Robotics

White robotic vehicle with sensors and equipment driving on a paved path with university buildings and trees in the background.

Spain’s UMH Researchers Build AI System to Solve ‘Kidnapped Robot’ Problem

Modern Mechanics 24 News Desk February 20, 2026

Researchers at Spain’s Miguel Hernández University have developed an AI system that helps kidnapped robots regain their sense of location. The method uses 3D LiDAR and deep learning to position robots in changing environments without GPS. Tested for months on campus, the system could make autonomous vehicles and service robots more reliable in real-world conditions where satellite navigation fails.

Crewless AI Firefighting Robots Hit 99.67% Success in Trials

Sanjukta Praharaj February 19, 2026

Cyborg Dynamics Engineering demonstrated an AI-powered robot that remotely tackles fires without exposing firefighters to life-threatening conditions. In partnership with

China’s Unitree Plans to Ship 20,000 Humanoid Robots in 2026

Modern Mechanics 24 News Desk February 19, 2026

Unitree G1 robot performing martial arts, robots doing somersaults on stage, H2 humanoid with robot dogs, Spring Festival Gala performance, factory assembly of humanoid robots, Wang Xingxing with Unitree products

How China’s RoboParty Open-Sourcing Humanoid Robots

Sanjukta Praharaj February 18, 2026

A Shanghai-based robotics firm officially open-sourced its flagship bipedal humanoid robot, ROBOTO ORIGIN, making its full hardware and software stack

UK’s Shadow Robot Develops Dexterous Hand That Handles Objects With 40 Tendons

Modern Mechanics 24 News Desk February 17, 2026

London-based Shadow Robot has spent 30 years perfecting a robotic hand that moves with human-like precision. Using 40 metal tendons pulled by small motors, their hand helps universities and tech firms study dexterity. But making hands that are affordable, durable, and sensitive enough for real-world use remains one of robotics’ biggest challenges.

Robotera L7 Humanoid Wields Sword Before Chinese New Year

Sanjukta Praharaj February 17, 2026

Beijing-based robotics company Robotera unveiled its humanoid robot, the L7, during Chinese New Year 2026 celebrations. Marking the Year of

SpoolBot: 3D Printer Filament Turns Into Robot

Sanjukta Praharaj February 17, 2026

Engineer Matt Denton turned a standard Prusament filament roll into a fully functional remote-controlled robot called SpoolBot. At first sight,

Robot Dogs to Guard Fans at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sanjukta Praharaj February 14, 2026

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico unveiled a new layer of security: robot dogs in Guadalupe and Monterrey.

Giant Godzilla Robot Powers ITER Fusion Build

Sanjukta Praharaj February 14, 2026

A giant robot is now helping build the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor(ITER) in southern France. The robot, named Godzilla, has

China’s Alibaba Unleashes RynnBrain: Open-Source AI That Gives Robots Memory and Spatial Reasoning

Modern Mechanics 24 News Desk February 13, 2026

China’s Alibaba has released RynnBrain, an open-source embodied AI model that gives robots spatiotemporal memory and physical-space reasoning. Developed by DAMO Academy and led by Director Zhao Deli, the system set 16 new benchmarks, surpassing Google Gemini Robotics ER 1.5 and NVIDIA Cosmos Reason 2. The 30B MoE model activates only 3B parameters for faster, smoother robot control. All seven models and a new benchmark suite are now public on GitHub.