Kentucky Rep. Chris Lewis plans to introduce 2026 legislation creating a state robotics program trust fund to support hands-on STEM education. The proposal would provide grants for high school programs focused on robotics, advanced manufacturing, and workforce readiness, helping students prepare for emerging technology-driven careers.

China has formed a national standards committee for humanoid robots and embodied intelligence, signaling a major push toward scalable deployment. The effort targets data, interfaces, testing, safety, and ethics, aiming to reduce fragmentation, align with global standards, and accelerate commercialization as China’s humanoid robot market rapidly expands nationwide and internationally.

A new study from Virginia Tech and the University of Illinois defines the skills, knowledge, and abilities construction workers need to collaborate safely and effectively with robots. The expert-informed framework aims to guide training, certification, and workforce development as construction automation accelerates.

South Korean researchers at KAIST have unveiled the WalkON Suit F1, a wearable robot that can approach paraplegic users, attach itself, and help them walk and climb stairs. Demonstrated by a paraplegic researcher, the system signals a new generation of user-centered assistive robotics.

Catawba Valley Community College is partnering with Columbia University engineers to introduce robotics into upholstery manufacturing. Through its Furniture Academy and Manufacturing Solutions Center, CVCC is helping a new startup deploy assistive robotic systems that reduce physical strain, support skilled workers, and modernize American furniture production.

NYU has launched the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, creating a major East Coast hub for AI-driven machines that operate in the real world. Bringing together engineers, computer scientists, and ethicists, the Center aims to advance responsible robotics across healthcare, industry, infrastructure, and beyond.

iRobot, maker of the Roomba, will be acquired by its key supplier Picea through a court-supervised Chapter 11 process. The deal aims to reduce debt, keep products and services running, and position iRobot for long-term innovation under new private ownership.

From Ukraine’s drone strikes to U.S. Army doctrine, robotic systems are reshaping the character of war. Let’s explores why drones and autonomy represent a mechanization-scale shift—and why failing to adapt risks building a dangerous “robotic Maginot Line.”

Ghost Robotics has launched a new manipulator arm for its Vision 60 quadruped robot, enabling door-opening, object retrieval, equipment handling, and complex indoor–outdoor tasks. With six degrees of freedom, IP67 durability, and mission-ready precision, the upgrade expands the Vision 60’s capabilities for defense, public safety, industrial, and disaster-response operations.

Army Special Operations has created a new robotics detachment and is launching a 390A robotics technician specialty as unmanned systems reshape modern warfare. The initiatives aim to expand expertise, integrate drones and ground robots across formations, and ensure soldiers are trained to employ autonomous systems at scale in future conflicts.

Mercado Libre has partnered with Agility Robotics to deploy the humanoid robot Digit into its San Antonio fulfillment center, with plans to expand across Latin America. Digit will support repetitive, labor-intensive tasks, enhancing safety and productivity as Mercado Libre explores broader AI-driven automation opportunities in its logistics network.

North American robot orders climbed to 8,806 units in Q3 2025, an 11.6% rise year-over-year, driven by strong demand from food, consumer goods, and automotive OEMs. Collaborative robots continued gaining ground, while overall 2025 orders reached 26,441 robots valued at $1.7B, signaling renewed momentum in automation investment.

Teradyne Robotics will open a major U.S. Operations Hub in Wixom, Michigan in 2026, manufacturing Universal Robots cobots and expanding service, training, and customer support. The facility will create 200+ jobs and strengthen America’s reindustrialization push as manufacturers accelerate automation to boost productivity, competitiveness, and workforce development.

Generative Bionics has raised €70M to bring a new generation of “Made in Italy” humanoid robots to market. Spun out of the Italian Institute of Technology and led by Daniele Pucci, the company will debut its first Physical AI–powered humanoid at CES 2025, marking a major European push into industrial humanoid robotics.

Kroger is scaling back its Ocado partnership, closing three robotic fulfillment centers and paying the U.K. automation firm $350 million as it shifts online order fulfillment back to stores. The move follows financial underperformance of the automated hubs and reflects Kroger’s push for a more flexible, cost-effective digital strategy amid tightening margins.

Europol has released The Unmanned Future(s), a major report examining how drones and unmanned systems are transforming crime and law enforcement. The study warns of rising criminal misuse, regulatory gaps, and shifting public trust while outlining opportunities, risks, and recommendations as policing moves into a multi-domain, unmanned future.

Sweden has become the first European customer for Textron’s Ripsaw M3 unmanned ground vehicle, a heavy tracked UGV capable of carrying over 2,200 kg. While suited for harsh terrain, its size and cost raise questions as militaries increasingly favor smaller, cheaper, expendable platforms in drone-intensive battlefields.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is using robots and AI to accelerate the discovery of stronger, lighter, and more resilient materials. Scientists say the technology could transform everything from military armor to shatter-resistant phone screens, cutting development times and helping innovations reach the real world before they become obsolete.

USPS’s Boise processing center is leaning on four new robotic arms to handle a holiday surge of more than 220,000 packages a day. The robots boost sorting speed and free staff for human-focused tasks, part of a year-round effort that includes hiring 14,000 seasonal workers to keep holiday deliveries on track.

RobotLAB has opened a new franchise in Miami, expanding its national footprint as demand for practical robotics surges across South Florida. The branch will help businesses adopt cleaning, delivery, customer-service, and educational robots, offering demonstrations, integration, and full support. Local leaders say the expansion strengthens Miami’s growing technology and automation ecosystem.