Video Friday: Your Weekly Robotics Roundup

Hello, robotics enthusiasts! Dive into this week’s selection of incredible robotics videos and get a glimpse of upcoming events, including ICRA 2026 happening from June 1–5, 2026, in Vienna. Don’t forget to share your events for inclusion!

Enjoy today’s videos!

Video Friday: Your Weekly Dive into the World of Robotics

Welcome to Video Friday! A curated collection of the week’s most exciting robotics videos, thoughtfully gathered by your friends at IEEE Spectrum Robotics. Alongside our video selection, we also list the latest robotics events, so don’t forget to send us your events for inclusion!

Upcoming Events

• ICRA 2026: Mark your calendars for June 1–5, 2026, in the beautiful city of Vienna!

Now, let’s immerse ourselves in this week’s videos!

Humanoids: The New Frontier

Humanoid robots are approaching peak human performance, but let’s remember: this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We have yet to fully harness the potential of robotics, which may involve transcending human imitation. Rather than merely copying human actions, we can design robots that function uniquely and effectively in various environments.

Featured Videos

1. Unitree – “The Street Dance of China”

   • Experience a captivating fusion of movement and rhythm as PNDbotics Adam takes center stage this Chinese New Year. This video beautifully illustrates the intersection of robotics and entertainment.
     

2. PNDbotics – Are You Ready for Robot Pandas?

   • Who can resist the charm of robot pandas? This delightful segment offers a peek into the playful side of robotics.
     

3. NASA’s Perseverance Rover

   • Discover how NASA’s Perseverance rover has enhanced its autonomous navigation capabilities on Mars. Thanks to innovative technology known as Mars Global Localization, it can now pinpoint its location within about 10 inches.
     

4. Berkeley Lab – Jumping Spiders

   • Although a slight detour from robotics, this video features adorable footage of jumping spiders, showcasing the smart and agile design of nature that can inspire future robotic advancements.
     

Innovations in Robotics

5. Corvus Robotics – Cold Chain Solutions

   • Meet Corvus One, designed to operate in extremely cold environments without compromising performance. This innovation will revolutionize how cold storage facilities function, even in challenging climates.
     

6. DFKI – The Strawberry-Picking Robot

   • A fascinating look at advancements in agricultural robotics. The video tracks the improvements in the picking rates of the robotic system designed for harvesting strawberries.
     

7. Boston Dynamics – Spot in Action

   • See how Spot is utilized in various environments, integrating with advanced reality capture technology to provide insights into equipment health and performance.
     

8. Kawasaki – ASTORINO

   • Get a glimpse of ASTORINO, a versatile 6-axis robot designed for educational use, making it accessible and beneficial for learning.
     

About the Future of Robotics

9. Humanoid Robotics Documentaries

   • What does it take to develop humanoid robots quickly? Explore behind-the-scenes insights from a UK-based company as they shift from conceptualization to reality in record time.
     

10. IROS 2025 Keynote by Tim Chung

    • Tim Chung discusses how convergence in technology is reshaping human, robot, and AI interactions, emphasizing the potential of collaborative teams in various sectors.
      

Reflecting on Robotics’ Next Steps

As we venture into discussions about generalist humanoid robots, engaging talks from experts shed light on the challenges and potential breakthroughs in this evolving field.

11. AGI Robotics Talk by Chris Paxton

    • Listen to insights on how close we are to creating general-purpose humanoid robots and what obstacles remain in the quest for achieving reliable robot learning.
      

12. CMU RI Seminar by Jitendra Malik

    • Join the discussions on solving complex problems in robot locomotion and navigation to bring intelligent robots into everyday environments.
      

Join Us Next Week!

Each week, Video Friday promises fresh insights and advancements in the complex world of robotics. Don’t forget to submit your events and videos for consideration, and let’s make robotics more accessible and entertaining together! Enjoy today’s collection, and we’ll see you next time!