Weekly Tech & AI News Roundup: June 29, 2026

Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles: Volkswagen Ends Bosch Partnership as AI Startups Secure Billions

In major developments within the robotics and autonomous vehicles sector, Volkswagen is reportedly terminating its €1.5 billion autonomous driving partnership with Bosch in a strategic effort to reduce operational costs.

Meanwhile, the broader artificial intelligence sector continues to see massive investments, with AI startups securing billions in venture capital funding. Shenzhen-based embodied intelligence firm AI² Robotics has successfully raised nearly 5 billion yuan in a new funding round. This massive capital injection elevates the company’s valuation beyond 20 billion yuan, making AI² Robotics the first embodied intelligence enterprise in the Greater Bay Area to surpass this unicorn milestone.

Additionally, Agility Robotics—widely recognized for developing human-like bipedal robots designed for warehouse logistics and tote management—is preparing for a highly anticipated Wall Street IPO in a $2.5 billion market bet.

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Quantum Computing Funding: US Commits $2 Billion Under CHIPS Act

Quantum computing funding has reached a historic new milestone. The US Department of Commerce recently announced a massive $2.013 billion investment distributed among nine American tech companies under the CHIPS and Science Act.

This strategic government funding aims to accelerate the development of utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. Key beneficiaries include:

  • IBM: Securing the largest share at $1 billion to establish a dedicated quantum foundry subsidiary focused on manufacturing superconducting quantum wafers.
  • GlobalFoundries: Receiving $375 million to build a domestic quantum foundry capable of supporting multiple quantum computing architectures.

This substantial financial commitment is specifically designed to bolster US leadership in quantum technology, driving future innovations in national defense, advanced materials research, and next-generation energy systems.

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Quantum Hardware: IQM Expands Support to 150-300 Qubit Processors for On-Premises Deployment

Leading quantum hardware developer IQM Quantum Computers has officially announced expanded support for both 150-qubit and 300-qubit processors, targeting institutions focused on building long-term, scalable quantum programs.

Recently recognized as a Major Player in the latest IDC MarketScape report, IQM is actively advocating for a strategic shift away from shared cloud access models. Instead, the company recommends deploying full-stack, open-architecture superconducting systems directly within enterprise data centers.

This on-premises quantum deployment model offers several key advantages:

  • Allows organizations to fully own their quantum hardware.
  • Facilitates the development of internal quantum computing expertise.
  • Enables seamless integration of quantum processing units (QPUs) with existing classical IT infrastructure.

According to IQM CEO Jan Goetz, this localized approach ensures the portability of developed workflows and intellectual property (IP), ultimately granting institutional buyers greater strategic independence in the rapidly evolving quantum landscape.

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