Notes on robotics.
Short observations on vendor moves, research, regulation, and the wider ecosystem. URML is one voice. Cadence is irregular while the project is small. The canonical stream is the repo; this is the readable layer on top.
Field notes: the first robot runs a validated URML program (and drives off)
A community member's GoPiGo3 became the first robot outside the project to run a validated URML program. It drove off when he typed -h, exposing an actuation footgun in our own demo, which we fixed the same day.
Field notes: running URML on a Raspberry Pi with a local LLM
A community member ran URML's English-to-intent translation on a Raspberry Pi with a sub-1GB local model. What it taught us about small-model limits, and the fixes the exchange shipped.
URML v0.2.0: fleets, and a much wider manifest
URML v0.2.0: multi-robot fleets across Layers 1/3/4, plus a wider capability manifest (whole-body, AV trajectories, real-time timing, zero-copy IPC, legged drive-types). Additive, backward-compatible.
MIT Researchers Develop Hand Gesture System for Robot Training
Researchers at MIT created an AI-powered system that allows humans to train robots using intuitive hand gestures, simplifying programming.
Humanoid Robot Cleans First US Apartment
A humanoid robot recently performed a range of household tasks, including cleaning and organizing, inside a US apartment.
Google and Fanuc Advance Industrial Robotics with AI Integrations
Google Cloud and Fanuc are collaborating to integrate generative AI and computer vision into industrial automation platforms.
Humanoid Robots Demonstrate Advanced Dexterity and Mobility
Recent video footage highlights significant advancements in humanoid robotics, showcasing robots performing complex manipulation and navigation tasks.
Physical AI's Rapid Ascent and Overlooked Impact
Physical artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing quickly, poised to significantly transform industries and daily life.
A Neural Blueprint for Intelligence in Soft Robots
New research explores a computational framework that enables soft robots to develop human-like intelligence and adaptive behaviors.
BMW Integrates Humanoid Robots into German Production
BMW is deploying humanoid robots in its German manufacturing plants to enhance efficiency and address operational needs.
Fleets, classrooms, and the hardware seam
A week of URML: a multi-robot fleet slice with static cross-robot safety, a four-platform classroom runtime, outreach down to the ros2_control hardware seam, and two threads that became spec bindings.
OpenAI's Entry Into Robotics Impacts Humanoid Robot Competition
The growing field of humanoid robotics sees a new competitive dynamic as OpenAI reportedly enters the sector, potentially impacting established efforts like Tesla's Optimus.
Beginner Course Explores Building and Training AI Robotic Arms
A new online course provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to build and train robotic arms using artificial intelligence.
Jonathan Hurst on the Future of Humanoid Robotics
Jonathan Hurst discusses how embodied AI is enabling humanoid robots to reshape labor and partner with humans in complex environments.
20-Legged Robot Moves Like a Sea Urchin
A new multi-legged robot, inspired by sea urchins, demonstrates advanced locomotion capabilities and adaptability across various terrains.
NASA's 2028 Moon Base Plans Include Robotic Fleet
NASA's 2028 moon base plans involve a diverse robotic fleet, including landers, buggies, and drones for lunar operations.
A $20,000 humanoid robot aims for home chores and care
A new humanoid robot is presented as a solution for household chores and personal care, targeting a $20,000 price point.
Gemini AI Expands Robot Capabilities
Advanced AI models like Gemini are enabling robots to understand complex natural language commands and perform sophisticated tasks.
Google Previews AI Agents for Robotics
Google's Project Astra demonstrates how multimodal AI agents powered by Gemini can understand context and control robots for everyday tasks.
Hyundai Motor Group Establishes New Robotics and Factory Software Units
Hyundai Motor Group has created dedicated units to advance its software-defined factory initiatives and develop robot components.
Robots at Home: Future Helpers for Daily Life
Robotics promises to transform household tasks, with advanced robots performing chores from cleaning to organizing, making home life more efficient.
Roly-Poly Robot with Dandelion Drones Proposed for Mars Tunnels
Scientists propose a spherical robot that deploys tiny 'dandelion drones' to explore hidden lava tubes and tunnels on Mars.
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