Agile Robots showcases force-control technology, humanoids, and physical AI at Robot Technology Japan event - Robotics & Automation News
Beyond industrial automation, Agile Robots is highlighting developments in embodied AI through Franka Robotics, which became part of the Agile Robots group in 2023.
Key takeaways
- Zoomlion’s Z01 humanoid robot drew large crowds at KOMATEK 2026 in Istanbul, where it performed a Tai Chi routine that highlighted the company’s embodied‑AI capabilities and real‑world industrial validation in logistics, inspection and assembly tasks.
- The following day, Nvidia unveiled the Isaac GR00T Reference Humanoid at GTC Taipei, a complete development platform that pairs a Unitree H2 Plus robot with Sharpa’s five‑finger tactile hands and Jetson AGX Thor computing powered by a Blackwell GPU, aimed at accelerating research and slated for commercial availability from Unitree in late 2026.
- At the Robot Technology Japan 2026 exhibition, Agile Robots showcased its Agile ONE humanoid alongside force‑control technology, building on its recent acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering and a research partnership with Google DeepMind.
- A CBS 60 Minutes segment aired on June 14, featuring Boston Dynamics’ Atlas learning to operate on a Hyundai factory floor, underscoring the move toward industrial deployment of AI‑powered humanoids.
- In parallel, Figure announced it is ramping up humanoid manufacturing speed and has signed a commercial agreement with Catalyst Brands to deploy humanoids across the retailer’s logistics network, while China is introducing a national digital‑ID system to track the lifecycle of humanoid robots for safety and standardization.
Beyond industrial automation, Agile Robots is highlighting developments in embodied AI through Franka Robotics, which became part of the Agile Robots group in 2023. Demonstrations include dual-arm Franka Research 3 systems integrated with Nvidia Isaac GR00T and teleoperation technologies designed to support data collection and AI policy training.
The exhibition follows several major developments for Agile Robots this year, including the launch of its Agile ONE humanoid robot, the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, and a strategic research partnership with Google DeepMind. Skip to primary navigation Skip to primary sidebar Skip to secondary sidebar
Robotics & Automation News
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Agile Robots showcases force-control technology, humanoids, and physical AI at Robot Technology Japan event
by Sam Francis
Agile Robots is using Robot Technology Japan (RTJ) 2026 to showcase a broad portfolio of industrial robotics, embodied AI, and humanoid technologies as the company continues its expansion in the global automation market.
The Munich-headquartered company is presenting its latest force-control systems, collaborative robots, humanoid platforms, and AI-driven automation technologies at the event in Nagoya, Japan. Among the systems on display is the Diana 7 collaborative robot, which is being demonstrated in automotive wiring applications, and the Thor 7 Pro, which performs engine cylinder-head assembly tasks using real-time force monitoring to verify correct component placement.
The company is also showcasing its AgileCore robotics software platform, which integrates robots, vision systems, force-control devices, mobile robots, and industrial controllers into a unified development environment.
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