ROBOT
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s 10-year-old daughter vibe-codes several creations, including a messaging app, apps similar to GeoCities and a game inspired by FarmVille, with each project also featuring its own marketing and sales plan
Maxima Zuckerberg, daughter of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is interested in artificial intelligence and software development. She is currently experimenting with vibe-coding, which uses natural language to create software with AI tools. While her parents support her enthusiasm, they have imposed restrictions on developing online projects. Priscilla Chan specifically did not allow Maxima to create a dating website due to safety concerns.
AI to boost industrial robotics growth, but manufacturers may benefit less than customers: S&P Global
Artificial intelligence is anticipated to significantly enhance the long-term prospects of industrial robotics and automation. Manufacturers may experience reduced benefits compared to their customers, as equipment utilization increases. Global industrial robot installations have increased markedly, driven by labour shortages and productivity needs. AI improvements are projected to further expand automation capabilities before achieving full autonomy. However, the overall impact on manufacturers' profits remains uncertain due to competitive market dynamics.
Tesla to add Cybertruck shift to clear orders before dismantling line next year
Tesla plans to add an additional production shift to fulfill outstanding Cybertruck orders by next year. CEO Elon Musk stated that production would then transition to the Cybercab, a new robotaxi model. Despite initial expectations, Cybertruck sales fell significantly, affecting its market performance. Quality concerns and recalls have also impacted the Cybertruck since its launch in late 2023.
Tesla Cybertruck hits a dead end: Elon Musk's futuristic EV launched 4 years after unveiling, sold only 10% of his target, with its biggest buyer being another of the billionaire's companies
Elon Musk revealed that Tesla will halt Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas around mid-2027. The Cybertruck sold only 20,237 units last year, far below Musk's expectations of 250,000 units annually. Multiple delays and recalls significantly impacted the Cybertruck's journey since its unveiling in November 2019. Tesla plans to increase production of the Cybercab as part of its future strategy.
OP Mobility plans five new plants in India over next five years, commits ₹3,180 crore investment
French auto parts maker OP Mobility aims to open one manufacturing plant in India annually for five years. The company currently operates six plants in India, running at high utilisation with most in three shifts. OP Mobility has committed an investment of approximately 300 million to enhance its manufacturing capacity. It plans to expand its product range, including fuel tanks and exterior parts for vehicles.
ETtech Deals Digest: Eloelo leads as weekly funding rises to $142 million, down 35% on-year
Eloelo led deal activity with $80 million, followed by Peppermint Robotics at $10.6 million, altM at $10.3 million, Two Point O Capital at $10 million, and PowerUp Money at $10 million. Crane Venture Partners was among the most active investors, backing Peppermint Robotics and Armatrix. Omnivore invested in altM and Two Point O Capital, while Flourish Ventures backed PowerUp Money.
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A billionaire couple donated $50 million to UC Davis for agricultural research; in 2026, a 34,000-square-foot center opened in California
At the forefront of agri-tech innovation, the Resnick Center at the University of California, Davis, drives agricultural advancement with a strong focus on sustainability and research. Fueled by generous donations, it strives to elevate farming practices and enhance crop resilience. Current projects aim at transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, thereby reducing ecological footprints.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Robotics
China has blocked SoftBank’s $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB’s robotics business, disrupting the Japanese group’s AI-powered robotics expansion. The intervention highlights Beijing’s growing scrutiny of cross-border deals involving strategically important technologies.
Cosmoserve Space raises $6 million, sets up India's first space debris removal facility in Hyderabad
The facility comprises an orbital rendezvous and capture lab, a space robotics innovation lab, an ISO Class 8 satellite integration clean room and a mission simulation and control centre. It will enable the company to design, build and test robotic capture systems and develop capabilities for satellite servicing, including in-orbit repairs and refuelling.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robotics division: FT
Softbank had agreed to buy ABB's robotics business in October last year, as CEO Masayoshi Son sought to establish SoftBank as a core player in the development of artificial intelligence.
China blocks SoftBank's $5.4 billion takeover of ABB's robotics division: Report
China has informed Japanese investor SoftBank that it will block the $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB's robotics segment. This decision is driven by concerns about data transfer overseas for artificial intelligence training. SoftBank had hoped for approval after reaching an agreement last October. ABB's robotics business significantly relies on the Chinese market, contributing about 30% of its total operations.
India progressing towards sending its first human deep-sea mission to depth of up to 6,000 metres by 2028: Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Jitendra Singh outlined India's plans for deep-sea exploration and human spaceflight during the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026. India intends to conduct its first human deep-sea mission by 2028, reaching depths of up to 6,000 metres. The country focuses on enhancing its capabilities through collaboration among various scientific fields. The initiative reflects India's commitment to exploring and utilizing ocean resources strategically for economic benefits.
NASA space telescope plunges to Earth after two decades studying cosmic explosions
NASA's Swift Observatory has reentered Earth's atmosphere after more than two decades of effective research. Its mission, which began in 2004, far exceeded initial expectations by lasting 11 times longer than planned. A recent attempt to boost its orbit failed due to complications with a private rescue mission. Meanwhile, NASA is exploring options to save the Hubble Space Telescope, set to fall in the mid-2030s.
Ripik.ai in talks to raise Rs 150 crore from Gaja Capital
The startup deploys its hardware and software systems at large manufacturing and industrial units, including cement and steel plants, using cameras, sensors and proprietary AI models to monitor equipment, materials and production processes. It counts Accel and Venture Highway (now merged with General Catalyst) among its existing investors.
Big Tech barely moved after the midterms, but Tesla and SpaceX fell up to 5%, and even Tesla missed the solar rally: Did Elon Musk’s big bet on Republicans just backfire?
