Category: Robotics

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Robot Allegedly Gropes Teen

A 16-year-old girl in Cologne was allegedly sexually harassed by means of a humanoid robot. According to an October 12, 2026, press release issued by Cologne police, the approximately 4-foot-tall, red-and-gold robot approached the teenager from behind outside a fast-food restaurant early Sunday morning, touched her buttocks, and made thrusting motions. The robot’s 16-year-old owner, from Wegberg, and his 19-year-old companion allegedly filmed the incident, livestreamed it on social media, and provided commentary. Police officers responding to the incident located those involved shortly afterward and discovered the robot, which had since been stowed in the trunk of a Volkswagen. Officers seized the robot and two cell phones. The robot may have been a Unitree R1 manufactured by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics. The model, which stands approximately 4 feet tall (1.23 meters), can be remotely controlled and programmed to perform specific sequences of movements. Its identity has not yet been confirmed. Criminal investigators are investigating the incident on suspicion of sexually motivated insult, an offense under German law. A key question is whether the robot’s movements were deliberately controlled at the time of the incident.

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Can Robots and AI Systems Be Creative?

Can robots and AI systems be creative? Since the rise of generative AI, this question has been the subject of intense debate. The issue is not merely whether machines can produce images, texts, or music. It is also about what we understand by creativity and art in the first place, and whether they are necessarily tied to human beings. The Biennale Arte 2026 could have been an excellent place to engage in this debate. In fact, it does so only occasionally. In the Chinese Pavilion, the humanoid robot Astribot S1 writes in the style of calligraphy master Wang Dongling. Visitors can take the works of art, if that is what they are, home with them. Zhang Zhoujie, meanwhile, has computers develop forms for his “digital chairs” based on predefined rules. The designer tries to exercise as little control as possible, giving the computer a degree of creative freedom of its own. In the Venice Pavilion, “Echo/SommersiVo” uses artificial intelligence to translate visitors’ memories and impressions into a constantly changing world of sound and images. Those involved explicitly describe the process as a collaboration between humans and AI in the creative process. These are interesting approaches, but they remain exceptions. At a time when generative AI is challenging our understanding of authorship, originality, and creativity, the world’s most important international exhibition of contemporary art barely addresses this development. The Biennale Arte 2026 did not have to answer the question of whether machines can be creative. But it should have asked it.

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Kumo Joins the Social Robots Lab

Since September 2026, a gray Booboo has been part of Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel’s privately funded Social Robots Lab. Alternative names include Boo Boo, BooBoo, and Cupboo AI Robotic Pet. A black Booboo had already been living there since July 2024, but in July 2026 it traveled to the University of Potsdam to spend some time there. Genmoor writes on its website: “Boo Boo is not just a toy. It is also the king of the planet Lonely …” (Genmoor website). According to the manufacturer, Boo Boo’s movements are made possible by a complex control system. “Therefore please be kind to Boo Boo, it is not an ordinary robotic pet. It could give you different responds according to your interaction.” (Genmoor website) Other robots and figures at the Social Robots Lab include Unitree Go2, Alpha Mini, Cozmo, Vector, AIBI, Eiliko, Furby, Tamagotchi, Hugvie, and HUGGIE. NAO and Pepper have also visited repeatedly, as revealed in a 2023 3sat documentary. According to its own description, the Genmoor Group is an “exclusive group for daring futurists who love tech-psychology” (Genmoor website). The company was founded in Hangzhou, China, in 2020. The black Booboo is particularly popular in Oliver Bendel’s elective modules on social robotics. The gray one will introduce itself in February. Student Sushana Yogeswararasah, a former participant, has already named it Kumo – Japanese for “cloud” or “spider”, depending on the context and the characters used.

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A Robot Shaped Like a Duck

Ducks have repeatedly served as models for animal-like automata and robots, particularly in France and Japan. The European country is actually known for its cruel treatment of these animals, but it also seems to have a soft spot for them. Jacques de Vaucanson’s mechanical duck, built in 1738/1739, became famous. Born in Grenoble in 1709, the gifted engineer died in Paris in 1782. Pollen Robotics is based in Bordeaux. The company is now owned by Hugging Face, which is headquartered in Manhattan. With Microduck, it has introduced a compact robot designed as an experimental platform for physical AI and reinforcement learning. Standing around 25 centimeters tall and weighing less than 800 grams, it is comparatively small. Its hardware includes 15 motors, a camera, a LiDAR sensor, two IMUs (sensors that measure acceleration and rotational motion), microphones, and speakers. A movable beak also allows the little duck to grasp small objects. It can walk, sit down, stand up, pick up objects, and perform various movement sequences. It can even glide along on optional inline skates. After a fall, it can get back on its feet independently from a variety of positions. The main focus, however, is not so much on using Microduck as a conventional robotic toy, but rather on experimenting with a learning AI system. Movements and behaviors can first be trained in a simulation and then transferred to the physical robot. This so-called sim-to-real approach enables hands-on experimentation with reinforcement learning and robotics. Pollen Robotics provides the SDK, simulation environment, and reinforcement-learning software as open source. Microduck thus combines a comparatively accessible hardware platform with state-of-the-art methods in AI and robotics research. More information is available at pollen-robotics.com.

