The hottest Robotics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The next big thing in 2025 will be...

next big thing • 243 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. In 2025, we will see the rise of AI agents that can help automate tasks more efficiently and handle complex activities, making our lives easier.
  2. There will be a big shift in technology with AI becoming more integrated into our daily routines, making things like healthcare and language translation more personalized and seamless.
  3. Consumer healthcare will improve a lot as people gain more control over their health data, leading to a better experience and more trust in healthcare systems.

Latest open artifacts (#11): Visualizing China's open models market share, Arcee's models, and VLAs for robotics

Democratizing Automation • 95 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Chinese models are leading the open model market, significantly influencing developments with their high-performance releases and generous licensing.
  2. A mix of new model releases and datasets is coming out, which includes openly licensed resources that set a good precedent for future open-source projects.
  3. There's a growing trend of models incorporating reasoning and retrieval capabilities, showing progress in AI's abilities and offering new tools for developers.

Space Robotics: The Pivotal Role in Lunar and Martian Colonization, Current Innovations, and Future Trends

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robots are super important for exploring and building on the Moon and Mars. They can do tough jobs in space where humans can't easily go.
  2. Using robots in space is way cheaper than sending people. Robots can do tasks like repairing satellites and cleaning up space junk, making them great helpers for astronauts.
  3. The private space industry is growing and creating new robots for space. This can lead to cheaper and easier ways to send things to the Moon and beyond.

LLM Links, 11/21

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. There's a debate about AI progress. Some experts think AI models are hitting a limit and may not get much smarter, while others believe we will continue to see significant advancements.
  2. While machine learning can learn from explicit knowledge, it struggles with understanding deeper, unspoken human knowledge. This limitation might prevent AI from reaching the same expertise as human experts.
  3. AI technologies are still showing exciting developments, like robots learning to perform surgeries by watching videos. This points to the potential for AI to revolutionize fields like medicine.

The Transformer Robots are Here, Just a Different Kind

TheSequence • 693 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Advancements in foundation models like language and computer vision are shaping a new era of robotic applications.
  2. Google DeepMind introduced innovative methods like AutoRT and SARA-RT to enhance robotic actions using vision-language models.
  3. The integration of foundation models in image, language, and video is accelerating robotics to new levels of efficiency.
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LLM Links, 1/16

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. A school in Arizona is using AI as the only teachers for a new educational model. This approach aims to tailor lessons to students' needs and allow more time for personal interests.
  2. Robots still struggle with tasks that are easy for humans, like picking up objects. This shows that achieving true artificial general intelligence is still a long way off.
  3. Using chatbots like ChatGPT can help with everyday problems, like homework. By asking the right questions, you can get creative suggestions that you might not think of on your own.

Charts on Venture Capital, some VC robotics articles, and startup failure advice

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. There are more startups in the US than VCs can support, leading to increased competition for funding and a rise in startup failures.
  2. Investors are showing increased interest and making significant investments in robotics startups, especially those focused on AI and autonomy.
  3. Success rates for founders improve with past experience, highlighting the importance of learning from failure in the startup world.

California is the robotics capital of the world.

Robots & Startups • 139 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. California is known as the robotics capital of the world.
  2. The USA has the most robotics companies in North America, with California having the highest number among the states.
  3. Data shows a higher number of robotics startups in Europe compared to Asia, with the UK leading over Germany, France, and Switzerland.

It's a tale of two startups... humanoid of course

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. There are significant differences between two startups in the humanoid robotics industry, especially in terms of founders' backgrounds and experiences.
  2. One startup is founded by someone deeply experienced in serious robotics and commercialization, potentially making them a strong contender in the humanoid robotics market.
  3. The other startup's founder lacks a robotics background but has experience in raising large funding rounds, and this startup has attracted some controversy.

Buyer's remorse is a big problem for robotics

Robots & Startups • 79 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Buyer's remorse is a significant issue in the robotics industry, causing regret among manufacturers for recent technology purchases.
  2. Numerous robotics companies are facing downsizing and financial challenges, indicating the industry's complexity and difficulty in achieving success.
  3. There are various advancements and developments in the robotics field, from autonomous boat technology to robots reaching the ISS, showcasing the diversity and innovation in the industry.

