Rebl signs deal with H&M, Ikea, Boston Dynamics, Toyota show LBM use, and more
Daily brief on news from the world of autonomous mobile robots.
H&M and IKEA sign robotics deal with Sweden’s Rebl Industries
Rebl Industries, a Swedish robotics firm, signed framework agreements with H&M and IKEA to deploy AI-powered robots-as-a-service in their warehouses, the robotics company said in a press release. These robots automate repetitive tasks like sorting and palletising, enhancing efficiency and reducing employee strain. H&M has already implemented them in Sweden, and more locations are planned. Led by new CEO Nicholas Tengelin, Rebl aims to scale globally, offering performance-based, flexible automation to industries previously limited by traditional robotics models.
Boston Dynamics and Toyota debut Atlas robot with advanced AI control
Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute have advanced the Atlas humanoid robot, enabling autonomous whole-body manipulation and locomotion via Large Behavior Models (LBMs), Boston Dynamics said in a blog post. Atlas now rapidly learns and performs complex tasks—packing, sorting, and adapting to unexpected challenges—without hand-programming. This collaboration demonstrates how LBMs allow robots to generalize and add new skills quickly from human demonstrations, paving the way for general-purpose robotic assistants that can function smoothly in existing real-world environments.
QPT’s MicroDyno launches to transform collaborative robot motor drives
QPT unveiled MicroDyno, a low-voltage test platform using ultra-high frequency GaN-based motor drives for collaborative robots, according to The Robot Report. Operating at 1 MHz, MicroDyno delivers true sine wave voltage, enabling real-time torque correction and high-fidelity sensorless diagnostics. The platform’s compact design reduces cost and complexity by eliminating external sensors and expensive shielding. AI-ready, it supports smooth, precise robot movements and predictive maintenance. MicroDyno’s technology is scalable to higher voltages and industrial applications.
Gates and Nvidia-backed Field AI raises $405 million, hits $2B valuation
Field AI, a two-year-old robotics startup backed by Bill Gates, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, raised $405 million in oversubscribed funding rounds, reaching a $2 billion valuation, CNBC reports. The Irvine-based company develops advanced “software brains” for robots to operate autonomously across sectors like construction and logistics. Their technology enables diverse robotic systems to work in complex environments, addressing labor shortages and efficiency needs. Field AI has rapidly expanded its workforce to meet rising demand.
Nuro closes $203M Series E to scale AI-first autonomous tech, partnerships
Nuro Inc. raised $203 million in a Series E round, valuing the company at $6 billion, the company said in a press release. The funds will scale Nuro’s AI-first self-driving technology and expand global commercial partnerships, including recent deals with Uber and Lucid to deploy 20,000 autonomous vehicles by 2026. New investors include Uber, NVIDIA, Icehouse Ventures, and Kindred Ventures. Nuro is shifting its focus to licensing its Nuro Driver platform, aiming to deliver autonomy at global scale.