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Start of the ICSR + Art 2026 in London

On July 1, 2026, the 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) officially opened in London. Participants were welcomed by the General Chairs, Hooman Samani and Saina Akhond of the University of the Arts London, as well as by several robots, including the humanoid robot Ameca and the companion robot Lovot. Following registration and breakfast, the conference immediately moved into its scientific program with several parallel sessions. The Main Track Papers were presented in Conference Hall 1 (Beveridge Hall), while Special Sessions took place in Conference Hall 2 (Chancellor’s Hall). At the same time, authors of Short Papers introduced their work during the Teaser Talks in the Debate Hall (Senate Room). Held from July 1–4, 2026, ICSR is the leading international forum for researchers, academics, and industry professionals working in the field of social robotics. This year’s edition places a special emphasis on the intersection of social robotics and the arts, highlighting artistic and creative applications of robotic technologies. In addition to the technical program, the conference features the Robot Fringe Festival, the Grand Challenge, artistic performances, industry events, and numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration with leading researchers and practitioners from around the world. Further information is available at icsr2026.uk.

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BMW Deploys Figure 03 in Spartanburg

As reported by Heise News in an article by Oliver Bünte published on June 29, 2026, BMW will deploy the new general-purpose robot Figure 03 robot for logistics tasks at its Spartanburg plant in the US. The robot will sort vehicle components for production, taking over repetitive work to support human workers. Compared to its predecessor, Figure 03 features several upgrades, including soft exterior materials for safer human-robot collaboration, wireless charging, and redesigned hands equipped with tactile sensors and cameras for greater precision. Following successful trials with the Figure 02 robot, BMW is using the new system as part of its broader digital transformation strategy, which also includes digital planning, 3D simulations, and a digital twin of the factory through its BMW iFactory approach. BMW is not the only automaker investing in general-purpose humanoid robots. Mercedes-Benz has already been testing the Apollo robot at its Berlin-Marienfelde plant, where it supports employees with repetitive logistics and manufacturing tasks. These deployments highlight a growing trend across the automotive industry to use humanoid robots for flexible, general-purpose applications on the factory floor.

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Robot Runners Close In on Human Records

According to an article by Golem from April 19, 2026, humanoid robots beat human runners for the first time in a half marathon in Beijing, where a remotely controlled robot named Lightning (Blitz) from Honor initially finished first despite a fall but received a time penalty, resulting in an adjusted time of about 57 minutes, while the actual win went to an autonomous version of Lightning that completed the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, significantly improving on previous robot records and approaching the human world record. The event, which saw a sharp increase in participating teams and several robots struggling or crashing, reflects China’s strong investment in robotics and embodied AI, and experts note that such competitions primarily serve as rigorous tests to advance endurance, energy efficiency, and system reliability in robotics, with potential future applications in service, elderly care, and dangerous environments rather than long-distance running itself.

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Ukraine Expands Use of Military Robots

According to German tech publication Golem.de, Ukraine says it has captured a Russian position for the first time using only unmanned systems, including ground robots and drones, in what could mark a significant milestone in modern warfare. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as another sign of how rapidly battlefield technology is evolving, although independent confirmation of the exact circumstances remains limited. Ukraine has increasingly relied on robotic systems in recent months, with unmanned platforms reportedly being used for combat missions, reconnaissance, and even prisoner captures. The country’s defense-tech sector now includes hundreds of manufacturers developing a wide range of unmanned ground vehicles, highlighting Kyiv’s growing focus on automation and battlefield innovation. More details are available via www.golem.de.

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Deadlines Extended for ICSR + Art 2026

The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1-4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. For its 18th edition, the conference will present the special theme ICSR + Art, highlighting how robots can move beyond their conventional roles to become tools, partners, and co-creators within artistic and creative practices. At the same time, the conference remains open to the full breadth of social robotics research, including human-robot interaction, medical and assistive robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, ethics, design, education, and cultural applications. Accepted papers will be published in Springer’s Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence (LNAI) series and indexed in major academic databases. The conference programme will encompass regular papers, short papers, special sessions, a design and art competition, debates, the Robot Fringe live performance strand, and an Industry Day dedicated to emerging robotics and technology companies. Regular Papers for the main track must follow the submission guidelines provided on the conference website and be submitted via the Springer Meteor system by 6 March 2026. Contributions to Special Sessions should likewise follow the Regular Paper instructions and be submitted to the respective session. Short Papers must comply with the specific Short Paper guidelines and be submitted accordingly. The ICSR Design / Art Competition, proposals for debates, and submissions for the Robot Fringe live robotic performance programme are due by 15 March 2026. Early-stage robotics and technology companies wishing to showcase their work at the Industry Day may apply until 15 May 2026. Further details, submission instructions, and relevant links are available at icsr2026.uk.

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Robot Fringe Open for Submissions

The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. As part of the conference program, Robot Fringe 2026 offers a dedicated platform for experimental, daring, and imaginative ideas, presented on a performance stage within the supportive and inclusive environment of ICSR+ART 2026 (icsr2026.uk/robot-fringe/). Drawing inspiration from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest performing arts festival and the origin of a global tradition of fringe and off-festivals celebrating unconventional and small-scale performances (www.edfringe.com) – Robot Fringe embraces creative risk-taking and non-traditional formats across artistic and technological practices. The variety show will take place on the evening of Thursday 2 July at Senate House in London and runs in conjunction with ICSR+ART 2026. The program is curated and hosted by researcher-comedians Heather Knight and Piotr Mirowski. Further information and submission details are available via the ICSR submission page (icsr2026.uk/submission/) and the Robot Fringe website (www.robotfringe.com).