Robot Drama, Warehouse Wars & a Humanoid with a Left Hook

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Hey there, fellow automaniacs!

Welcome to your 5-minute ride through the wonderful, wired world of robotics. This is where I sift through the noise, polish up the good bits, and serve them straight to your brain with zero jargon and just enough sarcasm to keep things fun. Whether you’re deep in the world of automation or just robot-curious, this newsletter’s got you covered.

This week: warehouse wars, corporate shake-ups, humanoids throwing punches, and robots that will emotionally damage you on Netflix. Let’s roll.

Comau Just Leveled Up with Warehouse Automation

You know Comau — the Italian robotics player that’s usually elbow-deep in welding lines and car factories. Well, this week they decided to take their talents to logistics town. Comau announced they’re acquiring Automha, a company known for automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS for the acronym collectors out there).

So why the move? Simple: warehouses are hot right now. E-commerce isn’t slowing down, and manual labor in logistics is as unpredictable as your Wi-Fi during a Teams call. Automha brings in a sweet portfolio of scalable, modular systems perfect for both food and industrial sectors. They’ve got high-speed shuttles, smart pallet movers, and a decade-long track record of making warehouses less chaotic.

For Comau, it’s a clever step outside the traditional robot arm business. Now they’re not just building robots — they’re offering full-stack solutions. Strategy game on point.

ABB to Robotics: “It’s Not You, It’s Me”

In a move that sounds like a dramatic breakup but is really just business, ABB has officially announced its plan to spin off its robotics division.

Here’s what happened: during their earnings call, ABB’s top brass said that the robotics business is strong enough to stand on its own legs — or wheels, or tracks, depending on the model. The idea is that separating robotics from ABB’s other divisions will give it more agility (not the robot dog kind) and a sharper growth focus in the booming automation market.

It’s not the first time ABB’s teased this, but now it’s official. Timing? TBD. But it’s clear that ABB wants the robot team to chase growth independently, attract more investor interest, and stop being the sidekick to the power and electrification departments.

Bottom line: robotics is no longer the nerdy cousin at ABB’s family dinner. It’s the star.

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“The Electric State” – Come for the Story, Stay for the Robots

So, Netflix dropped “The Electric State,” and listen — you don’t have to be a robot nerd to enjoy it. But if you are? You’re gonna love what they did with the machines.

This isn’t your typical Hollywood robot fest. The film, based on Simon Stålenhag’s hauntingly beautiful illustrated book and directed by the Russo brothers (yeah, the Avengers guys), treats robots like emotional characters — not just props or punchlines. The designs are retro-futuristic, rusty, and somehow... really sad? Imagine WALL-E meets Mad Max.

What’s wild is how much effort went into the robot design. They brought in real roboticists and artists to make them feel grounded — like these machines could’ve genuinely evolved from our current tech. The result? A mix of 80s nostalgia, existential dread, and robotic heartbreak.

These bots aren't doing kung fu or saving galaxies. They're wandering around empty parking lots like retired mall cops, and you’ll want to hug them. Or at least fix their batteries.

Also, it’s a reminder: the public perception of robots isn’t just shaped by what we build — it’s shaped by what we imagine.

Unitree’s Humanoids Are Training for a Robot Boxing Match

And now for something completely different.

Unitree Robotics — the folks known for nimble quadrupeds and dancing humanoids — are stepping into the world of combat sports. Seriously. They just teased "Iron Fist King: Awakening," a robot boxing match featuring their G1 humanoid bots.

We’re talking livestreamed robo-fighting. Punches (sort of). Ducking. Footwork. Maybe even a robo-KO. One teaser video already shows a G1 sparring with a human and landing a couple of jabs that look suspiciously accurate.

Is it silly? Absolutely.
Is it brilliant marketing? Also yes.

Unitree is flexing more than metal here — they’re showing off balance control, joint torque, real-time stabilization, and reflexes. Things that, in the real world, translate to climbing stairs, loading packages, or — someday — helping you off the couch when you're old.

The boxing is flashy, but the tech is real. And if you ask me? I’ll take a show like this over another “look, it’s picking up a box” demo any day.

My Two Cents Before You Go

This week’s news paints a pretty solid picture of where robotics is headed:

• Industrial players are thinking bigger — Comau isn’t just building robots; it’s owning the entire workflow.

• Legacy brands like ABB are giving robotics its own seat at the table.

• Meanwhile, movies are shaping how we feel about robots — not just how we use them.

• And Unitree is reminding us that pushing tech forward sometimes requires gloves and a bit of theater.

The robot world isn’t slowing down. It’s growing sideways, upwards, and weirdwards — and I’m 100% here for it.

See you next week,
Jacek 🤖

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