IJR News

Robotics ETF Holds 60 Companies Across AIBusiness — 3dInvestors can gain robotics and AI exposure through a global ETF concentrated in industrial automation and heavily weighted toward Japan and China, or through individual companies positioned for humanoid and “physical AI” growth. Suggested beneficiaries range from chipmaker Micron and Tesla to robotics and automation firms such as ABB, Teradyne, UiPath and Intuitive Surgical, though the humanoid-robot opportunity remains contingent on wider adoption.

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California Commission Orders Halt to Human-Robot Fight EventTech — 5dA San Francisco startup staged a human-versus-humanoid-robot cage match in which influencer Frankie LaPenna was knocked down by remotely piloted robots, prompting concern over the spectacle and its safety. California’s athletic commission said the unlicensed event violated state rules and ordered it halted, while REK argued that regulations covering matches between people do not apply to fights involving robots.

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Bermuda Team Plans Free Robotics Workshop for ChildrenTech — 6dConnectech Coding and Bermuda’s national robotics team, the Bermy Bots, will host a free robot-building and block-coding workshop for children ages 9 to 14 on October 17. Teens on the team will coach participants as they build robots and learn basic coding.

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FireFly Robotics Files for Proposed Nasdaq Direct ListingTech — 5dFireFly Robotics filed to list up to 27.1 million existing shares on Nasdaq as FFLY on Oct. 7, 2026, raising no proceeds after withdrawing a prior $29.3 million IPO plan.

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Kansas students modify 21 mobility cars for childrenTech — 2dHigh school robotics teams in Leawood, Kansas, modified ride-on toy cars for children with mobility disabilities, tailoring supports and controls to each child. Organizers say the cars promote independence, play and inclusion while giving students a chance to apply their skills to community needs.

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AP Top 25 College Football TeamsRankingCollege football fans argue endlessly over which programs deserve the top spots in the AP Poll based on wins, schedule strength, and legacy.

Figure gives F.02 robots fiery Terminator farewell in Finland — Oct 4, 2026California robotics company Figure retired its F.02 humanoid robots by melting them at a Finnish steel foundry, turning the disposal into a dramatic farewell inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s suggestion. Figure said the approach protected proprietary technology and spared engineers from dismantling the machines as it shifts to newer models.

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German RobCo Reaches $1B Valuation After Share Sale — Oct 5, 2026Munich-based robotics startup RobCo has topped a $1 billion valuation after an approximately $40 million share sale that lets employees cash out and brings in new and existing investors. The valuation roughly doubles its January level as the company scales its industrial automation business and prepares to launch its self-learning robot, Alfie.

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Elena Vasquez Alfie sounds promising but self-learning robots still need plenty of real-world testing before they scale.

Dinosaur Exhibits Span US MuseumsScience — 3dMuseums and attractions across the U.S. are drawing visitors with dinosaur exhibits, from lifelike robotic giants and interactive fossil activities to miniature, science-focused dioramas and fossil displays. The offerings combine family entertainment with paleontology education, while institutions such as Montana’s Museum of the Rockies also highlight major fossil collections and research.

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Boston Dynamics names Prasad CEOBusiness — 6dEx-Amazon Alexa chief Rohit Prasad takes Boston Dynamics CEO role October 7 as Hyundai targets 30,000 humanoid robots a year and a 2028 Georgia Atlas deployment.

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Danaher Plans AI Lab for Antibody Discovery in 2027 — 5dDanaher plans to launch an AI-powered autonomous laboratory at Abcam, combining robotics and technology from across the company to design, build and test antibodies and other molecular tools. Expected to operate at scale in early 2027, the lab aims to accelerate discovery up to eightfold and eventually produce nearly ten times more reagents, while scientists retain key decision-making roles.

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China Slows Humanoid-Robot IPOs Over Valuation Concerns — Sep 21, 2026Unitree Robotics shares surged more than fivefold on Shanghai debut then fell 55% from peak as regulators slow humanoid-robot IPOs over valuation concerns.

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Rachel Meyers Regulators are right to pause these IPOs after Unitree's wild surge and drop showed how overheated the valuations got.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Estonia Says Russia Ordered Milrem Factory Arson — Sep 29, 2026Estonia says Russian services ordered the Aug. 15 arson at Milrem Robotics, a Ukraine supplier; three suspects arrested; Kremlin calls the claim baseless.

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Tom Gallagher This sabotage attempt shows why Estonia needs to stay vigilant against hybrid threats from Moscow.

Humanoid robot sales total 7,000 as forecasts point to rapid growth — Sep 21, 2026About 7,000 humanoid robots sold worldwide in 2025 in the IFR's first industry-wide tally, as Bank of America projects 1.2 million shipments by 2030.

