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At the Meta Connect Keynote Mark Zuckerberg has introduced a range of new features for its AI products. He unveiled new multimodal features, powered by its Llama 3.2 models, which aim to make the Meta AI assistant more versatile and engaging. Among the updates, users can now interact with Meta AI using voice commands across platforms such as Messenger, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

Worldwide shipments of AI PCs are projected to total 114 million units in 2025, an increase of 165.5% from 2024, according to a new forecast from Gartner. Gartner defines AI PCs as a PC with an embedded neural processing unit (NPU) and uses this classification for the forecast. AI PCs include PCs with NPUs attached to Windows on Arm, macOS on Arm and x86 on Windows PCs.

Next month Fizyr will host an event at their headquarters in Delft, highlighting a broad range of robotic solutions that use their AI vision software. Partners such as Yaskawa and Cognibotics will demonstrate best-of-breed solutions that are the cornerstone of Fizyr’s growth strategy. Rocking Robots, reporting as media partner from this event, sat down with CEO Ken Fleming for this preview.

Humanetics has launched the DrivingRobot modular (DRm), a system designed for vehicle testing, particularly Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). The DRm provides a flexible and cost-efficient solution for testing across a range of vehicle types, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, vans, buses, and heavy-duty trucks. Its modular design allows for adaptability, meeting the demands of truck and passenger vehicle testing.

Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured two five-year contracts worth up to $47 million to supply and support its unmanned ground robots for the U.S. government. Awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Detroit, the contracts will be administered through the Robot Logistics Support Center. These agreements cover the company’s FirstLook, SUGV, PackBot, and Kobra robots, along with the Man-Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) and Common Robotic Systems-Heavy (CRS-H).

At the 40th anniversary event of ICRA, Unitree showed its robot portfolio, including the humanoid G1. Rocking Robots talked to Richard Kuijpers from Smartrobot.solutions, Unitree distributor in the Netherlands and Belgium. He highlighs the growing use of humanoid robots, particularly in sectors like public safety and research. These robots are already being sold to several clients, where they can be used in situations where human safety is at risk, including tasks like hostage negotiation, gas detection, and observation in hazardous environments.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a knee exoskeleton designed to reduce fatigue and improve safety in lifting tasks. Built using commercially available knee braces and drone motors, the exoskeletons support the quadriceps muscles, allowing users to maintain proper lifting posture even when tired. This development aims to reduce workplace injuries, particularly in industries like construction and manufacturing where lifting is common. Unlike back braces or back exoskeletons, which are more intrusive and assume improper lifting techniques, these knee exoskeletons focus on strengthening the legs to promote safe squat lifting.

The Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) market is projected to exceed a total addressable market (TAM) of $10 billion by 2030, according to the latest report by LogisticsIQ. The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 30% between 2024 and 2030, with a forecasted installed base of two million units by the end of the decade. This expansion is largely driven by increasing demand for automation in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Pudu Robotics has introduced the PUDU D7, the company’s first semi-humanoid robot, as part of its strategy to expand its service robotics offerings. The robot is expected to be commercially available in 2025, and integrates mobility and dexterity through its human-like upper body and robotic arms.

Last week, Microsoft unveiled more details about their upcoming project to model the whole world in one simulation, using AI, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces significant advancements in virtual world simulation, marking a notable step forward in the series. The latest version of the game enhances the level of environmental detail and expands the scope of aviation experiences available to players.