The Middle Path for AI

Future History • 260 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI is already affecting our lives in many ways, like helping with healthcare and driving. It's important to realize that while it can do good things, it can also have negative outcomes.
  2. Instead of seeing the future as only good or bad, we should focus on a balanced view. Many things in life are grey, and understanding the middle ground helps us prepare better for what AI can and will do.
  3. Governments using AI for control and surveillance can be dangerous. While AI can help detect problems like health issues quickly, it can also invade privacy and create a society where people are constantly monitored.

More and more humanoids, IPOs and the State of AI ...

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Boston Dynamics introduced a new electric Atlas, showing advancements in humanoid robotics.
  2. The AI Index from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence reveals key trends in AI development, funding, and regulations.
  3. Putting fur on robots, as Sega Toys learned, can lead to issues like burning smells and recalls.

LLM links, 11/17

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI agents are most helpful when they can repeat simple tasks many times, rather than doing complex, one-time jobs. It’s better to have them automate quick tasks consistently.
  2. Chatbots face serious challenges, especially when discussing sensitive topics like suicide. They should guide users to seek help but also create a safe conversation environment.
  3. There’s concern that new AI models may not improve in accuracy and could actually make mistakes more often. This suggests that AI will always struggle to tell the truth from lies.

Spotlight: Alon Tenzer – An Analog Astronaut on a Simulated Mars Mission

Space Ambition • 199 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🔬 Science Robotics
  1. Analog astronauts participate in simulated Mars missions to test technologies and procedures that will be used in real space missions. These missions help prepare for future human exploration of Mars.
  2. The Aouda Spacesuit Simulator is crucial for testing how astronauts will operate on Mars. It mimics real spacesuits and checks if new technologies can be used effectively in harsh conditions.
  3. Training to become an analog astronaut requires a strong background in science and engineering. Participants undergo rigorous training to handle technical challenges and the psychological stress of being isolated from Earth.

The 5 Laws of Robotics

Robots & Startups • 179 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. The post discusses the 5 Laws of Robotics and suggests 5 achievable actions before a panel on community acceptance.
  2. The author, Andra Keay, is sharing insights on robotics and technology, highlighting industry leaders and discussions.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Robots & Startups.

What is RLHF?

Technically • 24 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) makes AI models like ChatGPT more helpful by showing them what good answers look like. It teaches them how to be useful assistants instead of just being knowledgeable.
  2. Before RLHF, AI models could give correct but irrelevant answers, like a toddler with a lot of knowledge but no idea how to apply it. They often generated strange or confusing responses.
  3. The process of RLHF includes humans ranking AI-generated answers, which helps refine the models. This way, they learn to be more concise and relevant to our needs.

Celebrating International Women in Robotics Day on October 4th (and all October really!)

Robots & Startups • 139 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. International Women in Robotics Day is celebrated on October 4th and the entire month of October.
  2. The Women in Robotics organization publishes an annual collection of '50 women in robotics you need to know about.'
  3. Celebration events for International Women in Robotics Day are happening across the USA and the launch of new Women in Robotics chapters is taking place.

Humanoids and yet more humanoids

Robots & Startups • 99 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robotics companies are choosing to set up manufacturing in the US to take advantage of the favorable environment and support, with Agility Robotics being a notable example.
  2. The EV industry is providing a significant boost to the development and growth of robotics companies focusing on automation and humanoids.
  3. The trend towards automating food production, as seen with Uber's Travis Kalanick, indicates a growing interest in leveraging technology to revolutionize traditional industries.

Agoda Universal MCP, Moltbook API Keys Leak, Radware + Pynt

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. APIs are shifting from fragmented, hand-wired integrations toward unified, AI-first ecosystems where machines can discover and use capabilities directly.
  2. That shift exposes serious security risks, as agent platforms and Model Context Protocol servers can leak API keys and sensitive data, so security needs to be built into the API lifecycle.
  3. APIs are becoming strategic infrastructure across industries — from finance and trading to robotics — enabling faster automation, compliance-by-design, and new AI-driven services.

What will it take to build a Mars habitat?

