Billions of dollars are flooding into humanoid robotics as tech giants and startups race to build AI-powered machines, with experts calling it a potential platform revolution — but serious challenges around dexterity, training data, job displacement, and overhyped expectations threaten to slow the boom.
Meta and Broadcom are joining forces to co-develop next-generation custom AI chips, committing to a massive multi-gigawatt silicon rollout to power AI across Meta's platforms, as Broadcom CEO Hock Tan steps down from Meta's board to serve as a strategic advisor on its chip roadmap.
Google DeepMind launches Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6, a major upgrade featuring enhanced spatial reasoning, multi-view understanding, and a new industrial gauge-reading capability built with Boston Dynamics — now available to developers via the Gemini API.
Meta locks in a massive multi-gigawatt AI chip deal with Broadcom through 2029, deploying cutting-edge 2-nanometer MTIA silicon as part of a staggering $135 billion infrastructure push that also spans partnerships with Nvidia, AMD, and Arm Holdings.
SoftBank launches a new AI unit in Japan, backed by eight major corporate investors including NEC and Honda Motor, signaling a major push to develop homegrown artificial intelligence infrastructure across the country.
Anthropic is exploring designing its own AI chips through 'extreme co-design' to cut costs, reduce latency, and break free from Nvidia dependence, though it would rely on manufacturers like TSMC or Samsung for production.
Cognichip raises $93M to revolutionize chip design with deep learning technology that promises to slash development costs by 75% and cut timelines in half, attracting investment from Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan despite having yet to publicly demonstrate a finished chip.
MIT's new AI model VibeGen is revolutionizing molecular engineering by designing proteins based on their motion and vibrations rather than static structure, potentially unlocking breakthroughs in adaptive medicine and next-generation biomaterials like self-healing components and biodegradable plastics.
Charlotte robotics startup Lucid Bots raises $20M in Series B funding, bringing total investment to $34M, as its window-cleaning drones and robots surge from 100 to nearly 1,000 units sold while expanding into painting, waterproofing, and sealing markets.
Elon Musk launches Terafab, a $20 billion joint chip manufacturing venture between Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI in Austin, Texas, targeting a terawatt of annual computing power to fuel self-driving, robotics, and space applications.