Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the innovative development of a soft robotic exoskeleton inspired by nature, specifically the design principles of certain marine creatures, which combines rigidity and flexibility to enhance the capabilities of soft robots [3][18]. Design and Structural Features - The core innovation of the origami exoskeleton lies in its intricate modular design, consisting of rigid frames at both ends connected by flexible thin steel panels [4]. - The trapezoidal geometry of the panels and their paired arrangement allow for a dual-stable behavior, enabling the structure to fold under compression and expand under tension, maintaining stability in both extreme positions [5]. - This structure exhibits highly anisotropic stiffness characteristics, providing high resistance to external loads in the in-plane direction while allowing significant deformation in the out-of-plane direction [7]. Mechanical Performance and Integration - The research team employed theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and physical experiments to evaluate the mechanical performance of the origami modules [8]. - A single module can withstand an axial pressure of up to 6.24 kg while weighing only 30 grams, achieving a load-to-weight ratio of 208:1 [12]. - The introduction of Layered Elastic Twist (LET) joints further enhanced the load capacity in bent states by 23%, reaching 2.03 kg [12]. - The integration of the origami exoskeleton with soft actuators was achieved by wrapping it around the soft arm, enhancing structural stiffness and load-bearing capacity without altering the internal design of the actuators [14]. Application Demonstrations - The research team validated the application of the exoskeleton in two main areas: enhancing robotic arms on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and integrating with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) [15]. - In UGV tests, a mechanical arm demonstrated the ability to navigate complex terrains and perform precise tasks, showcasing the advantages of extended reach and multi-directional bending [15]. - The UAV platform successfully executed challenging tasks, including a sequence of actions requiring different stiffness characteristics, demonstrating the potential for flexible control in aerial applications [16][17]. Conclusion and Future Prospects - This research presents an innovative and engineering-feasible solution to the stiffness-deformation dilemma in soft robotics, enabling soft actuators to achieve high stiffness for load-bearing while allowing for rapid shape changes when needed [18].

Core Insights - The development of dexterous hands is a critical bottleneck for practical embodied intelligence, as highlighted by Musk's statement that it may account for half of the humanoid robot's overall development difficulty [1] - Yuan Sheng Intelligent has recently completed financing of several tens of millions, led by Qian Cheng Capital, with participation from Xun Shang Venture Capital and existing shareholder Kunzhong Capital [1] - The company emphasizes practical design over theoretical performance, focusing on the 22 degrees of freedom found in human hands, prioritizing reliability over absolute performance metrics [1][2] Company Overview - Yuan Sheng Intelligent was established in November 2024, with a founding team from Tencent Robotics X, having over ten years of experience in dexterous hands and tactile perception [1] - The company has published nearly 50 top-tier papers and holds over 100 patents [1] - The founder, Yang Sicheng, stresses the importance of creating commercially viable products that can be validated in real-world scenarios [1] Technical Advantages - Yuan Sheng's main technical advantage lies in its full-stack development experience from 0 to 1 in both dexterous hands and tactile sensors [1] - The latest products have been optimized across multiple performance dimensions, including flexibility, response speed, load capacity, robustness, and tactile perception, aiming to create a balanced "hexagonal warrior" [1] Application Focus - The company initially targets semi-structured environments, such as flexible assembly tasks in factories, before exploring applications in domestic service scenarios as technology matures [2] - Yuan Sheng aims to become a "universal platform" by providing complete hardware, supporting software systems, foundational data, and demo cases to lower integration and development barriers for clients [2] Market Positioning - Despite being a relatively new entrant, Yuan Sheng is confident about its timing in the market, believing that China has the potential to transition from technology follower to global leader in the field of embodied intelligence [2] - The company is currently in a critical acceleration phase for technological breakthroughs and commercialization [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - Embodied AI is becoming a key force in advancing robotics from "executable" to "efficient excellence," addressing current research bottlenecks in hardware adaptability, high algorithm reproduction costs, and the disconnection in the "perception-decision-execution" chain [1][4][21]. Group 1: Research Bottlenecks - Current research teams face three main bottlenecks: insufficient hardware platform adaptability, high costs of algorithm reproduction, and the disconnection in the "perception-decision-execution" chain [1]. - The