Hyundai Acquisition and Robotaxi Breakthroughs Highlight December's Top Robotics News
December 2020 sees major industry shifts, including Hyundai's nearly $1 billion purchase of Boston Dynamics and significant strides in autonomous vehicle deployments. The month also brings important discussions on AI bias and leadership changes at Universal Robots.
December 2020 is a monumental month for the robotics industry, headlined by Hyundai's acquisition of Boston Dynamics for nearly $1 billion. The month also brings significant leadership changes, as Jürgen von Hollen announces his departure after over four years as president of Universal Robots. These major corporate moves dominate the industry news cycle and set the stage for a transformative new year.
Autonomous vehicles experience a massive breakthrough during the month, with Waymo opening its robotaxi service to the general public in Chandler, Arizona. This milestone coincides with other leading companies like AutoX, Baidu, and Cruise beginning to test robotaxis on public roads without human safety drivers. Political developments also capture attention, as analysts examine how the U.S. election and incoming infrastructure plans shape the future of autonomous driving.
Beyond business and autonomous driving, the robotics community focuses heavily on ethical development and innovative exploration. Roboticist Ayanna Howard highlights the urgent need to identify and combat inherited human biases in artificial intelligence and robots. Meanwhile, former Navy SEALs introduce Terradepth, a company developing autonomous submarines with the ambitious goal of creating a Google Earth-style mapping system for the deep ocean.