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A study conducted by Oregon State University suggests that a robotic playmate may encourage increased physical activity in toddlers, offering potential health benefits. The research observed the behavior of eight toddlers, aged 2 to 3, in weekly play sessions over two months. The sessions took place in a room filled with toys, including a toddler-sized robot named GoBot, designed by a collaboration between OSU’s colleges of Engineering and Health.

A team from the Interactive and Robotic Systems Lab (IRS) at the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Castelló has developed a tele-robotic system designed for inspecting pipes in hazardous environments, such as those surrounding nuclear power plants and particle accelerators. This prototype, part of the EU-funded H2020 “El-Peacetolero” project, is a mobile, modular, and reconfigurable manipulator robot that includes a remote control station equipped with 3D perception technology.

Gartner says that by the end of 2025, there will be 85 million electric vehicles (EVs) in use globally, a 33% increase from the projected 64 million units in 2024. This figure includes cars, buses, vans, and heavy trucks. The rise in EV adoption is expected to be driven largely by China, which is predicted to account for 58% of the total, and Europe, which will represent 24%, together making up 82% of global EV usage by 2025.

Air Canada has expanded its collaboration with RozieAI, implementing the company’s Intelligent Experience Orchestrator to enhance the airline’s mobile app. Building on previous initiatives aimed at modernizing its contact center, Air Canada has now focused on improving the overall travel experience by offering passengers personalized, real-time information. The partnership leverages RozieAI’s expertise in contextual solutions to simplify and customize the flow of travel-related information.

The University of Essex is collaborating with Wilkin & Sons to develop a low-cost strawberry-picking robot aimed at addressing the labour shortage in agriculture. The robot, which has undergone trials in Tiptree, Essex, as part of a £1.02 million grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Farming Innovation Programme, is designed to harvest and package strawberries rapidly and affordably. Capable of picking a strawberry in 2.5 seconds, the robot is significantly cheaper than current models, with an estimated cost of £10,000 compared to the typical £150,000 for existing machines.

After the impressive show last week with Robocab, Robovan, and Optimus, Elon Musk delivered another spectacular feat this weekend. His company, SpaceX, achieved a milestone in rocket reusability with its latest test. During this mission, the Super Heavy-Starship rocket was launched from the Boca Chica facility in Texas, marking the first time a rocket booster has been captured mid-air by mechanical arms. This maneuver, often referred to as the “mechazilla” system, successfully retrieved the 230-foot-tall Super Heavy booster as it descended back to the launch pad.

According to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets, the humanoid robot market is projected to grow from USD 2.03 billion in 2024 to USD 13.25 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.5%. The report attributes this rapid expansion to rising demand for humanoid robots, particularly in the healthcare sector, where they assist medical professionals and enhance patient care by performing tasks such as collecting vital patient information.

WEILAN has announced the global launch of its upgraded BabyAlpha A2 series. The new version of this smart quadruped robot, designed as a family companion, is set to be introduced through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign on October 10, 2024. In addition to the BabyAlpha A2 series, the company will release a developer-focused version, BabyAlpha DevQ, aimed at engineers and tech enthusiasts.

Fillia Makedon, a Distinguished Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been awarded two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to further research in human-computer interaction. The projects aim to enhance the lives of individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those who are visually impaired.

A few hours ago Elon Musk wrapped up the much anticipated ‘We, Robot’ event at the Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles. Apart from the previously teased Cybercab, Musk presented the 20 person Robovan. And finally he showed the updates on humanoid robot Optimus, aimed at both industrial and domestic settings. AI Vision is at the heart of these innovations and the first robotaxis will take to the streets of Texas and California next year.