RBR picks the top news events from the past year around robots, drones, and automation efforts

From London to Venice, European swarm research around robots and drones is more than an academic exercise. It could provide the continent leadership in autonomous applications.

As more aerial drones are used for public safety and first response applications, the key for public support will be education and transparency, a survey suggests.

Sales galore being offered for holiday shoppers on robot vacuums, aerial drones, and robot toys.

Agriculture, drone systems, and mobile robot makers scoop up investments around the world.

What are the implications of the UAE turning to AI for oil and gas production? This week, we also look at Malta’s bid for AI leadership and British military robots.

Startup challenges to address 5G concepts and autonomous drone detection and sensors.

In this week’s global roundup, we look at how Australia is following China’s example in using facial recognition for internal security. Also, is Industry 4.0 dying in Germany?

Fifth acquisition marks another market for Raleigh, N.C., drone technology firm.

How a video game company pivoted its real-time drone software to help in search and rescue operations.

It’s Halloween 2018, so grab your treat bag as we present robots that ‘died’ this year, as well as ones that creep us out. Bonus! How to make a robot costume!

U.S. jobs in some regions could be more vulnerable to displacement from automation than others, having a direct affect on elections. And the governments of Taiwan and Iran look to artificial intelligence for new applications.

In this roundup, we look at how European drone regulations are developing, even as the market grows and innovators strive for new applications.

At Impossible Aerospace, creating a two-hour drone battery life and manufacturing in the USA was not impossible.

FAA reauthorization bill changes and LAANC deployment completion will likely spur more commercial drone testing.

Japan and China are collaborating on a number of automation initiatives, but how does that affect their geopolitical rivalry? Plus, Germany wants a DARPA-like agency for cybersecurity.

Consolidation continues in the surgical robot space, and aerial drone makers have one of those good news, bad news moments.

In an exclusive Q&A, CEO Oren Elkayam shares Mobilicom’s successes in commercial and industrial drone deployments.

The new FLA series of actuators will be on display at Harmonic Drive’s booth at RoboBusiness in Silicon Valley this week.

While the jury is out on the effects of Chinese tariffs and South Korean AI investments on U.S. automation, robotics companies and customers must be ready for changes.

Not only can persistent drones such as PARC relay communications during emergencies; they are also serving security and commercial needs now, explains CyPhy Works CEO Lance VandenBrook.

Startups in the AI, robotics, and unmanned system space all saw financing in recent weeks.

India’s policies that ban foreign drone pilots within the country indicate another step towards protecting its citizens from foreign influence.

As robots spread quickly into multiple industries, the need for automation safety to be part of companies’ adoption plans also grows.

Chinese AI startups are an indicator of the nation’s ambitions to beat the U.S. Also, should the U.N. ban autonomous weapons, or could such systems help smaller countries defend themselves?