Apptronik, the AI-powered humanoid robotics company, has announced the successful closing of a $350 million Series A funding round co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google. The new funding marks a pivotal moment for Apptronik, fueling the deployment of Apollo – its humanoid robot – while enabling the company to scale […]
A new form of energy-efficient artificial vision system inspired by the human brain and made in part using honey could help reduce the impact of electronic waste. Engineers from the University of Glasgow partnered with researchers from São Paulo State University (UNESP) and Hong Kong Metropolitan University to develop the system, which uses organic, biodegradable […]
When Google DeepMind needed a robotic hand for its AI project, it chose Shadow Robot. This new hand is highly sensitive, dexterous, and robust enough to withstand impacts that ruined earlier models. Throughout human history, the role played by the capabilities of our hands cannot be understated. From prehistoric manhandling in the earliest tools to […]
A wine harvester has designed an autonomous ‘steep slope’ harvesting vehicle with igus energy chains. Christmas means friends, food and, for many, a few drinks. White wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the UK and we consume about £12bn of alcohol in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. To keep supplying wine, […]
The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers from Chiba University have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients […]
Humans and animals move with remarkable economy – without consciously thinking about it – by utilising the natural oscillation patterns of their bodies. A new tool developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) can now utilise this knowledge for the first time to make robots move more efficiently. Four-legged animals that start […]
Guillaume Mougin, Product Manager at Portescap, explores how miniature electric motors are improving the performance of grippers in robotics. Grippers are essential for robots engaged in pick-and-place applications. These electromechanical ‘hands’ allow objects to be grasped, manipulated and released, facilitating fast and precise interactions for low-mix, high-volume industrial processes. For the past three decades, pneumatic […]
Data from LCP Delta has revealed that UK drivers pay 74 per cent more to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) than anywhere else in Europe – adding to a long list of issues EV drivers face. Dave Walsha, sales manager at EMS, explains how drive technology can help manufacturers resolve some of the common issues […]
Gerard Bush, Sales Manager at motion specialist INMOCO explores the journey from designing humanoid robots to delivering them for practical use, highlighting the key challenges and solutions in this evolving field. The human body is remarkable for its ability to navigate diverse environments, handle complex tasks, and adapt to varied conditions. These capabilities make it […]
The Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), jointly established by Germany’s leading robotics centres, is to become the central contact point for robotics in Germany. At the ‘AI-based Robotics 2024′ conference in Berlin, Professor Angela Schoellig from the consortium leader, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and RIG spokesperson Professor Tamim Asfour from the Karlsruhe Institute of […]
Motion plastics and low-cost automation at MACH 2026
igus returns to MACH with a comprehensive range of engineering innovations designed to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime and deliver long‑term cost savings for manufacturers across all industry. With the UK operation based in Northampton, igus develops lubrication‑free motion plastics that replace traditional metal components, increasing performance while eliminating the need for grease and maintenance. […]
RBTX DOBOT partner launch hailed a success
igus UK marks a major milestone in accessible automation with the successful launch of its RBTX partnership with DOBOT Robotics. The event brought together engineers, system integrators, manufacturers and automation specialists to explore how flexible robotic solutions can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, without the complexity traditionally associated with industrial automation. Live demonstrations showcased collaborative […]
What role does AI play in art?
The River of Light festival in Liverpool showcased ‘Face Value’, a captivating installation co-created by PhD student Emma Brass from the University of Liverpool and Venya Krutikov, co-founder of The Kazimier and Invisible Wind Factory. Blending artificial intelligence, robotics, and visual art, Face Value invites visitors to confront how technology perceives and redefines reality. The […]
Automating with robotics at MachineBuilding.South
Industry commentators agree that UK manufacturers will need to increase their investment in robotics if they are to keep up with international competition. At MachineBuilding.South you can find out how, with numerous exhibits from robotics, control, automation and safety specialists. LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with […]
Annual robot shipments to top 760k units in 2030
The industrial robot industry saw 5.1% growth in 2025, following a contraction of -2% in 2024, Interact Analysis reports. The market is now forecast to record steady growth out to 2030, at an average annual rate of 6.7%, rising from 549,555 units in 2025 to 761,303 units in 2030. The latest industrial robots report from […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
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Gourmet-food-maker automates packaging process
Rockwell Automation has announced that Cranswick, one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of premium gourmet foods, has commissioned a new robotic end-of-line pick-and-place system using autonox Robotics. Every year, Cranswick produces millions of “pigs-in-blankets” (sausages wrapped in bacon) for the Christmas market. The final stage of the process – picking the sausages off the conveyor belt […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
Universal adaptive gripper for faster, gentler picking
Festo has introduced the HPSX Universal Adaptive Gripper, a pneumatic soft gripper engineered to improve speed, hygiene and flexibility in demanding food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Combining robust design, food-safe materials and adaptive silicone fingers, the HPSX directly addresses long-standing automation challenges where rapid, precise and gentle product handling is essential. “In developing the HPSX, […]