Humanoid Robots AI News & Updates

OpenMind Develops Android-Like Operating System for Humanoid Robots with Inter-Robot Communication

OpenMind, a Silicon Valley startup founded by Stanford professor Jan Liphardt, is developing OM1, an open-source operating system for humanoid robots that aims to be the "Android of robotics." The company unveiled FABRIC, a protocol enabling robots to verify identity and share context with other robots, allowing them to rapidly learn and share information like languages without direct human training. OpenMind raised $20 million and plans to ship its first fleet of 10 OM1-powered robotic dogs by September 2024.

Tesla Partners with Samsung for $16.5B AI Chip Manufacturing Deal

Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung to manufacture its next-generation AI6 chips at Samsung's Texas facility. The AI6 chip is designed as an all-in-one solution to power Tesla's Full Self-Driving system, Optimus humanoid robots, and high-performance AI training in data centers.

Google DeepMind Releases Gemini Robotics On-Device Model for Local Robot Control

Google DeepMind has released Gemini Robotics On-Device, a language model that can control robots locally without internet connectivity. The model can perform tasks like unzipping bags and folding clothes, and has been successfully adapted to work across different robot platforms including ALOHA, Franka FR3, and Apollo humanoid robots. Google is also releasing an SDK that allows developers to train robots on new tasks with just 50-100 demonstrations.

Hugging Face launches open-source humanoid robots HopeJR and Reachy Mini

Hugging Face announced two new open-source humanoid robots: HopeJR, a full-size robot with 66 degrees of freedom priced at $3,000, and Reachy Mini, a desktop unit costing $250-$300. The company aims to democratize robotics by making affordable, open-source alternatives to prevent dominance by big players with "dangerous black-box systems."

RLWRLD Secures $14.8M to Develop Foundational AI Model for Advanced Robotics

South Korean startup RLWRLD has raised $14.8 million in seed funding to develop a foundational AI model specifically for robotics by combining large language models with traditional robotics software. The company aims to enable robots to perform precise tasks, handle delicate materials, and adapt to changing conditions with enhanced capabilities for agile movements and logical reasoning. RLWRLD has attracted strategic investors from major corporations and plans to demonstrate humanoid-based autonomous actions later this year.

1X Announces In-Home Tests of Neo Gamma Humanoid Robots Starting in 2025

Norwegian robotics startup 1X plans to begin testing its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in several hundred to thousand homes by the end of 2025. These initial tests will rely heavily on teleoperators—humans remotely controlling the robots—to gather data that will help train AI models for future autonomous capabilities.

Nvidia Launches Groot N1, An AI Foundation Model for Humanoid Robotics

Nvidia has announced Groot N1, an open-source AI foundation model designed specifically for humanoid robotics with a dual-system architecture for "thinking fast and slow." The model builds on Nvidia's Project Groot from last year but expands beyond industrial use cases to support various humanoid robot form factors, providing capabilities for environmental perception, reasoning, planning, and object manipulation alongside simulation frameworks and training data blueprints.

Figure Accelerates Humanoid Robot Home Testing to 2025

Figure has announced plans to begin alpha testing its Figure 02 humanoid robot in home settings in 2025, accelerated by its proprietary Vision-Language-Action model called Helix. The company recently ended its partnership with OpenAI to focus on its own AI models, and while it continues industrial deployments like its BMW plant pilot, this marks a significant step toward consumer applications.

Figure Unveils Helix: A Vision-Language-Action Model for Humanoid Robots

Figure has revealed Helix, a generalist Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that enables humanoid robots to respond to natural language commands while visually assessing their environment. The model allows Figure's 02 humanoid robot to generalize to thousands of novel household items and perform complex tasks in home environments, representing a shift toward focusing on domestic applications alongside industrial use cases.

Humanoid Robot Maker Apptronik Raises $350M with Google DeepMind Partnership

Apptronik, a University of Texas spinout developing humanoid robots, has secured a $350 million Series A round led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Google. The Austin-based company, which has over eight years of experience in the humanoid space, is partnering with Google's DeepMind to develop embodied AI for its Apollo robot, targeting industrial applications before potential expansion to home care.