Top 10 robotics developments of 2024

The humanoid frenzy that began in 2023 continued throughout 2024. This year, six of our top 10 stories were about or mentioned humanoid robots. 

In addition to falling robot sales in North America, our readers were also interested in growing robotics communities in the U.S. and big trade shows. 

Here are the top 10 most popular stories on The Robot Report in 2024. Subscribe to The Robot Report Newsletter or listen to The Robot Report Podcast to stay up to date on the robotics developments you need to know about.

10. 1X unveils NEO Beta as it prepares to deploy humanoids into home pilots

When will humanoid robots be ready for household chores? While many robotics experts take a long view on the topic, 1X Technologies unveiled the NEO Beta prototype of its humanoid as it prepared for pilot deployments in select homes The company has been working on humanoids for more than a decade and has been an innovator since the introduction of the EVE robot, a predecessor to NEO, in 2017. Read more.

9. Chicago’s South Suburbs see the future of manufacturing as American and robotic

For decades, the Chicagoland area has played a pivotal role in U.S. manufacturing capability. Unfortunately, the once-strong bastion of manufacturing and fabrication has lost much of its fervor following years of economic stagnation, outmigration, and a declining tax base. However, as the global marketplace continues to evolve, American manufacturers must contend with an aging ownership base, greater competition, a more even playing field, and a severe labor shortage. Read more.

8. Five robotics startups Bill Gates is excited about

About $90 billion has been invested in robotics companies in the past five years, according to F-Prime Capital’s 2023 “State of Robotics Report.” With more than 1,250 companies currently within the industry, it can be hard to sift through them all to pinpoint the most exciting startups. However, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates shared five startups he thinks are making robots a reality. Read more.

7. Five robotics trends to expect in 2024

2023 was a year of great change within the robotics industry. We expect ripple effects from the latest booms in artificial intelligence and humanoid robots for years to come. Entering into 2024, a number of promising technologies and use cases are primed for growth. How did the experts do with their predictions? Read more.

6. Agtech startup Small Robot Company shuts down

Small Robot Co. shut down because it failed to get the funding needed to reach its next phase. The company entered liquidation after an extended battle for survival. Despite having a signed term sheet, the awaited investment failed to materialize before the agricultural technology startup’s financial runway ran out. Read more.

5. Unitree Robotics unveils G1 humanoid for $16k

Unitree Robotics unveiled its latest-generation G1 humanoid robot at ICRA 2024. The original Unitree H1 humanoid was first introduced in 2023 and made famous in a number of videos demonstrating its balancing and walking capabilities. The Unitree H1 was a popular demonstration at CES 2024, where the Unitree booth was slammed throughout the show. In April, the company brought the H1 to NVIDIA GTC and walked the robot through the crowded aisles. Read more.

4. Top 10 robots seen at CES 2024

CES 2024 featured a wide range of emerging technologies, from fitness devices and videogames to autonomous vehicles. But robots always have a significant presence in the sprawling exhibit halls. The Robot Report visited numerous booths in the Eureka Park section of CES, as well as in the other focused sections of the event. These are some highlights from the January event. Read more.

3. To make household robots widely available, it’s about actuators, not AI

Everyone wants universal household robots. For widespread adoption, they are going to have to have a price point that allows monthly financing or lease payments that are roughly similar to a car, suggesting that manufacturers will need to retail units in the neighborhood of $40,000 to get widescale uptake. Read more.

2. Anzu Robotics launches U.S.-based clone of DJI Mavic 3

While drones from SZ DJI Technology Co. arguably dominate the U.S. market for enterprise applications, Anzu Robotics is preparing to serve operators that might be affected by a ban on the Chinese-made systems. The DJI Matrice and DJI Mavic products both offer a wide range of sensor and payload options suitable for use in applications such as inspection, mapping, surveying, and search and rescue operations. Read more.

1. Watch Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid handle automotive struts

With the onslaught of humanoids that were introduced in 2023, it seems Atlas, the robot that set the stage for so much of today’s progress, has fallen out of the limelight. But on its YouTube channel, Boston Dynamics said, “Not so fast.” The company released a video showing its Atlas humanoid picking and placing automotive struts. Read more.

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