01
💰 FUNDING
🤖 HUMANOID
$200M
💹 MARKET MOVE
Beijing-based humanoid robotics company Robotera raised over $200M led by SF Group, after raising ~$146M in March at a ~$1.47B valuation (Du Zhihang/Caixin Global)
Beijing-based humanoid robotics company Robotera has successfully raised over $200M in a new funding round led by SF Group. This significant capital injection follows a previous raise of approximately $146M in March, which had valued the company at around $1.47B, underscoring rapid investor confidence and substantial growth in the humanoid robotics segment.
→ This rapid succession of large funding rounds for a humanoid robotics company indicates a strong market validation and accelerating investor interest, potentially signaling a critical inflection point for the commercialization and technological advancement of humanoid robots.
Robotera, a Beijing-based humanoid robotics company, raised over $200M.The latest funding round was led by SF Group.This follows a previous ~$146M funding round in March, which valued the company at ~$1.47B.
02
⚡ LAUNCH
📈 TREND CONFIRMED
Video Friday: AI Gives Robot Hands Human-Like Dexterity
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please send us your events for inclusion. ICRA 2026 : 1–5 June 2026, VIENNA RSS 2026 : 13–17 July 2026, SYDNEY Summer School on Multi-Robot Systems : 29 July–4 August 2026, PRAGUE Actuate 2026 : 18–19 August 2026, SAN FRANCISCO Enjoy today’s videos! Introducing GENE-26.5—the first AI brain to give robots human-level physical manipulation capabilities. Cooking a full meal. Cracking an egg one-ha
03
🏭 DEPLOYMENT
📦 AMR
● NEW
🚨 EARLY WARNING
Kodiak and Roehl Transport begin autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston
Kodiak AI, a developer of physical AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, has initiated autonomous freight operations with Roehl Transport, a prominent truckload carrier. Since last month, trucks equipped with Kodiak's autonomous system, the Kodiak Driver, have been completing four roundtrips per week hauling freight between Dallas and Houston, marking a significant commercial deployment in a major logistics corridor.
→ This deployment represents a tangible step towards the commercialization and scalability of autonomous long-haul trucking, providing real-world operational data and potentially influencing investment strategies in the autonomous logistics sector.
Kodiak AI and Roehl Transport are autonomously hauling freight.Operations involve four roundtrips per week between Dallas and Houston.The autonomous system deployed is known as the Kodiak Driver.
04
⚡ LAUNCH
● NEW
💹 MARKET MOVE
Cognex releases fully integrated AI-powered vision system for robotics
Cognex has launched a new fully integrated AI-powered vision system tailored for robotics applications. This system combines Cognex-developed edge AI, advanced AI, and rule-based vision tools with a high-performance embedded compute, representing a significant product release from a key industry player.
→ This product launch by Cognex simplifies the integration and deployment of advanced AI vision capabilities for robotic automation, potentially lowering barriers to entry and accelerating the adoption of intelligent robotics across various sectors.
Cognex released a fully integrated AI-powered vision system for robotics.The system combines Cognex-developed edge AI, advanced AI, and rule-based vision tools.It features a high-performance embedded compute for its vision processing.
05
🏭 DEPLOYMENT
🛸 DRONE
📈 TREND CONFIRMED
2 Singaporeans, 1 Indonesian still missing after Mount Dukono eruption
Indonesian authorities deployed two thermal drones and 100 personnel to Halmahera to search for three hikers (two Singaporeans, one Indonesian) missing after the Mount Dukono eruption. The search operation, which resumed on Saturday, highlights the critical use of robotics in post-disaster rescue efforts in challenging environments.
→ This deployment underscores the increasing reliance on specialized thermal drones for critical search and rescue operations in hazardous post-disaster zones, validating their essential role in enhancing safety and efficiency for human rescuers and potentially driving demand for robust, disaster-ready drone systems.
Two thermal drones were deployed at Halmahera for a search and rescue operation.The operation is for three hikers missing after the Mount Dukono eruption.The search involves 100 rescuers, military, and police personnel.