Robotics Special: Google launches the intelligence layer for robotics

Welcome back, Superhuman. What if you could outlive your body? A controversial new project claims it can capture your movements, skills, and behaviors before transferring them into a humanoid robot after death, though its bold claims are highly speculative and have yet to be independently verified.

1. US bans imports of foreign-made humanoid robots and quadrupeds: In a major escalation of the US-China tech rivalry, the FCC has added humanoid robots, robot dogs, and solar power inverters to its list of banned foreign-made devices, citing national security risks. The ban primarily targets Chinese manufacturers, which dominate global humanoid robot production. China's Foreign Ministry has responded by saying it will use "all measures necessary" to protect its businesses.

2. Google DeepMind launches the intelligence layer for robotics: Gemini Robotics ER 2 is Google's new flagship model for powering robots with high-level reasoning, real-time task tracking, and multi-robot collaboration. Unlike previous versions that paused to think between actions, ER 2 reasons and acts simultaneously, and can track its progress through continuous video feeds, knowing exactly when a task is complete before moving on. It's available to developers via the Gemini API. See the model in action here.

3. New project claims to preserve your identity in a humanoid robot after you die: Veterans First for America has unveiled a concept called "Digital DNA", a system that would use a 40-sensor haptic suit to map a person's movements, vital signs, and skills into a digital profile, then transfer it into a humanoid robot or holographic projection after death. Licensing plans reportedly range from $300,000 for 100 years to $1M for 500 years. The claims are extraordinary and have not been independently verified.

Smart Patrol: Estonian startup Rollo Robotics has unveiled 1ROLLO, a self-balancing monowheel security robot that patrols autonomously for up to eight hours, detects anomalies with 360-degree computer vision, and alerts operators in real time. Slimmer than four-wheeled rivals, it can navigate tight corridors that conventional security robots can't. See the unique design in action here.

Dinner Data: German startup Shift is expanding its data collection model from free home cleaning to free gourmet meals. A camera-wearing chef arrives at your home, cooks a three-course meal, and records every knife stroke and hand movement as first-person training data for future robots. The company plans to add more free services as it builds out its egocentric data library. Read more about the unique service here.

Drone Defense: Mosquitoes kill over 700,000 people annually, and current solutions like chemical sprays, traps, and genetic modification have limited efficacy. Now, Paris-based startup Tornyol is taking a different approach: a tiny autonomous quadcopter that tracks mosquitoes using bat-like ultrasonic sonar and shreds them with its propellers mid-flight. It covers five acres per unit and distinguishes harmful mosquitoes from harmless ones.

Here are the biggest developments in the robotics space that you should know about:

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Breakfast is served (autonomously).

Cheffy has launched Egor, a countertop robot that cracks and cooks your eggs for you in seven styles on a timer you set the night before. Its companion device, Toastr, syncs with Egor so your toast and eggs finish simultaneously. It's the closest thing yet to waking up to a breakfast that made itself. You can see Egor in action here.

You can check it out here.

Viral footage shared online shows Chinese troops conducting a simulated urban breach exercise in which quadruped robots navigate smoke-filled rooms before soldiers follow — a real-world demonstration of manned-unmanned teaming tactics. The robots are part of China's growing "robot wolf" military platform program, highlighting how the PLA is integrating robotics into close-quarters combat scenarios.

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Zain, Faiq, and the Superhuman AI team