蘑菇AV

The news: Amazon is testing humanoid delivery robots, per The Information, which could work in tandem with human drivers or as part of an autonomous fleet of delivery vehicles. The humanoid robotics team is working on incorporating large language models (LLMs) from Chinese companies DeepSeek and Alibaba so the bots can contextualize real-world surroundings. Our take: Delivery bots could help with heavy loads and ease the burden on human drivers, but Amazon might be better served with a less human form factor, such as a platform with walking legs to carry packages. The focus on humanoids could limit functionality, and bringing the uncanny valley to consumers鈥� front door could be off-putting.

With the humanoid robotics market projected to hit $38 billion by 2035, tech giants see a clear path to monetization鈥攐ffering tangible use cases beyond the AI arms race.

Open-source AI models democratize access to powerful robotics tools, while autonomous vehicle tech could standardize the industry and speed up development.

Serve Robotics stockpiles cash ahead of planned expansion: The company aims to have 2,000 delivery robots on the streets by 2025鈥檚 end.

US hospitals increase use of robots for surgical procedures: But healthcare marketers must do a better job educating the public on how robotic-assisted surgery works as more folks shop around for the best surgical care.

The technology improved the travel time of Amazon鈥檚 robotic fleet by 10%. Why it matters: Expanding automation helps Amazon deliver packages faster and at lower cost, while easing pressure from chronic labor issues like high fulfillment center turnover. Roughly 3 in 4 Amazon global deliveries are currently assisted in some way by robotics, per The Wall Street Journal.

AI is transforming home robotics from mere vacuum cleaners into more versatile household assistants, with several eye-catching debuts at CES 2025. Samsung's long-anticipated Ballie robot, equipped with a built-in projector and a LiDAR sensor, is set to roll into homes this year, marking a significant milestone for consumer robotics.

It鈥檚 also deploying agentic AI to enhance warehouse robotics to speed up fulfillment. Chipotle, in the midst of aggressive store expansion, has slashed hiring times by 75% with its AI-driven 鈥淎va Cado鈥� platform, per Fortune. The chain is also using genAI to personalize deals for loyalty members based on purchasing patterns. Mattel is partnering with OpenAI to integrate genAI into product development.

Some of the $6 billion will go toward the opening of two advanced distribution centers in Baj铆o and Tlaxcala, which will use advanced robotics and AI technologies. As part of the expansion, it will open more of its discount Bodega Aurrera stores鈥攚hich will help it win over price-conscious shoppers鈥攁s well as increase the number of Sam鈥檚 Club, Walmart Supercenter, and Walmart Express locations.

GenAI鈥檚 evolving conversational capabilities make it easier for users to feel like they鈥檙e chatting with a friend, rather than a robotic service. Users are being kind to AI, even if they don鈥檛 see it as human: Only a quarter of Gen Zers believe AI is conscious, but two-thirds (69%) say 鈥減lease鈥� and 鈥渢hank you,鈥� per EduBirdie.

Its other projects include an automotive partnership with GM, open-source robotics in collaboration with Google DeepMind and Disney Research, and open-source software for AI workflows. Our take: These companies, like the rest of the industry, can only plan so far. Export controls and capacity constraints will continue to reshape the AI landscape.

Big Tech expansion: Meta is working on its own in-home robots and is in talks with Unitree Robotics and Figure to explore humanoid robots. It鈥檚 looking for the Next Big Thing to justify its mega investment in Reality Labs, which is currently a money vacuum with little payoff. Google, Apple, and Tesla are also working on humanoid robots for consumer applications.

The news: Facebook is trying to attract content creators and influencers back as parent company Meta jumps into costly new endeavors like robotics and undersea cables.

Research applications: Meta said the glasses鈥� sensors and object tracking skills make it ideal for data collection for research and robotics applications. BMW used Aria tech to evaluate how to add augmented and virtual reality systems into connected cars. Collegiate researchers used it to see how humanoid robots can serve as smart home products.

Some users were put off by it and called out the AI podcast hosts鈥� odd language and robotic tone. Spotify allows music made with autotune or AI tools, as long as it doesn鈥檛 venture into impersonation. Last year, a slew of AI-generated music entered Spotify鈥檚 library, taking revenue from real musicians and racking up millions of streams.

Google unplugs its robotic arm: Everyday Robots is the latest cost-cutting casualty. The timing is risky given Microsoft鈥檚 ChatGPT-robotics research and a potentially robust robotics consumer market ahead.

However, the technology is still immature, as avatars still appear unnatural and robotic. But that鈥檚 likely to change soon. AI-generated avatars are also becoming more cost efficient. Baidu鈥檚 XiLing Digital Avatar 4.0 can now generate industry-specific 3D digital avatars at a significantly lower cost. Marketers who focus on genAI in products as a selling point could stand to benefit.

Intuition Robotics. Mobiquity. Momentive. Numerator. Omdia. PYMNTS.com. Sensor Tower. Triton Digital. Vixen Labs. Voicebot. Voices. YouGov.

A more human-like response could make the technology feel less robotic and more familiar. However, lifelike interactions could be unsettling for some consumers and make them feel as if the AI is too 鈥渞eal.鈥�. Our take: Tone customization could close the divide between generic chatbots and more individualized, personal AI assistants.