Now Robotics

Le Parisien reports that Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's digital transformation minister, is backing plans to deploy ground robotic vehicles on the battlefield to reduce human casualties. The initiative would see unmanned systems carrying out frontline tasks currently done by soldiers, part of Kyiv's broader push to use technology to offset manpower shortages in its war against Russia.

A Ukrainian commander has described how his troops conduct ground assaults during daylight hours while deploying ground robots and other unmanned systems at night. The explanation highlights how Ukraine's forces are increasingly relying on robotic vehicles to move supplies and support attacks while reducing risk to soldiers, with darkness offering cover from Russian drones and observation.

Ukraine is reported to be sending unmanned ground vehicles fitted with grenade launchers to attack Russian positions, replacing infantry in certain assaults. The deployment reflects Kyiv's growing reliance on robotic systems to conserve manpower and reduce casualties at the front. The development adds to ongoing discussion about how drones and ground robots are reshaping combat tactics in the war.

At the United Nations, world leaders are framing the risks of artificial intelligence in starkly different ways. Some warn of autonomous 'killer robots' on the battlefield, while others point to the longer-term threat of 'super intelligence' beyond human control. The divide highlights the challenge of crafting international AI governance, with countries prioritising different dangers as they push for new rules on the fast-moving technology.

Ukraine says a secret military operation, supported by robotic systems, targeted around 3,000 Russian soldiers. Details of the push remain scarce, with Kyiv releasing few specifics about where or how the robot-aided assault was carried out. The claim has drawn attention as an early example of ground robots being used in large-scale combat operations, though it has not been independently verified.

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reportedly reversed Russian gains, repelling a Russian pincer movement while using robotic systems to carry out combat airdrops and clear minefields. The operation highlights Ukraine's growing reliance on ground robots to reduce risk to soldiers while sustaining offensives, drawing attention to how unmanned machines are reshaping frontline tactics in the war.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov has announced a new 'Army of Robots' initiative, his latest move since leaving office. The announcement is being reported by Ukrainian and international outlets covering Ukraine's wartime push toward unmanned systems. The exact scope and funding of the robotics program were not detailed in the initial reports.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of autonomous warfare systems. The push reflects Ukraine's wartime drive to scale unmanned ground and aerial vehicles amid manpower shortages and ongoing fighting with Russia.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned drones can support pilots in combat missions. The programme is seen as a major step toward integrating AI-driven aircraft into military operations.

Robotics companies in the United States, China and Korea are competing to secure training data for their humanoid robots, according to a news report. The race highlights how access to large, high-quality datasets is becoming a key battleground in the development of humanoids, alongside hardware and AI models.

A new report says China remains the world's largest market for industrial robots, maintaining its top position in global robotics demand. The finding underlines the country's continued heavy investment in factory automation despite economic headwinds and intensifying competition in the global robotics industry.

A new humanoid robot has been demonstrated capable of shedding tears on demand, a development in emotional expression for machines. The display pushes humanoid robotics further into uncanny territory, with observers reacting to how closely the machine mimics human behaviour and what it signals about the direction of robotics research.

Ukraine says it carried out Operation Vivaldi, using heavy drones to deliver unmanned ground combat robots some 10 kilometres behind Russian lines. The operation is being described as a first in modern warfare, pointing to a new phase in which robotic systems operate deep in contested territory rather than only at the front. Observers see it as a sign of how quickly drone-delivered robotics are changing battlefield tactics in the war.

New figures show China accounted for 59% of global industrial-robot installations in 2025, cementing its position as the world's dominant market for factory automation. The share dwarfs installations in Europe and North America, underlining how Chinese manufacturers are automating faster than any other region amid rising labour costs and competition in electric vehicles and electronics.

Ukraine is reportedly using airborne delivery to deploy kamikaze ground robots as far as 12 miles behind Russian front lines, extending its campaign of unmanned strikes deep into occupied territory. The development highlights how both sides continue to push robotic systems into offensive roles, striking logistics and targets far from the frontline where manned operations are too risky.