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🔬 Science Robotics
  1. Building a habitat on Mars involves solving problems like radiation protection. Solutions include using Martian soil for shielding or growing special fungi that can handle radiation.
  2. We can use new technologies like 3D printing to create living spaces on Mars. This approach helps make building easier and can also be applied to sustainable construction on Earth.
  3. Producing oxygen on Mars is crucial because its atmosphere is mainly carbon dioxide. NASA has developed a device that can extract oxygen from the Martian air, which is an important step for future colonization.

Will the debate between "AI skeptics" and "AI optimists" reach a definite resolution soon?

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. There are two main views on AI: some believe it's about to change everything quickly, while others think it's not as advanced as people say.
  2. If AI keeps improving rapidly, it could replace a lot of jobs and change how businesses operate, but if it slows down, many may not find it useful.
  3. Even with advancements, there might always be disagreements about whether AI is truly intelligent or just copying human behavior.

Bootstrapping Berry Bot: 'from revenue to robot'

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
💼 Business Robotics
  1. The beauty and wellness robotics industry is growing, with Berry Bot being a soap making robot that showcases the potential for automation in the sector.
  2. The global personal care and beauty market is significantly larger than the industrial robot market, providing ample opportunity for innovation and growth.
  3. Berry Bot, a smart system for making natural soaps, highlights the importance of scalability and automation in the production process for success in the industry.

The Sequence Opinion #662: From Words to Worlds: Some Observations About World Models

TheSequence • 77 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. LLMs are great with words, but they struggle with understanding and acting in real-life environments. They need to develop spatial intelligence to navigate and manipulate the world around them.
  2. Spatially-grounded AI can create internal models of their surroundings, which helps them operate in real spaces. This advancement represents a big step forward in general intelligence for AI.
  3. The essay discusses how new AI designs focus on spatial reasoning instead of just language, emphasizing that understanding the physical world is a key part of being intelligent.

LLM Links

In My Tribe • 167 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI-generated podcasts can share information in new ways, like converting written essays into audio. This shows how AI can create engaging content without much input.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to learn new concepts as effectively as humans do because they rely on past data. Humans continue to adapt and learn from everyday experiences.
  3. The potential economic impact of robots is huge, especially for tasks like cleaning and driving. The market for humanoid robots could reach trillions, and they might also help reduce accidents.

Juggling Robots

Bram’s Thoughts • 78 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Building a juggling robot to juggle five balls is challenging.
  2. Consider using a CoreXY mechanism for moving the hands efficiently.
  3. Utilize pneumatics for controlling the strength of throws in the juggling robot.

Who is the Henry Ford of robotics?

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. The development of robotics is paralleling the early days of commercial automobile rollout, showing similarities in market growth
  2. Current robotics growth is hindered by resource capacity, but this constraint is expected to ease leading to rapid company expansions, notably in humanoid robotics
  3. The field of robotics is seeing advancements in AI learning, which raises questions about its impact on robotics and how different communities can leverage these technologies

Humanoids hit a critical mass moment!

Robots & Startups • 79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Humanoid robots are becoming more affordable as the cost of their components decreases.
  2. At the IEEE Humanoids event in Austin, Texas, many robotics companies discussed plans to make their robots commercially available in 2024.
  3. The weight of humanoid robots is decreasing, which could impact their sales price in the future.

Kickoff of 2024 SVR Robotics Accelerator

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Kickoff meeting for the SVR Startup Accelerator is happening on January 30th for robotics startups at any stage.
  2. Private equity investors like Resurge Growth Partners are offering struggling startups a second chance amid a drop-off in VC funding.
  3. Luxonis has introduced the OAK-Thermal for pre-order, expanding its platform with a thermal sensor for numerous potential applications.

Benchmarking humanoid robots begins!

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. 2024 is set to see the commercial release of several new humanoid robots, advancing capabilities in manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
  2. Benchmarking for humanoid robots is crucial for determining their success - factors like endurance and dexterity are key, surpassing simple speed comparisons.
  3. Industry leaders stress the importance of establishing common benchmarks in the field to support the emerging market and drive innovation.

Last Week in AI #226: OpenAI lawsuits, NASA to explore AI on spaceships, OpenAI vs. Microsoft, generated content flooding the Internet, and more!

