Philip English - Robotics Consultancy, Robot Consultant, Robot, Automation Consultancy, and AI Consultancy,

21/04/202521/04/2025

Humanoid Robots Run – World’s First Half Marathon in Beijing

Humanoid Robots Run – World’s First Half Marathon in Beijing

On Saturday morning 19^th April 2025, just outside Beijing, the starter pistol fired—and 20 humanoid robots took their first steps into the history books. This wasn’t science fiction. It was the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon.

Side by side with human runners, these mechanical athletes tackled 21 kilometers of asphalt, slopes, puddles—and a lot of engineering nerves. Teams hovered nearby like pit crews, swapping batteries and crossing fingers.

Leading the charge was Tien Kung, a 1.8-meter bot in an orange vest, known for climbing 100 steps and surviving countless field tests… until its leg gave out mid-race. A quick reboot, and it was back on its feet—like a true marathoner.

Not every robot made it. One collapsed at 100 meters. Another took a detour into the railings. But six bots crossed the finish line, cheered on by engineers, fans, and one very patient pace car.

It wasn’t just a race. It was a glimpse into the future—where endurance meets innovation, and robots start learning what it really means to go the distance.

And that’s your robot news update for today!
If you’re curious about how robotics can transform your business, join me for the weekly Live Robot Optimise Workshop — it’s packed with insights, trends, and practical tips. Don’t forget to subscribe so you stay in the loop with all the latest updates.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

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18/04/202518/04/2025

Autonomous Dairy Tractors – Monarch & DFA Team Up

Autonomous Dairy Tractors – Monarch & DFA Team Up

Monarch Tractor has teamed up with Dairy Farmers of America to bring cutting-edge, autonomous technology to dairy farms across the U.S.

The MK-V Dairy tractor is 100% electric, self-driving, and built for feed-pushing. With this partnership, DFA’s 9,500 farmer-owners can access exclusive discounts through the Members Savings Network — helping them reduce labor costs, cut emissions, and save on diesel.

This isn’t just a tractor — it’s a smart, connected machine that keeps getting better with software updates. It can even act as a mobile power wall, bringing clean, quiet energy wherever it’s needed on the farm.

Monarch says the MK-V is unlocking greater efficiency, more precise data, and yes — even better milk production.

It’s a big step forward in sustainable farming, and DFA is making sure its members have the tools to thrive in a tech-driven future.

To learn more or grab the discount, DFA members can simply log into their myDFA account.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

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18/04/202518/04/2025

Cosmic Robotics Raises $4M – Automating Solar Installation

Cosmic Robotics Raises $4M – Automating Solar Installation

Cosmic Robotics has just secured $4 million to bring construction into the 21st century—starting with solar energy. Their mission? Use AI-driven robots to speed up solar installation and help tackle America’s $9.1 trillion infrastructure gap.

Their first robot, the Cosmic-1A, is purpose-built for large-scale solar projects. It handles the heavy lifting—literally—cutting labor costs and more than doubling productivity on-site. No more delays from labor shortages or manual bottlenecks.

Powering it all is Particle, Cosmic’s proprietary AI platform. It processes real-time data to automate quality checks, track assets, and keep projects running smoothly—even in heat, rain, or good old-fashioned construction site mud.

The team behind Cosmic comes from heavyweights like SpaceX, NASA, Google, and Built Robotics. CEO James Emerick, who grew up on construction sites, says it best: it’s time to upgrade the tools we’ve been using for 50 years.

Backed by Giant Ventures and other top investors, Cosmic Robotics is laying the foundation for the next generation of infrastructure—starting with solar, but thinking far beyond.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

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16/04/202516/04/2025

Protoclone – The Humanoid Robot with 1,000 Muscles

Protoclone – The Humanoid Robot with 1,000 Muscles

Meet Protoclone, the world’s most anatomically accurate humanoid robot, developed by Clone Robotics—and it’s flexing more than just muscles.

Unlike conventional robots, Protoclone mimics the human skeletal, muscular, vascular, and nervous systems using advanced synthetic components. It features over 1,000 Myofiber artificial muscles, 500 sensors, and more than 200 degrees of freedom, allowing for incredibly lifelike, dynamic motion.

