@theresarobotforthat.com
@theresarobotforthat.com
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is multi-arm coordination already table stakes in surgical robotics?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is multi-arm coordination already table stakes in surgical robotics?
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is multi-arm coordination already table stakes in surgical robotics?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is multi-arm coordination already table stakes in surgical robotics?
The real question isn't "is this robot better than human surgeons."
It's "how do you plan capital investments when the capability baseline is moving at software speed?"
That's a procurement problem, not a technology problem.
It's "how do you plan capital investments when the capability baseline is moving at software speed?"
That's a procurement problem, not a technology problem.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
The real question isn't "is this robot better than human surgeons."
It's "how do you plan capital investments when the capability baseline is moving at software speed?"
That's a procurement problem, not a technology problem.
It's "how do you plan capital investments when the capability baseline is moving at software speed?"
That's a procurement problem, not a technology problem.
What I'm watching for:
—How quickly LEM can add autonomous features without new FDA clearance
—Whether "surgical humanoid" branding affects regulatory treatment
—How hospitals justify ROI when the tech baseline shifts every 18 months
—How quickly LEM can add autonomous features without new FDA clearance
—Whether "surgical humanoid" branding affects regulatory treatment
—How hospitals justify ROI when the tech baseline shifts every 18 months
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
What I'm watching for:
—How quickly LEM can add autonomous features without new FDA clearance
—Whether "surgical humanoid" branding affects regulatory treatment
—How hospitals justify ROI when the tech baseline shifts every 18 months
—How quickly LEM can add autonomous features without new FDA clearance
—Whether "surgical humanoid" branding affects regulatory treatment
—How hospitals justify ROI when the tech baseline shifts every 18 months
I think healthcare systems are underestimating the deployment gap.
By the time you evaluate and purchase today's baseline (multi-arm coordination), the next wave (AI-driven autonomy) will be commercially available.
You're always buying yesterday's capability.
By the time you evaluate and purchase today's baseline (multi-arm coordination), the next wave (AI-driven autonomy) will be commercially available.
You're always buying yesterday's capability.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I think healthcare systems are underestimating the deployment gap.
By the time you evaluate and purchase today's baseline (multi-arm coordination), the next wave (AI-driven autonomy) will be commercially available.
You're always buying yesterday's capability.
By the time you evaluate and purchase today's baseline (multi-arm coordination), the next wave (AI-driven autonomy) will be commercially available.
You're always buying yesterday's capability.
The pattern across surgical robotics:
—Intuitive set the standard with da Vinci (single console, multiple arms)
—CMR got CE approval for pediatric surgery this week
—LEM is commercial with three-arm coordination
The bar keeps moving faster than hospitals can plan.
—Intuitive set the standard with da Vinci (single console, multiple arms)
—CMR got CE approval for pediatric surgery this week
—LEM is commercial with three-arm coordination
The bar keeps moving faster than hospitals can plan.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
The pattern across surgical robotics:
—Intuitive set the standard with da Vinci (single console, multiple arms)
—CMR got CE approval for pediatric surgery this week
—LEM is commercial with three-arm coordination
The bar keeps moving faster than hospitals can plan.
—Intuitive set the standard with da Vinci (single console, multiple arms)
—CMR got CE approval for pediatric surgery this week
—LEM is commercial with three-arm coordination
The bar keeps moving faster than hospitals can plan.
Here's the business signal I'm seeing:
Coordinated multi-arm precision is the BASELINE now. Not the innovation.
LEM's already announced plans to add NVIDIA Jetson Thor for autonomous decision-making in future versions.
Coordinated multi-arm precision is the BASELINE now. Not the innovation.
LEM's already announced plans to add NVIDIA Jetson Thor for autonomous decision-making in future versions.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Here's the business signal I'm seeing:
Coordinated multi-arm precision is the BASELINE now. Not the innovation.
LEM's already announced plans to add NVIDIA Jetson Thor for autonomous decision-making in future versions.