lack of general-purpose robots to meet the refined needs of multi-modal data collection is a significant challenge [1]. - The complexity of heterogeneous data processing and model training cycles adds pressure to research efforts [1]. Group 2: Technical Sharing Event - A recent technical sharing live stream titled "Frontier Practice of Embodied Intelligence" hosted by Shihe Robotics attracted over 7,000 viewers, focusing on the integration of advanced algorithms with robotic hardware [1][4]. - Dr. Hu systematically analyzed six categories of VLA (Vision-Language-Action) algorithms and demonstrated the reproduction of the RDT (Robotics Diffusion Transformer) model on real hardware [1][4]. Group 3: EA200 Robot Introduction - The EA200 robot, based on Shihe's years of expertise in mobile chassis and dual-arm collaboration, serves as a stable and comprehensive platform for embodied research [7]. - EA200 features a multi-dimensional perception input matrix, enhancing environmental understanding and human-robot interaction capabilities [9]. - The robot's 6-degree-of-freedom arm system supports high-load capabilities and complex dual-arm collaborative tasks, providing quality action execution and sample collection for models like RDT [9][15]. Group 4: Software and Computational Support - EA200 integrates the ROS2 navigation system and proprietary algorithms, supporting a full process from environment mapping to autonomous navigation, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of secondary development [11]. - The robot is equipped with external inference industrial computers and training servers to meet real-time response and large-scale training computational requirements [13]. - EA200 enables multi-modal data collection, model training optimization, and embedded inference deployment, effectively shortening the cycle from algorithm design to experimental validation [13][15]. Group 5: Market Positioning and Value Proposition - EA200 targets the robotics research and education market, providing a complete and user-friendly research support platform for universities, research institutes, and corporate R&D departments [16]. - The robot accelerates research rather than replacing it, standardizing key parameters to lower the threshold for algorithm reproduction and enhance model generalization [16]. - EA200 can simulate various real environments, supporting algorithm validation under different conditions, thus addressing the urgent need for standardized research platforms in embodied intelligence technology [16][18]. Group 6: Future Outlook - Embodied intelligence is positioned as a crucial direction for the evolution of AI and robotics, with VLA algorithms enabling robots to better understand human intentions and execute complex operations [19]. - Shihe Robotics aims to be an "enabler" in this breakthrough, allowing researchers to focus on algorithm innovation while minimizing hardware platform adaptation efforts [21]. - The launch of EA200 marks a significant transition for Shihe from a component supplier to a provider of integrated solutions, reflecting a deep understanding of market pain points and a strategic response to the growing demand for embodied intelligence [21].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the development and potential applications of a new wearable hand exoskeleton robot, MRHE, which significantly enhances grip strength and endurance while reducing fatigue during high-load tasks [1][3][6]. Group 1: Technology and Innovation - The MRHE system, developed by a collaborative team from Chinese University of Science and Technology and the University of Wollongong, utilizes magnetorheological (MR) actuators to improve hand grip strength and endurance without relying on external power sources [3][5]. - The MR actuator can output a maximum force of 1046N with only 5W of power consumption, achieving a force-to-power ratio that is an order of magnitude better than existing technologies [5][12]. - The system can provide a maximum assistive force of 788N for the entire hand, significantly enhancing the user's grip capabilities [5][25]. Group 2: Performance Testing and Results - Experimental results indicate that the MRHE can increase grip strength by an average of 85.8N, which is 41.8% higher than without the device, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing grip without external energy consumption [22][30]. - In endurance tests, participants wearing MRHE showed a 60% reduction in grip strength loss and doubled their endurance time in hanging challenges, indicating a substantial improvement in muscle fatigue management [24][25][27]. - The MRHE has shown promising results in simulated rescue scenarios, allowing users to move heavy objects more easily while reducing muscle exertion by 52% [27][28]. Group 3: Design and Components - The MRHE consists of six main components, including the MR actuator, power management board, force transmission linkages, and a lightweight exoskeleton structure designed for user comfort and efficiency [13][16]. - The innovative design of the MR actuator incorporates a ball screw mechanism and MR bearings, optimizing the conversion of rotational motion to linear motion while maintaining low energy consumption [9][11]. - The system's control mechanism allows for seamless switching between grip enhancement and endurance support based on user intent, showcasing its adaptability for various applications [20][21].

