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UBTECH and FAW-Volkswagen will launch tests of humanoid robots in factories
UBTECH Robotics and FAW-Volkswagen signed a strategic partnership to develop and test embodied-intelligence robots for logistics and smart manufacturing. The report does not specify models, fleet size, sites or testing dates. UBTECH's separate announcement of a 10,000-unit production scale does not establish orders or deployments by FAW-Volkswagen.
Boston Dynamics unveils four-fingered hand with 13 degrees of freedom for Atlas
Boston Dynamics presented a four-fingered Atlas hand with 13 degrees of freedom and tactile sensors. Demonstrations included preparing a drill, manipulating a nut and handling small objects. The modular design prioritizes durability and repair, while repeated factory testing is still needed to establish performance over long operating cycles.
Minerva Humanoids raised $10 million to create robots for hazardous work
Minerva Humanoids raised about $10 million in seed funding for Roger, a semi-autonomous humanoid aimed at hazardous energy and public safety work. Operators use VR and haptic gloves while onboard control handles movement. The company reports early testing and partnerships, with commercial production planned in Germany and the United States.
ANYbotics launched the Shift platform to manage a fleet of autonomous robot inspectors
ANYbotics launched Shift, a platform connecting inspection robot fleets with site maps, analytics and industrial maintenance systems. It supports mission planning and two-way integration with enterprise software. According to the company, Shift is already used in more than 200 deployments, with support for third-party robot systems planned.
China raises share of humanoid robot patent filings to 60.8%
China accounted for 60.8% of humanoid robot patent filings across the five largest patent offices in the first half of 2026, according to data cited by a South Korean lawmaker. The report compares national shares and technology assessments while warning that recent application counts remain preliminary because of publication delays.
Soft exoskeleton makes it easier to get up from a chair
Technical University of Munich researchers developed a soft exosuit that uses artificial tendons and movement recognition to assist hip extension. Ten adults aged 69 to 85 tested it, showing improvements in standing and walking measures. The suit is intended to support independence and rehabilitation while preserving users' sense of control.
Leju Robotics introduced the wheeled humanoid robot KUAVO 5-W
Leju Robotics presented KUAVO 5-W, a wheeled humanoid for industrial and service environments. The platform combines an omnidirectional base, dexterous upper body and five-fingered hands, with a stated 20 kg payload and six-hour runtime. Its early skill ratings and lack of collaborative safety certification remain relevant deployment considerations.
A miniature robot has been created with precise control of jump height
University of Washington engineers developed DirectHop, a roughly one-gram robot that jumps using direct motor drive instead of a spring. It controls jump height to within one centimeter and can right itself after landing. The current wired prototype still lacks steering and navigation, with onboard power and autonomy under development.
Morgan Stanley predicts tens of billions of robots in twenty years
Morgan Stanley strategist Adam Jonas outlined a long-term physical AI scenario involving tens of billions of robots within ten to twenty years. The interview connects robotics with edge computing, manufacturing capacity, supply chains and regulation. The article distinguishes these broad forecasts from deployment evidence and detailed technical or economic validation.
XPENG showed social skills of humanoid IRON
XPENG demonstrated IRON tracking speakers, switching between Chinese, English and German, and recognizing participants after changes of clothing and position. The company attributes this behavior to coordinated sensing, memory and motion control. The studio video does not establish accuracy, latency or reliability during full-time operation in a crowded store.
Toyota plans to deploy 400,000 humanoid robots in factories from 2028
Just Auto reported that Toyota plans humanoid robot deployment from 2028, citing a potential fleet of 400,000 and annual investment of one trillion yen. The article treats these figures cautiously because named underlying sources and detailed plans are absent. It also describes Toyota's wheeled ELEY research platform.