Coordinated multi-arm precision is the BASELINE now. Not the innovation.
LEM's already announced plans to add NVIDIA Jetson Thor for autonomous decision-making in future versions.
What surprised me: they're calling it the world's first "surgical humanoid."
That's aggressive branding for what's essentially coordinated multi-arm manipulation.
But I think the term matters—it signals where the industry thinks this is heading.
That's aggressive branding for what's essentially coordinated multi-arm manipulation.
But I think the term matters—it signals where the industry thinks this is heading.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
What surprised me: they're calling it the world's first "surgical humanoid."
That's aggressive branding for what's essentially coordinated multi-arm manipulation.
But I think the term matters—it signals where the industry thinks this is heading.
That's aggressive branding for what's essentially coordinated multi-arm manipulation.
But I think the term matters—it signals where the industry thinks this is heading.
The Dynamis system uses three coordinated robotic arms that work together like a human surgical team.
Two arms for surgical guidance, one for camera navigation. Sub-millimeter precision.
This isn't a demo. It's deployed at Southern Hills Hospital right now.
Two arms for surgical guidance, one for camera navigation. Sub-millimeter precision.
This isn't a demo. It's deployed at Southern Hills Hospital right now.
January 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
The Dynamis system uses three coordinated robotic arms that work together like a human surgical team.
Two arms for surgical guidance, one for camera navigation. Sub-millimeter precision.
This isn't a demo. It's deployed at Southern Hills Hospital right now.
Two arms for surgical guidance, one for camera navigation. Sub-millimeter precision.
This isn't a demo. It's deployed at Southern Hills Hospital right now.
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is 2028 the year humanoids stop being prototypes—or is this timeline too aggressive?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is 2028 the year humanoids stop being prototypes—or is this timeline too aggressive?
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is 2028 the year humanoids stop being prototypes—or is this timeline too aggressive?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just what's demoed.
https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is 2028 the year humanoids stop being prototypes—or is this timeline too aggressive?
What I'm watching for:
—Does Mentee hit their 2026 proof-of-concept deadline?
—Can anyone verify Agibot's 5,000 unit claim?
—Do Chinese data factories actually produce better training data than simulation?
—Does Mentee hit their 2026 proof-of-concept deadline?
—Can anyone verify Agibot's 5,000 unit claim?
—Do Chinese data factories actually produce better training data than simulation?
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
What I'm watching for:
—Does Mentee hit their 2026 proof-of-concept deadline?
—Can anyone verify Agibot's 5,000 unit claim?
—Do Chinese data factories actually produce better training data than simulation?
—Does Mentee hit their 2026 proof-of-concept deadline?
—Can anyone verify Agibot's 5,000 unit claim?
—Do Chinese data factories actually produce better training data than simulation?
I think 2026-2028 is the actual deployment window.
Not "someday." Not "when the technology matures."
Companies waiting for Western vendors to prove the market might find themselves competing against factories that already deployed humanoids.
Not "someday." Not "when the technology matures."
Companies waiting for Western vendors to prove the market might find themselves competing against factories that already deployed humanoids.
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
I think 2026-2028 is the actual deployment window.
Not "someday." Not "when the technology matures."
Companies waiting for Western vendors to prove the market might find themselves competing against factories that already deployed humanoids.
Not "someday." Not "when the technology matures."
Companies waiting for Western vendors to prove the market might find themselves competing against factories that already deployed humanoids.
Here's the pattern:
Mobileye → 2028 production timeline
Agibot → shipping at scale NOW (allegedly)
China → building government-backed "data factories" with human trainers
The West is planning. China is executing.
Mobileye → 2028 production timeline
Agibot → shipping at scale NOW (allegedly)
China → building government-backed "data factories" with human trainers
The West is planning. China is executing.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Here's the pattern:
Mobileye → 2028 production timeline
Agibot → shipping at scale NOW (allegedly)
China → building government-backed "data factories" with human trainers
The West is planning. China is executing.
