Six Degrees of Robotics

A new op-ed by Robert D. Atkinson, founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), argues that the United States is lagging far behind China in industrial robot adoption — despite higher labor costs that should make automation more attractive. Atkinson explores why this paradox exists, pointing to: 🤖 China’s state-driven “robot obsession,” complete with subsidies and administrative mandates. 💸 America’s “capital-lite” corporate culture, driven by Wall Street’s focus on short-term returns. 📉 A worrying lack of awareness among U.S. manufacturers — with 76% saying robots are “not applicable” or “unknown” to their business. He warns that without a shift in mindset and policy, U.S. manufacturing productivity will continue to stagnate — leaving China with both lower labor costs and higher productivity. Read his full op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/eSt-nX-M

Locus Robotics announced its strongest growth in recent quarters, crediting accelerating adoption of “physical AI”—the integration of intelligent robotics with real-world execution. The company recently surpassed 6 billion robot-assisted picks, just 24 weeks after hitting 5 billion. CEO Rick Faulk said customers such as Staples Canada are seeing rapid ROI, achieving 1 million picks within 70 days of launch. The company’s LocusONE platform orchestrates fleets of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) across 350 sites and 150 customers worldwide, handling workflows from picking to pack-out under a Robotics-as-a-Service model. Locus reported 30–40% year-over-year growth, reaching 45 million picks per week and aiming for 60 million by Q4. Its 6 billionth pick occurred at The Quality Group GmbH in Germany, its largest EMEA site. The AI-powered LocusONE platform continuously optimizes robot throughput and fleet performance, helping customers manage labor shortages and peak demand. With tens of thousands of robots across North America, EMEA, and APAC, Locus operates one of the world’s largest AMR fleets. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZy_v-5Y

New in Six Degrees of Robotics: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘀 When a shelf-stocking robot in Tokyo drops a can, the person who fixes it might be sitting in Manila. That’s not science fiction — it’s the new reality of teleoperated work. In our latest Six Degrees of Robotics deep dive, we explore how humans in one country are now “embodied” through robots in another, how this model is reshaping global labour, and what it means for safety standards, sovereignty, and digital work ethics. From Japanese convenience stores to remote operation centers in the Philippines and India, teleoperation is quietly redrawing the map of globalisation — one robot arm at a time. 👉 What happens when physical labour becomes digital? 👉 Who is responsible when a remote robot fails? 👉 And how should international standards adapt to a workforce that moves at the speed of a signal? Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eWMaGt-p 💬 Drop your thoughts below — is teleoperation a bridge to global opportunity, or a new layer of digital outsourcing?

Nike has unveiled Project Amplify, a powered footwear system designed to help everyday runners and walkers go faster and farther with less effort. Developed with robotics partner Dephy, the shoe integrates a lightweight motor, drive belt, and battery cuff into a carbon fiber–plated shoe, augmenting natural ankle motion like an “extra set of calf muscles.” Informed by research from the Nike Sport Research Lab, the system aims to make movement more accessible — helping users sustain longer runs or commutes, much like e-bikes have transformed cycling. Early tests with 400 athletes over 2.4 million steps show the system can make uphill running feel like flat ground and improve pace by up to two minutes per mile. Still in testing, Project Amplify marks Nike’s entry into “physical AI,” blending robotics and biomechanics to redefine sport. Nike plans a consumer launch in the coming years as part of its broader innovation push across apparel, cooling tech, and cognitive performance. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFZdBtu8

The U.S. has launched a national security investigation into imports of robotics and industrial machinery, including certain medical devices, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, according to Bloomberg. The Department of Commerce began the inquiry on Sept. 2 and has 270 days to issue recommendations, potentially paving the way for new tariffs that could impact U.S. manufacturing reshoring efforts. The probe covers stamping and pressing systems, milling machines, and computer-controlled mechanical systems, with medical devices receiving separate attention. A3 President Jeff Burnstein shared the five-page inquiry on LinkedIn, noting a 21-day response window that A3 is currently addressing. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQeRE9Gn

Milton Keynes City Council has received £775,000 from the UK’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund to launch RoboPASS, a licensing system for safely integrating multi-purpose robots into public spaces. Partnering with Smart City Consultancy and national regulators, the city will develop a scalable model for robotics deployment across the UK. The initiative builds on earlier drone-regulation work and positions Milton Keynes as a national leader in smart city innovation—enhancing public services, reducing costs, and attracting private investment and jobs through its emerging Smart City Testbed. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e27bDf66

The robotics industry continues its long boom, fueled by AI advances and growing adoption across sectors. While humanoids grab headlines, agri-robotics is emerging as a major growth area—addressing labor shortages and transforming farm work. UK-based Dogtooth Technologies, maker of strawberry-picking robots, partnered with 3D People to produce both prototype and end-use parts using SLS and Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing. The collaboration accelerates iteration, reduces costs, and tailors parts for agricultural needs like cleanability and chemical resistance. This case highlights how additive manufacturing’s flexibility aligns perfectly with robotics’ low-volume, high-complexity demands—offering a model for innovation where automation and advanced manufacturing converge to reshape the future of labor. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecSYsuwZ

A Long Island inventor has unveiled a robotic fire dog called B2, capable of charging into burning buildings, blasting flames from 100 feet away, and enduring heat up to 572°F. Developed by Teddy Haggerty of Robostore using a Unitree platform, the 150-pound, three-foot-tall quadruped can trot at 12 mph, carry 200 pounds, and use thermal imaging to locate trapped victims. It’s also learning from experience — during one demo, it toppled under water pressure but righted itself on the next attempt using AI-based motion correction. Priced at $150,000, the B2 is designed to assist — not replace — firefighters. Local departments see it as a game-changer for volunteer forces facing staff shortages and increasingly dangerous fires linked to lithium-ion batteries. Expected to hit the U.S. market in 2026, B2 could make “going into a burning building” a job for robots, not humans. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQ_vqSTv

PostNL has begun testing robotic dogs and a humanoid robot to support its delivery workers. The trials, conducted in Leerdam with Smartrobot Solutions, explore how robots can assist rather than replace human staff. The robotic dog helps carry packages—especially up stairs—while the humanoid robot restocks parcel lockers. PostNL emphasized that delivery workers will remain the public face of service as it continues to integrate robotics into operations already supported by automated sorting centers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6j3KM5t

San Francisco–based robotics startup Armstrong has raised $12 million from investors including Lerer Hippeau, Bloomberg Beta, and Next Play Ventures to scale its AI-powered dishwashing robots. Founded by Axel Hansen and Jonah Varon (who previously sold a company to LinkedIn), Armstrong is tackling one of the toughest jobs in restaurants—dishwashing, which sees high turnover despite $20/hour wages. The company’s robots are already washing over one million dishes annually for major restaurant chains, operating 24/7 under a monthly subscription that covers installation, operation, and maintenance. Using advanced neural networks and 3D perception, the robots can identify and clean messy dish piles with precision, integrating into existing commercial dish systems without workflow disruption. Armstrong’s broader goal: to create general-purpose kitchen robots that will soon take on prep, cooking, and cleaning tasks, helping restaurants stay open, efficient, and profitable amid ongoing labor shortages. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-FsR4TC