Pony.ai's ARK Invest Boost, Rebl's AI Robots with H&M & IKEA, and Teqram's US AI Grinding Debut

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Welcome to this edition of the Robotics Brief, where we delve into the latest advancements and investments in the world of robotics and AI. This week, Pony.ai has made headlines by securing a significant investment from ARK Invest, marking a pivotal moment for the Chinese autonomous driving company as it continues to develop Level 4 autonomous driving technologies. Meanwhile, Rebl Industries is expanding its reach by partnering with retail giants H&M and IKEA to integrate AI-powered robots into their warehouse operations, a move that underscores the growing importance of automation in logistics.

In other news, Teqram has installed the first AI-powered grinding robot at AMP in the United States, showcasing the potential of AI in manufacturing. Additionally, Daimon Robotics has secured $14 million to enhance its tactile perception technologies, further advancing robotic capabilities. These stories, along with many others, highlight the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of robotics and AI, promising exciting developments in the near future.

Pony.ai Secures Investment from ARK Invest

Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving company, has received approximately $12.9 million from ARK Invest, marking its first investment in a Chinese firm focused on Level 4 autonomous driving. The company also attracted 14 global institutional investors in Q2 2025. Read more

Rebl Industries Partners with H&M and IKEA for AI Robots

Rebl Industries, a Swedish robotics company, has signed agreements with H&M and IKEA to implement AI-powered robots in their warehouses. The company has also appointed Nicholas Tengelin as CEO to lead its global expansion. Read more

Teqram Installs AI Grinding Robot at AMP

Teqram has installed the first AI-powered grinding robot in the United States at AMP, marking a significant advancement in automation technology in the manufacturing sector. Read more

Daimon Robotics Secures $14M for Tactile Tech

China-based Daimon Robotics has secured $14 million in funding to advance its vision-based tactile perception technologies, enhancing robotic capabilities. Read more

Foxconn Invests $30 Million in Robocore for Robotics Expansion

Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. has invested $30 million in Robocore Technology Limited to enter the smart robotics sector, focusing on telemedicine services and future IPO plans. Read more

Bosch and Volkswagen Enhance AI Partnership

Bosch and Volkswagen's software division, Cariad, are expanding their collaboration to integrate advanced AI into automated driving technology, aiming for production readiness by 2026. Read more

Hyundai Motor Group Launches AI Startup Challenge

Hyundai Motor Group has initiated its first AI-focused Global Startup Challenge in Silicon Valley, aiming to discover innovative technologies applicable within 18 months. The challenge targets areas like autonomous driving, cybersecurity, robotics, and energy. Read more

STEER Tech and HEVO Develop Wireless Autonomous Charging

On August 14, 2025, STEER Tech and HEVO announced their partnership to create the first fully integrated wireless autonomous charging solution for commercial fleets, combining wireless charging technology with autonomous vehicle software. Read more

Boston Dynamics and Toyota Unveil Atlas Robot's New Abilities

Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute have revealed advancements in the Atlas humanoid robot, showcasing its autonomous capabilities in manipulation and locomotion using Large Behavior Models. The robot can now perform complex tasks and adapt to unexpected challenges autonomously. Read more

Delta Electronics Unveils AI-Driven Cobots at Automation Taipei 2025

At Automation Taipei 2025, Delta Electronics introduced AI-enabled Collaborative Robots and showcased a Cyber-Physical Integration Demo Line to enhance manufacturing processes. Read more

Pringle Robotics Cleans 1 Billion Sq Ft with Autonomous Robots

Pringle Robotics has announced that its autonomous robots have cleaned 1 billion square feet of flooring in commercial facilities across the U.S. since the start of 2024. This achievement was made possible through collaborations with major Jan/San companies and a national convenience store chain. Read more

Pudu Robotics Unveils AI-Powered Robotic Sweeper

On August 20, 2025, Pudu Robotics announced the launch of the PUDU MT1 Max, an AI-driven robotic sweeper designed for large-scale environments. The device boasts advanced 3D perception and improved AI capabilities for efficient cleaning. Read more

Kodiak Robotics Enhances Trucks with NXP Processors

Kodiak Robotics has integrated NXP Semiconductors' ISO 26262-compliant processors into its autonomous truck systems to enhance performance, reliability, and safety. Read more

FieldAI Secures $405 Million for Universal Robot AI

FieldAI, a robotics startup, has raised $405 million to develop AI models that allow robots to adapt to various environments. The funding will aid in creating a universal robot brain for diverse applications. Read more

Hugging Face Robotics Lead Seeks $40M for Startup Uma

Remi Cadene, the robotics lead at Hugging Face, is in talks to raise $40 million for his new robotics startup, Uma, which targets industrial and commercial sectors. Read more

Airbus and Shield AI Achieve First Autonomous Flight of MQ-72C

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense and Shield AI have completed the first autonomous flight of the MQ-72C aerial logistics connector in Texas. This milestone was achieved using Shield AI's Hivemind software on an H145 helicopter, advancing the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector program. Read more

TNO Launches Motion Comfort Institute for Automated Vehicles

The TNO has created the Motion Comfort Institute to address motion sickness in automated vehicles, potentially impacting up to 60% of passengers. Read more

Saga Robotics Secures €9.5 Million for Farm Robots

Oslo-based Saga Robotics has raised €9.5 million to advance its robotic platform, Thorvald, aimed at automating soft fruit and grapevine production. The funding, led by Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, will support the expansion of Thorvald's commercial presence in the UK and US. Read more

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Philadelphia

Waymo has introduced its sixth-generation robotaxis in Philadelphia, claiming they outperform 99% of Uber drivers in productivity. This expansion is part of Waymo's strategy to grow in the Northeast. Read more

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Pony.ai's ARK Invest Boost, Rebl's AI Robots with H&M & IKEA, and Teqram's US AI Grinding Debut - Robotics Brief #31

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