Mobileye → 2028 production timeline
Agibot → shipping at scale NOW (allegedly)
China → building government-backed "data factories" with human trainers
The West is planning. China is executing.
Meanwhile, Agibot claims 5,000 units already shipped.
They were the only Chinese humanoid company Jensen Huang mentioned at CES.
I'm skeptical of the 5,000 number. But NVIDIA's validation matters—they see something in the deployment claims.
They were the only Chinese humanoid company Jensen Huang mentioned at CES.
I'm skeptical of the 5,000 number. But NVIDIA's validation matters—they see something in the deployment claims.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Meanwhile, Agibot claims 5,000 units already shipped.
They were the only Chinese humanoid company Jensen Huang mentioned at CES.
I'm skeptical of the 5,000 number. But NVIDIA's validation matters—they see something in the deployment claims.
They were the only Chinese humanoid company Jensen Huang mentioned at CES.
I'm skeptical of the 5,000 number. But NVIDIA's validation matters—they see something in the deployment claims.
The economics are getting real.
Target pricing: $150K per unit today → under $20K at scale.
Series production targeted for 2028 in factories and warehouses.
That's a 4-year window from "expensive prototype" to "viable labor alternative."
Target pricing: $150K per unit today → under $20K at scale.
Series production targeted for 2028 in factories and warehouses.
That's a 4-year window from "expensive prototype" to "viable labor alternative."
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
The economics are getting real.
Target pricing: $150K per unit today → under $20K at scale.
Series production targeted for 2028 in factories and warehouses.
That's a 4-year window from "expensive prototype" to "viable labor alternative."
Target pricing: $150K per unit today → under $20K at scale.
Series production targeted for 2028 in factories and warehouses.
That's a 4-year window from "expensive prototype" to "viable labor alternative."
What surprised me: Mobileye thinks their self-driving AI transfers directly to humanoids.
They're calling it "Physical AI"—the same core challenge of operating safely in human environments.
I think they're right. The sensor fusion and real-time decision-making is identical.
They're calling it "Physical AI"—the same core challenge of operating safely in human environments.
I think they're right. The sensor fusion and real-time decision-making is identical.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
What surprised me: Mobileye thinks their self-driving AI transfers directly to humanoids.
They're calling it "Physical AI"—the same core challenge of operating safely in human environments.
I think they're right. The sensor fusion and real-time decision-making is identical.
They're calling it "Physical AI"—the same core challenge of operating safely in human environments.
I think they're right. The sensor fusion and real-time decision-making is identical.
The deal is Mobileye acquiring Mentee Robotics.
$612M cash plus stock. Close date Q1 2026.
Most humanoid acquisitions I've seen are talent grabs. This one comes with customer proof-of-concepts planned for THIS YEAR.
$612M cash plus stock. Close date Q1 2026.
Most humanoid acquisitions I've seen are talent grabs. This one comes with customer proof-of-concepts planned for THIS YEAR.
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
The deal is Mobileye acquiring Mentee Robotics.
$612M cash plus stock. Close date Q1 2026.
Most humanoid acquisitions I've seen are talent grabs. This one comes with customer proof-of-concepts planned for THIS YEAR.
$612M cash plus stock. Close date Q1 2026.
Most humanoid acquisitions I've seen are talent grabs. This one comes with customer proof-of-concepts planned for THIS YEAR.
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just demoed: https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is Hyundai's 30K commitment a genuine market signal—or just a parent company subsidizing its acquisition?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just demoed: https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is Hyundai's 30K commitment a genuine market signal—or just a parent company subsidizing its acquisition?
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
I track robotics deployments that move from lab to real-world use.
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just demoed: https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is Hyundai's 30K commitment a genuine market signal—or just a parent company subsidizing its acquisition?
Daily updates on what's shipping, not just demoed: https://theresarobotforthat.com
Is Hyundai's 30K commitment a genuine market signal—or just a parent company subsidizing its acquisition?
