Experience Lucid Bots.

TL;DR

This week, small autonomous bots are transforming how solar farms are built, slashing labor needs and speeding renewable energy projects.

Morgan Stanley projects AI and robotics could save S&P 500 companies $920 billion annually, underscoring automation’s massive economic impact. And with backing from Bill Gates and Nvidia, FieldAI is gearing up to bring adaptable, AI-powered robots into agriculture and beyond.

These little robots are changing the way solar farms are built, saving time and money

Tiny autonomous robots are being deployed to streamline solar farm construction, cutting both time and costs. Unlike traditional methods that rely on large crews and heavy machinery, these compact machines can handle tasks like carrying panels, positioning them precisely, and even assisting with installation in rough or uneven terrain.

Developers say the robots not only improve efficiency but also reduce labor shortages and safety risks on massive solar sites. With renewable energy projects scaling rapidly, these small bots could play an outsized role in accelerating the clean energy transition.

Major Takeaway: By automating repetitive, labor-intensive tasks, small robots are making it faster, cheaper, and safer to build large-scale solar farms—helping speed the rollout of renewable power. Read More

Morgan Stanley says AI and robots could save S&P 500 companies $920 billion a year

A new Morgan Stanley report estimates that agentic AI systems and robotics could cut annual costs for S&P 500 companies by as much as $920 billion. The savings would come from automating knowledge work, streamlining operations, and reducing labor-intensive tasks across industries.

Analysts highlight that the biggest impact will likely be in areas like customer support, logistics, and manufacturing, though adoption timelines will vary by sector. While the report notes efficiency gains, it also acknowledges potential disruptions to jobs as automation scales.

Major Takeaway: AI and robotics aren’t just about futuristic tech—they represent one of the biggest cost-saving opportunities in corporate history, with massive productivity gains but real risks for the workforce. Read More

Bill Gates, Nvidia back robotics startup FieldAI to accelerate automation in agriculture and beyond

FieldAI, a robotics startup focused on applying AI and automation to agriculture and other industries, has raised new funding from big-name backers including Bill Gates and Nvidia. The company is building adaptable robots that can perform multiple tasks—from harvesting crops to managing logistics—using advanced computer vision and AI models.

Support from Nvidia will help integrate cutting-edge simulation and compute resources, while Gates’ involvement underscores the potential for robotics to improve food security and sustainability. FieldAI aims to scale its platform to tackle labor shortages and boost efficiency across global industries.

Major Takeaway: With support from Gates and Nvidia, FieldAI is positioning itself as a key player in bringing AI-powered robotics to agriculture—an industry ripe for efficiency gains and innovation. Read More

About Lucid Bots

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots is an AI robotics company that is committed to uplifting humanity by building the world's most productive and responsible robots that can do dangerous and demanding tasks.

Headquartered in Charlotte, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, which include the Sherpa, a cleaning drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot.

Lucid Bots' products are elevating safety and efficiency for a growing number of customers around the world. Lucid is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fastest growing robotics manufacturer in the United States.

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Welcome to the first edition of Robot Rundown’s Founders Spotlight, a series dedicated to showcasing the innovators shaping the future of robotics.
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Today, we're featuring UnitX, a company that's gone from just a handful of images to inspecting billions of dollars in products.

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Back in 2018, Keven Wang saw a massive gap in manufacturing quality control — slow, costly, and inconsistent inspections.

His answer? Build a robotics company that fuses AI, optics, and edge hardware to accelerate human productivity.

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Numbers: Today, UnitX has 820+ systems running in 135+ factories worldwide, inspecting $6.1B of product annually.

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Products: UnitX makes money from AI inspection platforms, software licenses, and service subscriptions.

Their lineup includes FleX, an AI-powered inline inspection system that deploys in under a week, and GenX, a generative AI tool that can train defect detectors from as few as three images.

Paired with software-defined imaging system, core AI brand and edge computing devices, these systems catch defects faster, with higher accuracy, and at massive scale.

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Coolest milestone: Using their GenX system, with just 3 images, GenX will synthetic defect images. This will enhance the AI models training efficiency and enhance detection accuracy. It deployed at a Tier-1 EV battery line — slashing defect “escapes” by 9X.

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What’s next: The Global FleX/GenX rollout with top-tier unicorn brands and systems integrator partners across automotive, EV, and electronics.

The next 12 months are all about scaling worldwide.

