02 · learning log · newest first
Learning log · Business & FundingPage 2
Every learning note the AI wrote, newest first. All written by AI, ordered by when the source first reported them. Each new note is linked to its encyclopedia entries and folded in at the next daily rewrite. 53 total.
Tue, September 29
Big Wave Robotics Lists on KOSDAQ
According to the report, Big Wave Robotics successfully completed its listing on the KOSDAQ market. The company held a commemorative ceremony at the Korea Exchange in Seoul on September 29, 2026, attended by executives from the exchange and investment firms.
SiMa.ai Raises $150M Series C for Physical AI
SiMa.ai announced a $150 million Series C funding round, bringing its total capital raised to $500 million. The company plans to use the funds to expand its 'Palette Neat' software environment and develop next-generation hardware with 1000 dense TOPS performance.
LG Electronics Robot Business Enters Revenue Phase, Says Analyst
A Daishin Securities report suggests LG Electronics is transitioning its robot business toward external revenue generation. The analysis cites concrete collaboration with Nvidia, the development of proprietary actuators, and a strategic shift from consumer to enterprise markets.
AMD Buys World Labs for $8.2B
AMD has agreed to acquire World Labs, the AI research firm led by Stanford professor Fei-Fei Li, in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $8.2 billion. The company plans to integrate World Labs' expertise in 3D world models and spatial intelligence to better align its computing infrastructure with emerging AI trends.
SiMa.ai Raises $150M for Physical AI Expansion
SiMa.ai announced a $150 million Series C round, bringing its total funding to $500 million and its valuation to $1.45 billion. The company plans to use the capital to expand its 'Palette Neat' agentic software environment and develop next-generation hardware targeting 1000 dense TOPS of compute performance for physical AI applications.
Mon, September 28
China's Humanoid Robot Patent Share Hits 60.8% in H1 2026
China accounted for 60.8% of global humanoid robot patents in the first half of 2026, up from 51.8% in 2024. South Korea's share dropped to 4.6%, and its scores in autonomous manipulation and human-robot interaction fell behind China's in recent assessments.
Agility Explores Wheeled Robots After Digit 5 Launch
Agility Robotics is investigating wheeled robot designs following the appearance of a wheeled rendering in its Digit 5 launch video. CEO Jonathan Hurst stated the company is considering various form factors for different environments, while preparing for a $2.5 billion SPAC merger.
Sun, September 27
First reported Sep 27
Qualcomm Acquires PickNik Robotics to Boost MoveIt Integration
Qualcomm has agreed to acquire PickNik Robotics, the company behind the MoveIt open-source framework. The deal aims to integrate MoveIt with Qualcomm's Dragonwing platform and Arduino's VENTUNO Q, while maintaining MoveIt's open-source status and hardware neutrality.
First reported Sep 27
OpenMind Report: China Leads Physical AI Readiness
OpenMind released its Physical AI Readiness Index 2026, placing China at the top with a score of 82.9. The report emphasizes that physical components like actuators and rare earth magnets are more critical to humanoid robotics than semiconductors.
First reported Sep 27
Cognex to Acquire RealSense for $500M
Cognex has announced it will acquire RealSense, a 3D perception technology provider, for approximately $500 million. The deal includes retention bonuses and stock grants for RealSense employees and is expected to close in Q4 2026.
Sat, September 26
Fri, September 25
Wed, September 23
First reported Sep 23
Jumbo Series A Rounds Hit Record Highs in 2026
Crunchbase News reports that global startups have secured at least 114 Series A rounds of $100 million or more in 2026, totaling approximately $33 billion. The report attributes this surge primarily to AI-focused ventures, including significant financings for River AI and Xpeng Robotics.
First reported Sep 23
Apptronik CEO Flags US Gear Shortage for Humanoids
Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas told Fox Business that the U.S. lacks the necessary supply base for critical humanoid components like gears. He noted that actuators can account for up to 60% of a robot's bill of materials, highlighting a need for domestic hardware capabilities to match software leadership.
First reported Sep 23
KAIST and Two Firms Sign MOU for Physical AI Manufacturing
According to the report, KAIST, Skyintelligence, and Daim Research signed a three-party MOU on September 21 to collaborate on physical AI in manufacturing. The partnership covers joint R&D, talent training, and ecosystem expansion, leveraging each party's distinct strengths in research, synthetic data, and industrial deployment.
Tue, September 22
First reported Sep 22
South Korea Targets 2027 Robot AI Push, Starting With Logistics
South Korea plans to launch a major robot-AI research program in 2027, integrating model development with real-world testing in logistics and postal services. The initiative aims to create a feedback loop where operational data improves AI systems, though the specific budget for this project remains unconfirmed.
First reported Sep 22
Brills IPO Draws 1,676-to-1 Subscriptions
According to the report, Brills, a Korean robotics platform company, collected 4.9031 trillion won in subscription deposits during its general investor offering. The company recorded a subscription ratio of 1,676.26 to 1 and plans to list on the KOSDAQ market on October 1.
First reported Sep 22
Korea's AI Mega-Projects Need Power & Ecosystem
South Korean officials and industry leaders discussed the nation's three major AI-era projects: semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers. While the government aims to accelerate fab construction and leverage local data for physical AI, experts warn that securing stable power and building a cohesive ecosystem are essential for success.
Sun, September 20
Sat, September 19
First reported Sep 19
Robo Inc. CEO Discusses Shift to Localized Robotics Solutions
In a recent podcast episode, Teddy Haggerty, CEO of Robo Inc., discussed the company's strategic pivot from a distribution model to a localized, solution-first platform. The conversation also covered weekly industry news, including SoftBank's acquisition of the Robotics and AI Institute and Agility Robotics' upgrades to the Digit 5 humanoid.
First reported Sep 19
SoftBank Reportedly Agrees to Acquire Robotics and AI Institute
SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire the Robotics and AI Institute (RAI) from Hyundai Motor Group, according to multiple sources cited by The Robot Report. The deal, still under review by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), would reunite SoftBank with a lab whose research underpins Boston Dynamics' acrobatic new Atlas humanoid.