Robotics Special: Apple enters the robot rings

Apple is reportedly entering the robot ring and gearing up to compete with the heavyweights. Plus, a new paradox unveiled by MIT researchers could drastically change how scientists train robots for real-world tasks, paving the way for better-performing machines in industries, homes, and hospitals.

P.S. The Robotics Special is designed to help you stay on the cutting edge of the latest breakthroughs and products in the industry. Our regular AI and Tech updates will resume as usual on Monday.

WHAT’S NEXT

The most important news and breakthroughs in robotics this week

Apple Goes Android: According to the latest scoop by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is developing humanoid and non-humanoid robots for a future smart-home ecosystem. There's been no official confirmation from the iPhone maker yet, but research papers — published by the company to attract top engineering talent — hint at “non-anthropomorphic” robots. A potential launch is expected in 2028 at the earliest.

Cyber Dunk: Nvidia and Carnegie Mellon researchers unveiled ASAP (Aligning Simulation and Real Physics), a framework that slashes motion errors between simulated and real-world robots by 53%. In tests, the Unitree G1 humanoid — trained using the ASAP system — pulled off athletic feats like jumps, and squats and even mimicked the iconic celebrations of athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.

Task Master: Open-source AI platform Hugging Face teamed up with robotics startup Physical Intelligence to release a new model called Pi0, which helps developers fine-tune robots for daily tasks like folding laundry and scooping coffee beans. The model includes pre-trained checkpoints, and with just a few hours of data, users can adapt Pi0 to almost any general task, potentially boosting advances in general-purpose robot control.

Slow & Steady: May Mobility has launched its first commercial driverless service in Georgia. The company's "gentle on-ramp" strategy is dramatically different from other players in the space — it focuses on simple fixed routes, operates only in tech-ready zones with 5G connectivity, and is gradually expanding its service area instead of pushing for an aggressive rollout at the outset. Plans are in place to bring the service to Lyft's platform later this year.

Catch Me If You Can: Chinese researchers from Zhejiang University and robotics startup Mirror Me have developed a robotic dog that can sprint 100 meters in under 10 seconds — a feat that puts it in the same conversation as Olympic sprinters. This isn't just about bragging rights: it marks a major breakthrough in high-speed robotics, with the potential to revolutionize everything from search-and-rescue operations to factory automation.

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FROM THE FRONTIER

New MIT study reveals we’ve been training robots in all the wrong places

For years, the curriculum for training robots went something like this: robots would be tossed into chaotic, noisy simulations to prep them for the distractions and challenges of real-world tasks. The basic idea was that if a robot is going to work in a bustling warehouse or on busy streets, it should train and learn in similar conditions.

Researchers at MIT, Harvard, and Yale decided to test this idea. They ran an experiment in which they trained AI systems on simple games like Pac-Man and Pong. Instead of exposing the robots to every possible real-world disturbance during training, they started them off in calm, controlled settings. Later, they modified the games by adding some distractions, or 'noise'.

Give the robots some peace and quiet. The study found that robots trained in quiet, controlled environments outperformed those trained in noisy, real-world simulations — a major deviation from the way scientists had been training robots all along.

If the study scales up to more complex scenarios than playing simple video games, it could have major implications:

• Training robots could become a lot easier, cheaper, and more efficient.

• It could pave the path for better-performing machines in warehouses, hospitals, and other workplaces.

• Robot manufacturers may need to rethink their entire approach to AI learning and robot training techniques.

ROBOTS IN ACTION

How robots are transforming the world around us

Bomb Hunter: Britain’s Ministry of Defense has trialed robot dogs for bomb disposal, successfully detecting and neutralizing threats. The four-day test saw the robots make their way up and down stairs, open doors, and act as fire disruptors, minimizing risk to humans.

Metal Grip: When mechanical prosthetics specialist Ian Davis lost four of his fingers, he decided he wasn’t gonna wait for the insurance company to send him some cheap prosthetics. So he went ahead and built mechanized, robotic fingers in his garage, and it’s been all the buzz on socials this week. Check it out here.

Silver Snuggles: Robotic pets are helping thousands of seniors deal with isolation and depression, offering comfort and joy without the upkeep of real pets. With more than 700,000 distributions, robotic pets could be a lifeline for America’s aging population.

Reaching for the Sky: Brightpick just dropped Giraffe, an autonomous robot with a retractable arm that extends up to 20 feet. The company claims that Giraffe can triple warehouse density and boost efficiency in high-shelf operations.

Robot Stand-In: A 10-year old boy with leukemia is attending classes from his hospital bed — all thanks to a robot double. The robot packs an in-built camera to help the boy see everything happening in real-time, and uses colored lights to communicate.

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ROBO REEL

Watch: Robo-dog and drone engage in a firework fight

This is what the future of warfare could look like: robots on the ground and in the air, instead of humans. A video clip of a robot-dog and a drone — packing huge firepower and trying to blast each other to bits — has blown up on socials. It's entertaining and scary at the same time.

Why this matters:

• This isn't military tech — these are consumer products being weaponized for combat, offering us a glimpse into what the future of warfare could look like

• Both robots are made by Chinese companies (DJI and Unitree)

• The video went viral just as China showcases military robot dogs in joint exercises

ROBOT OF THE WEEK

Samsung’s Ballie is your new robot butler

Meet Ballie, Samsung’s rolling AI assistant that moves through your home, projecting visuals and automating daily tasks. Watch a quick demo here.

Packed with LiDAR and depth sensors, it glides seamlessly through your home, anticipating your needs before you ask. Set to launch sometime this year, Ballie could be the future of home assistants —fun, functional, and always on the move.

MARKET MOVEMENTS

Acquisitions, investments, funding, and more

Here are the biggest movements in the robotics space you should know about:

• OpenAI has filed a trademark application for AI-powered gadgets, humanoid robots, and custom chips — a sign that the company is thinking beyond software and dipping its toes in the hardware space.

• SoftBank is reportedly looking to lead a $500M funding round for robotics startup Skild AI to build a “general-purpose brain” for robots. If the deal goes through, Skild’s valuation could soar to $4B.

• Boston Dynamics has teamed up with the Robotics & AI Institute to boost its electric Atlas humanoid with smarter reinforcement learning and teach it new skills faster, making it better at real-world tasks.

• Robotics startup Apptronik has raised $350M in Series A funding to scale its Apollo humanoid robot. The funding was co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Alphabet DeepMind.

• Bonsai Robotics just scored $15M in Series A funding to scale its AI-powered autonomous tech for farming. The startup aims to enhance its software and bring smarter automation to orchards facing tough agricultural challenges.

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Zain and the Superhuman AI team

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