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Despite the start of the holidays, the robotics industry hasn’t slowed down. In November 2024, stories about the future of robotics, big robot milestones, and new product launches caught our readers’ attention.
Here are the 10 most popular stories: robot report Last month. Subscribe robot report Newsletter and listen robot report A podcast that gives you the latest information on robotics developments you need to know.
10. Europe plays a key role in the development of robots and humanoids.
While headlines often spotlight American and Asian companies in the race for humanoid robots, startups in European tech hubs are making progress developing human-like robots. From Norway to Switzerland, innovative European companies are pushing the boundaries of robotics, creating machines that can sense, feel, and interact with their environments in increasingly human-like ways. Read more.
9. Moxi achieves 100,000 autonomous elevator operations in hospital
As development continues on humanoid robots, one mobile robot is already in use in hospitals. Diligent Robotics announced that its Moxi robots have completed 110,000 autonomous elevator rides in health care systems across the United States. The mobile manipulator has a single arm that opens the doors and operates the elevator by pressing a button. Read more.
8. AeroVironment acquires BlueHalo for $4.1 billion to strengthen defense technology.
Defense contractor AeroVironment has agreed to acquire BlueHalo in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion. BlueHalo is best known for its drone swarms and counter drone technology. The acquisition, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Read more.
7. Kassow Robots’ new collaborative robot designed for mobile operation
Kassow Robots launched a new line of small collaborative robots designed to integrate with mobile robots in November 2024. The new Edge Edition cobot is a compact robotic arm designed for mobile manipulation applications. Direct DC connection to battery power allows operation while mounted on a mobile robot. Read more.
6. Collaborative Robotics unveils Proxie mobile manipulator
Collaborative Robotics Inc. has unveiled its Proxie mobile manipulator for the first time. The startup has kept its robot design secret since Brad Porter founded the company in 2022. Porter hinted at the importance of mobile manipulators for applications in warehouses, alluding to robotic design. They are better suited to warehouse workflows than humanoids. Read more.
5. Physical Intelligence raises $400 million for basic model of robotics.
The foundational model promises to give robots the ability to generalize behavior from fewer examples than traditional artificial intelligence approaches. Physical Intelligence has raised $400 million to continue developing artificial intelligence for a variety of robots. Read more.
4. Schaeffler plans to use Agility Robotics’ Digit humanoids globally.
Schaeffler AG, a global leader in motion technology, is making a small investment in Agility Robotics and purchasing Digit humanoid robots for use across its global factory network. These companies did not disclose the size of the investment, the number of humanoids purchased, or their purpose in November 2024. Read more.
3. Pickle Robot received orders for more than 30 unloading systems and $50 million in funding.
Robotic truck unloading fits the classic definition of a boring, dirty or dangerous task worth automating. Pickle Robot raised $50 million in Series B funding and said in the third quarter that six customers had ordered more than 30 robots for deployment in the first half of 2025. The new order includes pilot conversion, expansion of existing customers and adoption of new customers. . Read more.
2. Chicago’s southern suburbs see the future of manufacturing as American-style robotic manufacturing.
For decades, the Chicagoland region has been the backbone of America’s manufacturing capabilities. Unfortunately, this once mighty bastion of manufacturing has lost much of its enthusiasm after years of recession, emigration, and a shrinking tax base. But as global markets continue to evolve, U.S. manufacturers must contend with an aging ownership base, increased competition, and severe labor shortages. Read more.
1. Red Cat signs contract with Skydio for U.S. Army next-generation drones
Red Cat Holdings Inc. announced that it has been awarded a contract of record for the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program. The company replaced Skydio in this agreement. The U.S. Army has set an initial acquisition goal of 5,880 systems over five years. Read more.
