Robots are moving from R&D labs to the real world. Dongfeng is using humanoids on its car assembly line. Nvidia is all-in on humanoids and AVs as the next big wave. And Google just gave developers a powerful AI sidekick with Gemini CLI. The future of automation is unfolding right now — and it's getting more capable by the day.
Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor has deployed humanoid robots developed by UBTech on its assembly lines to handle tasks such as checking seatbelts, inspecting doors, filling oil, and applying labels. These robots, called Walker S, are equipped with high-resolution sensors and dexterous hands, enabling them to perform precision quality assurance. This move reflects a growing trend in China to use robotics to address labor shortages and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Major takeaway: Humanoid robots are no longer experimental—they’re now performing real work on factory floors, signaling a significant shift in how industries address labor challenges and scale production. Read more
At Nvidia’s 2025 shareholder meeting, CEO Jensen Huang spotlighted robotics—particularly humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles—as the company’s next major frontier after AI. He introduced Isaac GR00T N1, a new open-source foundation model built to accelerate humanoid robot development. Companies like Neura Robotics and 1X Technologies are already leveraging this tool, pointing to its real-world potential in speeding up innovation.
Major takeaway: Nvidia is staking its future beyond AI on robotics, with humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles at the heart of its vision for what’s next. Read more
Google has introduced Gemini CLI, an open-source AI tool that brings advanced Gemini capabilities directly to the developer terminal. Built on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, it supports a massive 1 million token context window for tasks like writing code, debugging, generating content, and conducting deep research. It also integrates with services like Gemini Code Assist, Google Search, and image/video generation tools (Veo and Imagen). Available in preview, developers can access it for free with generous usage limits.
Major takeaway: Gemini CLI delivers powerful AI tools straight to the command line, transforming how developers build, research, and create at scale. Read more
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.