Now Robotics

Ukraine's digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov has announced plans to deploy an 'army of robots' on the battlefield, according to Le Parisien. The initiative aims to replace human soldiers on the front line with unmanned ground and aerial systems, reducing casualties in the war against Russia. Fedorov, who has driven Ukraine's rapid wartime adoption of drone and autonomous technology, framed the effort as the country's new strategic bet to offset its manpower shortage.

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.

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.

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 erased recent Russian gains, with robots carrying out combat airdrops and clearing mines during the counterattack. The operation defeated a Russian pincer movement, and the prominent role of unmanned ground systems in the fighting is drawing attention to how robotics are reshaping battlefield logistics and assault tactics in the war.

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.

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.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov has announced a new 'Army of Robots' initiative, his latest move since leaving office. The program signals a push to expand autonomous and robotic systems in Ukraine's armed forces, building on the country's wartime drive to scale up unmanned technology. The announcement drew attention alongside other Ukraine-related news, including appeals over the humanitarian crisis in flooded Oleshky.

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.

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.

Robotics companies in the United States, China and Korea are competing to secure the data needed to train humanoid robots. As the industry moves from lab prototypes toward commercial deployment, access to large, high-quality training datasets is becoming a key competitive resource, prompting firms to collect motion, sensor and interaction data at scale across the three countries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Military analyst Mick Ryan has published his weekly update on the Ukraine war, covering robotic air assaults by Ukrainian forces, continued Russian attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure, and the Trump-Xi meeting. The roundup frames drone and robotics innovation alongside cyber warfare and great-power diplomacy as the key developments shaping the conflict this week.

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.

A United States ally is reportedly developing robotic soldiers to take on dangerous frontline tasks, keeping human troops away from the most hazardous combat roles. The announcement highlights a growing global push toward autonomous military systems, with debates expected over reliability, ethics and the future of manned warfare.

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.

Japan is reportedly planning to study replacing some of its military personnel with humanoid robots. The move would address personnel shortages and reduce risk to soldiers, and it has drawn attention given Japan's pacifist constitution and its leading robotics industry. Details on which roles could be automated and the timeline remain limited.

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.

Ukraine says its forces have inflicted around 3,000 Russian casualties using ground combat robots dropped or deployed up to 10km behind enemy lines. The claim highlights Kyiv's growing reliance on unmanned systems to compensate for manpower shortages. The casualty figure comes from Ukrainian sources and has not been independently verified, and Russia has not responded to the reported toll.

The US Navy has launched a new autonomous systems warfighting center dedicated to training sailors for warfare involving robotic and unmanned platforms. The initiative signals the Navy's push to integrate autonomous technology into fleet operations and prepare personnel for conflicts where unmanned systems play a central combat role alongside traditional ships and aircraft.

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.

Tesla is beginning to scale up production of its Optimus humanoid robot, but the rollout is running into difficulties with the robot's hand mechanisms, AI generalization, and suppliers, according to reporting by Electrek. The problems raise questions about how quickly Tesla can turn the robot from a prototype into a mass-produced product, and whether its ambitious manufacturing timeline can hold.

Ukraine has announced a large-scale programme to build an 'army of robots', described by officials as a 'Manhattan Project for physical AI'. The initiative aims to develop autonomous ground and aerial systems at scale for battlefield use, drawing comparisons to the World War Two atomic research effort. The announcement has drawn international attention given Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia and the growing role of drones and robotics in modern combat.

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.

Amazon, once the robotics industry's biggest customer, is increasingly designing and manufacturing its own warehouse robots in-house rather than purchasing them from outside vendors. The shift, highlighted in industry commentary from the Association for Advancing Automation, marks a turning point for the robotics sector, which has long relied on the retailer's enormous purchasing power. Observers are weighing what the move means for traditional robot suppliers competing with their former top client.

Former Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Fedorov has announced a new initiative called the Army of Robots, aimed at developing robotic systems, according to Ukrainian media. The project signals continued efforts to expand unmanned and automated technology in Ukraine's defence sector. Details about funding, timelines and the specific systems involved have not yet been disclosed.

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.

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.