This Is Robotics: Radio News #42 (December 2025)

Join me, your host Tom Green, for our annual Holiday Special exploring how robotics transforms lives, rebuilds cities, and lifts nations. This year's theme showcases four extraordinary stories of social change through automation.This year's theme is one close to my heart: "Robotics Driving Social Change."We begin in India, where three startups—Genrobotics, Solinas Integrity, and Sakar Robotics—are using robots to end manual scavenging, one of the world's most dangerous jobs, giving 58,000 workers dignity and safety. Then we travel to Tokyo, where Silicon Valley legend Andy Rubin launches Genki Robotics, betting he can revive Japan's humanoid robotics industry. Next, we explore Pittsburgh's remarkable transformation from dying Steel City to global robotics hub, anchored by Carnegie Mellon's pioneering research. Finally, we examine Deng Xiaoping's 1978 reforms that lifted 300 million Chinese from poverty and positioned China as an automation superpower.Read the full articles at Asian Robotics Review:"Fatbergs", Excreta & Pipe-Cleaning Robots - Andy Rubin's Bold Bet on Japan's Humanoid Future - The Fall & Rise of Pittsburgh: From Dying Steel Town to Global Robotics Hub The Rise of Deng Xiaoping: China's Christmas Miracle & Best Gift Ever! - Heartfelt Thanks for Making This Is Robotics the #1 Global Robotics News Podcast