{"question":"What is blocking robotics?","domain":"robotics","key":"blocks","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/questions/robotics/what-is-blocking","days":90,"count_recent":157,"count_total":444,"since":"2022-05-20","latest":"2026-10-31","companies_named_most":[{"name":"Tesla","mentions":12,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/tesla"},{"name":"Waymo","mentions":10,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/waymo"},{"name":"Unitree","mentions":5,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/unitree"},{"name":"Xpeng","mentions":5,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/xpeng"},{"name":"Zoox","mentions":5,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/zoox"},{"name":"Amazon","mentions":3,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/amazon"},{"name":"NVIDIA","mentions":3,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/nvidia"},{"name":"L3Harris","mentions":2,"url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/l3harris"}],"findings":[{"date":"2026-10-31","finding":"Waymo's new minivans are built in China and face tariffs","detail":"Waymo's new minivans are manufactured in China and are subject to tariffs.","outlet":"Moonshots with Peter Diamandis","companies":[{"name":"Waymo","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/waymo"}]},{"date":"2026-10-30","finding":"RAI demonstrated whole-body manipulation with Spot.","detail":"A video published by IEEE Spectrum shows RAI’s Spot robot performing whole-body manipulation, involving coordinated use of the robot’s body during manipulation tasks.","outlet":"IEEE Spectrum Robotics","companies":[]},{"date":"2026-10-28","finding":"OMRON agreed to acquire OnLogic and parent company Interlogic for $675 million.","detail":"OMRON will acquire U.S. industrial PC company OnLogic and its parent Interlogic for $675 million (approximately KRW 896 billion) to strengthen its physical AI and factory-automation business. Subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close around January 2027; OnLogic will continue operating independently under its existing brand and direct-sales model within the OMR","outlet":"Robot News","companies":[{"name":"Interlogic","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/interlogic"},{"name":"Omron","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/omron"},{"name":"OnLogic","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/onlogic"}]},{"date":"2026-10-28","finding":"Tensor Auto and Münchner Taxi Zentrum signed a letter of intent for up to 500 autonomous taxis in Germany.","detail":"The companies plan to deploy Tensor Auto’s Robocar platform in German cities, with an initial fleet of up to 500 vehicles. The deployment is subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approval for Level 4 autonomous driving.","outlet":"The AI Insider","companies":[{"name":"Münchner Taxi Zentrum","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/munchner-taxi-zentrum"},{"name":"Tensor Auto","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/tensor-auto"}]},{"date":"2026-10-26","finding":"Volkswagen secures an L3 road-test permit in Hefei","detail":"Volkswagen has begun real-world road testing and data collection for Level 3 autonomous-driving technology in Hefei, China, under a newly secured road-test permit. The testing supports Volkswagen’s target of advancing L3 technology toward 2027.","outlet":"CnEVPost","companies":[{"name":"Volkswagen","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/volkswagen"}]},{"date":"2026-10-22","finding":"U.S. regulators are reviewing whether Tesla’s driverless Cybercab meets safety requirements.","detail":"U.S. oversight authorities are examining whether the Cybercab complies with applicable vehicle safety requirements ahead of its planned customer rollout.","outlet":"Breakit","companies":[{"name":"Tesla","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/tesla"}]},{"date":"2026-10-22","finding":"Tesla plans to begin selling its autonomous Cybercab by the end of 2026.","detail":"Tesla said it will start selling the gold-hued, autonomous two-seat Cybercab to customers by the end of the year. The vehicle lacks a steering wheel and other traditional controls, while federal regulators are investigating whether it meets vehicle safety standards.","outlet":"TechCrunch","companies":[{"name":"Tesla","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/tesla"}]},{"date":"2026-10-21","finding":"China will implement its first mandatory national standard for L3 autonomous-driving system safety on July 1, 2027.","detail":"GB 44721-2026, titled “Safety Requirements for Intelligent Connected Vehicle Autonomous Driving Systems,” is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027, bringing L3 autonomous driving into a mandatory regulatory framework.","outlet":"Yicai","companies":[]},{"date":"2026-10-16","finding":"French Tech 2030 presented its third cohort to support technological autonomy.","detail":"The French Tech 2030 program presented its third cohort on October 16, 2026, covering startups in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, robotics and related fields. The program is designed to help selected startups overcome regulatory barriers and connect with suitable partners.","outlet":"L'Usine Nouvelle","companies":[]},{"date":"2026-10-15","finding":"Lotte Innovate will showcase autonomous shuttles and AI-based traffic infrastructure at the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress.","detail":"Lotte Innovate announced on October 15 that it will participate in the October 19–23 event in Gangneung, presenting autonomous shuttle services, cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS), AI smart tolling, and remote vehicle-control systems. The exhibition will also feature real-time vehicle-to-road information links, AI video-capture devices, and generative-AI technology for generating vehicle license-plate ","outlet":"ZDNet Korea","companies":[]},{"date":"2026-10-13","finding":"South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy advanced regulatory relief for quadruped patrol robots and industrial humanoids.","detail":"On October 13, 2026, the ministry convened the sixth 2026 Industrial Convergence Regulatory Special Cases Committee to deliberate regulatory exemptions for AI, robotics, and energy applications, including quadruped robots patrolling riversides and parks and humanoids operating in semiconductor, automotive, shipbuilding, and logistics sites. The committee also discussed regulatory improvements supporting manufacturing","outlet":"Robot News","companies":[]},{"date":"2026-10-12","finding":"XPENG targets a 2027 European launch for its Navigation Guided Pilot driver-assistance system.","detail":"XPENG plans to introduce Navigation Guided Pilot in Europe in 2027 and is working with local regulators on the rollout. The company has adapted the system from one European country to another in about two weeks.","outlet":"TechNode","companies":[{"name":"Xpeng","url":"https://www.frontiertechintelligence.com/companies/xpeng"}]}]}