In this episode of IRD Force News Digest, we explore the latest breakthroughs in AI-powered robotics, smart home automation, and edge computing:

🚀 Key topics:

• 🔧 How researchers use neural networks and laser tracking to upgrade industrial robots without full mechanical replacements — improving precision for welding, assembly, and even surgery.

• 🤖 A smarter way to search ROS (Robot Operating System) packages using semantic search models trained with AI.

• 🎮 How tech enthusiasts are turning Steam Decks into robot controllers, blending gaming hardware with real-world robotics applications.

• 🏠 The latest features in Home Assistant 2025.6, including full Alexa integration, new Bluetooth visualizations, and cutting-edge USB host support on ESP32 chips.

Whether you’re into robotics, smart homes, AI, or just love seeing unexpected tech mashups, this episode delivers the stories you don’t want to miss.

👉 Stay curious. Stay ahead. Subscribe for weekly deep dives into the future of smart tech.

In this episode of Bots, Boards & Brainstorms, we dive into the latest breakthroughs from Google I/O 2025 — including Aloha 2, the open-source robot powered by Gemini AI, and the surprisingly powerful MuJoCo simulator (yes, you can control Spot from your laptop).

We break down what it really takes for robots to “see” and “act,” with new research on smarter vision sensors and motion planning using diffusion models. Plus, an autonomous drone that learns in-flight and a shoutout to some wild PCB designs — like a DIY cat feeder and a wearable GPS badge.

Whether you're an AI enthusiast, hardware tinkerer, or just want to know how robots are getting smarter (and cooler), this episode delivers sharp insights with zero fluff.

• Aloha 2 – Stanford's Dual-Arm Robot Platform
• MuJoCo – Physics Engine for Robotics Simulation
• “Just Give Me the Outline” – AI Planning for Robot Manipulation (MIT)
• MIT: Robots Solve Manipulation Tasks in Seconds
• MIT: AI Control System Stabilizes Drones in Uncertain Environments
• Becoming a Board Designer – Hackster & Autodesk PCB Challenge
• Siemens Brings AI to PCB Design for Mid-Range Engineers

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Welcome back to IoT Forge Unplugged, where we unpack the latest in IoT, robotics, embedded systems, and edge innovation. In this 10th episode, we explore projects and products that move intelligence closer to the action—from backyard greenhouses to wildfire zones.

In this episode:

• ESPHome 2025.5.0 introduces Packet Transport for UART/UDP device-to-device comms—perfect for farm-scale automation with no Wi-Fi stress.

• A LoRa-based soil monitoring project using Raspberry Pi Pico, solar power, and Home Assistant.

• How a DIY Everything Remote simplified an overcomplicated projector setup—made with ESP32, ESPHome, and a 3D-printed case.

• Meet The Guardian, a fire-seeking robot with YOLO-based flame detection, built to help battle wildfires autonomously.

• New launches: Homey Pro mini and SmartThings developer tools aimed at simplifying smart home integrations.

Whether you're an IoT enthusiast, developer, or tech leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical ideas to inspire your next project.

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:

• ESPHome 2025.5.0 – 21st May 2025

• Packet Transport Component

• LoRa Soil Monitoring with Pi Pico

• DIY Everything Remote (ESPHome)

• The Guardian Firefighting Robot

• Homey Pro Mini Launch

• SmartThings Developer Portal

  
  

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In Episode 9 of IoT Forge Unplugged, host Pavel Korshunov takes you on a wild ride through some of the most mind-bending developments in tech this year.We start with a story that sounds like sci-fi but isn’t: researchers have successfully jailbroken LLM-powered robots, manipulating real machines into unsafe actions with nothing but cleverly phrased prompts. It’s a wake-up call for developers and regulators as AI steps further into the physical world.

Then we pivot to Amazon’s Vulcan—a humanoid robot with a human-like sense of touch. Pavel explores how this robot adapts its grip in real time and what it means for the future of assistive and medical robotics.From there, we dive into the frontier of 3D printing, including bioprinting inside the human body using ultrasound and printing a 5,000-square-foot structure in just 75 hours.

From tissue repair to disaster-ready housing, the scale of innovation is staggering.Finally, we look at the new M5Stack Tab5, a feature-rich IoT terminal built for real-world prototyping. With dual-SoCs, a crisp 5” touchscreen, and industrial connectivity, it’s one of those devices that makes even the most cluttered workbench feel like it needs one more thing.