Last Week in AI • 178 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. OpenAI is facing a class action lawsuit over data usage, highlighting the need for clearer regulations in AI development.
  2. NASA is exploring AI interfaces for spaceships, allowing for natural language interactions and collaborative learning for astronauts.
  3. OpenAI plans to create a 'supersmart personal assistant for work,' potentially entering into competition with Microsoft and its customers.

Weekly Top Picks #93

The Algorithmic Bridge • 148 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. ChatGPT Pro is losing money despite its high subscription cost. This shows that even popular AI tools can face financial troubles.
  2. Nvidia has introduced an expensive new AI supercomputer for individuals. This highlights the growing demand for advanced AI technology in personal computing.
  3. More artists are embracing AI-generated art, sparking discussions about creativity and technology. This signals a shift in how art is produced and appreciated.

An abundance of opportunities for robotics companies...

Robots & Startups • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robotics companies have an abundance of opportunities available despite challenges like funding.
  2. Talented and experienced individuals in the robotics field are seeking new opportunities, especially in robotics companies.
  3. Silicon Valley Robotics member companies have access to information and resources related to robotics opportunities.

Remembering Brandon Gilles Founder of Luxonis

Robots & Startups • 99 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Brandon Gilles, founder of Luxonis, passed away from Long Covid complications, leaving behind a legacy in spatial AI and robotic vision.
  2. He documented his illness and recovery pathways for others facing similar situations.
  3. To learn more about Brandon Gilles' work and contributions, a subscription to Robots & Startups is available with a 7-day free trial.

Links for 2023-06-16

Axis of Ordinary • 98 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Develop cheap ways to mass produce small kamikaze drones for future conflicts.
  2. Train machine learning models and develop defenses against drones to survive conflicts.
  3. Countries that can't develop drone technology should form coalitions for protection.

GPT‑5.2, GLM-4.6V, Runway's GWM Worlds, GWM Avatars and GWM Robotics, Nomos 1, Devstral 2, Wan-Move, SimGym, Disco, Stripe's Agentic Commerce Suite and more

AI Brews • 10 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Large AI models are making big leaps: new releases like GPT‑5.2 and specialized models improve reasoning, code, vision, long‑context handling, and tool use, while smaller specialist models like Nomos 1 can outperform humans on hard math tasks.
  2. Agentic and commerce-focused tools are moving into the mainstream, with products and standards that let AI agents act inside apps, make purchases, and integrate into workflows (agentic commerce, foundation efforts, and Slack/agent integrations).
  3. Multimodal content and developer tooling are exploding: new video and avatar systems, motion‑controllable video models, Adobe ChatGPT integrations, visual editors, and many open‑source projects make it much easier to build and deploy creative AI applications.

Where Are The Robots?

Teaching computers how to talk • 110 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Humanoid robots seem impressive in videos, but they aren't practical for everyday tasks yet. Many still struggle with simple actions like opening a fridge at home.
  2. Training robots in simulations is useful, but it doesn’t always translate well to the real world. Minor changes in the environment can cause trained robots to fail.
  3. Even if we could train robots better, it's unclear what tasks they could take over. Existing household machines already perform many tasks, and using robots for harmful jobs could be a better focus.

NVIDIA, BYD, Figure, 1x, Sanctuary, Apptronik, OpenAI, Intuitive Machines, Groq & Google

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. The global robotics and AI landscape is rapidly evolving with companies like NVIDIA, BYD, Figure, OpenAI, and others making significant advancements.
  2. BYD's disruptive entry in the electric vehicle market is causing concern among legacy automakers due to their low production costs and competitive pricing.
  3. Groq and Google are making waves in the AI sector with Groq showcasing impressive speed on their inference API and Google introducing a new family of open-source AI models.

1x, Stretch 3, Hippo Harvest, Jacobi Robotics, OpenAI and Earthgrid

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Consumer mistrust and potential legal issues may arise with AI in robotics, similar to the Air Canada chatbot case
  2. OpenAI's recent deal values the company at over $80 billion, tripling its worth and positioning it as one of the most valuable tech startups globally
  3. Stretch 3 by Hello Robot is a new home robot designed to assist with tasks like folding laundry, showcasing advancements in AI