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IEEE Spectrum's profile series features Charlie Kemp, cofounder and CTO of Hello Robot, maker of the Stretch mobile manipulator. Kemp holds multiple MIT degrees, previously worked on humanoid robots and assistive technology for older adults and people with disabilities, and describes engaging with the community of researchers using Stretch robots.
A software developer documents an experiment in robotics after nine months of intensive LLM-assisted coding, purchasing a preassembled SO-101 robot arm kit for $415 and adding a $50 webcam. He repurposed an eight-year-old Raspberry Pi 3 found in a drawer to help control the setup, aiming to give his children a tangible, hands-on project after failed attempts to interest them in building video games.
Farmers and researchers are deploying four-legged robots equipped with thermal sensors, cameras and AI vision models not just to guard high-value crops but to gather detailed data on plant health. Volkswagen has used robotic sheep to study agrivoltaics at a Polish solar farm, illustrating how the technology is spreading beyond simple security patrols.
Dreame's X50 Ultra, a robot vacuum and mop hybrid that can climb thresholds up to 6 centimeters tall, is discounted to $899.99 for Amazon Prime members, down from a list price of $1,599.99. The device is available for even less, $849.99, through a free account on Dreame's own website. Originally launched in early 2025, the X50 Ultra features extending mop pads and a self-emptying bin Dreame says can go up to 100 days without maintenance.
A hands-on review of Mova's LiDAX Pro 800 robotic lawn mower found it performs comparably to similar small-yard robomowers on the market. However, the reviewer reported the device had poor object avoidance, at one point nearly driving into them during testing.
Researchers at ETH Zurich's Soft Robotics Lab have built a robotic hand detached from any arm or body, capable of crawling across surfaces and balancing its own weight using its five fingers. The device manipulates objects and moves using only its digits, without the wrist and arm assembly typical of conventional robotic hands.
A federal procurement notice reviewed by ABC News shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement intends to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics' SPOT robots, each priced around $120,000 with an extendable arm. The filing states the robots would provide remote inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment capabilities in risky environments. This follows earlier reporting that ICE sought $20 million worth of electric shock gloves.
A team at ETH Zurich's Soft Robotics Lab has built an off-the-shelf anthropomorphic robotic hand that can walk on its fingertips across multiple surfaces and type on a keyboard while supporting its own weight. The researchers say they largely avoided modifying the hand's fingers or built-in position controller, instead training the robot's behavior, though some physical modifications were needed for it to operate independently.
Amazon has discounted the iRobot Roomba 505 vacuum-and-mop combo to $469.99, down from its $999.99 list price, a $530 reduction. The deal is limited to Amazon Prime members, who can also sign up for a free 30-day trial to access it.
San Francisco startup PitPro Automation has installed a robotic tire-changing system in a Calgary tire shop, using two cube-shaped robots on a track with sensors and robotic arms to locate and store lug nuts. The company says the machine can complete a full tire swap in about 15 minutes, and it plans to expand into standardized chain stores and the broader Canadian market.
Feather Robotics, founded in 2025 by Hoa Mai and Parsa Bakhtiari, has launched a modular robotic hardware system that developers can customize and run with third-party AI models. The startup, backed by a previously announced $7.6 million pre-seed round from Gradient Ventures, says it has already surpassed $1 million in revenue selling small quantities of robots for uses including restaurant cooking in Japan and cleaning science labs.
Amazon has discounted the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo to $279.99 from its $1,299.99 list price, a 78% reduction and an all-time low. The device combines vacuuming and mopping with a self-emptying, self-cleaning base that can go up to 60 days without manual maintenance, plus LiDAR navigation and room mapping. The discount requires an Amazon Prime membership, which is available via a free 30-day trial.