Powered by soft, water-based actuators—rather than rigid motors—Protoclone’s design marks a huge leap in biomimetic robotics. Its Myofibers respond in under 50 milliseconds, contract over 30%, and generate serious force—replicating real human muscle performance.

This bipedal android is built from a full 206-bone skeletal structure, complete with artificial ligaments and connective tissue. It sees with depth cameras, senses with inertial and pressure sensors, and is controlled by a spinal microcontroller network and an NVIDIA Jetson Thor GPU running a cutting-edge AI model called Cybernet.

Protoclone isn’t designed to tidy your house—it’s built to redefine what robots can be, by moving, sensing, and eventually thinking like a human.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

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15/04/202515/04/2025

Hugging Face Acquires Pollen – Unleashing Reachy 2

Hugging Face Acquires Pollen – Unleashing Reachy 2

Hugging Face, the open-source AI powerhouse, is stepping into the world of physical robots. They’ve just acquired Pollen Robotics, the team behind Reachy 2 — a friendly, bug-eyed humanoid robot with two arms and a knack for picking up coffee mugs.

The mission? To bring open source to robotics, making it easier for developers to download, modify, and improve robot designs — both in software and hardware. Think of it as giving the world LEGO-style robots, but with AI brains.

Hugging Face’s CEO, Clément Delangue, says transparency is critical — especially when machines are moving around our homes and workplaces. You want to know what’s going on under the hood, right?

Of course, humanoid robots still have a long way to go — they’re not quite ready to make your breakfast just yet. But with an open approach, Hugging Face hopes to accelerate innovation, making robotics more accessible and collaborative.

Because when everyone can contribute, progress moves faster — and maybe, just maybe, your future robot assistant will be community-built and open-sourced.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

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14/04/202514/04/2025

World’s First Robot Boxing Match – Unitree G1 Showdown

World’s First Robot Boxing Match – Unitree G1 Showdown

Robotics company Unitree has just announced a world first: a live-streamed boxing match between two humanoid robots. Yes, you heard that right—robot boxing is no longer science fiction.

The stars of the show? Most likely Unitree’s G1 robots—compact, agile, and ready to throw some serious digital jabs. There’s also talk that their larger H1 model could make an appearance—taller, stronger, and already known for its dancing and kung fu skills.

In a promo video, we see the G1 sparring with both a human and another robot. Sure, it’s not quite Muhammad Ali just yet, but the G1 can take a hit and bounce back impressively. The reactions are still a little slow—but hey, so are mine before coffee.

The event, dramatically titled ‘Unitree Iron Fist King: Awakening!’, is expected to take place within the month. And while details are still under wraps, one thing’s clear—this is a big step in showcasing the physical intelligence of humanoid robots.

So, mark your calendars. The age of robot sports is officially here.

And that’s your robot news update for today!
If you’re curious about how robotics can transform your business, join me for the weekly Live Robot Optimise Workshop — it’s packed with insights, trends, and practical tips.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you stay in the loop with all the latest updates.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

Sponsors:-

Robot Center: – https://robotcenter.co.uk/ – Buy Robot, Robot Buy, Robot consultancy, Robotics Consultancy

Robots of London: – https://robotsoflondon.co.uk/ – Robot Hire, Robot Rental, Rent Robot, Hire Robot, Robot Events

Robot Philosophy: – https://robophil.com/ – Robot Consultancy AND Robot Recruitment, Robot Advice, Robot Insights, Robot Ideas

11/04/202511/04/2025

Samsung Ballie – Launches with Gemini AI

Samsung Ballie – Launches with Gemini AI

After years of teasing, Samsung is finally rolling out its Ballie robot this summer in the US and Korea — and this time, it’s bringing some serious brainpower, thanks to a partnership with Google’s Gemini AI.

Originally revealed back in 2020, Ballie has had a few makeovers along the way, but its latest version made a splash at CES 2024. Now, Samsung says it’s ready for prime time.

With Gemini onboard, Ballie won’t just follow you around — it’ll actually understand you. Ask, “Hey Ballie, how do I look?” and it can process your image and give fashion tips. Whether you take that advice is up to you.

Feeling tired? Ballie can recommend sleep tips, light exercise, or other ways to recharge — all using a mix of Gemini’s AI smarts and Samsung’s own models to interpret voice, visuals, and sensor data in real-time.

