Oxipital AI & Boston Conveyor Team Up, Vividobots Secures Funding, Locus Robotics Hits 5B Milestone - Robotics Brief #15\
May 01, 2025 -
Robotics Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to this edition of the Robotics Brief, where we delve into the latest advancements and partnerships in the world of AI and robotics. This week, we spotlight a range of exciting developments, from strategic collaborations to significant funding rounds that are shaping the future of automation and AI technology.
Among the highlights, Oxipital AI has teamed up with Boston Conveyor and Automation to enhance food automation systems with cutting-edge vision-guided inspection and robotic picking technology. Meanwhile, Vividobots has secured seed funding to push forward AI-powered solutions for high-rise building maintenance, and Locus Robotics celebrates a milestone of surpassing 5 billion units picked globally, underscoring the growing demand for mobile warehouse automation. Stay tuned as we explore these stories and more, showcasing the dynamic landscape of AI and robotics innovation.
Welcome to this edition of the Robotics Brief, where we delve into the latest advancements and partnerships in the world of AI and robotics. This week, we spotlight a range of exciting developments, from strategic collaborations to significant funding rounds that are shaping the future of automation and AI technology.
Among the highlights, Oxipital AI has teamed up with Boston Conveyor and Automation to enhance food automation systems with cutting-edge vision-guided inspection and robotic picking technology. Meanwhile, Vividobots has secured seed funding to push forward AI-powered solutions for high-rise building maintenance, and Locus Robotics celebrates a milestone of surpassing 5 billion units picked globally, underscoring the growing demand for mobile warehouse automation. Stay tuned as we explore these stories and more, showcasing the dynamic landscape of AI and robotics innovation.
Oxipital AI Partners with Boston Conveyor for Food Automation
On April 30, 2025, Oxipital AI announced a partnership with Boston Conveyor and Automation (BCA) to integrate advanced vision-guided inspection and robotic picking technology into BCA's automation systems. Read more
BrainChip Partners with Chelpis and Mirle on AI-PQC Chip
BrainChip Holdings Ltd has teamed up with Chelpis Quantum Corp. and Mirle to develop an AI-PQC robotic chip, utilizing Akida AKD1000 chips for enhanced security in industrial robotics. Read more
Vividobots Secures Rs 1.47 Crore in Seed Funding
Chennai-based startup Vividobots has raised Rs 1.47 crore in a Seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures to advance AI-powered robotic solutions for high-rise building maintenance. Read more
Locus Robotics Reaches 5 Billion Picks Milestone
Locus Robotics has announced surpassing 5 billion units picked globally, just 24 weeks after reaching 4 billion. This reflects growing demand for mobile warehouse automation. Read more
Vayudh Secures $10 Million for Nano Drone Development
Indian defense-tech startup Vayudh has secured $10 million in funding to advance its nano drone technology for defense purposes, with contributions from Zomato CEO and others. Read more
LEM Surgical's Robotic System Gets FDA Clearance
LEM Surgical has received FDA clearance for its Dynamis Robotic Surgical System, aimed at improving accuracy in spine surgeries. The system will be introduced in select U.S. hospitals this year. Read more
TIER IV and Carnegie Mellon Collaborate on Level 4+ Autonomy
TIER IV and Carnegie Mellon University have joined forces to enhance Level 4+ autonomous vehicle technology through the Safety21 initiative, focusing on advancing embodied AI. Read more
DBR77 Robotics Secures Seed Funding for Expansion
Polish startup DBR77 Robotics has closed its seed investment round led by ff Venture Capital to support international expansion and technological development. Read more
Graze Robotics and Invited Launch Autonomous Mowing Pilot
Graze Robotics has partnered with Invited to start a pilot program for autonomous mowing at Gleneagles Country Club in Dallas, Texas. The project will assess the effectiveness of robotic mowers in enhancing golf course maintenance. Read more
PONY AI and Tencent Cloud Partner for Autonomous Driving
PONY AI Inc. and Tencent Cloud have announced a strategic partnership to enhance autonomous driving technology and support the commercial deployment of robotaxis. Read more
Symphony Robotics Appoints New Chief Medical Officer
Symphony Robotics has appointed Dr. Neil A. Martin as Chief Medical Officer to lead the development of a micro-robotic system for Glioblastoma treatment. Read more
Horizon Robotics and DENSO Partner for Assisted Driving
Horizon Robotics and DENSO have announced a strategic partnership to enhance the adoption of high-performance assisted driving technologies. Read more
DeepRoute.ai and Volcano Engine Partner for AI Vehicle Innovation
On April 25, 2025, DeepRoute.ai and Volcano Engine announced a partnership at Auto Shanghai 2025 to enhance AI vehicle development by integrating advanced models and computing support. Read more
Neusoft Unveils AI Mobility Products at Auto Shanghai 2025
At Auto Shanghai 2025, Neusoft Corporation launched three AI-powered product portfolios aimed at enhancing intelligent automotive connectivity and user experience. Read more
China Tightens Self-Driving Tech Regulations After Accident
Following a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi vehicle, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced stricter regulations on self-driving technology, including advertising restrictions and mandatory regulatory approvals for feature enhancements. Read more
Royal Thai Police Introduces AI Robot for Songkran Festival
