#23 Revolutionizing Robotics: Touch, No-Code, and Human-Like Motion

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2025 is kicking into high gear. Most industries have left their limbo phase, and now it’s time to see how those New Year’s resolutions hold up. The web is buzzing with more and more updates from the world of robotics. Dive in and check out what I’ve prepared for you this week!

Run, G1, Run!
Unitree loves sharing the latest updates from their lineup. Not too long ago, I wrote about their wheeled robodog, the UNITREE B2-W, zipping through rough terrain like John Rambo in the jungle. And now, there’s another update, showing their humanoid robot, Unitree G1, strutting its stuff with a smooth walk and run that’s getting closer and closer to human movement.

When Unitree G1 walks, it swings its hips, absorbing some of the energy from each step, just like we do, even if we don’t realize it.

In the video, we also see G1 running along a track with a pace that would put a lot of overweight 30-year-olds to shame.

Of course, as always, the internet experts are tearing the footage apart, arguing whether it’s CGI or not. But one thing is clear…

At the current pace of humanoid robot development, this video will look outdated in 10 years. Still, I have a feeling it’ll age gracefully, like the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sure, we don’t have flying cars, but that iconic machine remains legendary and instantly recognizable.

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ABB’s AppStudio: Tony Stark Vibes for the Rest of Us

ABB has unleashed AppStudio, a no-code tool that makes robot programming so simple it feels like using IKEA instructions—but without the missing screws or frustration. Promising to slash startup times by 80%, it opens the door for everyone, from tech-savvy engineers to those who just mastered their TV remote.

This platform is a mix of genius and practicality. Drag-and-drop functionality? Check. Cloud-based templates for instant deployment? Check. Compatibility with ABB’s OmniCore robots? Double-check. For the overachievers out there, it also allows custom JavaScript tweaks. You can build interfaces that suit your exact needs and share them like the Spotify playlists of robotics.

The industry, however, isn’t exactly the Flash when it comes to adopting new tech. Change tends to come slowly, but with skilled labor shortages making things more awkward than assembling IKEA’s "Hauga" alone, solutions like AppStudio might force their way into the spotlight.

This is where ABB’s innovation shines. By lowering the entry barrier for robot programming.

Whether or not the industry jumps on board immediately, this feels like the future knocking at the door. Let’s hope it’s not stuck waiting in the hallway.

Robots Are Getting a Sense of Touch. Thanks to Bota Systems and Kinova

Robotics just took another significant step forward. Bota Systems and Kinova have joined forces to give robots something they’ve long lacked. They would like to give them a refined sense of touch. By integrating Bota’s SensONE T15 force-torque sensor with Kinova’s Gen3 manipulator, this partnership brings a level of precision and interaction that makes robots more aware of their environment.

Bota Systems hit the mark when they said force-torque data is undervalued. There’s an immense amount of untapped potential here. From measuring force to tracking motion, this data has applications across countless industries, yet it’s rarely used to its full extent. By incorporating this technology, robots can now gather, analyze, and react in ways that weren’t possible before.

Collaborations like this are vital. When companies work together, they accelerate innovation. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they build on each other’s strengths, pushing the boundaries of what robotics can do. With more precision, more sensitivity, and easier integration, this system sets the bar higher for the industry.

As the robotics world moves forward, partnerships like this are what ensure that the pace doesn’t slow down.