Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more EP.73 WHO LET THE DOGS OUT, NEW QUADRUPEDS Robotic microfactories to rebuild homes, a new 'care-bot' from Fourier & much more... Lukas Ziegler Aug 12   READ IN APP   New quadruped from Unitree with dual LiDAR! Unitree Robotics has introduced the A2, its most advanced quadruped robot to date, just one week after unveiling its $5,900 R1 humanoid. Designed for industrial inspection, logistics, and research applications, the A2 balances endurance, strength, speed, and perception in a compact, versatile platform. The Hangzhou-based robotics firm has equipped the A2 with dual industrial lidar sensors—one front, one rear—alongside an HD camera and integrated front light to deliver full 360° environmental awareness and eliminate blind spots. This marks a notable perception upgrade over its predecessor, the B2, which featured a single lidar and depth camera. Weighing 37 kg (81.5 lb.) unloaded, the A2 can carry payloads of up to 25 kg (55 lb.) while walking for three hours or covering 12.5 km (7.7 mi.) on a single charge. Hot-swappable dual batteries allow for uninterrupted missions, whether in field inspections or warehouse operations. The A2 is available with standard legs or wheeled-leg configurations, giving operators flexibility in terrain handling and mobility. The launch comes on the heels of Unitree’s recent Series C funding round, which valued the company at approximately $1.7 billion. Check out here! Robotic microfactories rebuild fire-damaged homes! In the wake of the devastating 2025 Southern California wildfires, ABB Robotics and Cosmic Buildings are teaming up to deploy AI-powered robotic microfactories that can construct modular homes directly on-site. The first deployment in Pacific Palisades aims to deliver 100 fire-resistant, net-zero homes by 2027, cutting build times by up to 70% and costs by 30% compared to traditional methods. The approach integrates ABB’s IRB 6710 industrial robots and RobotStudio® digital twin software with Cosmic’s AI-driven Building Information Model (BIM) and mobile Robotic Workstation Cells. This setup enables millimeter-precision fabrication of custom wall panels, which are assembled just in time at the construction site. The homes use non-combustible materials, solar and battery systems, and advanced water independence features—exceeding California’s wildfire and energy efficiency codes. By combining robotic automation, AI decision-making, and on-location manufacturing, the microfactory can complete a home in as little as 12 weeks at $550–$700 per square foot, significantly under Los Angeles’ $800–$1,000 average. The process also minimizes waste and eases the rebuilding burden for underinsured homeowners. Read the whole story here! Feature sponsorship with ABB Robotics Fourier unveils a ‘care-bot’ with emotional intelligence Fourier has introduced the GR-3, its first full-size humanoid in the GRx series, designed to bring empathy-driven robotics into homes, hospitals, and public spaces. Branded as a “Care-bot,” GR-3 combines task efficiency with emotional rapport, leveraging the company’s Full-Perception Multimodal Interaction System to integrate vision, audio, and tactile feedback into a real-time emotional processing engine. Standing 165 cm tall and weighing 71 kg, GR-3 offers 55 degrees of freedom for natural movement, animated facial expressions, and soft-touch materials to create a familiar, approachable presence. It uses a four-microphone array for voice localization, structured-light cameras for facial recognition, and 31 pressure sensors to trigger lifelike touch responses—such as blinking or shifting gaze. A dual-path architecture powers its cognition: “fast thinking” for reflexive responses and “slow thinking” for context-rich dialogue, allowing it to adapt to both tasks and emotional cues. Locomotion modes range from standard walking to expressive gaits like “bouncy walk” or “fatigue mode,” enhancing human-like interaction. With hot-swappable batteries, developer-friendly APIs, and modular hardware, GR-3 is positioned as both a deployable service robot and a flexible research platform. Fourier’s goal is to create machines that are not just functional in human environments, but genuinely accepted within them. Read more here! Meme of the week Labor shortage, you say? New humanoid, Oli from LimX Dynamics! Chinese robotics company LimX Dynamics has introduced Oli, its most advanced humanoid to date—a full-sized, general-purpose robot designed to support everything from AI research and warehouse automation to gym workouts and kung fu demonstrations. Available in Lite, EDU, and Super configurations, Oli starts at approximately $21,800 and ships with a modular hardware-software architecture. Its standout feature: a fully interchangeable arm system that supports a range of end-effectors—from standard hands to precision grippers and agile robotic manipulators. This flexibility positions Oli as a development platform as much as a robot, enabling researchers and integrators to prototype and deploy across vastly different domains. At 1.65 meters tall with 31 degrees of freedom, Oli combines mobility, balance, and real-time adaptability—traits essential for navigating human environments. The robot’s open SDK gives users low-level access to joint actuation and sensor data, as well as high-level task scheduling, supporting advanced development in reinforcement learning and embodied AI. To promote accessibility, LimX is running a limited buy-one-get-one deal for its EDU version, bundling in a free TRON 1 EDU bipedal robot for early buyers. The company aims to make reinforcement learning tools more available to labs and startups pursuing next-gen robotics. Read more here! EngineAI presents next-gen humanoids and quadrupeds! Shenzhen-based EngineAI unveiled a lineup of advanced robotic platforms at the World Robot Conference 2025 in Beijing. The spotlight was on PM01, EngineAI’s agile humanoid capable of lifelike movements, autonomous fall recovery, and seamless navigation through complex environments. Its ability to perform precise sitting and resting motions, combined with a more fluid, human-like gait and high-speed running, demonstrated the platform’s versatility for real-world applications. Making its global debut, the T800 heavy-duty humanoid stole attention with industrial-grade capabilities. Standing 1.85 meters tall and weighing 85 kg, it features 41 high-degree-of-freedom joints, a solid-state battery, and an aluminum alloy exoskeleton for heavy-load operations. A multi-sensor fusion system enables rapid environmental perception and decision-making, delivering both endurance and precision in demanding industrial environments. EngineAI also previewed SA02, an entry-level humanoid designed for young engineers and hobbyists. Priced from $5,300, it aims to make advanced robotics more accessible to the next generation. Expanding beyond humanoids, the company introduced the JS01 quadruped—a high-mobility, bionic-inspired platform equipped with adaptive shock-absorbing joints, LiDAR, and depth cameras. Read more here! we all are robots is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid I want the newsletter to be accessible to everyone, regardless of background, social status, or education. Everyone should have access to the latest information and education. That is why my newsletter is free. If you want to support the operation of the newsletter, I would appreciate a voluntary donation! Upgrade to paid