
Clockwise from top left: HEBI’s T-Series, R-Series, and H-Series actuators. | Source: HEBI Robotics HEBI Robotics today said it has obtained a new NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract. With the contract, HEBI will fast-track its miniaturized high torque density modular actuators for SmallSats and challenging environments. “With space becoming increasingly commercialized, there is real demand for affordable, versatile, and scalable mass-production of robotic systems tha
A robotics company has received a NASA research grant to develop smaller, more powerful motors and gearboxes designed for use in space applications like CubeSats and other equipment that operates in confined or harsh environments. The Phase I contract, which runs through December 2026, aims to create actuators that bridge the gap between cheap hobby-level components and expensive custom space systems. This matters because as space becomes more commercialized, there is demand for affordable, reliable robotic hardware that can function in difficult conditions both in space and on Earth. The company is a Carnegie Mellon University spinout that makes modular robotic building blocks and has previously worked with NASA on space robotics projects.

From left to right: Rodney Brooks, Jonathan Hurst, and Ken Goldberg. Robotics has evolved from a promising technology into a critical business tool across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, defense, and beyond. At RoboBusiness 2026, which takes place Oct. 20 and 21 in Santa Clara, Calif., industry leaders will reflect on the breakthroughs that defined the past two decades. In the show’s opening keynote session, as RoboBusiness marks its 20th anniversary, leaders in robotics

Tacta’s robotic hand comes in three- and five-finger configurations. | Source: Tacta Systems Tacta Systems last week launched the TactaBot, which includes the company’s Tacta Hand, Skill Capture system, and a Dexterous Intelligence AI model. These three components work together to create capable, scalable, and adaptable robotic hands for high-value work. “We have vison-only robots and a variety of different robots that do really good work today, which is moving objects and so on, but

The Robot Report Podcast · Building robots that survive the warehouse In Episode 256 of The Robot Report Podcast, we talk with Josh Cloer, general manager for North America at Nomagic. Josh Cloer, general manager at Nomagic. Cloer is a commercial leader who has consistently turned breakthrough robotics technology into tangible business results. As general manager at Nomagic, he is expanding the company’s footprint into North America, deploying physical AI systems that bring a new l
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