Robotics

Today's Stories

1. 1

   NVIDIA partners with security companies to protect AI robots from cyber attacks

   Infineon and Aptiv announced separate partnerships with NVIDIA on June 2-3 to build stronger security into AI robots and autonomous systems. Infineon's TPM (a security chip that stores digital keys) will be integrated with NVIDIA's Jetson Thor platform, while Aptiv will help make these systems ready for commercial use across industries like manufacturing and defense.

   Future AI robots in factories and warehouses will have better protection against hackers trying to steal data or disrupt operations.

2. 2

   Agriculture company partners with seed breeder to develop tomatoes optimized for robot harvesting

   Robotics firm eternal.ag and seed company Rijk Zwaan announced a collaboration on June 3 to identify which tomato varieties work best with robotic greenhouse systems. The partnership aims to understand which plant characteristics make it easier for robots to perform tasks like harvesting and crop maintenance in automated greenhouses.

   Grocery store tomatoes may eventually be bred specifically to work with robot farmers, potentially making fresh produce more consistent and affordable.

3. 3

   FORT Robotics acquires Mapless AI to improve remote robot control capabilities

   FORT Robotics announced the acquisition of Mapless AI on June 2 to expand its teleop (remote operation) technology. While FORT traditionally worked with robots in structured industrial settings, Mapless AI brings experience controlling robots in unpredictable outdoor environments.

   Remote-controlled robots may soon be able to work effectively in construction sites, disaster zones, or other chaotic environments where human operators can't be present.

4. 4

   Researchers develop point-and-click robot that picks specific LEGO blocks from cluttered piles

   A Stanford researcher demonstrated a new robot system that can identify and pick up specific LEGO blocks when a human simply points to them on a screen, even when multiple similar pieces are scattered together. The system uses a diffusion policy (an AI technique that learns from examples) and runs entirely on a laptop without internet connection.

   Future warehouse and manufacturing robots may be able to find and pick specific items from messy storage areas just by having workers point to what they need on a screen.

5. 5

   Data ownership concerns grow as Physical AI systems collect information from real-world environments

   Industry experts are raising questions about who owns the data collected by AI robots operating in physical spaces, according to an interview with Kate Shen of Anaxi Labs published June 2. As robots with cameras and sensors enter workplaces and public spaces, the legal rights around the data they gather remain unclear.

   Workers and customers may need new privacy protections as AI robots with cameras and sensors become common in offices, stores, and public buildings.