Cloud Computing

Why Automotive Executives Are Pivoting to Humanoid Robotics A significant trend is emerging as top executives from the automotive industry transition into the field of embodied intelligence and humanoid robotics. This migration of talent brings invaluable experience in mass production, system integration, and resource mobilization to the burgeoning robotics sector. Startups led by former auto executives are attracting major investment. For instance, AI² Robotics, founded by a former XPENG chief scientist, has achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. Similarly, Zhijian Power, founded by former Li Auto executives, secured $50 million in an angel funding round. This convergence is fueled by the technological overlap between smart cars—often called “wheeled robots”—and humanoid robots. Major automakers are also investing heavily, with Tesla targeting mass production of its Optimus robot by late 2026 and XPENG planning to volume-produce its IRON robot in the same year. ...

AI Model ‘SleepFM’ Predicts Future Disease Risk from a Single Night’s Sleep Researchers have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence foundation model, named SleepFM, that can predict the future risk of various diseases by analyzing data from a single night’s sleep. A study published in Nature Medicine details how the model was trained on over 585,000 hours of polysomnography (PSG) data from approximately 65,000 individuals. SleepFM has demonstrated a remarkable ability to predict the risk of numerous conditions—including dementia, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and mortality—years before a clinical diagnosis might occur. The model analyzes complex physiological signals captured during sleep to identify patterns indicative of a predisposition to future health issues. This innovative approach could serve as a powerful early warning system, enabling proactive healthcare and early disease detection. ...

The State of AI in 2026: A Shift to Accountability, Governance, and ROI The year 2026 is poised to be a turning point for artificial intelligence, marking a significant shift from experimentation to scalable adoption and accountability. As enterprises integrate AI into their core operations, they face increasing pressure from regulatory frameworks demanding transparency, human oversight, and risk mitigation. The focus is moving beyond the hype to tangible return on investment (ROI), robust AI governance, and enhanced security. This transition also highlights a growing skills shortage of AI specialists, which is expected to become a major business bottleneck. Consequently, channel partners must evolve from technology resellers to strategic advisors, guiding customers through the complexities of AI adoption, including bias, security, and compliance. ...

Disney Integrates Generative AI to Revolutionize Content Creation and Theme Park Experiences The Walt Disney Company is moving beyond experimentation to fundamentally integrate generative AI across its entire operational structure. This strategic initiative aims to boost efficiency in key areas like content creation and post-production. Furthermore, the company will leverage the technology to create more personalized guest experiences at its theme parks. By centralizing its AI development, Disney intends to streamline creative workflows and train its own proprietary models using its vast library of intellectual property. This move signals a significant commitment to using artificial intelligence as a core business component while maintaining strict brand and copyright control. ...

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. ...

OpenAI Warns Future AI Models Pose ‘High’ Cybersecurity Risks OpenAI has issued a stark warning that its upcoming frontier AI models could present ‘High’ level cybersecurity risks. The company stated that these advanced models might be capable of automating the discovery and exploitation of significant cyber vulnerabilities, including the development of functional zero-day exploits. To mitigate these potential threats, OpenAI is implementing a ‘defense-in-depth’ strategy. This includes training its models to refuse harmful requests while remaining useful for defensive and educational purposes. The company is also establishing a Frontier Risk Council, an advisory board of cybersecurity experts, to help manage these advanced AI risks. Furthermore, OpenAI is developing a trusted access program to provide enhanced AI capabilities to qualified cybersecurity professionals for defensive operations. ...

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. ...

Hyundai Launches MobED: An AI-Powered Autonomous Robot Platform At the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) 2025 in Tokyo, Hyundai Motor Group has officially launched MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), its first mass-produced autonomous mobility robot. First revealed as a concept at CES 2022, MobED has evolved into a production-ready platform powered by artificial intelligence. The robot is engineered for a wide range of industrial and everyday applications, featuring AI-based autonomous navigation, LiDAR-camera fusion sensors, and an eccentric posture control mechanism for stable movement across diverse terrains. An intuitive 3D UI/UX on a wide touchscreen controller enables easy operation, including self-mapping and autonomous driving. Mass production of MobED is set to begin in the first half of 2026. ...

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. ...

Anthropic Unveils Claude Opus 4.5, Setting New AI Benchmarks Anthropic has launched Claude Opus 4.5, its most advanced and powerful AI model to date. Now accessible via the Anthropic API and major cloud platforms, Opus 4.5 reportedly establishes a new industry standard for complex tasks, including coding, AI agent development, and multi-step computer operations. The model also demonstrates significantly improved performance in everyday business functions like in-depth research and processing documents such as spreadsheets and presentations. Anthropic is positioning this release for enterprise and engineering teams managing sophisticated projects. Claude Opus 4.5 is available on AWS Bedrock, Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, and Microsoft’s Foundry. ...