Global robotics R&D 💰, war robot DJ 🎵 DIY mobile bot project 🔧
Machina Digest 2025-02-12
How leading countries are investing in robotics R&D (4 minute read)
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has released its 2025 report on global robotics R&D, highlighting different national strategies. China is ramping up its robotics investments with a $45.2M push in AI-driven automation. Japan’s “Moonshot” program, with a $440M budget through 2050, aims to advance AI-powered robots that learn and evolve. Korea, the world leader in robot density, has committed $128M to strengthen its robotics industry. Meanwhile, Europe is allocating $183.5M for robotics research under Horizon Europe, and Germany’s high-tech strategy includes $369.2M for robotics innovation. In the U.S., NSF, NASA, and the DoD are investing billions into AI, automation, and space robotics, with an additional AI mega-fund of up to $500B led by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank.
War Robot Put On a 30-Minute DJ Set at a California Club (1 minute read)
A humanoid robot designed for military use took a break from defense work to spin tracks at a San Francisco nightclub. Phantom, created by Foundation Robotics Labs, performed a 30-minute DJ set at Temple nightclub during an AI trade expo, proving that war machines can also drop beats. While its transitions were solid, its fist-pumping was reportedly offbeat. Phantom is currently deployed in noncombat roles like aircraft refueling, but this event seemed more like a PR move to soften the image of military robots. Next stop, a USO tour?
Articulated Robotics: A DIY Mobile Robot Project (8 minute read)
A robotics enthusiast is documenting the process of building a mobile robot from scratch using ROS (Robot Operating System), Raspberry Pi, and Arduino. The project covers teleoperation via a smartphone, autonomous navigation using SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and object tracking with OpenCV. The best part? Everything is first tested in simulation, making it accessible even for those without hardware. With step-by-step tutorials, the goal is to inspire more people to build their own functional robots, no advanced programming or math required.
Dual-Arm HyQReal Puts Powerful Telepresence Anywhere (4 minute read)
Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have equipped their powerful HyQReal quadruped robot with dual arms, making it a formidable teleoperated system for hazardous environments. The hydraulically powered robot, originally strong enough to tow a three-ton airplane, now offers precise manipulation and haptic feedback in an immersive VR control system. Already tested in simulated firefighting scenarios, this telepresence system could extend human capabilities in disaster response and high-risk industrial settings.
SAEKI raises $6.7M to scale robots for manufacturing (1 minute read)
SAEKI has raised $6.7M to automate large-scale manufacturing with a hybrid approach combining additive manufacturing and precision CNC machining. By integrating AI-driven automation into the entire production pipeline, SAEKI promises to cut lead times from weeks to days. The company is also launching an instant quoting platform, allowing customers to get real-time pricing for custom parts—potentially disrupting traditional manufacturing bottlenecks.
Collaborative robots market forecast to reach $7.2 billion by 2030 (1 minute read)
A new report predicts that the collaborative robot (cobot) market will grow from $970M in 2023 to $7.2B by 2030, driven by AI integration, lower costs, and ease of use. Cobots are increasingly being adopted across industries, from automotive manufacturing to logistics, and will play a significant role in reshoring efforts. China and North America are expected to lead in adoption, with Nvidia’s AI-powered robotics solutions further expanding cobot capabilities.
Symphony Robotics Licenses New Robotics Technology to Fight Brain Tumors (2 minute read)
Symphony Robotics has secured an exclusive license for a cutting-edge MRI-guided micro-robotic arm developed by Case Western Reserve University. Designed for ultra-precise brain surgery, this flexible, magnetically actuated arm can navigate complex brain structures with minimal invasiveness, potentially making large craniotomies obsolete. The company aims to improve surgical precision and reduce recovery times for patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme and epilepsy. Clinical trials are on the horizon, but FDA approval is still pending.