknamed Frodo, into battlefield service, with a reported operating range of 150 kilometres. The system is presented as part of Ukraine's growing fleet of robotic vehicles used for logistics and assault tasks, reducing the risk to soldiers. The Tolkien-themed nickname has drawn attention as coverage highlights how Ukrainian drone and robot innovations continue to expand along the front line.

A new technical article examines the key engineering obstacles facing underwater robot power systems, including battery endurance, pressure resistance, and energy efficiency at depth. It outlines emerging solutions such as improved battery chemistries, power management techniques, and energy harvesting approaches. The piece is aimed at engineers and researchers working to extend the operational range and reliability of subsea robotics.

Industry analysts say physical AI — artificial intelligence systems that interact with the real world, such as robots and autonomous vehicles — is reshaping how work is divided across the semiconductor industry. Chipmakers are reassessing which players design, manufacture and supply specialized hardware as demand shifts toward chips capable of real-world sensing and control, potentially redistributing roles among designers, foundries and automotive suppliers.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is purchasing four modified Boston Dynamics robot dogs from a Connecticut company, according to Boston-based reporting. The dogs, typically used for inspection and surveillance tasks, are being adapted for the agency's operations. The purchase is drawing attention to the growing use of robotic systems by US law enforcement and immigration agencies.

Amazon has begun discounting robot lawn mowers from brands including Dreame and Mammotion ahead of its Prime Day shopping event. The early deals offer shoppers savings on automated mowing technology before the sale officially starts, with retailers competing for attention in the fast-growing consumer robotics market.