Gartner predicts that 50% of new warehouses built in developed markets by 2030 will be designed as robot-centric facilities where human labor is required only for exception handling, driven by labor shortages, cost pressure, and advances in AI-orchestrated intralogistics.
A field robot that maps soil moisture at the level of individual trees could reshape irrigation practices, reducing water use and improving crop health.
Skild AI has acquired Zebra Technologies’ robotics automation business, aiming to unify fragmented warehouse systems under a single AI-driven control layer.
BMW has overhauled its Munich plant with an AI-driven production system and thousands of robots, signaling a shift toward software-defined manufacturing for electric vehicles.
Toyota Material Handling Europe has launched a coordinated AGV system designed to operate across mixed fleets. The platform reflects a shift toward scalable, software-driven warehouse automation.
SAIC-GM has introduced humanoid robots into a Buick battery assembly line, marking an early step toward integrating embodied AI into automotive manufacturing.
Decathlon says robotic warehouse systems from Exotec have significantly boosted productivity across several European facilities, highlighting both the promise and tensions of logistics automation.
A strawberry-harvesting robot developed by researchers at the University of Essex has won a national AI and robotics award, highlighting growing momentum for agricultural automation amid global farm labour shortages.
Renault has begun deploying Calvin-40 robots in its Douai electric vehicle plant, using AI-trained machines to handle repetitive assembly tasks and accelerate EV production.
HD Hyundai has launched trials of humanoid robots designed for welding in shipyards, aiming to improve safety and efficiency by applying AI trained on the techniques of skilled welders.
Zalando plans to deploy up to 50 AI-powered Nomagic robots across its European fulfilment centres, expanding automation for item picking and tackling one of fashion logistics’ toughest challenges: handling shoeboxes.
A McDonald’s restaurant in Shanghai is testing humanoid robots for customer-facing roles, offering a glimpse into how service robotics could gradually enter everyday retail environments.
Location data collected from millions of Pokémon Go players is now being used to train delivery robots, highlighting the unexpected role of consumer AR games in robotics development.
Zoox is expanding testing of its autonomous driving system to Phoenix and Dallas while preparing to deploy its purpose-built robotaxi and integrate its service with the Uber platform.
Amazon plans to invest AU$750 million in a new robotics-enabled fulfillment center in Brisbane, Australia, designed to process more than 125 million packages annually with the help of automated systems.