XTEND Reality Wins U.S. War Contract, Turing Raises $99M, and Physical Intelligence Secures $600M - Robotics Brief #43

November 21, 2025 - Robotics Brief
Hi there,

Welcome to this edition of the Robotics Brief, where we delve into the latest advancements and investments in the world of AI and robotics. This week, XTEND Reality Inc. has made headlines by securing a significant contract with the U.S. Department of War to develop AI-enabled drone kits. These drones are designed to assist tactical teams with precision strikes using swarm-based autonomy, marking a notable step forward in military technology.

In the realm of funding, Turing, a Tokyo-based AI startup, has successfully raised $99 million in a Series A funding round. This investment will bolster the development of their AI-based autonomous driving system, with contributions from Denso and a syndicated loan. Meanwhile, Bone AI from South Korea has secured $12 million to enhance AI-powered robotics for defense, focusing on autonomous vehicles like drones. These stories highlight the growing intersection of AI technology and strategic defense initiatives.
XTEND Reality Inc. Wins U.S. Department of War Contract
XTEND Reality Inc. has secured a contract with the U.S. Department of War to develop AI-enabled drone kits for tactical teams, focusing on swarm-based autonomy for precision strikes. Read more
Turing Raises $99M in Series A Funding
Tokyo-based AI startup Turing has raised $99 million in a Series A funding round, achieving a valuation of $388 million. The funding includes investments from Denso and a syndicated loan, supporting Turing's development of an AI-based autonomous driving system. Read more
Bone AI Secures $12M for AI Robotics in Defense
South Korea-based startup Bone AI has raised $12 million to advance AI-powered robotics for defense, focusing on autonomous vehicles like drones. The funding was led by Third Prime and includes participation from Kolon Group. Read more
AgiBot Unveils Embodied Intelligence at CIIE 2025
At the 8th China International Import Expo, AgiBot showcased its latest advancements in embodied intelligence, including the AgiBot X2 and intelligent banking assistant A2. Read more
Physical Intelligence Secures $600M to Advance AI for Robotics
Physical Intelligence, a robotics software startup, has raised $600 million in a funding round led by CapitalG. The company aims to develop AI algorithms to enhance robotic capabilities. Read more
Cisco Invests in Spatial Intelligence Startup World Labs
Cisco Investments has announced a strategic investment in World Labs Technologies, Inc., a startup focused on developing Large World Models (LWMs) for AI systems to interact with 3D environments. Read more
Galbot Announces DexNDM and NavFoM for Robotics
On November 16, 2025, Galbot revealed two new AI technologies, DexNDM and NavFoM, aimed at improving robotic manipulation and navigation capabilities. Read more
Yole Group Report on RoboSense's Role in Humanoid Robots
A report by the international market research firm Yole Group highlights the significance of RoboSense's Active Camera in advancing humanoid robots, predicting a market growth to USD 51 billion by 2035. Read more
ITRI Secures Second Place at 2025 World Robot Summit
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) achieved second place in the Harsh Environment Drone Challenge at the 2025 World Robot Summit in Japan, setting two new records with their drones. Read more
Smart Industrial Robotics Market to Hit $75.89 Billion by 2033
A report by Strategic Revenue Insights forecasts the Smart Industrial Robotics market to grow significantly, driven by AI integration across sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. Read more
UBTECH Begins Mass Production of Walker S2 Robots
UBTECH has started mass production and delivery of its Walker S2 humanoid robots, with orders surpassing 800 million yuan. The company plans to deliver 500 units this year and increase production to 5,000 units annually by 2026. Read more
Sunday Raises $35M for Household Robot 'Memo'
Sunday, a California-based robotics startup, has secured $35 million in funding to develop 'Memo', a robot designed to assist with household chores such as dishes and laundry. Read more
Robo.ai and Zand Bank Partner for Machine Economy Payments
Robo.ai and Zand Bank have announced a strategic partnership to innovate payment solutions within the machine economy, focusing on streamlining transactions and improving efficiency in automated payment systems. Read more
Robotera Raises $140.5 Million Led by Geely
Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer Robotera has secured USD140.5 million in a funding round led by Geely Capital to advance its ERA-42 model used in various industries. Read more
DailyRobotics to Launch Robotic Strawberry Harvester in California
Israeli agtech startup DailyRobotics plans to introduce its robotic strawberry harvester, the Q2, in California by April 2026. The robot is designed to enhance efficiency in strawberry picking and quality grading. Read more
Nauticus Robotics Q3 2025 Financial Results and AI Advances
Nauticus Robotics announced its Q3 2025 financial results, with revenues of $2.0 million and a net loss of $6.6 million. The company also reported advancements in its AI-driven subsea robotics programs. Read more
HMCI and Rapt.AI Deploy NVIDIA Systems in Rancho Cordova
HMCI and Rapt.AI have announced the deployment of NVIDIA GB10 systems in Rancho Cordova to support a new AI and Robotics Ecosystem, backed by a $5 million investment from the city. Read more
Tether Leads $1.2B Funding for Neura Robotics
Tether is in talks to lead a $1.2 billion funding round for German startup Neura Robotics, which focuses on humanoid robots. The investment could value Neura between $9.29 billion and $11.6 billion. Read more

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