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Noteworthy robots from Apptronik, Determine, and Boston Dynamics, amongst others, dominated 2023 robotic information.

For those who’ve been preserving tabs on the robotics business in 2023, you gained’t be stunned to see that six out of our prime 10 articles this previous yr have been about humanoid robots. From a slew of corporations asserting their humanoids and Boston Dynamics exhibiting off Atlas’ newest capabilities to appears to be like at how the expertise enabling such robots has superior, it has been an not possible topic to keep away from.

In between the entire humanoid information of 2023, you’ll discover tales about main acquisitions and new product releases. 

Listed below are the highest 10 hottest tales on The Robotic Report this yr. Subscribe to The Robotic Report Publication or hearken to The Robotic Report Podcast to remain up to date on the robotics tales you could learn about.

10. Apptronik unveils Apollo humanoid robotic

Apptronik launched its long-awaited Apollo humanoid robotic in 2023. The corporate joins a rising checklist of robotics corporations within the race to commercialize a humanoid. Till now, Apptronik has stored a low profile, working totally on analysis and growth initiatives with exoskeletons and bipedal locomotion for the U.S. authorities, together with the Division of Protection. Learn extra.

9. German Bionic debuts Apogee+ powered exoskeleton

German Bionic has unveiled the Apogee+, a powered exoskeleton for the North American healthcare market. Apogee+ is meant merge cutting-edge robotics with research-backed, data-driven insights to higher assist caregivers, mentioned the corporate. Learn extra.

8. Evolving humanoid robotic dexterity from toddler to grownup

One thing has been forgotten within the race to construct general-purpose humanoid robots, wrote Contactile‘s Heba Khamis. Roboticists are forgetting to reply this primary query: “What does it imply to be normal objective?” For higher or worse, this in all probability means replicating what folks can do bodily of their day-to-day lives and will prolong to some semi-skilled labor. Learn extra.

7. Shopify suffers big loss on 6 River Methods sale

When Shopify bought 6 River Methods, many assumed that Ocado paid pennies on the greenback to accumulate the autonomous cell robotic (AMR) maker. Now we all know precisely how good of a deal Ocado bought. In its 2023 midyear monetary report, Ocado mentioned it paid simply $12.7 million to accumulate 6 River Methods. By comparability, Shopify paid $450 million to accumulate 6 River Methods in September 2019. Learn extra.

6. Editor’s picks: Greatest robots of CES 2023

The Client Electronics Present (CES) is the biggest occasion for shopper product launches on this planet. Mike Oitzman had the chance to attend CES for the primary time this yr and mentioned it was an awesome expertise. With greater than 3,200 distributors, there may be a lot to see that it will be not possible for one particular person to see and expertise all the things. Learn extra.

5. Watch Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid work at a ‘building website’

Boston Dynamics by no means disappoints when it releases a video exhibiting new capabilities for its robots.

In 2023, the corporate launched a video, “Atlas Will get a Grip,” by which the humanoid carried out a slew of recent strikes at a simulated building website. Learn extra.

4. Unitree teases new H1 humanoid robotic

Unitree introduced on social media that it’s growing a humanoid, constructing on its expertise in quadruped robotics. The corporate is a number one developer of legged robots and launched the second technology of its Go2 quadruped. Unitree has developed and commercialized the required mechanics and drive techniques with its quadruped line, probably giving it a leg up on its humanoid opponents. Learn extra.

3. Watch Boston Dynamics’ Stretch unload a DHL trailer

Boston Dynamics is formally placing its Stretch robotic into its prospects’ arms. Its first business utility is with DHL Provide Chain. Boston Dynamics has been collaborating with that firm since 2018, when it started growing the trailer-unloading system. Learn extra.

2. Determine 01 humanoid takes first public steps

Determine unveiled its Determine 01 humanoid robotic and demonstrated dynamic bipedal strolling publicly for the primary time. The corporate has grown to 60 staff during the last yr and consists of engineers throughout AI, controls, embedded software program, electrical, mechanical, actuator design, battery, integration and testing. The corporate introduced its $70 million spherical in Could 2023 and developed the robotic in a bit over 12 months. Learn extra.

1. Humanoids able to take first steps

The age of humanoids is simply across the nook, famous Oitzman in The Robotic Report‘s hottest article of 2023. Humanoids have lengthy been relegated to analysis labs, however the goalposts have begun to shift.

Oitzman checked out a few of the corporations now creating such robots to carry out varied real-world duties. Humanoids may sometime function in environments designed for people and work alongside us. Learn extra.