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Funding: UnitX has raised $59M to date — enough to put them in the upper tier of industrial AI players.

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Most misunderstood: “We’re not just software—we’re a Robotics 2.0 company integrating AI, imaging system, and edge hardware”

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Founder tip: “Design for deployment speed and reliability, prove ROI fast, and productize serviceability from day one.”

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The robotics company is quietly positioning itself to redefine factory floors worldwide — and if they execute, this could be the kind of infrastructure play that’s hard to dislodge.

TL;DR

NVIDIA is supercharging robot development with new Omniverse libraries, physics-accurate AI models, and scalable compute to speed simulation and deployment. In Los Angeles, Cosmic Buildings and ABB Robotics are bringing mobile microfactories to wildfire zones, producing modular homes on-site. Huntington Beach PD is adding drones for policing and search-and-rescue, while Flytrex just scored FAA approval for nationwide BVLOS deliveries—paving the way for large-scale, cost-effective drone logistics.

NVIDIA Opens Portals to World of Robotics With New Omniverse Libraries, COSMOS Physical AI Models, and AI Computing Infrastructure

NVIDIA has unveiled a suite of new robotics tools, including expanded Omniverse libraries, COSMOS physical AI models, and upgraded AI computing infrastructure to accelerate robot design, simulation, and deployment. The Omniverse updates add richer digital twin capabilities, while COSMOS delivers physics-accurate models for more realistic AI training. NVIDIA is also scaling its cloud-based compute offerings to handle increasingly complex simulations, aiming to reduce development time from months to weeks. These advancements target a wide range of sectors—from manufacturing to logistics—by enabling more capable and adaptable robots.

Major Takeaway: NVIDIA’s latest toolkit blends realistic physics, powerful simulation, and scalable compute, giving robotics developers the means to build smarter, more capable machines faster than ever. Read More

Cosmic Buildings uses ABB Robotics to create robotic microfactories for rebuilding after Los Angeles wildfires

Construction startup Cosmic Buildings is teaming up with ABB Robotics to deploy mobile microfactories that can rapidly produce modular housing components in areas devastated by wildfires around Los Angeles. These container-sized facilities house robotic arms capable of fabricating walls, floors, and other structural elements on-site, cutting transportation needs and speeding up rebuilding. The system is designed to be scalable and relocatable, enabling fast response to disaster zones and reducing reliance on centralized factories. Cosmic aims to use the approach to deliver affordable, sustainable housing more quickly in both emergency and long-term projects.

Major Takeaway: By combining mobile microfactories with robotic automation, Cosmic and ABB are rethinking how to rebuild communities—bringing manufacturing to the disaster site instead of the other way around. Read More

Huntington Beach Adds Drones To Police Force

The Huntington Beach Police Department is expanding its aerial capabilities by adding drones to its toolkit for crime prevention and emergency response. The drones will be used for tasks such as monitoring large events, aiding in search-and-rescue operations, and providing real-time aerial perspectives during active incidents. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging, they can operate day or night and relay critical information to officers on the ground. Police officials emphasize that the program will follow privacy guidelines and aim to enhance public safety without replacing human officers.

Major Takeaway: Huntington Beach is joining a growing list of cities adopting drones for policing, highlighting how aerial robotics are becoming a standard tool for faster, safer, and more informed law enforcement. Read More

Flytrex approved by FAA for nationwide BVLOS drone delivery

Flytrex has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to conduct nationwide drone deliveries beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), a milestone that removes one of the biggest regulatory barriers for large-scale operations. The Israeli startup already delivers food and retail goods in several U.S. cities, and this new clearance will allow it to expand to more regions without the need for visual observers. Flytrex says BVLOS capability will make drone delivery more cost-effective and scalable, potentially transforming last-mile logistics for suburban and rural areas.

Major Takeaway: With BVLOS approval, Flytrex is poised to take drone delivery mainstream—unlocking broader coverage, lower costs, and faster service across the U.S. Read More

About Lucid Bots

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots is an AI robotics company that is committed to uplifting humanity by building the world's most productive and responsible robots that can do dangerous and demanding tasks. Headquartered in Charlotte, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, which include the Sherpa, a cleaning drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot. Lucid Bots' products are elevating safety and efficiency for a growing number of customers around the world. Lucid is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fastest growing robotics manufacturer in the United States.