Group 1 - Robocore Technology, a Hong Kong robotics startup, recently secured a $10 million investment from Foxconn Technology Group, marking the first tranche of its Series D funding, with options for two additional $10 million investments in 2026 and 2027, giving Foxconn a 6.6% stake in Robocore [2] - Robocore was founded in 2018 by engineer Roy Lim and initially served as the exclusive distributor of Temi wheeled robots in Hong Kong, acquiring the Israeli company last year [2] - Foxconn is reportedly in talks with Nvidia to deploy humanoid robots in a Houston factory for the production of AI servers, and has previously collaborated with Shenzhen-based UBTECH Robotics to deploy humanoid robots in its factories [2] Group 2 - Boston Dynamics has trained a new large behavior model (LBMs) for its Atlas humanoid robot, enabling it to perform complex tasks requiring long-term planning, utilizing its unique capabilities such as walking, precise foot placement, and avoiding self-collision [5] - The LBM model converts inputs like images, proprioception, and language prompts into action commands for the Atlas robot, operating at a frequency of 30Hz [5] Group 3 - UBTECH Robotics has led the establishment of two national technical standards for humanoid robots, focusing on positioning and navigation, and human-robot interaction, aiming to support the development and standardization of humanoid robot technology [6] - The company has previously spearheaded the first batch of national standards for humanoid robot operational requirements and plans to continue its involvement in industry standardization efforts [6] Group 4 - Shengshi Technology announced plans to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary, Shenzhen Feifeite Cultural Innovation Co., Ltd., with an investment of 10 million yuan, aiming to combine AI and humanoid robot technology with innovative products for emotional interaction [9] - The company has acquired core assets from Aldebaran Robotics, focusing on educational and commercial robots to diversify its business [9] Group 5 - Grebo signed a cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Zhiding Robotics at the inaugural partner conference of Zhiyuan Robotics, marking a significant step in expanding its presence in the embodied intelligence sector [12] - The collaboration aims to enhance the global market reach of commercial cleaning robots, leveraging Grebo's overseas channel resources to increase product market share [12] - This partnership is seen as a key component of Grebo's strategic layout in the embodied intelligence field, promoting resource complementarity and collaborative development [12]

8月17日，由节卡机器人参与协办的 第二届2025中国机器人大赛暨RoboCup机器人世界杯中国赛乒乓球专 项赛 （以下简称"中国机器人大赛"）在哈尔滨工程大学烟台研究院圆满闭幕。来自全国 110余支 队伍在现 场同台激烈竞赛，最终角逐出通向乒乓球国赛现场的 50余支 队伍，向国赛发起最后的争锋！ 中国机器人大赛-乒乓球机器人赛项 ，属于中国机器人大赛暨RoboCup机器人世界杯中国赛的赛项之一。中 国机器人大赛暨RoboCup机器人世界杯中国赛，堪称全球机器人赛事领域的 "诺贝尔奖"赛事 ，由中国自动 化学会、RoboCup中国委员会主办，是RoboCup机器人世界杯的正式地区性赛事，被RoboCup国际联合会 认定为最具影响力的五大国际区域赛之一。在2025年5月发布的第6轮普通高校大学生机器人竞赛指数发布 中，中国机器人大赛暨RoboCup机器人世界杯中国赛荣获唯一一个 五星级赛事 。 本届乒乓球机器人专项赛 聚焦机器学习、运动学规划、动力学规划、人工智能决策、人机交互 等领域，设置 静态击球、动态击球和记分桶击球 三轮赛事，进一步考核参赛选手对于机器人击球项目在"感知、决策、执 行"方面的能力。 相比 ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is the announcement of the valid candidate lists for the 2025 academician elections of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighting the inclusion of experts in the robotics field [1][2][3]. Group 2 - The Chinese Academy of Sciences has 639 valid candidates for the 2025 election, with 8 experts in the robotics field [1]. - The Chinese Academy of Engineering has 660 valid candidates for the 2025 election, with 6 experts in the robotics field [1].

