The Rundown Robotics is reporting that armed drones are being deployed in some U.S. schools for security. It said Mithril Defense is rolling out a system of remotely piloted quadcopters capable of firing pepper rounds, disorienting, and ramming active shooters. Human operators in Austin control these drones, which are stationed in secure boxes on campus and can launch within seconds. Nine schools in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado are participating, with state funding allocated for pilot programs. The outlet noted concerns among officials regarding the reliance on a contractor's judgment for intervention, citing a past incident where an AI gun detector misidentified a Doritos bag.
The Rundown Robotics is also reporting that Google DeepMind has updated its Gemini model to control entire robot bodies, including humanoids. It said the updated model allows robots to perform complex tasks requiring full-body coordination, such as threading a lightbulb or knotting a trash bag. While earlier versions only controlled arms, the new Gemini enables robots like Apollo 2 to walk, crouch, and place objects. The outlet highlighted that multi-finger manipulation remains an unsolved challenge, with varying success rates for different tasks. It added that the ER 2 system acts as the high-level brain, planning and self-correcting, and can now coordinate different robot types for a single job. This launch occurred the same week the U.S. government restricted access to low-cost Chinese robotics platforms for researchers.
Additionally, The Rundown Robotics is reporting on a California startup, Satyress, which has developed a six-foot-tall, goat-headed robotic centaur named "Threehalves." It said this robot, equipped with chainsaws where its hands would be, is designed for hazardous environments like wildfire fronts, toxic industrial zones, mudslides, and rubble searches. Operators control the centaur via joystick. The robot features a quick-connect socket for power and compressed air to tools. The company has also published guidance on how to immobilize the machine, including using a firearm, acknowledging its potential danger.
Finally, The Rundown Robotics is reporting that Amazon's Zoox has become the first purpose-built robotaxi to receive federal clearance to charge fares. It said the company's autonomous pods, which lack a steering wheel, pedals, and side mirrors, are set to begin paid rides in Las Vegas this month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted Zoox a temporary exemption to deploy up to 2,500 such vehicles annually for two years under enhanced oversight. The outlet noted that Zoox recently recalled driving software in 105 robotaxis after one entered an active fire scene. While Zoox is behind competitors like Waymo in scale, this marks its transition from a free demo phase to commercial service.