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TL;DR

This week, FORT Robotics raised $18.9 million to scale safety for autonomous systems, the FAA unveiled its long-awaited Part 108 BVLOS proposed rule, and Belgium launched a medical drone delivery trial to improve healthcare response.

FORT Robotics adds $18.9M in Series B funding for robotic safety

FORT Robotics has secured $18.9 million in Series B funding to expand its platform for securing and controlling autonomous machines across industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. The company specializes in safety-critical communication—ensuring that robots, vehicles, and other autonomous systems can be reliably stopped or reprogrammed in real time to prevent accidents. Their wireless safety controllers and “machine trust” platform are designed to work with a wide range of equipment, protecting both operators and infrastructure. With the new funding, FORT plans to scale its engineering teams, enhance its cloud capabilities, and expand global deployments.

Major Takeaway: As robots move into more dangerous and dynamic environments, trust and safety become non-negotiable. FORT’s tech tackles one of the biggest barriers to autonomy: ensuring machines can be instantly controlled when it matters most. Read More

FAA Publishes Part 108 Proposal for BVLOS Drone Operations

The FAA has released its long-awaited Part 108 proposal, creating a clear framework for routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights without case-by-case waivers. The rule shifts accountability from individual pilots to companies, introduces two authorization paths—permits for lower-risk missions and certificates for complex or high-density operations—and requires roles like Operations Supervisor and Flight Coordinator. It also mandates manufacturer-defined performance limits, detect-and-avoid tech in controlled airspace, and strict security and rest standards.

Major Takeaway: Part 108 moves BVLOS from experimental to scalable, enabling broader commercial drone use while setting high bars for safety, autonomy, and corporate responsibility. Read More

Medical drone delivery trials launched in Kempen, Belgium

Belgium has launched a pilot program in the Kempen region to test medical drone deliveries between hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories. The initiative, backed by the European Union and several healthcare and aviation partners, aims to speed up the transport of critical supplies like blood samples, medication, and medical equipment. The drones will follow designated flight corridors and are equipped with safety features to operate in populated areas while meeting strict European airspace regulations. If successful, the program could be expanded nationwide to improve healthcare logistics and emergency response times.

Major Takeaway: By cutting transport times for vital medical supplies, Belgium’s drone delivery trials could make healthcare faster, more efficient, and better prepared for emergencies. Read More

About Lucid Bots

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots is an AI robotics company that is committed to uplifting humanity by building the world's most productive and responsible robots that can do dangerous and demanding tasks. Headquartered in Charlotte, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, which include the Sherpa, a cleaning drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot. Lucid Bots' products are elevating safety and efficiency for a growing number of customers around the world. Lucid is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fastest growing robotics manufacturer in the United States.

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TL;DR:

Robotics funding is rebounding in 2025 as investors double down on AI-powered platforms like Raise Robotics and swarm-based aerospace systems that prove real-world utility beyond the lab.

Startup Funding For Robotics Rises In 2025

After a slower period in 2023, global investment in robotics startups is picking up momentum, reaching $4.2 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 10% year-over-year increase. This resurgence is largely fueled by a growing demand for AI-enabled robots capable of learning from data and adapting to complex tasks. Key sectors attracting this investment include logistics, manufacturing, and construction. Prominent companies like Apptronik (known for general-purpose humanoids), Figure (specializing in warehouse automation), and Covariant (focusing on AI for robot arms) are securing substantial funding rounds. This trend is supported by advancements in foundation models and increasing commercial interest in these technologies. However, analysts caution that the sector remains susceptible to economic challenges, and sustained growth will depend on successful real-world deployments and demonstrated customer return on investment (ROI).

Major Takeaway: Robotics funding is on an upward trend in 2025, particularly for ventures that combine AI and automation, with success largely determined by their proven practical utility rather than just impressive demonstrations. Read More

Raise Robotics Nets $7.75M in Seed Funding to Build Out Multipurpose Robot Platform

Raise Robotics has successfully secured $7.75 million in seed funding. This capital will accelerate the development of its multipurpose robot platform, which is designed to automate high-risk tasks on construction sites. Their initial focus is on steel connection fastening, one of construction's riskiest jobs. The system features a robotic arm mounted on a mobile base, equipped with sensors and computer vision capabilities, enabling it to adapt to the inherent variability of real-world job sites. This allows the robot to perform tasks such as bolting or inspecting structural connections. The platform also streamlines documentation processes in real-time by integrating with tools like Procore. With initial deployments already underway, Raise Robotics plans to scale its operations through a robot-as-a-service model, which permits contractors to lease units without incurring significant upfront costs.

