While backflipping humanoid robots are exciting to watch, there is a far more pragmatic reality, one where intelligent machines are integrated into the workforce to function alongside humans, performing repetitive, risk-prone tasks, and gathering business critical data while doing so.

Company expands autonomy software beyond cleaning systems to material handling, shelf analytics, commercial vacuums.

Successful launch in Japan and pilots in the U.S. spur expansion of autonomous cleaning system.

Brain Corp system to power an autonomous ride-on scrubber for the Factory Cat and Tomcat brands.

Demonstration automates the sorting of cleaned dishes from commercial conveyor washer.

Investors opened their wallets to help further development of robotics systems, mobile mapping technology, and industrial 3D printing platforms.

Startup says the next-generation home robot will include advanced sensing, navigation, and perception, opening up more in-home applications beyond cleaning.

Program for autonomous floor cleaning robots to expand to 360 stores by end of January 2019.

Retail and office cleaning robot vacuum will be smaller than larger industrial floor cleaners.

No tricks for these robotics, AI and autonomous vehicle startups, who received funding in the final days of October.

Neato Robotics Botvac Connected Series robot vacuums can now be controlled with Google Home. Not only can you use your voice and Google’s virtual assistant to start, stop and pause robot vacuums, you can schedule cleanings, check the vacuum’s battery level and more.

Starting in Q2 2017, iRobot will include Amazon Alexa voice control on any WiFi-enabled Roomba robot vacuum in the United States. The Alexa voice control will allow users to start, stop and pause their Roomba 960 or Roomba 980 by simply speaking to an Alexa-enabled device, such as the Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot.

LG made it clear at CES 2017 that it’s all in on robotics. The company introduced the Hub Robot, two robots for airports, a robot lawnmower and more.

Amazon Alexa voice control allows you to start, stop, pause, and resume the Botvac Connected’s cleaning cycle.

The Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum goes on sale in the United States on August 1, 2016 for $999. iRobot, which has dominated the robot vacuum market since 2002, isn’t worried about the stiff competition.

Robot promises to save a year’s worth of household labor, but no price, release date yet set.

A side-by-side comparison of the Dyson 360 Eye and iRobot Roomba 980 robot vacuums.

The Dyson 360 Eye robotic vacuum has a machine vision system that maps an entire room from a single camera lens and a lightweight digital motor that enhances battery life.

With the assistance of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, scientists are planning a series of brainstorming meetings to begin Nov. 7.

The robot, Little Moe, emits bright bursts of UV-C light capable of disinfecting an area from dangerous viruses and bacteria, including Ebola and Methicillin resistant Staph aureus.

The Dyson 360 Eye robotic vacuum has a machine vision system that maps an entire room from a single camera lens and a lightweight digital motor that enhances battery life. It can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app €” and reports on where it has been.