The Robotics Brief

People, Product, Projects or Plans

One feature each week, drawn from one of the four categories, plus a shorter item from each of the others so the format stays in view. This week's feature is product.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURE · PRODUCT

Clone Robotics Targets November Torso Robot Launch With Humanlike Five-Finger Hand

Clone Robotics has demonstrated a human-controlled robotic hand with five fingers, while setting a launch target of November for its upcoming humanoid robot, Torso, according to Interesting Engineering. The demo featured a lifelike, dexterous hand controlled in real time by a human operator, showing the system's precision and responsiveness. Company representatives described the demonstration as a prelude to the broader capabilities planned for Torso, which will be Clone's next entry into the high-function humanoid segment.

Clone's humanlike hand is engineered to mimic the articulation and dexterity of a human palm, positioning the company as a contender in enterprise-grade manipulation tasks. The company announced that the upcoming Torso launch is scheduled for November, with design priorities focused on intricate control and adaptable manipulation. Interesting Engineering reports that the hand can perform fine-motor activities such as grasping, pinching, and dynamically following operator cues.

Why Is This Important to Investors? The push for a highly dexterous robotic hand is a benchmark for humanoid robot deployment in customer-facing and industrial settings. Clone's November launch timeline—and its focus on manipulation with humanlike finesse—puts pressure on rivals developing similar multi-finger end-effectors. Watch for commercialization announcements and early adopter partnerships after the launch, as customers expect hands that can handle real-world tools and objects. Reported

ALSO ON DECK

People · UBTECH CEO Sees Robot Factory Reaching 1,500 Units Monthly

UBTECH CEO James Zhou told viewers during the company’s new Super Smart Factory tour that monthly production capacity could reach 1,500 humanoid robots, according to Humanoids Daily. The tour highlighted robots on the factory floor moving materials, loading lines, packing, and using an autonomous forklift for logistics—all in a 14,000-square-meter facility. Zhou stated that a humanoid could be assembled every eight to ten minutes.

The video, cited by Humanoids Daily, did not specify actual monthly volumes or customer shipments, focusing instead on automation features and a Siemens-enabled digital setup. A follow-up episode detailed a ten-meter-high warehouse capable of holding 112 robots in just 65 square meters.

Why it matters. UBTECH’s stated capacity figures, if achieved and utilized, would mark a shift to mass production scale in the humanoid sector. Operators and rivals will watch closely for data on utilization and customer deployments. Reported

Projects · THG Fulfil Expands AutoStore Deal, Adds CapEx Model for Warehouse Robots

THG Fulfil, part of THG Ingenuity, has expanded its distribution agreement with AutoStore to offer warehouse robotics under both traditional CapEx and Robotics-as-a-Service models, according to Robotics & Automation News. This allows brands and retailers to choose between outright ownership, service-based use, or combine both for warehouse automation and integration.

Robotics & Automation News says THG Fulfil runs 796 AutoStore robots across its own network, cutting pick wait times by 78 percent and integrating with a proprietary WCS. Their latest installation for Footasylum used 85 robots and more than 96,000 bins, illustrating deployment scale and demand for flexible financing.

Why it matters. Adding a CapEx path addresses customers who want to own their assets, not just lease robot fleets. This could expand AutoStore's appeal among large-scale retailers seeking to balance operational spend and long-term control. Reported

Plans · RobotPlusPlus Raises Tens of Millions to Scale Hazardous Site Robots

RobotPlusPlus (ROBOT++) announced a Series C round worth “hundreds of millions of RMB (tens of millions of USD)” to scale its fleet of working-at-height robots and expand worldwide, according to Robotics & Automation News. Qianggang Capital Fund led the round, joined by GIG Capital Group, Sealand Innovation, and Juntong Capital, with Fosun RZ Capital increasing its stake.

Robotics & Automation News states that RobotPlusPlus robots have over 2 million operating hours and hold more than 70 percent market share for derusting in over 100 shipyards. The company claims efficiency gains of five- to sixfold and cost reductions of up to 50 percent compared to manual methods, and operates in more than 18 countries.

Why it matters. Funding enables RobotPlusPlus to broaden its offering in a hazardous niche where safety legislation and labor shortages drive adoption. The company’s installed base and operational claims will pressure incumbent maintenance solutions as expansion accelerates. Reported