AI robotics

An AI lab is providing free plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, air duct cleaning and carpet cleaning to residents in three cities. Technicians wear sensors that record video of the repair work, and the footage is used to train robots in manual trades. The arrangement gives homeowners free services while the company gathers hard-to-source training data for embodied robotics.

An AI lab is offering free plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, air duct cleaning and carpet cleaning across three US cities, with technicians wearing sensors that record video of repair work. The footage is collected to train AI-powered robots in real-world manual tasks. Readers are debating whether the trade-off of recorded in-home work for free services is fair.

A former OpenAI science lead has launched Warp Science, a new venture aiming to automate wet laboratory work using robots. The startup seeks to speed up experiments in biology and chemistry by replacing manual lab processes with robotic systems, following a broader industry push to apply artificial intelligence expertise to scientific research and laboratory automation.

Dream Labs has raised $90 million in funding and simultaneously launched its Dream API, according to a report by The Robot Report. The dual announcement pairs a sizable investment round with the release of a developer interface, suggesting the company intends to accelerate product development and broaden access to its technology. Details on the investors, valuation, and what the API offers have not yet been disclosed.

Researchers at Binghamton University have found that AI-powered robots can be manipulated by concealed trigger phrases embedded in spoken commands, potentially causing them to act dangerously. The team has also developed a defense mechanism designed to detect and block such adversarial instructions before a robot responds. The findings raise safety concerns for voice-controlled robots in homes, workplaces and public spaces as they become more widespread.

Cornell University highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly sophisticated in education, with tools ranging from cute interactive robots to chatbots that let students converse with historical figures. The report points to a shift as AI moves from novelty to practical teaching aid in classrooms. Educators are watching how these technologies reshape learning and student engagement.

Commentary is examining the next phase of automation, focusing on how human-generated data trains robotic systems and physical manipulation capabilities. Analysts are weighing where investment and innovation in robotics and automation may head next, as advances in AI increasingly connect digital learning with real-world robot performance.

A $649 robotic mushroom designed to sit silently in the home, offering no voice responses or conversation, is drawing attention. Called One Kind Artifact, the device bets that consumers will pay for a calming, decorative robot companion that intentionally does not talk back or listen, positioning silence as a feature rather than a missing function.

Agility Robotics says its next-generation Digit 5 humanoid robot will be powered by Nvidia technology as the company prepares to go public on the Nasdaq. The announcement ties the Oregon-based robot maker to Nvidia's expanding robotics stack while it pursues a stock market listing, a notable step for humanoid robotics moving from pilot projects toward commercial scale.

Chinese robotics firm Unitree is developing an AI system designed to allow its humanoid robots to improve themselves, according to the South China Morning Post. The news is drawing attention for what it could mean for the pace of humanoid robot development, as self-learning systems could let machines refine their movement and task performance with less human oversight. Unitree is one of the most prominent makers of humanoid and quadruped robots.

A new report from Enter.co finds that just 9% of Colombian startups are working on physical AI, such as robotics and embedded hardware, rather than software-only applications. The article argues this niche could generate significant employment, listing the roles physical AI companies might create as the sector grows in Colombia.