And let’s not forget Ballie’s other tricks: projecting videos, playing music, answering calls, and even checking in on your pets when you’re out.

So, whether you need a style consultant, a wellness coach, or just a helpful little sphere rolling around your home — Ballie’s got you covered.

And that’s your robot news update for today!
If you’re curious about how robotics can transform your business, join me for the weekly Live Robot Optimise Workshop — it’s packed with insights, trends, and practical tips.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you stay in the loop with all the latest updates.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

Sponsors:-

Robot Center: – https://robotcenter.co.uk/ – Buy Robot, Robot Buy, Robot consultancy, Robotics Consultancy

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Robot Philosophy: – https://robophil.com/ – Robot Consultancy AND Robot Recruitment, Robot Advice, Robot Insights, Robot Ideas

09/04/202509/04/2025

AI Battlefield Robots – To Be Built in the UK

AI Battlefield Robots – To Be Built in the UK

The UK is about to welcome a new kind of recruit to the battlefield—autonomous land drones, built right here on British soil.

German defence tech company ARX Robotics is investing £45 million into a new facility in southwest England. This high-tech hub will produce drones designed for reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and transport, helping to keep soldiers safer by taking on some of the riskiest jobs.

At the heart of this project is the Gereon ground drone—a rugged little powerhouse that can carry up to 500kg, travel 25 miles, and keep going for 72 hours on a single charge. All controlled via tablet—no joystick wizardry required.

The new facility will also work on upgrading existing armoured vehicles with autonomous tech, giving the UK Armed Forces a faster, more cost-effective route to modernisation.

With battlefield tech evolving rapidly—especially in response to the war in Ukraine—this move positions the UK at the forefront of defence innovation. As one general put it: “Why send a man where a machine can go?”

The future of defence? Smart, scalable, and soon… proudly made in Britain.

And that’s your Robot news update for today! Don’t forget to join me for my weekly Live Robot Optimise Workshop if you’re interested in learning more about robotics and the latest trends for businesses. Also, make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss out on future updates.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

Sponsors:-

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08/04/202508/04/2025

Kawasaki CORLEO – Rideable Hydrogen Robot Wolf

Kawasaki CORLEO – Rideable Hydrogen Robot Wolf

Kawasaki has just unveiled a bold new prototype—a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robot named CORLEO. Inspired by wolves and agile animals like deer and panthers, CORLEO is designed to be ridden by humans across rough, uneven terrain.

Unveiled ahead of the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, this futuristic robot responds to the rider’s body movements instead of traditional controls. Lean left, it moves left. Lean forward, it powers ahead. Think horseback riding—but with AI, hydraulics, and a heads-up display.

Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and 150cc engine, CORLEO reflects Kawasaki’s push toward clean energy and next-gen mobility. It’s still a concept, so we don’t know the top speed or range yet—but the vision is clear: a rideable robot for off-road adventure.

With autonomous legs, advanced navigation systems, and design influences from video games like Horizon Zero Dawn, CORLEO might just be the future of off-road travel. And yes, it looks just as cool as it sounds.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

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07/04/202507/04/2025

SPROUT Robot – MIT’s Soft Robot for Search and Rescue

SPROUT Robot – MIT’s Soft Robot for Search and Rescue

Meet SPROUT – the Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit from MIT and the University of Notre Dame. It’s a vine-like robot designed to squeeze through tight spaces in disaster zones to help emergency responders.

When buildings collapse, responders often face dangerous and exhausting conditions searching for survivors. SPROUT can take on some of that burden. It inflates and “grows” through rubble, navigating tight gaps where traditional robots struggle, all while sending back images and maps.

Think of it as a high-tech vine with a camera — not exactly your average houseplant.

The robot is joystick-operated, lightweight, and currently stretches up to 10 feet, with plans to expand that to 25. The design wasn’t without challenges — researchers had to engineer just the right air pressure and friction control to make it move precisely.

Tested with real rescue teams in Massachusetts, SPROUT is already proving it could be a valuable tool in emergencies — and maybe one day, in places like aircraft maintenance or infrastructure inspection.

A flexible robot that helps save lives? That’s a pretty good twist on the phrase growing into the job.

I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy, and I’ll see you next time!

Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/workshop

Sponsors:-

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