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Robotics Industry Sees Momentum with Gait Enhancements, Safety Funding, and AI-Driven Innovation – September 12, 2025

The robotics industry witnessed several key developments on September 12, 2025, primarily centered around advancements in humanoid robotics, functional safety solutions, and the integration of artificial intelligence within industrial automation. Three companies – Kepler Robotics, Fort Robotics, and Comau – announced significant milestones, signaling continued investment and innovation across multiple sectors.

Kepler Robotics’ “Bumblebee” Gains Natural Mobility with Hybrid Gait Architecture

Kepler Robotics unveiled a substantial upgrade to its humanoid robot, the K2 “Bumblebee,” at an internal demonstration, showcasing a newly developed hybrid gait architecture. This innovation represents a significant step forward in humanoid mobility, moving beyond traditional robotic locomotion. The core of the advancement lies in the integration of roller screw linear actuators alongside rotary actuators within the robot’s legs. This dual-actuator system allows the K2 “Bumblebee” to achieve a more natural and robust walking gait.

Crucially, the upgrade incorporates layered AI for natural language command interpretation. This means the robot can not only navigate complex terrains – specifically demonstrating its ability to traverse brick and grass surfaces – but also respond to instructions given in human-understandable language. The demonstration highlighted the robot’s ability to adapt its movement in real-time, reacting to unexpected obstacles and maintaining balance.

“This is a fundamental shift in how we approach humanoid robotics,” stated a Kepler Robotics spokesperson following the demonstration. “By combining precise actuation with sophisticated AI, we’re creating robots that can operate effectively in real-world environments, not just controlled factory settings.” The company is now positioning the K2 “Bumblebee” for a diverse range of industrial and service applications, including logistics, warehouse automation, and potentially even domestic assistance roles. The layered AI system is key to the robot’s ability to interpret nuanced commands and adjust its behavior accordingly, a critical factor for broader adoption.

Fort Robotics Secures $18.9 Million in Series B Funding to Prioritize Autonomous System Safety

Fort Robotics announced the successful completion of a Series B funding round, securing $18.9 million in additional investment. The funding round was supported by existing investors, including Tiger Global, and attracted new investors, reflecting growing confidence in the company’s approach to functional safety within autonomous systems, particularly in the context of physical AI and robotics, including humanoids.

The capital injection will be strategically deployed to accelerate the development of Fort Robotics’ platform, which focuses on providing machine builders with dynamic, secure control solutions for robot fleets operating alongside humans on global worksites. The core of the platform is designed to empower builders with the tools needed to manage the complexities of coordinating autonomous robots with human workers, a critical need for industries like construction, logistics, and manufacturing.

The funding underscores the increasing recognition of the importance of safety protocols in the rapidly expanding field of autonomous machines. Fort Robotics’ emphasis on “dynamic, secure control” suggests a move beyond traditional, static safety systems towards more adaptable and responsive solutions capable of mitigating risks in real-time. The company’s focus on human-robot collaboration further highlights the need for robust safety measures to ensure the safe coexistence of autonomous systems and human operators.

Comau Showcases AI-Driven Innovations at ETFA 2025

Comau demonstrated a suite of AI-driven innovations at the European Technology & Automation Fair (ETFA) 2025, showcasing advancements across several key areas of industrial robotics. The company’s demonstrations focused on improving robotic performance, reducing costs, and enhancing quality control.

• Robotic Joint Stiffness Calculation: Comau unveiled proprietary tools utilizing AI to calculate robotic joint stiffness. This technology is designed to improve movement quality in robotic systems, allowing for smoother, more precise movements. The AI algorithms analyze various factors, including joint geometry and material properties, to optimize stiffness settings for specific tasks.

• AI-Accelerated Robotic Welding Gripper Design: Comau demonstrated an AI-accelerated process for designing robotic welding grippers. This innovation significantly reduces both the time and cost associated with gripper development. The AI algorithms automate the design process, considering factors such as weld pool dynamics and material properties.

• MI.RA Intelligent Vision System Family: Comau showcased its MI.RA intelligent vision system family, highlighting two key applications:

  • MI.RA/OnePicker: This system enables autonomous picking of heterogeneous objects – meaning it can handle a variety of different shapes and sizes – a significant advancement in automated warehousing and logistics.
  • MI.RA/Thermography: This system utilizes AI-based in-line quality control for welding processes, specifically within battery assembly. The system uses thermal imaging to detect defects in the weld, ensuring consistent quality and preventing potential failures.

Summary of Developments – September 12, 2025

On September 12, 2025, the robotics industry witnessed key advancements across several areas. Kepler Robotics unveiled a significant gait upgrade for its humanoid robot, the K2 “Bumblebee,” incorporating a hybrid actuation system and AI-powered natural language command interpretation. Fort Robotics secured $18.9 million in Series B funding to prioritize functional safety solutions for robot fleets. Comau demonstrated AI-driven innovations including robotic joint stiffness calculation, AI-accelerated gripper design, and intelligent vision systems for picking and quality control. These developments collectively signal continued investment and innovation within the robotics sector, particularly in areas of humanoid mobility, functional safety, and AI-driven automation. There was no indication of any major breakthroughs or shifts in market trends beyond these specific company announcements.

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