Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles

Uber and Rivian Partner on Autonomous Ride-Hailing Fleet Uber and Rivian have forged an exclusive partnership to deploy Rivian’s new R2 autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform. The deal includes a $300 million investment from Uber and outlines a multi-year rollout across major U.S. cities. This collaboration will leverage electric autonomous vehicles to bolster Uber’s ride-hailing services and expand its autonomous supply. The strategic move gives Uber more direct control over the hardware for its autonomous fleet, with plans to deploy vehicles in cities like San Francisco and Miami through 2031. ...

Zoox Robotaxi Service Expands to Austin, Miami & More San Francisco Neighborhoods Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, is significantly expanding its robotaxi service in the United States. The company is quadrupling its service area in San Francisco to include key neighborhoods like Chinatown, Marina, and Pacific Heights. In a major move, Zoox is also launching its autonomous driving technology in Austin, Texas, and Miami. This expansion is backed by impressive milestones, with Zoox having driven nearly 2 million autonomous miles and transported over 350,000 riders. In Las Vegas, the service will soon be available to popular destinations such as the Sphere and the Las Vegas Convention Center. Furthermore, Zoox has partnered with Uber to integrate its vehicles into the Uber app in Los Angeles by mid-2027, broadening its reach in the competitive ride-hailing market. ...

AI & Machine Learning News: Advancements in Medical Diagnostics, Robotics, and AI Infrastructure This month’s AI and Machine Learning news features a novel deep learning tool from Mass General Brigham that analyzes selfies for predictive health analysis. In another healthcare AI breakthrough, a UCSF study demonstrates generative AI’s capability to interpret complex medical data with high accuracy. In agricultural robotics, a new AI-powered robot is learning to harvest tomatoes with greater efficiency. On the infrastructure front, startup Niv-AI has secured $12 million in funding to optimize AI data center efficiency, and Grand Valley State University received a $1 million grant to establish a new AI research consortium. ...

Breakthrough Hydrogen-Based AI Chip Mimics Human Brain for Self-Learning A research team from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) has developed the world’s first two-terminal artificial intelligence semiconductor that utilizes hydrogen ions for self-learning and memory. This innovative technology precisely controls hydrogen ion injection and discharge with electrical signals, emulating the human brain’s ability to perform computation and storage simultaneously. Unlike conventional oxide-based memory devices that suffer from stability issues due to oxygen vacancies, this hydrogen-based approach resolves speed degradation and high power consumption in modern AI data processing. The neuromorphic semiconductor operates by changing its conductivity based on electrical signals and maintaining that state, similar to an artificial synapse. This breakthrough was achieved in a two-terminal vertical structure, which is advantageous for high-density AI chips due to its potential for high integration and simple manufacturing. The device has demonstrated high reliability, successfully running for over 10,000 repetitive operations. ...

Agentic AI Takes Center Stage, Shifting Focus from Generative Models In March 2026, the artificial intelligence landscape is undergoing a pivotal shift from generative AI to more autonomous, agentic AI systems. These advanced AI agents are engineered to execute complex, multi-step workflows with minimal human oversight, fundamentally transforming business operations. This trend is highlighted by the release of new models like OpenAI’s GPT-5.4, which features native computer-use capabilities, allowing it to interact directly with software interfaces. The industry’s focus is evolving from experimentation to implementation, embedding AI as an invisible infrastructure within enterprise environments. Upcoming events like NVIDIA’s GTC 2026 are also expected to heavily feature agentic and physical AI. ...

Met Office Enhances Weather Forecasting with Advanced AI and Machine Learning The Met Office is increasingly using artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance its forecasting capabilities for both weather and climate science. These technologies present a significant opportunity for transformation at every stage of the meteorological process, from atmospheric analysis to delivering actionable insights. Through its National Capability AI Programme (NCAIP), the Met Office is aiming to deliver substantial benefits to the public, businesses, and government. In climate science, AI provides new methods to improve localized impact projections, enhance small-scale process modeling, and support the analysis of extreme weather events. The AI4Climate programme, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is specifically exploring cutting-edge AI to strengthen climate models and deliver improved climate information more efficiently. ...

University of Kentucky Launches State’s First Bachelor of Science in AI Program The University of Kentucky’s Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering has introduced the first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in the Commonwealth. Housed in the Department of Computer Science, the new undergraduate degree program is set to welcome its inaugural class in Fall 2026. This initiative responds to the surging demand for AI and machine learning specialists, an occupation projected to be the third fastest-growing globally between 2025 and 2030. The program is designed to equip students with essential technical skills and a strong ethical foundation to apply AI responsibly across various industries. With this new offering, the University of Kentucky joins a select group of universities nationwide providing a bachelor’s degree specifically in AI. ...

Generative AI Advances with Multimodal Models and Agentic Systems The field of generative artificial intelligence, powered by large language models (LLMs), is experiencing rapid advancements in scalable and instruction-following multimodal foundation models and agentic AI applications. Progress is being driven by developments in alignment techniques, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures, and fine-grained controllability in generative tasks. Key areas of innovation include diffusion-based video generation, synthetic avatars, and goal-driven multi-agent collaboration. In response to these advancements, regulatory attention is increasing, with the EU’s AI Act, effective in 2025, mandating security-by-design for AI systems. The industry is also moving towards standardization, with OpenAI co-founding the Linux-based Agentic AI Foundation to standardize intelligent agents. Real-world applications are emerging in various fields, such as pharmaceuticals, where generative models are being used to design drug candidates and biosensors, significantly reducing design cycles. ...

Aptiv & Vecna Robotics Partner on Next-Gen Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for Warehouses Global industrial technology company Aptiv has announced a strategic collaboration with Vecna Robotics, a leader in AI-driven autonomous material handling. The two companies will co-develop next-generation Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solutions aimed at providing cost-effective automation for warehouses and factories. This partnership will integrate Aptiv’s advanced perception and machine learning technologies into Vecna Robotics’ autonomy and orchestration platform. The goal is to create safer, more efficient, and scalable material handling systems. The collaboration will utilize Aptiv’s PULSE Sensor for 360-degree sensing and its ML-based technologies for real-time perception and path planning. Vecna’s platform will contribute to workflow orchestration and safe navigation in complex environments. Aptiv is set to showcase Vecna Robotics’ CPJ Co-Bot Pallet Jack at CES 2026. ...

Google Unveils Gemini 3, Ushering in an ‘Agentic Era’ of AI Google has introduced Gemini 3, a foundational model designed to power a new ‘agentic era’ of AI. Unlike previous models accessed through a single interface, Gemini 3 is being deeply integrated across Google’s product suite—including Search, Workspace, Android, and Cloud—to act as a comprehensive ’nervous system.’ This strategic shift focuses on creating AI systems that can execute actions, not just generate responses. To support this, Google is also releasing tools for developers to leverage the model for complex, long-running coding tasks. ...