SwapBot tests how touch changes a robot's handling of kitchen tools
Oct 29 UTC / Oct 30 Beijing · Past 72 hours
Researchers fitted low-cost tool adapters with tactile sensors so a robot arm could swap kitchen implements. They trained imitation policies from teleoperated demonstrations. On the contact-rich skills tested, the authors report success rates 15 to 25 percentage points higher with touch than with RGB alone.
The comparison helps engineers decide whether touch hardware is worth adding for tasks such as cutting, brushing or flipping food. The gain was measured on the study's tools and tasks; different implements, loads or surroundings need new tests.
Research team · SwapBot preprint v1
XPeng gets Guangzhou L4 demonstration approval, with invitation access first
2026-10-26 · Seven-day watch
XPeng says it obtained approval to conduct L4 robotaxi demonstration operations across Guangzhou. It plans to open rides gradually by invitation and expand the service area as operations progress.
The permit defines where demonstration operations are allowed. Where and when a passenger can actually get a ride still depends on pickup points, dispatch and fleet availability.
XPeng · Guangzhou demonstration-service announcement