Models

Waymo Deploys 6th-Generation Fully Autonomous Robotaxis on US Roads Waymo has launched fully autonomous operations with its sixth-generation Driver system, a significant milestone in expanding its self-driving ride-hailing service to more cities. This latest autonomous vehicle technology is now active on public roads without human safety drivers. Nashville is the latest city to feature the service, joining a growing list that includes Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. The new technology is integrated into an all-electric robotaxi based on the Zeekr Mix, a Chinese-market EV. To support this expansion, Waymo is scaling its factory production toward a capacity of tens of thousands of units per year. The company’s ambitious goal is to deliver over one million paid, fully autonomous robotaxi rides per week by the end of the year. The 6th-generation system is engineered to lower operational costs while maintaining the highest safety standards, enabling deployment in more diverse environments, including areas with challenging weather conditions. ...

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. ...

Agibot’s A2 Humanoid Robot Sets World Record with 106-km Walk A Chinese-developed humanoid robot, the A2 from Shanghai-based Agibot, has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous walk by a humanoid robot. The robot completed a 106.286-kilometer journey from Suzhou to Shanghai without shutting down. The trek, which ran from November 10th to November 13th, showcased the maturity of the robot’s hardware, advanced balance algorithms, and exceptional endurance. The A2 was powered by a rapid hot-swap battery system, enabling it to remain active for the entire duration. This record-breaking walk marks a significant milestone for the large-scale commercial deployment of humanoid robots in various industries. ...

Anthropic Unveils Claude Sonnet 4.5 with Advanced Reasoning and Coding Anthropic has officially released its latest large language model, Claude Sonnet 4.5, featuring significant improvements in processing long contexts and performing complex mathematical and logical reasoning tasks. The company claims the model can perform tasks autonomously for over 30 hours and has demonstrated state-of-the-art performance on the SWE-bench Verified evaluation for software coding. Alongside the new model, Anthropic launched Claude Code 2.0, an integrated coding environment for developers with an enhanced UI and performance based on Sonnet 4.5. To facilitate the development of AI agents, the company has also released the Claude Agent SDK. The new model is now available through Anthropic’s API, the Claude app, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Cloud’s Vertex AI. ...

AI Boosts Bitcoin Mining Profitability Post-Halving Artificial intelligence and machine learning are fundamentally reshaping the profitability of the Bitcoin mining industry. In the wake of the 2024 halving event, which decreased block rewards, miners are increasingly deploying AI to optimize operational efficiency. Reports indicate that AI-driven predictive maintenance is extending hardware lifespan by 40%, significantly reducing downtime and replacement costs. Furthermore, machine learning models are optimizing energy consumption by dynamically adjusting hashrate based on real-time electricity prices, a strategy shown to boost returns by 12-18%. AI is also enabling innovative uses for waste heat from mining operations, such as in greenhouse agriculture, which has been demonstrated to cut heating costs by 30%. ...

OpenAI & Nvidia Eye $100B Chip Deal to Fuel Next-Gen AI OpenAI and Nvidia are reportedly planning a landmark $100 billion chip deal aimed at shaping the future of artificial intelligence. This significant investment underscores the increasing competition and demand for specialized data center chips to power advanced AI models. The collaboration is expected to involve OpenAI acquiring Nvidia’s GPU systems, with Nvidia taking a non-controlling equity stake. This strategic partnership aims to significantly scale OpenAI’s computational infrastructure. ...

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Google’s AI Chief: ‘Learning to Learn’ is the Most Critical Future Skill Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google’s DeepMind and a 2024 Nobel laureate, stated that the most crucial skill for the next generation will be ’learning how to learn’ to adapt to rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence. Speaking in Athens, Hassabis highlighted the difficulty in predicting the future landscape given the weekly evolution of AI but asserted that significant change is inevitable. He suggested that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could be achieved within the next decade, leading to substantial progress. During the same event, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed concerns that the immense wealth generated by a few large tech companies in the AI revolution could lead to significant social unrest if the benefits are not widely distributed. ...

EngineAI Unveils New Humanoid Robots at World Robot Conference 2025 EngineAI showcased its latest advancements in humanoid robotics at the World Robot Conference 2025 in Beijing. The company debuted the T800, a heavy-duty, full-sized humanoid robot standing 1.85 meters tall, and also presented the PM01, which demonstrated impressive dexterity and high-speed running. Additionally, EngineAI announced the upcoming release of the SA02, a 1.25-meter-tall humanoid robot priced at approximately $5,500, aimed at making the technology more accessible to young engineers and enthusiasts. The company also introduced the JS01, a high-mobility quadrupedal robot designed for rugged terrains, suitable for industrial inspections, rescue, and logistics. These innovations highlight EngineAI’s focus on accelerating the commercialization of robotics and fostering a collaborative global ecosystem. ...

AI & Robotics News: WeRide’s Saudi Robotaxi Launch, Waymo in Ontario, and Mystery ‘Horizon Alpha’ AI WeRide Secures Saudi Arabia’s First-Ever Robotaxi Permit WeRide has officially become the first company granted a permit for commercial robotaxi operations in Saudi Arabia. This significant milestone marks the sixth country where WeRide has received autonomous vehicle (AV) approvals, joining China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the US. In a strategic collaboration with Uber and Ai Driver, WeRide has already initiated pilot robotaxi operations in Riyadh. The company aims for a full commercial service launch by the end of 2025. This permit was awarded following the successful completion of Saudi Arabia’s rigorous AV Regulatory Sandbox program. ...

Rajasthan Government to Introduce Policies on AI, Gaming, and Data Centers The government of Rajasthan in India is set to launch three new policies focused on artificial intelligence, gaming, and data centers. The Rajasthan AI Policy 2025 will promote the ethical and inclusive use of AI and establish a Centre of Excellence to support AI startups and research. An AVGC-XR Policy will support the animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality sectors, with plans for four Atal Innovation Studios backed by a Rs 1,000 crore budget. Additionally, a Data Centre Policy 2025 aims to create a secure ecosystem for private data centers to attract investment. ...