Tesla and SpaceX shares fell in premarket trading on Wednesday, Nov. 4: Today’s US stock futures pointed to a strong Wall Street opening, with Dow futures up nearly 800 points and S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures also in the green. However, Tesla and SpaceX moved in the opposite direction, falling more than 5% and nearly 8%, respectively, in premarket trading after the Democratic midterm victory. Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft gained, while Nvidia slipped slightly.
Peppermint Robotics raises Rs 100 crore led by pi Ventures, Crane Venture Partners
The company was founded in 2019 by Runal Dahiwade, and has raised Rs 150 crore to date. It also develops autonomous robots for material transportation and operates in nine countries. The US is its largest market, followed by India and western Europe, Dahiwade, who’s also the CEO, told ET.
TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026: This wheelchair drives like a self-driving car, with sensors, voice commands, and collision avoidance
The Strutt ev¹ stands out as a revolutionary invention, featuring an intelligent co-pilot navigation system that empowers users with unmatched independence. This electric wheelchair operates autonomously and adapts to diverse settings. Equipped with state-of-the-art robotics, sensors, and voice-activated controls, it offers unparalleled accessibility. Priced at $7,499, the Strutt ev¹ is available online, complemented by a test drive option.
Planning robotic surgery? Your health insurer may pay only 50% of the hospital bill: Know what to check
Robotic surgery is increasingly covered by health insurance in India, but not without complications. Despite having a high sum insured, policyholders must navigate sub-limits and exclusions that can significantly reduce payouts. Understanding these nuances before undergoing surgery is crucial to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when the final bill arrives.
SpaceX-Tesla merger could give Musk control without Mars, robotaxi milestones
Elon Musk's compensation packages at SpaceX and Tesla are tied to ambitious goals involving Mars and robotics. Recent discussions on a merger may provide Musk with greater voting control at Tesla. The current arrangement at SpaceX gives Musk significant voting rights without needing to achieve specified goals. Analysts suggest that Musk's plans may be adjusted post-merger to align with new market conditions.
Maxop Engineering buys majority stake in Faith Automation
Faith manages every stage of a project, from process planning and mechanical design through robot programming, system integration and on-site commissioning. It has revenues of around Rs 300 crore. Its clients include Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra and Stellantis. The company's founding team led by Nilesh Pandhare and six of his colleagues previously worked at Italian firm Comau, which was part of Stellantis.
China's robot makers have mastered the moves. Now comes the race for brains
The shift is fuelling an investment boom in embodied AI, a field focused on software that allows robots to understand their surroundings, learn unfamiliar tasks and adapt without having to be programmed for every job.
Uttar Pradesh to launch state Quantum Mission, steps up push for AI and robotics
The state of Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to launch a transformative Quantum Mission, poised to bolster its technology framework. By focusing on quantum technology within a broader digital transformation agenda, the initiative aims to ignite innovation. At the ETGovernment AI Vision Conclave, leading industry figures explored the adoption of AI, investment avenues, and workforce readiness.
Elon Musk says saving for retirement may become pointless. How AI and robots could change the future of money
Elon Musk envisions a future where breakthroughs in artificial intelligence lead to a surplus of goods and services. He suggests that, as a result, the concept of money could diminish in importance. Musk points out that saving for retirement may become obsolete as automation in production decreases costs and enhances availability, indicating that traditional retirement plans might soon be outdated.
Get $20 an hour to walk robot dogs, no work experience needed: San Francisco startup has an unusual job offer, but there is a catch
A San Francisco startup is offering $20 an hour to people willing to walk robot dogs through city streets. The job requires no previous experience and includes paid training, but workers must be prepared to carry the 33-pound machines back if they overheat or stop working. The unusual hiring exercise is part of Dimensional's effort to train AI systems to control robots and navigate real-world environments independently.
UP Cabinet approves robotics, AI park in Greater Noida
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the establishment of a robotics and AI park in Greater Noida. This park is expected to generate over one lakh jobs and significantly contribute to the state's economy. It will be developed in two zones, focusing on indigenous manufacturing and AI technology advancement. The first zone will operate under a public-private partnership model, aiming for commercial operations within 36 to 48 months.
Physical AI needs strict safety boundaries and interpretability: TorqueAGI founder Ashutosh Saxena
The Palo Alto based physical AI startup counts Rackhouse Venture Capital and Trucks Venture Capital as early backers and has active collaborations with firms like Nvidia. According to Saxena, the challenge is to make robots reason through their decisions while ensuring that mistakes do not cause physical harm.
Faraday Future's $89,000 AI robot makes NYC debut to learn human behavior - and potentially become a babysitter
A life-sized humanoid robot was recently showcased at Brooklyn Bridge Park, attracting visitors of all ages. Developed by Faraday Future, the robot sang, danced, and engaged with children during its public debut. The company's Chief Technology Officer emphasized plans for the robot to nurture and interact with humans effectively. While some potential applications include babysitting and companionship, these remain future possibilities.
Can a home robot help older adults with dementia? Hello Robot gets nearly $3 million to find out
Hello Robot has received nearly $3 million in federal research funding to study how its Stretch robot could help older adults with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s dementia. The three-year project will test the robot’s potential to support daily routines, social engagement and caregivers in homes and care settings.
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang asks these tiny robot ducks to sit, fall asleep and somersault and the adorable little Microducks do it all on command: What are the viral robots, how much do they cost, key features and more details
Microducks are new open-source robots created by Pollen Robotics and showcased by Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang. The robots generated significant interest and received over 20,000 preorders shortly after their demonstration. These devices perform various playful actions on command and are set to be delivered before Christmas. Their appeal extends to both children and adults, demonstrating versatility as a toy.
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