Major Takeaway: Raise Robotics is directly addressing labor safety and efficiency challenges in the construction industry with versatile robots built to navigate the complexities of real-world construction environments. Their subscription-based model has the potential to facilitate the adoption of automation in an industry that has historically been resistant to such changes. Read More

Swarm Robotics Could Spell the End of the Aerospace Assembly Line

A novel approach to aerospace manufacturing is emerging, moving away from traditional conveyor belts towards swarms of small, collaborative robots. Researchers at institutions like the University of Groningen and other European entities are actively developing these collaborative robot swarms. These swarms are designed to work in unison to construct large aircraft structures, entirely without the need for traditional fixed tooling or conventional assembly lines. The robots are engineered to communicate, self-organize, and intelligently divide tasks such as drilling and fastening across an aircraft fuselage. The ultimate objective is to establish a more flexible and scalable production system that can readily adapt to new designs or part configurations without requiring costly retooling.

Major Takeaway: Swarm robotics has the potential to replace rigid aerospace assembly lines with decentralized, dynamic manufacturing teams, representing a significant stride towards more adaptive, software-defined factories. Read More

About Lucid Bots

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots is an AI robotics company that is committed to uplifting humanity by building the world's most productive and responsible robots that can do dangerous and demanding tasks. Headquartered in Charlotte, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, which include the Sherpa, a cleaning drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot. Lucid Bots' products are elevating safety and efficiency for a growing number of customers around the world. Lucid is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fastest growing robotics manufacturer in the United States.

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TL;DR

AI researchers say today’s models are early signs of general intelligence, students in DC are learning robotics through hands-on summer camps, and Elon Musk is focusing Tesla’s future on robotaxis and humanoid robots.

AI Researcher Says We’re Already Using “Sporks” of AGI

In his recent essay, Sergey Levine likens today’s AI models to sporks—blending narrow and general intelligence. They're flexible, adaptable, and kind of general. But they still need structure. Still need supervision. Still need humans.

That’s the gap between AGI theory and real-world robotics: abstraction vs. application.

If you want systems that can actually do work—on a roof, on a bridge, on a building—you need data from those real-world environments. Not lab environments. Not synthetic ones. The real thing.

Major Takeaway: Real-world robotics advances by doing, not theorizing—data from real jobs is the compounding edge that turns flexible tools into truly capable systems. Read More

At this summer camp, kids build soccer-playing, relay-racing robots

DC Public Schools hosted a free robotics summer camp where middle schoolers spent three weeks building and programming robots for a “Robot Olympics,” featuring events like robot soccer and cube sorting. The camp emphasizes hands-on learning, creativity, and fun—without grades or pressure—making it an inviting entry point into STEM. Students get meals, mentorship, and field trips, and even city leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser stopped by to show support. The program is part of a broader effort to expand access to CTE and STEAM education citywide.

Major Takeaway: DC’s free robotics camps are giving students early access to engineering and coding skills in a supportive, low-stress environment—setting the stage for a more inclusive future in tech. Read More

Elon Musk Tells Tesla Investors to Focus on a Future Filled With Robots

Tesla’s Q2 numbers showed a sharp drop in EV sales and profits, prompting Elon Musk to shift investor attention toward the company’s future in robotics and autonomous vehicles. Musk unveiled a pilot robotaxi program in Austin using human-supervised Model Ys, with plans to scale rapidly across U.S. cities pending regulatory approval. He also claimed Tesla will be building 100,000 Optimus humanoid robots per month within five years. Still, analysts remain skeptical, citing competition from Waymo, technical hurdles, and Tesla’s reliance on vision-only autonomy.

Major Takeaway: Tesla is betting its future on robotaxis and humanoid robots, but delivering on that promise will require overcoming major technical, regulatory, and competitive challenges. Read More

About Lucid Bots:

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots is an AI robotics company that is committed to uplifting humanity by building the world's most productive and responsible robots that can do dangerous and demanding tasks. Headquartered in Charlotte, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, which include the Sherpa, a cleaning drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot. Lucid Bots' products are elevating safety and efficiency for a growing number of customers around the world. Lucid is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fastest growing robotics manufacturer in the United States.