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Maya Lindstrom Seven thousand units this year already proves companies see real value in these robots for tough jobs.

Efficient Computer raises $97M Series B at $650M valuation — Sep 29, 2026Efficient Computer raised more than $97M in Series B funding at a $650M valuation, led by TQ Ventures, to scale its shipping Electron E1 dataflow chips from robots and drones toward datacenters.

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Toyota estimates $6.4B yearly automation spend for 400,000 robots — Sep 18, 2026Toyota estimates about $6.4B a year from 2028 for automation, with roughly 400,000 robots that could be deployed across its factories, group and suppliers.

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Priya Raman Smaller suppliers will have trouble matching that kind of robot rollout even if Toyota helps them with the technology.

Jim Carrey vs Adam SandlerYourlist — VS BattleRubber-faced mania versus deadpan slob comedy — two 90s comedy titans, two entirely different engines.

World’s Busiest Station Tests Robotic Bins — Sep 18, 2026Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is testing three mobile robotic trash bins to assist the overwhelmed sanitation staff amid reduced traditional bins, with trials running until late November and daily passenger flow exceeding 2.7 million. The slow-moving, about-1-meter-tall robots navigate crowds to collect waste, return to a collection point when full, and are evaluated for safety, navigation, and passenger engagement, drawing both concerns about efficiency and enthusiasm from tourists.

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Five Arrested Near RAF Fairford, 85 Homes Evacuated — Sep 27, 2026Five men arrested near RAF Fairford as a bomb disposal robot inspected three white vans—two with open rear doors and black barrels scattered—while 85 homes were evacuated.

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Jared Kim This shows we can't take security around US bases for granted with threats like explosives.

Global Race for Intelligent Robots IntensifiesTech — Sep 16, 2026A global race to build general-purpose robot intelligence and autonomous systems is accelerating, with US and Chinese firms pushing embodied robots and robotaxi-scale deployments that could redefine homes, factories, hospitals, and energy use, including a looming surge in electric-vehicle charging demand. At the same time, discussions—ranging from serious regulatory concerns to tongue-in-cheek warnings—underscore that safety, governance, and societal risks must accompany the rapid technological advances.

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Spacecraft reenters after failed bid to rescue aging NASA telescope — Sep 25, 2026Link reentered Friday, ending a $30 million NASA-sponsored bid by Katalyst's three-armed commercial robot to rescue the 22-year-old Swift Observatory.

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Maya Lindstrom It's a shame they couldn't grab the Swift with that robot arm before it burned up, after all that money spent.

Beijing Chaoyang Light, Arts Festivals OpenEntertainment — Sep 27, 2026Beijing is hosting a major light-and-arts festival, while Chinese choreographer Fang Zhenghua is combining street dance with traditional cultural elements and robotics. Other reports examine the potential upheaval of a Taiwan annexation, a U.S.-China summit that produced a temporary trade truce, and allegations that Hunan officials took money from a detained Shanghai technology executive without releasing him.

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Chinese EV Makers Reportedly Pursue Tech Sales — Sep 17, 2026After a 1.7 billion yuan Q2 loss, Li Auto seeks outside buyers for its 1,280-TOPS Mach chips; Xpeng plans tech offers beyond VW as its IRON robot walks off the line.

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Maya Lindstrom Xpeng letting its robot walk off the line shows real progress but offering tech to outsiders could help them recover faster than VW alone.

Portland, London weigh robotaxi controlsAuto — 1dPortland is weighing strict robotaxi rules, including fleet caps, testing requirements, safety and data reporting, and a fee to support affected drivers, while rideshare workers warn of job losses and safety risks. In London, an Assembly committee has proposed giving TfL stronger authority over permits and fleet caps from 2027, with tougher safety and accessibility standards and worker protections; the recommendations are not yet policy.

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Waymo Launches Robotaxis in 15th U.S. City — Sep 14, 2026Waymo launched paid, fully autonomous robotaxi rides in Las Vegas, its 15th U.S. city, starting in a 24-mile zone around the Strip.

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Maya Lindstrom Las Vegas traffic is brutal so having driverless cars available for tourists sounds like a smart move.

Tesla Plans First Cybercab Display in EuropeTech — 6dTesla will show its steering-wheel-free Cybercab robotaxi at the Paris Motor Show, its first European display, as it seeks to build momentum for a potential European rollout. The showcase advances Tesla’s autonomy ambitions, but commercial service will depend on technical progress and regulatory approvals; separately, a growing Cybercab presence in Houston has fueled speculation that the city could be the next U.S. launch market after Austin.

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