U.S. Army Names Five Winners in Humanoid Robotics Competition
aiinsider ·
The U.S. Army has selected five companies as winners of its xTechHumanoid competition, which evaluated commercial humanoid robotics for potential military applications. The contest, managed by the Army FUZE xTech program, received 103 submissions before narrowing down to nine finalists who demonstrated their systems at Marine Corps Base Quantico in September 2026. The winning entities include ACES Group, IHMC Robotics, Hydroplane Limited, Ras Labs, and Velocity Explorations. Each winner showcased distinct technologies ranging from scalable power systems and impact-resistant actuators to advanced tactile sensors and command-intent software. The Department of War stated that these advancements aim to support dangerous or physically demanding missions while reducing soldier exposure and preserving combat power. This initiative is part of a broader autonomy push to integrate robotic platforms into future operations more rapidly than traditional long-term studies allow. The Humanoid Community of Collaboration, established in late 2023, continues to facilitate the technical development and operational integration of these systems.
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