Whether you're an IoT enthusiast, developer, or tech leader, this episode delivers valuable insights and thought-provoking ideas—from robotics ethics to high-speed concrete printing.

🛠️ Topics Covered:

• Jailbreaking robots with LLMs (yes, it's real—and risky)
• Amazon Vulcan’s tactile humanoid interface
• Printing tissues inside the human body
• 3D-printing full-scale buildings in record time
• M5Stack Tab5: power-packed IoT terminal for under $60

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In this episode of IoT Forge Unplugged, we dive into the dynamic world of connected robotics and embedded innovation. From the quirky struggles of humanoid robots at the Beijing half-marathon to the exciting future of bio-based PCBs and cloud-connected devices, this session explores how the Internet of Things is transforming motion, automation, and intelligence. We cover the major stories shaping the IoT and robotics landscape, including:

• A full-stack Golioth cloud demo and its real-world industrial implications
• Reolink’s integration with Home Assistant for smarter surveillance
• Arduino’s bold step toward eco-friendly, bio-based PCB manufacturing
• Hugging Face’s acquisition of Pollen Robotics and its vision for open-source AI robots
• Surprising ways Roombas are being reprogrammed to tackle household tasks
• Stumbling and Overheating, Most Humanoid Robots Fail to Finish Half-Marathon in Beijing
• Repurposed Roombas: Scientists program domestic robots for additional household tasks

✨ Whether you are an engineer, maker, developer, or tech enthusiast, there is something here for everyone passionate about the future of connected technology.

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🚀 In this episode, we dive into some of the latest and most exciting developments in the world of IoT, robotics, home automation, and embedded systems!

• Golioth Bluetooth-to-Cloud Connectivity – Learn how Golioth is making it easier to connect Bluetooth devices directly to the cloud through private access networks. https://blog.golioth.io/bluetooth-to-cloud/
• GR00T N1 Foundation Model for Humanoid Robots Explore GR00T N1, a groundbreaking open foundation model designed to power generalist humanoid robots and drive the future of robotics. https://d1qx31qr3h6wln.cloudfront.net/publications/GR00T_1_Whitepaper.pdf
• Home Assistant 2025.4 Release Get an overview of the latest Home Assistant release and discover powerful new dashboard features designed to elevate your smart home experience. https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/04/02/release-20254/
• Unlocking the Power of M5 DAPLink Discover how the M5 DAPLink makes offline STM32 programming easy and accessible for developers and hobbyists alike. https://shop.m5stack.com/blogs/news/unlocking-the-power-of-m5-daplink-offline-stm32-programming-made-easy
• Hackster.io Contests Find out how you can participate in Hackster.io’s latest contests and showcase your innovation to a global community. https://www.hackster.io/contests

✨ Whether you are an engineer, maker, developer, or tech enthusiast, there is something here for everyone passionate about the future of connected technology.

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We celebrate Arduino's 20th anniversary, reflecting on its impact and future. Next, we explore Google DeepMind's Gemini Robotics project, which is integrating advanced AI into robotic hardware.We then discuss Home Assistant's major updates: the expanded Music Assistant and official Matter certification, both of which enhance its position in the smart home space. Lastly, we delve into the creative world of circuit bending, where hackers turn everyday devices into unique musical instruments.

• ​Join us for Arduino Day 2025: celebrating 20 years of community! https://blog.arduino.cc/2025/01/30/join-us-for-arduino-day-2025-celebrating-20-years-of-community/
• ​Reed Ghazala, the Father of Circuit Bending: Sound Builders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDL9iGxDPM
• ​Gemini Robotics brings AI into the physical world https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/gemini-robotics-brings-ai-into-the-physical-world/
• ​Music Assistant's next big hit https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/03/05/music-assistants-next-big-hit/
• ​Home Assistant officially Matters https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/03/10/matter-certification/

Tune in for an insightful discussion on these intriguing developments and join the conversation!

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In this episode of IoT Forge Unplugged, we dive into the upgraded ESP32-C2 and where it fits in real-world applications, the latest ESPHome update with expanded audio support, and whether I³C really improves on I²C’s distance limitations. Plus, we explore EdgeAI for predictive maintenance, energy harvesting for Ambient IoT, and how Arduino and Silicon Labs are making Matter and machine learning more accessible. Finally, we break down concurrent multiprotocols — why they matter and who should explore them.

