Tech Business & Industry Moves

RoboBusiness is a premier conference and expo focused on the commercial robotics industry, featuring over 60 speakers, 150+ exhibitors, and multiple conference tracks covering topics like physical AI, humanoids, field robotics, and business development. It is designed for developers, suppliers, investors, and professionals involved in robotics innovation and commercialization.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights from industry leaders through keynote panels and sessions on the current robotics landscape, breakthroughs, and future trends. The event also offers networking opportunities, startup competitions, live demos of robotic systems, and access to the latest enabling technologies and products to help solve robotics development challenges.

Aaron Saunders served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Boston Dynamics, while Melonee Wise was the Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Agility Robotics. Both were key executives responsible for guiding technology and product strategies at their respective companies.

Boston Dynamics is renowned for its advanced agile and autonomous robots, such as the Atlas humanoid and Stretch robot, which are transforming industrial automation, warehousing, and logistics through cutting-edge motion planning and AI integration. Agility Robotics specializes in humanoid robots designed to operate in human environments, pushing the boundaries of robotics in sectors like logistics and manufacturing.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is criticized for cautious AI spending because, despite the company's size, its AI investments have not yet yielded significant returns. Investors expected rapid advancements, such as a major generative AI upgrade to Siri, to drive demand for new products like the iPhone 16. However, Apple delayed these AI features, while competitors like Amazon have launched advanced AI assistants, leading to doubts about Apple's AI strategy and slower innovation pace.

Apple's AI models, including those for Siri, are criticized for underperforming compared to AI models from companies like OpenAI and Meta. Apple's research paper highlights that many reasoning AI models show initial success but fail on more complex tasks, suggesting their 'thinking' is pattern matching rather than true reasoning. This has led to skepticism about Apple's generative AI capabilities and the effectiveness of its AI investments.

The Semiconductor Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP) is a UK government-funded initiative coordinated by the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) to build a robust pipeline of semiconductor skills. It consists of four connected projects ranging from schools outreach to post-graduate training. The programme aims to improve awareness of the semiconductor sector, provide financial support and skills development for students pursuing Electrical and Electronics Engineering degrees, and support further education in chip design and semiconductor materials. Collaborators include universities, research institutions, and industry partners to maximize impact and underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector.

Foundry 2.0 refers to the next generation or evolution of semiconductor foundry services, where foundries not only manufacture chips but also provide advanced design, customization, and integrated solutions to meet the growing complexity and demand in the semiconductor market. This concept includes enhanced capabilities in chip design, manufacturing technology, and customer collaboration, positioning companies like Intel to secure competitive positions in this emerging foundry landscape.