China installed 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, accounting for 59% of global installations, according to figures reported by TechNode. The United States overtook Japan to become the world's second-largest robot market, highlighting the scale of Chinese manufacturing automation and shifting rankings among major industrial economies.

Ukraine says its forces have deployed ground combat robots as far as 10 kilometres behind Russian lines, claiming the unmanned systems have inflicted around 3,000 Russian casualties. The reported use of robotic units deep in enemy territory is drawing attention as an example of how unmanned vehicles are increasingly taking on frontline combat roles in the war, though the casualty figures have not been independently verified.

Foxconn and Alter have formed a new joint venture, Beijing Futekang, to build a mass production platform for humanoid robots. The move ties Foxconn's large-scale manufacturing capability to the fast-growing humanoid robotics sector, positioning the partners to industrialise robot assembly much as Foxconn did for consumer electronics. Industry watchers see it as a signal that humanoid robots are moving from prototypes toward volume production in China.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to buy robot dogs, according to ABC News. The quadruped robots, similar to those already trialled by some police and military units, could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The report has drawn attention to the expanding use of robotic systems by American law enforcement and border agencies.

Chinese factories are increasingly adopting robot-driven production lines, accelerating automation across the country's manufacturing sector. The shift points to growing use of industrial robotics to cut costs and raise efficiency, though no further details on specific companies, regions or investment figures were given in the report.

The worldwide stock of operational industrial robots has reached a record 5 million units, according to industry reporting. The milestone underlines the continued rapid adoption of automation in manufacturing, driven by labour shortages, falling robot costs and rising demand across automotive, electronics and logistics sectors. Analysts say the figure reflects sustained double-digit annual installations, with Asia accounting for the largest share of the installed base.

Automakers are moving closer to so-called dark factories — plants that run entirely by machines without human workers or even lighting — as artificial intelligence and robotics improve rapidly. The idea is drawing attention in the auto industry, where manufacturers face pressure to cut costs and speed up production, while raising questions about the future of manufacturing jobs.

The Yuelu Conference 2026 opened in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, on September 23–24, bringing together artificial intelligence companies, robotics developers, researchers and investors. The event featured an opening ceremony and ten themed "AI+" forums covering applications of AI across industries, positioning Changsha as a growing hub for China's AI and robotics sectors.

Le Parisien reports that Ukraine's digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov is pushing a new strategy to deploy an "army of robots" on the front lines, aiming to replace human soldiers with ground machines and reduce casualties in the war against Russia. The plan highlights Kyiv's growing reliance on unmanned and autonomous systems to offset manpower shortages.

China now accounts for roughly 60% of patents related to humanoid robots, underlining its growing dominance in the sector. The figure highlights the country's aggressive investment in robotics innovation and intellectual property, raising concerns among competitors in the US, Europe, Japan and South Korea about falling behind in a technology seen as key to future manufacturing and automation.

Seoul is moving to clear regulatory obstacles so delivery robots can operate and park inside apartment complexes, where many residents receive packages. The city aims to make it easier for autonomous delivery services to reach people's doors in high-density housing. The move signals growing official support for robotics in everyday urban logistics as demand for contactless delivery rises.

The use of robots in therapy for autistic children is being scrutinised in a new discussion about its ethical implications. Critics are asking whether robotic interventions genuinely help children develop social skills, or whether they risk replacing human contact and raising questions about consent, dependency and the commercialisation of care. The debate reflects growing attention to how assistive technology should be used with vulnerable groups.

Japan is reportedly considering replacing some of its military personnel with humanoid robots. The plan would see machines take over certain duties within the Self-Defense Forces, reflecting Tokyo's push to address recruitment shortfalls and a shrinking population. The proposal has drawn attention from defense and robotics watchers, who note Japan's advanced robotics industry and growing interest in automation for defense roles. Details on timelines and which positions could be affected remain limited.