OpenAI targets 2026 for first hardware device launch
OpenAI is on track to announce its first hardware device in 2026, which could be earbuds codenamed 'Sweet Pea' aiming to ship 40 to 50 million units.
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Chips & Hardware
595 storiesServe Robotics acquires hospital robot maker Diligent Robotics
Serve Robotics is acquiring Diligent Robotics for $29 million, marking the sidewalk delivery company's first expansion into the healthcare sector.
YC-backed Bucket Robotics targets dual-use manufacturing market
YC-backed startup Bucket Robotics is using vision systems to automate surface quality inspections for automotive and defense manufacturers, aiming to replace manual, data-heavy processes.
Oshen deploys autonomous robots into Category 5 hurricane
Oshen has deployed autonomous micro-robots to collect data within a Category 5 hurricane, with plans to raise venture capital soon to meet growing demand.
Taiwan to invest $250B in U.S. semiconductor industry
Taiwan and the United States have agreed to an investment deal, including $250 billion in direct semiconductor funding and $250 billion in credit guarantees.
Nvidia welcomes new US tariff on AI chips headed to China
The US imposed a 25% tariff on advanced AI semiconductors, including Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X, that pass through the US before export to international markets.
1X unveils world model to help Neo robots learn new tasks
1X has launched a world model AI designed to help its Neo humanoid robots learn new tasks from video and prompts, though its current capabilities remain limited.
Amazon’s Bee wearable tests consumer appetite for AI recording
Amazon has launched Bee, an AI wearable that records and summarizes conversations, though the premise that consumers want such devices remains largely untested.
Amazon buys Bee to expand AI reach beyond the home
Amazon has acquired AI wearable startup Bee, a move that could extend the company's AI reach outside the home to complement its existing Alexa-powered devices.
Core Devices reboots Pebble as a sustainable enterprise
Eric Migicovsky’s Core Devices has rebooted the Pebble brand as a sustainable, profitable enterprise, securing 25,000 watch preorders and around 5,000 for its new AI ring.
Motional reboots robotaxi strategy with AI-first architecture
Motional is pivoting to an AI-first architecture, targeting a commercial driverless service launch in Las Vegas by the end of 2026.
From ping pong to laundry: robotics trends at CES 2026
CES 2026 showcased diverse robotics developments, though showroom displays often serve as marketing tools rather than accurate representations of current commercial deployment.
XBrew Lab debuts EverNitro to simplify home nitro coffee
XBrew Lab launched EverNitro, a countertop machine that generates nitrogen from air to create nitro coffee, raising over $570,000 on Kickstarter.
LG unveils CLOiD, an AI-powered robot for home automation
LG has unveiled CLOiD, an AI-powered home robot designed to automate domestic chores, though the company has not yet announced a commercial release date.
CES 2026: A look at the year's most unusual hardware launches
CES 2026 showcases a wave of unconventional hardware, ranging from AI-powered robotics and smart home appliances to specialized health monitors and niche consumer gadgets.
Nvidia reportedly tightens payment terms for H200 chips in China
Nvidia reportedly requires upfront payment for H200 chips in China, though the company denies the claim amid ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding chip exports.
The Communicator brings physical keyboards back to Android
Clicks Technology has unveiled the Communicator, a $499 Android 16 smartphone featuring a physical keyboard that is expected to ship in the second half of 2026.
Waymo rebrands its Zeekr robotaxi to Ojai
Waymo is rebranding its Zeekr-made robotaxi to Ojai ahead of a planned expansion into a dozen new cities, citing a lack of U.S. brand familiarity.
Caterpillar partners with Nvidia to bring AI to construction sites
Caterpillar is partnering with Nvidia to integrate AI assistants and digital twin simulations into its construction machinery, marking a significant expansion of Nvidia's physical AI strategy.
Quilt launches three-zone heat pump for demanding climates
Quilt launched a three-zone heat pump that maintains nearly 90% of its rated capacity in extreme cold, leveraging data from its existing installed base.