In December 2025, pillars of the robotics community faced difficult times, industry leaders took new positions, and some new robot releases.
Researchers create programmable, autonomous robots smaller than a grain of rice
Powered by light, the robots carry computers and can move in complex patterns, say Penn Engineering and University of Michigan researchers.
Mcity gives green light to remote autonomous vehicle testing, calls for federal standards
With Mcity, U-M seeks to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicle technologies to enable safer and more efficient transportation.
Researchers create responsive ankle exoskeleton algorithm
Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a responsive ankle exoskeleton algorithm that uses direct muscle measurement.
University of Michigan creating robotics department
The new department will define robotics as a discipline, teaching students the skills needed to help drive a rapidly expanding field.
Miniature antenna designed to enable compact robots to team up in complex environments
Researchers from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the University of Michigan have developed a technique for a miniature antenna to enhance bandwidth for networking among multiple robots.