Posts

When wheels won’t do: Humanoid robots for human-centric spaces

Image
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and wheeled mobile robots currently dominate factories and warehouses, following magnetic stripes or optical markers permanently embedded in warehouse flooring to navigate routes. As requirements evolve, however, wheels are simply not enough. Demand is growing for machines capable of navigating more challenging, human-centric environments, such as hospitals, restaurants, homes, and even rugged outdoor terrain. In such environments, perfectly flat floors, free from steps and stairs, along with conspicuous, clutter-free aisles, are luxuries. Instead, robots must move over thresholds, skirt around unpredictable obstacles and adapt on the fly to a world that’s neither uniform nor pre-mapped. Humanoid robots are the natural solution, literally following in our footsteps, and there are three foundational areas shaping legged and humanoid robots for such complex settings. These comprise motion control, perception/navigation, and modularity/flexibility. Togethe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Seeing is believing

Image
  How is technology changing the way robots ‘see’ and perceive the world? Michelle Mooney asks the experts. Robotic perception is at the forefront of transformative change, redefining how machines interact with their surroundings and process complex data. In an era where automation extends beyond industrial confines into diverse fields such as education, underwater exploration, and logistics, the ability of robots to perceive and understand their environment has become a fundamental determinant of their success. Here,  Robotics & Automation Magazine  brings together insights from industry leaders who are navigating the intricate challenges and breakthroughs associated with developing advanced perception systems. Louis Esquerre-Pourtere, head of research and development at Exotec, discusses the essential role of designing hardware and algorithms that adapt to fluctuating conditions, ensuring seamless, 24/7 operations in demanding environments; Dr Farshad Badie, dean of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Drone delivery: Navigating the path from high-flying hype to last-mile reality

Image
An in-depth analysis of the current technological landscape, regulatory roadblocks, and the commercial scalability of autonomous aerial delivery The promise of near-instantaneous delivery via autonomous drones has captivated investors and engineers for over a decade. Initial forecasts, often fuelled by blockbuster tech announcements, painted a futuristic picture of skies buzzing with packages, a vision that has been stubbornly slow to materialize. This has led many to question the ultimate viability of the concept. Is drone delivery, then, finally poised to overcome its significant hurdles and become a mainstream logistics solution, or is it destined to remain a niche, novelty service? The answer, as of mid-2025, is nuanced. While the dream of widespread, on-demand urban drone delivery remains on the horizon, significant technological advancements and slowly evolving regulations are enabling commercially viable applications in specific, targeted sectors. These successes offer a realist...
Post a Comment
Read more

Challenges in Human-Robot Interaction and How to Overcome Them

Image
  1. Communication and Language Barriers Being able to communicate effectively is basic to achieving success in HRI. However, it is often hard for robots to read the more subtle aspects in human speech and gestures. Challenges : Natural Language Processing (NLP): robots could fail to pick up on people’s slightly informal, accented, or situation-specific language. Non-verbal Cues: Recognizing gestures, expressions, and body language still poses a challenge for robots. Solutions: Robots are now better at understanding human language because of recent progress in NLP and machine learning. Communicating visually, talking, and making gestures greatly improves the way people interact. Ultra Updates points out that strong language technology and open channels are important to help humans interact with robots. 2. Trust and Ethical Considerations Building trust between people and robots is really important, especially when they are working together. Challenges: Reliability: Inconsistent rob...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comau partners with Roboze to develop on-demand manufacturing solutions

Image
Industrial automation specialist   Comau   and 3D printing expert   Roboze   have agreed a collaboration focused on meeting the market need for affordable automation in advanced, on-demand manufacturing applications. The cooperation targets a range of sectors, from automotive and aerospace to energy, racing, and beyond. The joint effort accelerates the availability of automation for advanced manufacturing everywhere, enabling true just-in-time production whenever and wherever it is needed. This directly supports reshoring strategies and sustainable manufacturing models, allowing companies to optimize resources, minimize waste, and align with growing market expectations for low-impact, environmentally responsible production. This collaboration emphasizes the key role of robotized processes as a game changer in enabling the widespread industrial adoption of needs-based advanced manufacturing. It also enables the creation of advanced geometries that are not feasible wit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that

Image
Earlier this year, a robot completed a half-marathon in Beijing in just under 2 hours and 40 minutes. That’s slower than the human winner, who clocked in at just over an hour – but it’s still a remarkable feat. Many recreational runners would be proud of that time. The robot kept its pace for more than 13 miles (21 kilometres). But it didn’t do so on a single charge. Along the way, the robot had to stop and have its batteries swapped three times. That detail, while easy to overlook, speaks volumes about a deeper challenge in robotics: energy. Modern robots can move with incredible agility, mimicking animal locomotion and executing complex tasks with mechanical precision. In many ways, they rival biology in coordination and efficiency. But when it comes to endurance, robots still fall short. They don’t tire from exertion – they simply run out of power. As a robotics researcher focused on energy systems, I study this challenge closely. How can researchers give robots the staying...
Post a Comment
Read more

RobotLAB pledges ‘zero disruption’ to servicing Aldebaran robots despite liquidation of business

Image
With the recent news that French robotics pioneer   Aldebaran , the original creator of the NAO and Pepper robots, has entered judicial liquidation,   RobotLAB   is stepping forward to provide clarity, continuity, and confidence to customers worldwide. While headlines may suggest uncertainty, the real story signals a “powerful next chapter”, one that benefits the entire robotics education and research community, according to a statement from RobotLAB, which services and maintains thousands of Aldebaran robots worldwide. A well-capitalized group is in the process of acquiring the intellectual property and core engineering team from Aldebaran and will be launching a new entity: NAO Robotics SA. With 59 engineers already onboard and development on NAO V7 resuming, this transition marks a fresh start for the iconic humanoid platform, not a farewell. Since its inception in 2009, RobotLAB has been NAO’s most trusted partner, providing seamless deployment, support, and training ...
Post a Comment
Read more