Now Robotics

Le Parisien reports that Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's minister for digital transformation, is backing plans to deploy an 'army of robots' on the battlefield to reduce the number of soldiers exposed at the front. The initiative points to ground and aerial unmanned systems taking over dangerous combat tasks as Ukraine faces manpower shortages amid the war with Russia.

NASA reports that the Canadarm2, the International Space Station's large robotic arm, has stopped working and cannot be moved for the time being. Engineers are assessing the fault on the critical system used for capturing cargo vehicles and moving equipment around the station. Observers are watching closely for updates on whether operations can be restored and what the malfunction means for station logistics.

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.

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.

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reportedly reversed recent Russian gains, using robotic systems to carry out combat airdrops and clear minefields. Ars Technica reports that unmanned ground and aerial vehicles played a central role in defeating a Russian pincer manoeuvre, underlining how Kyiv is increasingly deploying robots for dangerous frontline tasks and reducing risks to its soldiers.

The American Enterprise Institute has published an analysis arguing that autonomous robot trucks offer a window into how artificial intelligence will reshape the labor market. The piece examines what automated freight means for drivers and workers more broadly as AI adoption accelerates across industries.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of autonomous warfare systems. The push reflects Ukraine's wartime drive to scale unmanned ground and aerial vehicles amid manpower shortages and ongoing fighting with Russia.

The International Federation of Robotics reports that the number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide has exceeded 5 million, a new milestone for automation. The figure highlights the accelerating adoption of robotics in manufacturing, driven by labor shortages and demands for productivity across major industrial economies.

Tesla has reportedly increased production of its Optimus humanoid robot tenfold, but the robotic hands remain the weak point, lagging behind the rest of the program. The news has drawn attention from robotics watchers, who see the hand dexterity problem as a key hurdle for the robot doing useful work. Tesla has yet to give detailed public figures on production volumes or hand reliability.

Le Parisien reports that Ukraine's digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov is pushing a new strategy to deploy an "army of robots" on the front lines, aiming to replace human soldiers with ground machines and reduce casualties in the war against Russia. The plan highlights Kyiv's growing reliance on unmanned and autonomous systems to offset manpower shortages.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov has announced a new 'Army of Robots' initiative, his latest move since leaving office. The program signals a push to expand autonomous and robotic systems in Ukraine's armed forces, building on the country's wartime drive to scale up unmanned technology. The announcement drew attention alongside other Ukraine-related news, including appeals over the humanitarian crisis in flooded Oleshky.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

The large robotic arm on the International Space Station has stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The Canadarm2-style manipulator is a critical tool for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so any outage raises questions about station operations and resupply. Details on the cause of the failure and prospects for repair remain limited.

Ukraine says it carried out Operation Vivaldi, using heavy drones to deliver unmanned ground combat robots some 10 kilometres behind Russian lines. The operation is being described as a first in modern warfare, pointing to a new phase in which robotic systems operate deep in contested territory rather than only at the front. Observers see it as a sign of how quickly drone-delivered robotics are changing battlefield tactics in the war.

NASA says it is currently unable to move the International Space Station's large robotic arm, the Canadarm2, for the time being. The arm is essential for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks outside the orbiting laboratory. Few further details about the cause of the problem or expected repair timeline have been released, and observers are waiting for updates from the agency.

Robotics companies in the United States, China and Korea are competing to secure the data needed to train humanoid robots. As the industry moves from lab prototypes toward commercial deployment, access to large, high-quality training datasets is becoming a key competitive resource, prompting firms to collect motion, sensor and interaction data at scale across the three countries.

China installed 59% of all industrial robots deployed worldwide in 2025, underscoring its dominance in factory automation. The figure highlights how far the country has pulled ahead of other manufacturing economies in adopting robotics, driven by large-scale investment in its electronics, automotive and general industries sectors as it pushes to offset a shrinking workforce.

Faraday's chairman has warned that moving too quickly to cut China out of the United States robotics supply chain could backfire, arguing that an abrupt separation risks disrupting production and raising costs faster than US industry can adapt. The comments, made in an exclusive interview with Yahoo Finance, add to the ongoing debate in Washington over how quickly to reduce American dependence on Chinese components for advanced manufacturing and robotics.

Elon Musk said money might 'not even matter' in the future and advised Gen Z to focus on learning how to prompt robots rather than worrying about traditional careers. His comments feed an ongoing debate about automation, AI and what skills will stay valuable as robots and intelligent machines take on more work.

Ukraine is reportedly using airborne delivery to deploy kamikaze ground robots as far as 12 miles behind Russian front lines, extending its campaign of unmanned strikes deep into occupied territory. The development highlights how both sides continue to push robotic systems into offensive roles, striking logistics and targets far from the frontline where manned operations are too risky.

Experts unveiled what is described as the world's first embodied AI robot built on a fully domestic electronic architecture. Analysts say the milestone marks a shift in robotics from developing key components individually toward achieving underlying autonomy at the system level. The announcement is drawing attention for its potential implications for self-reliance in robotics and artificial intelligence technology.

The global stock of industrial robots in operation has reached five million units, according to a report carried by technology trade press. The milestone reflects years of rising automation in manufacturing, driven by labour shortages and falling robot costs, with installations concentrated in Asia's automotive and electronics industries.

A new report confirms that China continues to hold its position as the world's largest market for industrial robots, maintaining its lead over other major economies in industrial automation. The finding underscores the country's sustained investment in robotics across manufacturing sectors, reinforcing its central role in the global robotics industry.

The Canadarm2, the large robotic arm on the International Space Station, has reportedly stopped working. The arm is critical for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment and supporting spacewalks, so a failure would be a significant operational problem for the station's crews and their backers at NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Details on the cause and possible fixes remain limited.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to buy robot dogs, according to ABC News. The quadruped robots, similar to those already trialled by some police and military units, could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The report has drawn attention to the expanding use of robotic systems by American law enforcement and border agencies.

Amazon, once the largest customer of warehouse robotics vendors, is now designing and building robots in-house. The shift, highlighted in an industry analysis by the Association for Advancing Automation, reflects the company's growing internal robotics engineering capabilities as it automates its fulfilment network. Industry observers see it as a notable turning point for the robotics supply sector.

Military analyst Mick Ryan has published his weekly update on the Ukraine war, covering robotic air assaults by Ukrainian forces, continued Russian attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure, and the Trump-Xi meeting. The roundup frames drone and robotics innovation alongside cyber warfare and great-power diplomacy as the key developments shaping the conflict this week.

The US Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance covering surgical robotics. The document, reported by MedTech Dive, outlines the agency's current thinking for developers and manufacturers of robotic surgical systems. Stakeholders in the medical device industry typically have the opportunity to comment on such drafts before final guidance is issued, which shapes approval expectations for robot-assisted surgery technologies.

Chinese state media reports that embodied AI robots developed in China are increasingly being deployed in real-world workplaces rather than remaining confined to research and classroom settings. The feature highlights how the country's robotics sector is pushing humanoid and intelligent machines into practical jobs, reflecting China's broader push to lead in embodied artificial intelligence and industrial automation.

NASA says it is troubleshooting a transporter mechanism that moves the International Space Station's robotic arm along the station's truss. The issue affects the mobile base that allows the Canadarm2 to reposition itself for station maintenance and operations. NASA reports the station and its crew remain safe while engineers work the problem, though the arm's mobility may be limited until a fix is found.