The hottest Robotics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Will Robot Girlfriends Save Humanity, or Just Speed Up The Collapse?

OK Doomer • 114 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. A lot of people, including some men, are seriously considering having romantic relationships with AI and robot girlfriends. This shows how lonely and disconnected people are feeling today.
  2. Tech companies are seeing a huge rise in interest and money making potential from AI girlfriends, pointing to a bigger issue of loneliness in society. People crave connection, but often look for it in tech instead of with real relationships.
  3. The overall trend suggests a shift where people might prefer comfort from technology over real human connections, which could lead to bigger problems in society as our relationships with each other weaken.

Links for 2023-04-14

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. UniPi uses text and video for universal control interface in agent decision-making tasks across diverse environments.
  2. ChatGPT can convert natural language instructions into executable robot actions.
  3. DreamPose is an image-to-video synthesis model that generates photorealistic videos of a person following a pose sequence.

Links for 2023-03-10

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. First demonstration of a learning-based method for human locomotion with Transformers
  2. Diffusion Policy outperforms other robot learning methods by 46.9%
  3. GPT-4 by Microsoft Germany will be multimodal and released soon
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Human API, Sapiom $15.75M, EU Challenges Meta

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 16 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI agents are starting to make real purchases on their own as companies build secure spending APIs that turn budgets into programmable keys, letting agents buy compute, services, or physical work within human-set limits.
  2. APIs are moving beyond cloud data into the physical world and human labor — from programmable cellular networks and surgical-robot vision APIs to marketplaces that let agents hire people for last‑mile tasks.
  3. Platform control and regulation are becoming central: major platforms are tightening or restricting developer access while regulators push to keep key APIs open, reshaping how apps and agents get distribution and resources.

AGI is Not Multimodal

The Gradient • 49 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Recent AI models have shown impressive capabilities, but they don't represent true human-like intelligence. They succeed because of scaled hardware and not because they think like us.
  2. Trying to combine different AI models into a single system won't lead to real understanding or human-level AI. This approach is flawed and unlikely to work.
  3. Instead of mixing models, we should focus on how AI interacts with the world and learns from it. Understanding AI should be about its actions and experiences in the environment.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #124

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 116 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Google's new quantum chip, Willow, makes huge advances, allowing it to perform complex calculations much faster than traditional computers. This could lead to amazing breakthroughs in areas like medicine and materials science.
  2. OpenAI is showcasing its latest technologies during '12 Days of OpenAI,' introducing tools that improve AI's abilities in reasoning, video creation, and more, showing how quickly AI is evolving.
  3. Caltech developed tiny robots that can deliver medicine directly to specific parts of the body, potentially making treatments more effective and reducing side effects. This technology could transform how we treat various diseases.

What is the hype cycle for robotics?

Robots & Startups • 119 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. The Hype Cycle is a visual representation of the stages a technology passes through, from initial development to widespread adoption. It helps track which technologies align with an organization's requirements.
  2. There are five stages in the Hype Cycle that technologies undergo as they evolve and mature.
  3. Subscribing to Robots & Startups offers a 7-day free trial to access more content and stay updated on the latest in the robotics industry.

Things to know about the Tesla Bot.

Jon’s Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Tesla is making a humanoid robot called the Tesla Bot, or Optimus, which is expected to cost under $20,000 and be available for orders in about five years.
  2. This robot is designed to take on boring, repetitive, or dangerous tasks, like mowing lawns or helping elderly people.
  3. Tesla is building all the parts for the robot in-house, giving them a potential edge in manufacturing compared to other companies working on robots.

AI's Appetite for Energy Is Going to Be Huge

Robots for the Rest of Us • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI's growth will demand a huge amount of energy, requiring revolutionary advancements like nuclear fusion.
  2. Humanoid robots being tested at BMW showcase potential, but they're not infallible and face challenges.
  3. Concerns arise about technology worsening products over time, potentially impacting jobs and quality, urging caution in AI deployment.

Ranking the best humanoid robots of 2023

Robots & Startups • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Progress in humanoid robots has advanced significantly since challenges like the DARPA Robotics Challenge of 2015/2016.
  2. Various types of humanoid robots are now utilized commercially or in trial phases.
  3. The Avatar XPrize of 2019-2022 has been a notable event pushing advancements in robotics.

