robots

The International Space Station's large robotic arm, Canadarm2, has stopped working, according to an Ars Technica report. The arm is critical for capturing cargo spacecraft, moving equipment during spacewalks, and repositioning modules around the station. Details on the cause of the failure and whether engineers expect to restore it were not given.

An essay published by Electric Literature explores how the trope of the Asian robot maid has followed the author throughout her life. The piece examines the stereotype's roots in fiction and service culture, and what it says about how Asian women are imagined as obedient, invisible labor. Readers of literary criticism and cultural commentary are sharing the essay's personal take on a familiar sci-fi cliché.

A self-driving car does not see a road the way humans do; its cameras capture raw pixels that computer vision software must interpret in real time, identifying lanes, traffic signs, other vehicles, pedestrians and hazards, frame after frame. This perception layer is described as one of the core foundations of autonomous driving, and the explanation is drawing attention for making the technical challenge accessible.

Agility Robotics, the Oregon-based maker of the Digit humanoid robot, says its focus is scaling safety across a fleet of around 500 humanoid robots rather than perfecting a single unit. The company is working on how robots can operate reliably alongside people in warehouses and logistics settings as it moves toward mass production and commercial deployment.

Robin Williams' 1999 science fiction film Bicentennial Man is being revisited, with commentary framing it as a largely forgotten robot movie that has been overlooked or dismissed despite its ambitions. The film, based on Isaac Asimov's work, followed an android's 200-year journey to become human, and new discussion is prompting viewers to reassess its place in the robot-movie canon.

An animated Hindi-language story is drawing large audiences, telling of three children who build a unique robot that begins moving by itself at night. The tale, presented as entertainment for viewers, combines themes of childhood invention and robotics with a spooky mystery twist. It has attracted significant engagement among Hindi-speaking audiences interested in animated storytelling.

An engineer has published a personal account of a robotics crash course, arguing that progress often comes from knowing when to step back and let systems, teams or automation move forward without interference. The essay is drawing attention among developers and hobbyists discussing hands-on robotics learning and the discipline of restraint in engineering work.

Headlines claim humanoid robots appeared on the America's Got Talent stage, leaving the show's judges alarmed about the future of artificial intelligence. Beyond the headline, no details are available about which robots performed, when the episode aired, or what the judges actually said. The claim could not be independently verified from the available information.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is advertising a position for a Robotics Software Engineer, listed via Ocean Career. The role would involve developing software for underwater robotic systems used in ocean research. It signals continued investment in marine robotics as autonomous vehicles play a growing role in ocean exploration and monitoring.

New experiments show that people perceive robots approaching from behind as moving faster than they actually are. The findings offer insight into how humans judge the speed of objects they cannot directly see, with potential implications for the design of robots that move safely around people in shared spaces such as homes, offices and public areas.

A robotics clip labelled 'Dumb Robot' from the Round2World (R2W) channel has attracted over 1.3 million likes. Beyond the title, little detail is available about the robot shown or what went wrong, but the scale of engagement suggests viewers are sharing it widely for entertainment.

A robotics industry commentary argues that robot safety functions are largely mature and reliable, but a critical vulnerability remains: the sensor and perception data feeding those systems. If the input is corrupted, faulty or deliberately manipulated, safety mechanisms may fail even though the hardware works as designed. The piece is prompting discussion among robotics engineers about validating sensor integrity and guarding against spoofed or false inputs in automated systems.

Palmer Luckey is making the case that humanoid robots are becoming the interface between software and the physical world, a view echoed in ARK's robotics forecasts, which analysts say have been beaten by the pace of real-world progress. Discussion is focusing on China's embodiment race, where rapid development of humanoid platforms is reframing robots as an 'API' for physical tasks rather than single-purpose machines.

Reports describe an artificial intelligence system capable of designing scientific experiments, carrying them out autonomously in a laboratory, and learning from the results it obtains. The system represents a step toward fully automated scientific discovery, combining experimental planning, robotic lab execution, and iterative learning from outcomes.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has proposed building a futuristic 'Army of Robots' for the country's armed forces. The initiative, described as an ambitious push toward unmanned and robotic warfare, has drawn skepticism and debate within Ukraine, with observers questioning its feasibility and cost as the country continues fighting a large-scale war against Russia.

CNET has published a glossary defining 38 robotics terms, aiming to help general readers understand how robots work. The piece arrives as interest in robotics grows alongside advances in AI and automation, and as technical jargon increasingly appears in mainstream news. It explains key concepts and vocabulary used across the field.

A humanoid robot fitted with armor plating and artificial intelligence has drawn interest from the US Army, according to defense reporting. The machine is being pitched as a potential asset for military use, combining a human-like form with protective shielding and AI-driven operation. Details about the developer, capabilities, and stage of any talks with the Army remain limited, but the disclosure has fueled discussion about the Pentagon's growing interest in humanoid robotics.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has introduced a new robot pilot program, deploying robotic technology as part of its operations. Details on the specific tasks the robots will perform and how long the trial will run have not yet been fully outlined. Airport observers and travelers are watching to see whether the experiment could serve as a model for other airports adopting automation.

Pajama Sam 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't so Frightening is a 1998 point-and-click adventure originally released for Windows, later ported to iOS and Mac. The game follows the child superhero Pajama Sam as he confronts his fear of storms, featuring puzzle-solving, humor, kid-friendly minigames and anthropomorphic characters, including robots, in a colorful educational adventure for young players.

A newly introduced humanoid robot is designed to operate safely alongside human workers, according to Assembly Magazine. The development points to the growing push in manufacturing and industry toward collaborative robotics, where machines and people share workspaces rather than working separately. The report highlights safety as a central feature of the design, reflecting broader interest in robots that can assist with tasks in factories, warehouses and other human-centered environments.

China shipped more than 19,000 humanoid robots in the first half of 2026, roughly 77.9% of global shipments, according to figures attributed to IDC. Worldwide shipments reached nearly 25,000 units, up 432.1% year over year, and IDC raised its global humanoid robot forecast. Commenters see the data as confirmation of China's rapid lead in robotics manufacturing.

A wheeled semi-humanoid robot has reportedly learned to perform household chores in just 30 minutes, a demonstration of rapid learning in domestic robotics. The claim highlights how quickly new robotic systems can adapt to everyday tasks such as tidying and cleaning, an area long seen as a major challenge for automation. Details about the robot's maker, the specific tasks mastered, and how the learning was achieved have not been disclosed.

ATLAS has announced plans to extend its PowerOS architecture, originally developed for smartphones, into humanoid and service-robot applications. The company says the software foundation used for mobile devices can serve as a base for future robotics platforms. Details about timelines, partners, or specific robot products have not been provided.

NASA is working on plans to send humanoid robots to the moon, according to a Popular Science report. The idea is that humanlike machines could perform tasks on the lunar surface before or alongside human crews, supporting future Artemis-era missions. The concept has drawn attention from robotics and space enthusiasts.

Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital in Florida has brought in a chemotherapy compounding robot, described as the first of its kind in the state. The automated system is intended to prepare chemotherapy medications, a task traditionally handled by pharmacy staff. Coverage in local healthcare media highlights the move as a notable step in hospital automation and medication safety.