Musk's xAI Hires Nvidia Experts & HavocAI's $85M Military Boats - Robotics Brief #39
October 23, 2025 -
Robotics Brief
Hi there,
In this edition of the Robotics Brief, we delve into a series of significant developments in the AI and robotics sectors. Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. has taken a strategic step by forming an in-house team dedicated to robotics and embodied AI within its Qwen unit, signaling a robust investment in smart robotics. Meanwhile, xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has bolstered its team by hiring researchers from Nvidia to advance AI systems that understand physical environments, with an exciting plan to release an AI-generated game next year.
In other news, Microsoft and SoftBank are reportedly considering a substantial $2 billion investment in the British autonomous driving startup Wayve, potentially valuing the company at $8 billion. Additionally, HavocAI has raised $85 million to develop autonomous military boats for the U.S. military, aligning with recent legislative support for AI in defense. These stories highlight the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI and robotics, with companies making strategic moves to enhance their technological capabilities and market reach.
In this edition of the Robotics Brief, we delve into a series of significant developments in the AI and robotics sectors. Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. has taken a strategic step by forming an in-house team dedicated to robotics and embodied AI within its Qwen unit, signaling a robust investment in smart robotics. Meanwhile, xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has bolstered its team by hiring researchers from Nvidia to advance AI systems that understand physical environments, with an exciting plan to release an AI-generated game next year.
In other news, Microsoft and SoftBank are reportedly considering a substantial $2 billion investment in the British autonomous driving startup Wayve, potentially valuing the company at $8 billion. Additionally, HavocAI has raised $85 million to develop autonomous military boats for the U.S. military, aligning with recent legislative support for AI in defense. These stories highlight the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI and robotics, with companies making strategic moves to enhance their technological capabilities and market reach.
Alibaba Forms In-House Robotics AI Team
Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. has established a new team within its Qwen unit to focus on robotics and embodied AI, marking a strategic investment in smart robotics. Read more
xAI Hires Nvidia Researchers for AI World Models
xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has recruited researchers Zeeshan Patel and Ethan He from Nvidia to work on advanced AI systems for understanding physical environments, with plans to release an AI-generated game next year. Read more
Microsoft and SoftBank Consider $2 Billion Investment in Wayve
British autonomous driving startup Wayve is reportedly in advanced talks with Microsoft and SoftBank for a potential $2 billion investment, potentially valuing the company at $8 billion. Read more
HavocAI Raises $85 Million for Autonomous Military Boats
HavocAI, a startup from Rhode Island, has secured $85 million in funding to produce autonomous boats for the U.S. military. This funding is part of a broader initiative following a new bill that supports AI systems in defense. Read more
Qualcomm Acquires Arduino and Launches New Board
Qualcomm has acquired Arduino and introduced the Arduino Uno Q, a new board aimed at enhancing robotics and IoT applications with advanced AI capabilities. Read more
AiMOGA Robotics Reveals New Global Strategy at Summit
At the 2025 Chery International User Summit in Wuhu, China, AiMOGA Robotics announced its global brand strategy, focusing on integrating automotive and robotic technologies. The company aims to launch humanoid and quadruped robots in various sectors, targeting significant sales by 2030. Read more
Hyperever Unveils Robot Dog 'Proteo' at NATO Event
Turkish startup Hyperever introduced its autonomous robot dog, Proteo, at a NATO event in Türkiye, showcasing its capabilities for military applications. Read more
Coco Robotics Appoints Bolei Zhou as Chief AI Scientist
Coco Robotics has appointed Bolei Zhou as Chief AI Scientist to lead its Physical AI Lab. He will focus on improving the company's autonomous delivery fleet, which plans to expand significantly by 2026. Read more
SaferWatch and Sentrycs Partner for AI Counter-Drone Tech
SaferWatch has partnered with Sentrycs to integrate AI-driven counter-drone technology into its platform, enhancing law enforcement's ability to manage unauthorized drone activities. Read more
Armstrong Secures $12M for Kitchen AI Robots
San Francisco-based robotics startup Armstrong has raised $12 million to advance its AI-powered dishwashing robots, which are used in major restaurant chains. The company aims to expand its technology to include cooking and cleaning tasks. Read more
Coco Robotics Appoints Bolei Zhou as Chief AI Scientist
Coco Robotics has appointed UCLA professor Bolei Zhou as chief AI scientist to lead a new physical AI research lab. The lab will use data from the company's delivery robots to improve automation and efficiency in urban environments. Read more
Xense Robotics Secures 100 Million Yuan in Funding
Xense Robotics, a Chinese startup in robotic sensing technology, has raised 100 million yuan in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Fortera Capital. The funds will aid in technology R&D, product development, and market expansion. Read more
Seasats Unveils Quickfish Autonomous Vessel
On October 20, 2025, Seasats introduced the Quickfish, an autonomous surface vessel, during a U.S. Navy exercise. The vessel boasts high speeds and long endurance, drawing interest from defense and international partners. Read more
NEXT Semiconductor Unveils NXLR1 LiDAR Processor
NEXT Semiconductor Technologies has launched the NXLR1 LiDAR Processor Unit, aimed at enhancing AI capabilities in autonomous vehicles by improving long-range perception and offering power and cost efficiencies. Read more
Nexar Introduces BADAS AI Model for Vehicle Safety
Nexar has launched BADAS, an AI model designed to improve vehicle safety and autonomy. It is trained on over 10 billion miles of real-world data, surpassing traditional models in predicting incidents and understanding driver behavior. Read more
Petal Surgical Secures $10M for Robotic Surgery Tech
Petal Surgical has raised $10 million in Series A funding to advance its incisionless surgical robotic technology. The company plans to use AI and robotics to improve surgical outcomes. Read more
Starship Technologies Raises $50 Million for US Expansion
Estonian-founded robotics company Starship Technologies has secured $50 million in funding to expand its autonomous delivery services in US cities, aiming to replicate its European success. Read more
Shield AI Launches X-Bat AI Fighter Drone
On October 21, 2025, Shield AI introduced the X-Bat, an AI-piloted military fighter drone with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, designed for combat and long-range operations. Read more
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