Amazon is the new robotics champion

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. It took Amazon only 10 years to reach nearly 1 million robot deployments, showing rapid growth in the robotics industry.
  2. Amazon is investing heavily in robotics and AI technologies, with over €700 million allocated for advancements across Europe.
  3. Upcoming robotics events include RoboGames, Robotics Summit & Expo, and the Robotics Investment Summit, offering diverse opportunities for engagement and learning.

Robot startups need to 'Start Telling People' plus highlights from BARS 2023

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robot startups should focus on 'Start Telling People' - effectively communicating their products and ideas is crucial for success
  2. BARS 2023 featured the latest robotics research showcasing the use of transformers and the rapid pace of innovation - a hub for cutting-edge robotics and AI insights
  3. Subscribe to Robots & Startups for access to in-depth posts and archives, with a 7-day free trial available - stay updated on the latest in robotics and startup trends

Garbatrage: for sustainable robotics

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. A paper presented at the Association for Computing Machinery conference highlighted repurposing old hoverboards for robotics, showcasing sustainability in the field.
  2. Robots in New York City made from discarded hoverboards emphasize the potential for innovative recycling in creating sustainable robotics.
  3. Subscription to Robots & Startups offers a 7-day free trial, granting access to exclusive content and archives for deeper insights into the realm of robotics.

20251231 A yearly review

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI is shifting from a tool into a thinking partner that changes how we create, work, and decide; we must keep human skills alive and build ethics, transparency, and rules so people stay in control.
  2. Environmental risk has moved from awareness to crisis — thawing carbon stores, water shortages, and strained infrastructure are happening now — so bold policy and practical tech choices (like geothermal and local resilience) are needed immediately.
  3. Trust and social cohesion are eroding as privacy risks, misinformation, economic insecurity, and political polarization spread, so rebuilding trust through transparency, fair access, and stronger community and cultural support is essential.

Motor City Magic, investment starting to bounce back, and are female robots sinister?

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. SVR is hosting robotics events in the next few weeks, including Bots&Beer. The community is excited for the events, promising a silver lining.
  2. TokyoTV (Nikkei) is interested in filming/interviewing robotics startups. They'd like to capture stories potentially related to Silicon Valley Bank.
  3. Subscribe to Robots & Startups for access to full post archives and a 7-day free trial. Stay updated on the latest robotics news and trends.

Remembering Joanne Pransky, World's First RoboPsychiatrist

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Joanne Pransky was the world's first RoboPsychiatrist, known for her effervescent personality and dedication to supporting social robots and women in robotics.
  2. Pransky worked in industrial robotics and often found herself as the sole woman in the field, showcasing her resilience and pioneering spirit.
  3. Her legacy lives on through initiatives like the Women in Robotics Scholarship, the Social Robot Museum, and celebrations of her impactful life in Boston and beyond.

Of Agents and Agency

Gradient Ascendant • 7 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. LLMs and agents produce helpful outputs, but those outputs are tools — first drafts or prototypes — that almost always need verification and editing before they become real solutions.
  2. Real agency comes from expertise, and AI won’t give you that for free; treating AI outputs as finished products often creates the illusion of agency and leads to mistakes.
  3. For people with expertise, AI agents are powerful force multipliers, and although future planning agents might coordinate sub-agents more reliably, for now AI mainly accelerates expert work rather than replacing it.

Miniaturized Economies

Breaking Smart • 89 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. It's possible to create very small economies, even as tiny as a $1 GDP. This challenges our ideas about how big an economy needs to be.
  2. The speed and frequency of transactions can be much higher in miniaturized economies, allowing for new kinds of interactions and creative outputs, like controlling robots in imaginative ways.
  3. Miniaturizing economies might lead to smarter systems, almost like creating a form of intelligence. When economies are highly compacted, they can operate faster and more efficiently, similar to how brains function.

