Autonomous

Imagine an oversized claw machine at an arcade, but instead of trying to grab cheap toys, your prize is the assortment of waste that sinks to the bottom of the sea. That's essentially what an autonomous robot has been doing at Marseille recently.

It's 2025, and we have AI. We have humanoid robots that can do front flips. We have autonomous delivery vans and taxis. And yet, the craziest thing to me is having a little autonomous robot doing my yard work.

Lymow, a Chinese lawnmower maker, has just launched its One Robot Mower, which previously raised more than US$7.5 million on Kickstarter, claiming the first spot in the lawnmower category. Now, it's getting a global commercial launch.

DARPA's autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), the USX-1 Defiant, took a major step toward operational status as a bottle of spirits was broken over its bow at the Everett Ship Repair in Everett, Washington on August 11, 2025.

HoverAir's latest drone creation is built for adventure and made for the water. I've seen what it can do, and it’s going to turn heads – and maybe even make a few waves.

Dual-mode vehicles that can travel on roads and rails have been around for a while now, but in 2025, we're going autonomous: a Utah-based startup is set to pilot its driverless road-rail vehicle on California's Skunk Train route this year.

Autonomous warships have moved into the large fast-attack league as Eureka Naval Craft announces what it describes as the most advanced autonomous naval attack vessel in the world. It can carry 40 tonnes and reach speeds of up to 50 knots.

DARPA has launched a new prototype warship for the US Navy that not only won't need any sailors, it can't even accommodate them. The 180-ft (55-m), 240-tonne No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) put to sea last month ahead of sea trials.

If you're setting out to build an underwater robot that's speedy, maneuverable and versatile, why not just copy what already works in the natural world? That's exactly what Beatbot has done, with its bio-inspired Amphibious RoboTurtle.

Although autonomous, uncrewed ships are now being trialled, those vessels still need human workers to moor them when they come into port. That could soon change, however, thanks to a new automated suction-based mooring system.

When most of us think of freshly poured concrete, we picture a material that should be left to dry as smooth as possible. A new robot drives right over the stuff, however, gouging its surface to make structures stronger yet also cheaper to build.

The first of 35 driverless trains set for Taiwan's 100% autonomous Light Green Line has been delivered. When complete, the 22.8-km (14-mile) line will shave 30 minutes off the current commute time end to end, from New Taipei City to Taipei.