$175K robot girlfriend 🤖, Security robot market hits $30B 💰, Watch Out's CNC autonomy 🏭
Machina Digest 2024-01-22
This Could Be Your AI Robot Girlfriend for $175,000 (2 minute read)
Realbotix is showcasing their latest AI companion robot at CES 2025, with prices ranging from $12,000 to $175,000. Their top model, Aria, features movable limbs, facial expressions, and visual recognition capabilities. While the company claims to create "robots indistinguishable from humans," current models still show noticeable delays in speech and movement. The robots come with modular faces that can be swapped in under five seconds - just don't introduce your customized version to mom without appropriate attire.
Security Robotics Market Size to Hit US$ 30.0 Billion by 2032 at 12.09% CAGR (2 minute read)
The security robotics market is expected to explode from $12.03 billion in 2024 to $30.0 billion by 2032. The growth is driven by increasing security threats and advancements in AI and IoT technology. The market includes unmanned ground vehicles for patrolling, underwater vehicles for protecting infrastructure, and aerial drones for surveillance. Key players like Lockheed Martin and iRobot are leading innovation in this space, with North America currently dominating the market.
Watch Out adds autonomy to CNC cells for precise production (3 minute read)
Watch Out is tackling manufacturing's skilled labor shortage with highly automated CNC workcells. Their system uses AI to handle everything from CAD file management to part inspection, reducing setup time from days to just 30 minutes. The cells can run autonomously for 48 hours and automatically adjust their processes for optimal production. While traditional setups require 40 people for 40 machines, Watch Out's system needs only 10 operators. The company offers their technology through a subscription model and expects $20 million in sales for 2024.
Robot Gets Up Close to the Seabed Without Disturbing It (3 minute read)
Chinese researchers have developed an underwater robot that can observe the seabed without stirring up sediment - a common problem that ruins underwater photography. The robot hovers 20cm above the seafloor using specially angled thrusters and a flattened body design. This breakthrough could revolutionize coral reef monitoring and underwater resource exploration, traditionally limited by manual diving methods.
Tiangong, China's Open-Source Humanoid Robot, Is Ready to Take Over the World (2 minute read)
China has unveiled Tiangong, a 163cm tall open-source humanoid robot that can run at 6 km/h and navigate various terrains. By making all designs and software freely available, China aims to accelerate global robotics development while positioning itself as an industry leader. The initiative is part of China's broader strategy to mass-produce humanoid robots by 2025 and develop AI-capable machines by 2027.
New robot performing surgery on cancer patients (1 minute read)
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Norfolk has introduced a £1m surgical robot called Versius for cancer treatments. The robot assists surgeons during complex procedures, offering 3D visualization and enhanced precision. Initial success with colorectal surgery has led to plans for expanding its use to urology and gynecological procedures, with expectations to treat 100 patients in its first year.
Robotics, labelling, AI, oh my... (6 minute read)
The robotics industry is seeing a shift in data labeling services as companies move away from industry giant Scale AI to specialized startups like Segments.ai and Encord. These newcomers offer tailored solutions for robotics data, including specialized software for annotating robotic arm movements and 3D scene reconstruction. While some companies opt for in-house labeling, the market for specialized robotics data services continues to grow.
Primech AI improves HYTRON cleaning robot performance with NVIDIA tech (1 minute read)
Primech AI has upgraded its HYTRON bathroom cleaning robot with NVIDIA's Jetson Orin Super system, enhancing its autonomous capabilities. The robot, designed for commercial spaces like airports and hotels, leverages NVIDIA's suite of AI tools for improved performance. Following successful trials in September 2024, Primech AI plans to expand into Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai in 2025, targeting a global cleaning market projected to reach $74 billion by 2025.