The Mythical Non-Roboticist

General Robots • 199 HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Programming robots is inherently complex due to dealing with the real world and imperfect conditions.
  2. Design APIs and frameworks for users as smart as you are, but less tolerant of unnecessary complexity.
  3. Robotics development is challenging due to both intrinsic complexity and incidental 'stupid bullshit' complexity that must be navigated.

How soon until we can afford robot butlers?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robot butlers may become affordable in the near future due to advancements in technology. This could change how we manage household tasks.
  2. Recent investments in AI and robotics indicate a growing market. Companies are receiving significant funding to improve technology and services.
  3. The political landscape is affecting tech policies and decisions. Changes in leadership might lead to new directions for tech regulations and innovations.

Land of the Rising Robot

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 05 Aug 21
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Japan is a leader in automation and robotics, using technology to solve labor shortages due to its aging population. This means they create robots to do many jobs, helping to keep the economy strong.
  2. The country showcases its robotic innovations, especially during events like the Olympics, where robots assist in hospitality and care roles. This shows how much they trust and embrace technology in everyday life.
  3. Japanese robots are not just for work; they also help with caring for the elderly at home. This includes robots that can make life easier and safer for seniors, proving that technology can improve quality of life.

Model merging lessons in The Waifu Research Department

Democratizing Automation • 209 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Model merging is a way to blend two model weights to create a new model, useful for experimenting with large language models.
  2. Model merging is popular in creating anime models by merging Stable Diffusion variants, allowing for unique artistic results.
  3. Weight averaging techniques in model merging aim to find more robust solutions by creating models centered in flat regions of the loss landscape.

We Are the Robots

Breaking Smart • 79 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robots today are moving in more fluid and organic ways, unlike the stiff, mechanical movements we used to see. They can express emotions that feel similar to human feelings, showing a blend of technology and life.
  2. The arts and technology are evolving together, with artists often inspired by new machine capabilities. This relationship highlights how our understanding of what is human or machinic is gradually shifting.
  3. As machines become more complex and organic, people may feel anxious or fearful of them. Our interactions with technology can influence how we view ourselves and what it means to be human.

What if AI can already 'feel'?

State of the Future • 42 implied HN points • 23 Apr 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. AI already has its own kind of 'body' based on digital processes, not physical sensations. This means that AI can experience things and develop understanding in ways that are different from humans.
  2. Wisdom isn't just about human experience; it's a set of skills that involves making good decisions from the information available. AI can potentially do this better by analyzing vast amounts of data without the limitations humans have.
  3. AI might create its own social hierarchies and status signals based on how efficiently they operate in their digital environment. These structures could be complex and different from human social dynamics, and we might not even notice them.

The robotaxi wave is catching speed

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Robotaxi companies like WeRide and Pony.AI are making progress, expanding services into new cities and starting to charge for rides. This shows that self-driving cars are getting closer to becoming common.
  2. There's a growing concern about how AI companies use data from creators without properly compensating them. New marketplace ideas are emerging to help IP holders charge for access to their work.
  3. Fintech companies are gaining more attention and funding, showing a rebound in the market. This can lead to new opportunities as more startups develop innovative financial solutions.

The PARC treasure trove is open!

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. The PARC treasure trove is open, indicating a new event for Automate and ICRA soon.
  2. The author will be sharing links to robotics news and events regularly through the newsletter.
  3. Readers can get 7 days of free access by subscribing to Robots & Startups.

Tech is Going to Get Much Bigger

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 232 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Tech is going to expand significantly as energy, intelligence, and labor become cheaper and more abundant.
  2. Tech companies will grow larger due to their ability to provide scalable intelligence and dexterity services to various industries.
  3. Every market will start to resemble a software market with lower costs, higher margins, and increased R&D investments.

Easy Robotics with a 3D Printer and Raspberry Pi

Messy Progress • 59 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Robotics
  1. Making a robot with a 3D printer and a Raspberry Pi is fun and can be done on a budget. You can create many different designs without limits.
  2. A modular design is helpful because it allows for easy changes and quick fixes. This makes it easier for kids to participate and experiment.
  3. Using a Raspberry Pi for controlling your robot opens up many possibilities, like adding cameras or other fun components. You can even use simple coding to operate it.