Ready For Tomorrow #82

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Hi there!

Have you had a moment to cool down after the big news about ABB?

No? You didn’t hear about it?

Well, buckle up, because it’s quite a shocker. And once you’re done wrapping your head around that, stick around for the next four stories, there’s a lot happening in the world of robots this week! 😉

SoftBank buys ABB Robotics for 5.3 billion dollars, shaking the world of industrial robots

In a move that surprised almost everyone, ABB has sold its entire Robotics division to SoftBank for about 5.3 billion dollars. The deal, expected to close in 2026, marks the end of an era for one of the most recognizable names in industrial automation. ABB says it will now focus on electrification and automation, while SoftBank plans to use the acquisition to power its growing vision of “physical AI,” combining robotics and artificial intelligence on a large scale.

For many people, especially in Sweden, this news hits hard. The Swedish part of ABB has always been the mechanical heart of the company. It is where industrial robots were first designed, built, and refined. For those who live near ABB’s facilities, surrounded by the legacy of precision engineering, seeing those same robots now branded with SoftBank’s logo feels deeply unsettling.

It is not just a sale. It is the closing of a chapter written in steel and circuits, and the beginning of one written in data and code.

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Figure AI introduces Figure 03, a humanoid for home life

Figure AI has unveiled its newest creation, Figure 03, a humanoid robot designed not for factories but for homes. Unlike its earlier models made for industrial tasks, Figure 03 features a softer body, gentler hands, and a friendlier design meant to live alongside humans. It can handle daily chores, charge wirelessly, and respond naturally to human movements and speech. The company’s goal is ambitious, to make humanoid robots part of everyday life, starting with household assistance and expanding into other environments. Under the hood, Figure 03 stands about 173 cm tall, weighs 61 kg, and can carry up to 20 kg. It runs on a fully electric system, moving at 1.2 m/s with around five hours of battery life. Its body includes soft outer materials, tactile fingertip sensors, palm cameras, and a 60 percent wider field of view than earlier versions. Charging is wireless, safety-certified to UN38.3 standards, and intelligence comes from the company’s Helix AI model, built to understand language, vision, and motion together. If Figure AI succeeds, humanoid robots might soon help with laundry or cooking. Though, let’s be honest, if it learns to complain about chores, we’ve officially recreated humanity in metal form.

Deep Robotics launches DR02, the all-weather humanoid worker

Chinese company Deep Robotics has officially presented the DR02, the world’s first weatherproof humanoid robot, certified at IP66 for full protection against dust and heavy rain. Standing 175 cm tall and weighing 65 kg, it looks like an average adult man but is built for much tougher conditions. It can operate in temperatures from -20°C to +55°C, walk at 1.5 m/s, and even sprint up to 4 m/s in emergency mode. The robot climbs stairs up to 25 cm high and handles slopes of 20 degrees, offering human-like mobility. Each arm can lift 10 kg, and the modular design allows quick replacement of arms or legs. Inside, a 275 TOPS onboard computer processes real-time data from LiDAR, depth, and wide-angle cameras, enabling advanced perception and navigation. With its rugged design, DR02 could soon patrol factories, inspect infrastructure, or haul gear in the rain. Just don’t be surprised if it starts asking for hazard pay.

Lucid Bots brings embodied AI to industrial painting

Lucid Bots has upgraded its Sherpa drone with a painting and coating module, turning it from a cleaning tool into a full-scale industrial painter. The new setup can reach heights of up to 160 feet, cover 200 square feet per minute, and aims to cut costs in half while working three times faster than traditional painting methods.

Because the system is modular, existing Sherpa drones can be easily upgraded without replacing the whole unit. In early trials, the robot was used for waterproofing stadiums and removing graffiti, jobs that usually require scaffolding, multiple workers, and a lot of time.

This move shows how embodied AI is starting to handle real, physical labor. And if the robots keep getting better, your next argument about paint color might be with a drone that actually does the job.

Revolute Robotics raises 1.9 million dollars for robots that drive and fly

Revolute Robotics from Scottsdale has raised 1.9 million dollars to develop hybrid robots that can roll on the ground and take off when needed. The goal is to save battery life by driving across easy terrain and flying only when faced with obstacles or difficult environments.

The robots are built with tough exoskeletons and modular payloads that can carry different sensors, including thermal cameras, gas detectors, LiDAR, and ultrasonic scanners. This makes them ideal for inspecting infrastructure, patrolling large areas, or supporting rescue and defense operations.

The idea is simple but brilliant: a robot that chooses whether to roll or fly depending on the situation. If this technology takes off, we might soon see robots skipping traffic jams altogether. And honestly, who could blame them?

That’s all for today’s trip through the world of robotics.

Take a deep breath, recharge your human batteries, and see you next time in Ready for Tomorrow.

Cheers, Jacek !