The Royal Thai Police has launched an AI robot named Police Colonel Nakhonpathom Plod Phai to enhance public safety during the Songkran festival, utilizing facial recognition and surveillance technology. Read more
Shield AI Completes 130 V-BAT Sorties in Ukraine
Shield AI has conducted over 130 V-BAT sorties in Ukraine, collaborating with the country's Unmanned Systems Forces to improve operational readiness in electronic warfare environments. Read more
TIER IV Completes Japanese Government Autonomous Truck Project
TIER IV has finished a project with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to develop autonomous trucks, aiming to tackle the driver shortage in logistics. Read more
Netherlands to Invest $352 Million in Defense AI and Drones
The Netherlands plans to invest €310 million ($352 million) in 2025 to boost defense capabilities with drones and AI, as stated by State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman. Read more
01VC Raises $69 Million for AI and Robotics
01VC, a Chinese investment firm, has launched a 500 million yuan fund to invest in AI, robotics, and global growth sectors. Read more
Cosmic Robotics Secures $4 Million Funding
Cosmic Robotics, a San Francisco-based startup, has raised $4 million in a funding round led by Giant Ventures. The funds will support the development of their autonomous mobile robot, Cosmic-1A, for solar construction. Read more
Theseus Raises $4.3M and Joins Y Combinator for Drone Tech
Theseus, a defense technology startup, has secured $4.3 million in seed funding and will join Y Combinator's Spring 2024 cohort to advance its drone navigation technology. Read more
Chang Robotics Launches $50M Fund and Expands U.S. Operations
Chang Robotics has announced a $50 million fund launch and plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing with a new operational site, alongside innovations in healthcare, transportation, and sustainability for 2025. Read more
STRADVISION and Axera Partner for ADAS and Autonomous Driving Solutions
On April 28, 2025, STRADVISION and Axera announced a strategic partnership to develop advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving solutions, integrating STRADVISION's software with Axera's AI platforms. Read more
Amazon-backed Glacier Secures $16 Million for Recycling Robots
Glacier, supported by Amazon, has received $16 million to expand its robotic recycling systems, enhancing its industry capabilities. Read more
ARX Robotics Raises €31 Million for Defence Tech
Munich-based ARX Robotics has secured €31 million in Series A funding to enhance its AI-driven defence solutions and expand its operations in Europe. Read more
Hugging Face Introduces SO-101 Robotic Arm
Hugging Face has launched the SO-101, a 3D-printed robotic arm starting at $100, designed for object manipulation and basic tasks. It features improved motors, easier assembly, and a camera for reinforcement learning. Read more
Hyundai and Plus Reveal Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Concept
At the ACT Expo 2025, Hyundai Motor and Plus introduced a concept for an autonomous hydrogen-powered freight ecosystem, featuring the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck with Plus's SuperDrive™ software. Read more
PsiBot Unveils R1 Model for Mahjong Playing Robots
On April 29, 2025, PsiBot introduced its R1 model, showcasing advancements in embodied AI with robots capable of playing Mahjong, highlighting progress in real-world interaction capabilities. Read more
UPS Explores Partnership with Figure AI for Logistics Robots
UPS is in talks with robotics startup Figure AI to potentially use humanoid robots in logistics operations. The specific roles for these robots have not been detailed yet. Read more
Algorized Joins MassRobotics to Enhance AI in Robotics
Algorized, a startup in people-sensing AI, has partnered with the MassRobotics community to improve human-machine interaction. The collaboration focuses on advancing product development and pilot programs using Algorized's sensor fusion technology. Read more
Dyna Robotics Launches DYNA-1 Robot Model
On April 29, 2025, Dyna Robotics introduced DYNA-1, a robot model capable of autonomous operation, marking a significant advancement in embodied AI. Read more
Helm.ai and Honda Collaborate on AI Self-Driving Tech
California-based AI developer Helm.ai has launched the Helm.ai Driver, a neural network system for self-driving cars, in partnership with Honda. Read more
FAA Approves ZenaDrone 1000 for Agricultural Use
The Federal Aviation Administration has approved ZenaDrone to use its ZenaDrone 1000 for commercial agricultural operations, including spraying pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Read more
Lightly Launches LightlyEdge for Autonomous Vehicles
Swiss AI startup Lightly has introduced LightlyEdge, a new software designed to assist European automotive manufacturers in improving autonomous vehicle development through efficient data collection and analysis. Read more
Waymo and Toyota Discuss Autonomous Vehicle Partnership
Waymo and Toyota are in talks about a potential partnership to develop a new autonomous vehicle, leveraging Waymo's self-driving technology and Toyota's manufacturing expertise. Read more
Figure AI Issues Cease-and-Desist Over Stock Sales
Figure AI, a robotics startup, has sent cease-and-desist letters to brokers in secondary markets to halt unauthorized stock sales. The company is reportedly seeking a $1.5 billion funding round at a $39.5 billion valuation. Read more
ALM Positioners and Path Robotics Partner for AI Welding Automation
On April 30, 2025, ALM Positioners and Path Robotics announced a strategic partnership to develop AI-powered welding solutions, aiming to enhance accuracy and efficiency in manufacturing. Read more
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