From Ocean Depths to Factory Floors: Robotics Innovations Shaping the Future

TL:DR: nature-inspired marine robots showcase eco-friendly exploration, BYD enters the humanoid robotics race with advanced AI integration, and ABB Robotics names T-Robotics and Mbodi as winners of its AI Startup Challenge, driving innovation in intuitive industrial automation.

1. Robots that mimic marine life

The deployment of bio-inspired underwater robots, modeled after sea creatures and penguins, is revolutionizing marine exploration. These advanced robots, equipped with cutting-edge technology, efficiently gather vast amounts of underwater data—a task that once demanded considerable effort. Beyond data collection, they are also playing a growing role in identifying and preventing acts of sabotage in marine environments, showcasing their versatility and critical importance in safeguarding underwater ecosystems and infrastructure.

Major takeaway: Nature-inspired robots are not only a testament to engineering ingenuity but also a step forward in creating tools for underwater exploration that align with the environment's needs.

2. Breaking Boundaries: BYD Enters the Humanoid Robotics Arena! Innovation is Here

BYD, a major player in electric vehicles, is making its debut in humanoid robotics. The company is forming an Embodied Intelligence Research Team and investing $13.7 billion in AI and robotics. It has already begun deploying humanoid robots, such as UBTech’s Walker S1, in its factories to handle tasks like quality inspections and assembly. This move aims to improve manufacturing efficiency, address labor shortages, and enhance its technological competitiveness.

Major takeaway: BYD’s entrance into humanoid robotics highlights its commitment to innovation, leveraging advanced AI to revolutionize manufacturing and secure its position as a tech leader.

3. ABB Robotics names T-Robotics and Mbodi as AI Startup Challenge Winners

ABB Robotics has announced T-Robotics and Mbodi as the winners of its 2024 AI Startup Challenge, selected from over 100 global applicants for their groundbreaking AI solutions in industrial robotics.

T-Robotics has developed physical AI models that enable operators to program robots through natural conversation, significantly reducing programming time while ensuring precision across various manufacturing scenarios.

Mbodi offers an AI platform that allows robots to learn and adapt to new tasks in real time through written and spoken natural language and demonstration, enhancing flexibility in high-mix, low-volume production environments.

Each winner will receive $30,000 in project funding and collaborate with ABB's technology experts to develop market-ready solutions, with plans to launch their first commercial applications in 2025.

Major takeaway:  ABB's collaboration with innovative startups like T-Robotics and Mbodi underscores its commitment to advancing AI-driven industrial robotics, aiming to create more intuitive, adaptable, and efficient automation solutions for the future.

About Lucid Bots: 

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots Inc. 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 4th fastest growing manufacturing company in the United States.