Core Viewpoint - Shouxing Technology, a leading company in the field of humanoid robots, has successfully completed a Series A financing round, indicating strong market confidence in its technology and commercialization prospects [1][3]. Company Overview - Founded in June 2024 and headquartered in Shanghai, Shouxing Technology focuses on embodied intelligence, led by Dr. Hu Yuhang, a PhD from Columbia University, and a team of elite professionals from top global institutions [3][5]. - The company's vision is to integrate cutting-edge AI and robotics to create humanoid robots capable of deep interaction and emotional resonance, transitioning service robots from mere "functional tools" to "emotional partners" [3]. Technology and Innovation - Shouxing Technology has established three core technological pillars to define "humanoid perception," focusing on giving robots more human-like appearances and behaviors [7]. - The company employs autonomous learning technology that breaks away from traditional pre-set models, utilizing self-supervised learning and self-modeling techniques to enable robots to adapt and evolve continuously [8]. - The Emotional Foundation Model addresses the industry's challenge of insufficient emotional interaction data, allowing robots to interpret emotions and generate empathetic responses, thus driving deeper human-robot interactions [10]. - The company has developed fully self-researched humanoid facial hardware that accurately replicates facial structures and expressions, aiming to evoke natural empathy from users and avoid the "uncanny valley" effect [12]. Product Offering - The core product, Emo robot, is the world's first humanoid platform capable of real-time facial expression feedback, suitable for emotional companionship in homes and public service scenarios [12]. - Emo robot's ability to trigger emotional resonance makes it an effective tool in attention economy contexts, such as retail and experiential marketing, by converting emotional engagement into traffic and brand value [12]. Commercial Strategy - Shouxing Technology's commercialization strategy emphasizes the importance of emotional connection over mere verbal interaction, positioning humanoid robots as superior to traditional voice assistants [14]. - The company plans to deploy robots in emotionally rich interaction scenarios, such as flagship stores and theme parks, to quickly establish emotional connections and perceived value [14]. - Internal testing of Emo robots is set to begin by the end of the year, marking the first phase of user engagement [14].

Core Viewpoint - The third Global Medical Robotics Conference in 2025 will focus on the evolution of surgical robots, emphasizing the integration of technology, supply chain innovation, and the global expansion of the medical robotics industry [2][3]. Group 1: Conference Overview - The conference will take place on September 5-6, 2025, in Beijing [3]. - The theme is "MedRobot Next | The Future of Technology," highlighting the systematic upgrades of intelligent surgical systems and the construction of a comprehensive ecosystem [2]. Group 2: Participating Companies - Confirmed participants include manufacturers of various surgical robots such as minimally invasive robots, orthopedic robots, and vascular intervention robots [2]. - Supply chain companies and professional service institutions are also involved, showcasing a diverse ecosystem [2]. Group 3: Key Themes and Sessions - The conference will feature sessions on specialized surgical robot applications, focusing on real-world clinical practices in urology, orthopedics, and thoracic surgery [4]. - Topics will include the intersection of medicine and engineering, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the development of surgical robots [6]. Group 4: Innovations and Market Trends - The conference will address cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and flexible robotics, which are reshaping surgical environments [7]. - Discussions will include innovative supply chain models and market strategies, particularly the rental and service-oriented business models for surgical robots [9]. Group 5: Global Expansion and Challenges - A dedicated session will explore the internationalization of China's medical robotics industry, discussing opportunities and challenges in global markets [10][11]. - The roundtable forum will facilitate dialogue among clinicians, investors, and industry leaders, focusing on the intersection of technology and business [12][13].

Group 1 - FieldAI has raised $405 million in two consecutive funding rounds to accelerate global growth and plans to double its scale by the end of the year [1][3] - The core innovation of FieldAI is the Field Foundation Model (FFM), designed for embodied intelligence, capable of handling uncertainty, risk, and physical constraints [3] - FieldAI claims that its architecture represents a breakthrough in robotics, allowing robots equipped with FFM to adapt safely and dynamically to new and unexpected situations [3] Group 2 - Domino's UK has partnered with Boston Dynamics to launch the world's first pizza delivery robot dog named "Domidog," which can navigate and deter seagulls using 360-degree perception [4][6] - The robot dog is part of Domino's efforts to enhance last-mile delivery, previously experimenting with various delivery methods [6] Group 3 - A new robot capable of analyzing water has been developed to detect toxic pollutants like heavy metals and organic substances, utilizing a combination of decision-making algorithms and machine learning [7][9] - The robot system can autonomously collect water samples and measure their physical and chemical parameters, aiding in crisis response and sustainable resource management [9] Group 4 - A pilot project for a security robot named "Parker" is being planned in Silver Spring, Maryland, to patrol parking lots and enhance safety measures [10][12] - The robot is equipped with security cameras and can detect human presence and read license plates, but does not use facial recognition or audio recording [12] Group 5 - Researchers at UC San Diego have introduced a method called graphene-mediated optical stimulation (GraMOS) to control a robot dog using brain organoids connected to sensors [13][15] - This technology allows for rapid sensory-motor responses in the robot, potentially applicable in prosthetics, adaptive robotics, and bio-computing [15]