Platforms

Unitree G1 Humanoid Robots Showcase Agility in Onstage Concert Performance In a stunning display of robotic agility, six Unitree G1 humanoid robots from Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics performed as backup dancers at a Wang Leehom concert in Chengdu, China. Dressed in silver sequin outfits, the advanced robots executed complex, synchronized dance routines and a collective backflip, perfectly timed to the music. This AI-powered performance, praised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, marks a significant milestone in demonstrating the real-world capabilities and commercial potential of humanoid robotics. Industry observers highlight the event as a major leap forward in robotic dynamic balance and power systems. The G1 robot features 3D LiDAR and depth cameras for advanced perception and boasts a wide range of motion with its 23-43 joint motors. ...

AI Breakthrough: New Molecule Boosts Pancreatic Cancer Chemotherapy In a significant advancement for AI in healthcare, researchers have developed a molecule using artificial intelligence that dramatically improves chemotherapy effectiveness for pancreatic cancer. The AI-generated aptamer, named Apt1, works by disrupting DNA repair mechanisms within cancer cells. This targeted action makes tumors more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs like olaparib, even at lower dosages. This breakthrough highlights the immense potential of AI in drug discovery and creating novel treatments for aggressive cancers by precisely targeting cellular processes. ...

GMO AI & Robotics Acquires Various Robotics to Spearhead Humanoid Robot Development in Japan GMO AI & Robotics Trading Co., Ltd. has acquired all shares of Various Robotics Inc., a developer of advanced robot solutions, as of Monday, December 15, 2025. This strategic move aims to strengthen GMO AIR’s presence in physical AI by uniting some of Japan’s top robotics engineers. The acquisition is set to accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots to address critical social challenges like labor shortages. The companies will jointly develop advanced robot solutions focusing on AI control, manipulation, and autonomous movement. Following the acquisition, Various Robotics will be renamed ‘GMO Various Robotics, Inc.’. The industry has designated 2026 as the ‘Year of Humanoids,’ signaling a significant push to deploy these robots in sectors like factories, logistics, hotels, and hospitals. ...

Google DeepMind to Launch AI-Powered Automated Science Lab in UK for Superconductor Research Google DeepMind will establish its first automated research laboratory in the UK in 2026, expanding its partnership with the UK government. The lab will utilize AI and robotics to accelerate scientific discovery, with an initial focus on developing new superconductor materials. This advanced facility will be fully integrated with Google’s Gemini AI. The partnership aims to reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in science and technology. As part of the collaboration, UK scientists will receive priority access to some of DeepMind’s cutting-edge AI models, including AlphaGenome for DNA sequencing. The initiative will also explore using AI for cleaner fusion energy, developing safer AI educational tools, and enhancing public service efficiency. ...

Okibo’s EG7+ Robot: AI-Powered Drywall and Painting Automation Arrives in the US Okibo has officially launched its EG7+ robot in the United States, introducing an autonomous, AI-guided system for commercial painting and drywall finishing. This battery-powered robot is engineered for high-wall projects, boasting a reach of up to 24 feet for sanding, painting, and achieving a level 4 finish. A standout feature is its patented AI-driven 3D scanning and real-time modeling algorithm, which enables navigation without external markers or BIM tools. The EG7+ can cover an average of 1,000 square feet per hour, significantly boosting productivity and reducing physical strain on construction workers. The robot made its debut at the Federal and AEC Innovation Day hosted by Hensel Phelps, where it garnered positive feedback from industry leaders. ...

Tech News: IBM’s $11B Confluent Deal, Waymo Expands, and Quantum Teleportation Breakthrough Chicago Hosts 2025 Junior Theorists Workshop in Computer Science The 2025 Chicago Junior Theorists Workshop is being held on December 8th and 9th, hosted jointly by Northwestern University and the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC). The event is designed to showcase recent research from outstanding final-year Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers in theoretical computer science. The two-day workshop will feature a series of talks and discussions covering a wide range of topics within the field. This annual workshop provides a platform for junior researchers to present their work to the broader academic community and is supported by organizations including ACM SIGACT, IDEAL, NITMB, and the SkAI Institute. ...

EU Investigates Meta’s WhatsApp AI for Antitrust Violations The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Meta, focusing on concerns that its policies for WhatsApp could unfairly promote its own AI assistant. The probe follows complaints from smaller companies alleging that upcoming changes to WhatsApp’s access rules might hinder competing AI chatbots from reaching users. EU officials are considering interim measures to address these concerns while the investigation proceeds. This action is separate from, but complementary to, existing regulations under the Digital Markets Act. Italy’s antitrust authority is also conducting a parallel investigation. ...

China’s AgiBot A2 Humanoid Robot Completes Record-Breaking 106-Kilometer Walk Setting a new world record for humanoid robotics, the AgiBot A2 has successfully walked 106 kilometers (66 miles) from Suzhou to Shanghai. Developed by Suzhou-based Zhiyuan Robotics, the robot completed the three-day journey as a test of its endurance and engineering. The AgiBot A2 showcased its advanced capabilities by navigating real-world environments and autonomously swapping its own batteries during the trek. While the company has not specified the frequency of battery swaps or the degree of human oversight, it confirmed the robot navigated using its onboard sensors and algorithms. This long-distance achievement marks a significant milestone in humanoid technology and environmental adaptability. ...

Perplexity’s Comet AI Browser Faces Serious Security Vulnerability Allegations Perplexity’s Comet AI browser is facing significant scrutiny over alleged security vulnerabilities. Security researchers from SquareX claim to have discovered a hidden API that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on a user’s device, potentially leading to data theft or a full system compromise. Perplexity has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as “fake news” and stating that no such vulnerability exists. This controversy follows previous security warnings from Brave and Guardio regarding other issues with Comet, including prompt injection vulnerabilities that could manipulate the AI into performing unintended actions. ...

Predictive AI in Healthcare: Hospital Adoption Reaches 71% Amidst Disparities A growing number of hospitals are adopting predictive AI technologies, with 71% integrating them into electronic health records in 2024, an increase from 66% in 2023. These machine learning tools are most frequently used to forecast inpatient health trajectories and identify high-risk outpatients. There has also been a significant rise in the use of predictive AI for administrative tasks, with 61% of hospitals using it to automate billing procedures in 2024, up from 36% the previous year. However, a notable adoption gap persists, as large hospitals are significantly more likely to use predictive AI than their small and rural counterparts. For instance, 96% of large hospitals utilized these tools in 2024, compared to just 59% of small hospitals. ...