The humanoid race isn't about who builds the best hardware anymore.
It's about who can deploy at scale first.
Right now, Hyundai is the only company publicly committing to automotive production volumes.
It's about who can deploy at scale first.
Right now, Hyundai is the only company publicly committing to automotive production volumes.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
The humanoid race isn't about who builds the best hardware anymore.
It's about who can deploy at scale first.
Right now, Hyundai is the only company publicly committing to automotive production volumes.
It's about who can deploy at scale first.
Right now, Hyundai is the only company publicly committing to automotive production volumes.
What I'm watching for:
—Actual deployment numbers in 2028 —Task complexity Atlas handles vs. claims —Whether other automakers follow or wait to see results
—Actual deployment numbers in 2028 —Task complexity Atlas handles vs. claims —Whether other automakers follow or wait to see results
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
What I'm watching for:
—Actual deployment numbers in 2028 —Task complexity Atlas handles vs. claims —Whether other automakers follow or wait to see results
—Actual deployment numbers in 2028 —Task complexity Atlas handles vs. claims —Whether other automakers follow or wait to see results
The economics are getting real.
Hyundai isn't ordering thousands of robots because they love robotics.
They're betting that humanoids can handle varied manufacturing tasks cheaper than custom automation or human labor.
Hyundai isn't ordering thousands of robots because they love robotics.
They're betting that humanoids can handle varied manufacturing tasks cheaper than custom automation or human labor.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
The economics are getting real.
Hyundai isn't ordering thousands of robots because they love robotics.
They're betting that humanoids can handle varied manufacturing tasks cheaper than custom automation or human labor.
Hyundai isn't ordering thousands of robots because they love robotics.
They're betting that humanoids can handle varied manufacturing tasks cheaper than custom automation or human labor.
What surprised me: the division of labor.
Boston Dynamics handles hardware + locomotion. DeepMind handles perception + reasoning.
They're not trying to build everything in-house. They're integrating best-in-class systems.
Boston Dynamics handles hardware + locomotion. DeepMind handles perception + reasoning.
They're not trying to build everything in-house. They're integrating best-in-class systems.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
What surprised me: the division of labor.
Boston Dynamics handles hardware + locomotion. DeepMind handles perception + reasoning.
They're not trying to build everything in-house. They're integrating best-in-class systems.
Boston Dynamics handles hardware + locomotion. DeepMind handles perception + reasoning.
They're not trying to build everything in-house. They're integrating best-in-class systems.
I think the task sequence reveals their actual strategy:
2028: Parts sequencing (simple) 2030: Component assembly (complex)
They're not trying to solve everything at once. They're building deployment infrastructure while the AI catches up.
2028: Parts sequencing (simple) 2030: Component assembly (complex)
They're not trying to solve everything at once. They're building deployment infrastructure while the AI catches up.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
I think the task sequence reveals their actual strategy:
2028: Parts sequencing (simple) 2030: Component assembly (complex)
They're not trying to solve everything at once. They're building deployment infrastructure while the AI catches up.
2028: Parts sequencing (simple) 2030: Component assembly (complex)
They're not trying to solve everything at once. They're building deployment infrastructure while the AI catches up.
Here's why the Hyundai timeline matters:
30k units/year by 2028 means building Atlas at automotive scale. Not in a lab—in their Georgia EV plant.
That's a 3-year deployment timeline, not a research project.
30k units/year by 2028 means building Atlas at automotive scale. Not in a lab—in their Georgia EV plant.
That's a 3-year deployment timeline, not a research project.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Here's why the Hyundai timeline matters:
30k units/year by 2028 means building Atlas at automotive scale. Not in a lab—in their Georgia EV plant.
That's a 3-year deployment timeline, not a research project.
30k units/year by 2028 means building Atlas at automotive scale. Not in a lab—in their Georgia EV plant.
That's a 3-year deployment timeline, not a research project.