• ESP32-C2 (ESP8684) Upgrade: More Memory, Storage, and Performance https://www.espressif.com/en/news/ESP32_C2_Upgrade
• ESPHome 2025.2.0 - 19th February 2025 https://esphome.io/changelog/2025.2.0.html
• What is I3C: The Next Generation of I2C https://www.dfrobot.com/blog-17282.html
• EdgeAI for predictive maintenance in Tormach CNC https://www.hackster.io/tiny-prism-labs/edgeai-for-predictive-maintenance-in-tormach-cnc-30e9e0
• Simplifying Ambient IoT with xG22E Energy Harvesting Explorer Kit https://www.silabs.com/blog/simplifying-ambient-iot-with-xg22e
• Next-Gen IoT: Arduino and Silicon Labs Make Matter More Accessible with Edge AI and ML https://www.silabs.com/blog/arduino-nano-matter-makes-matter-accessible-with-edge-al-ml
• Understanding Concurrent Multiprotocol: An In-Depth Exploration https://www.silabs.com/blog/concurrent-multiprotocol-an-in-depth-exploration

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Today, we look into Matter, a universal smart home standard, and compare it with the versatile Home Assistant platform. We also dive into STMicroelectronics' STM32N6 microcontroller, designed to bring AI capabilities to real-time data processing at the edge. Next up, we discuss a massive data breach at Mars Hydro and its implications for IoT security. Finally, we review the current state of the cellular IoT module market, analyzing its growth and challenges.

• Home Assistant rules the Smart Homes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCuA3EWLvIw
• STMicroelectronics STM32N6 https://www.mouser.com/new/stmicroelectronics/stm-stm32n6-mcus/
• Massive Data Leak at Mars Hydro Exposes IoT Security Risks https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/data-exposure-at-mars-hydro-highli-iot/
• The 500 largest cellular IoT deployments together account for 632 million units https://iotbusinessnews.com/2024/12/23/64060-the-500-largest-cellular-iot-deployments-together-account-for-632-million-units/
• Survival of the Fittest: Uneven Growth and Vendor Challenges Ahead as 2024’s IoT Cellular Module Market Remained Flat https://iotbusinessnews.com/2025/02/12/94641-survival-of-the-fittest-uneven-growth-and-vendor-challenges-ahead-as-2024s-iot-cellular-module-market-remained-flat/Subscribe to our public Telegram Channel: IoT Forge https://t.me/IoTForgeJoin us for an insightful discussion on the evolving world of IoT—tune in and stay curious!

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For this episode, I want to focus on something more specific in one area, as opposed to covering a wide variety of news. Recently, I came across a couple of news stories and articles about robotics and their role in different areas. I want to highlight three particular cases: medical, manufacturing, and food. And to start a new tradition, every odd episode I will include a few observations from the personal projects I’m working on — stay tuned to learn how to use fewer microcontrollers to make life easier.

• Proprio Successfully Completes 50 Surgeries Using First AI-Powered Surgical Platform; Unveils Massive Dataset https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/proprio-successfully-completes-50-surgeries-using-first-ai-powered-surgical-platform-unveils-massive-dataset-302242958.html
• Proprio CEO charts the future of surgical robotics as a surgeon shortage looms https://www.therobotreport.com/proprio-ceo-charts-future-surgical-robotics-shortage-surgeons-looms/
• Asensus Surgical completes gallbladder removal from 16-year-old https://www.therobotreport.com/asensus-surgical-completes-gallbladder-removal-on-16-year-old/
• Miso Robotics refines Flippy Fry Station with AI and partners https://www.therobotreport.com/miso-robotics-refines-flippy-fry-station-with-ai-partners/
• Watch Out adds autonomy to CNC cells for precise production https://www.therobotreport.com/watch-out-adds-autonomy-cnc-cells-precise-production/
• Advancements in Robotic Surgery: A Comprehensive Overview of Current Utilizations and Upcoming Frontiers https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10784205/
• Custom firmware for Zigbee 3.0 IoT devices on the TLSR825x chip https://github.com/pvvx/ZigbeeTLc

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