AI Mars Drives, Robotic Skill Licensing, and the Future of Electric Flight

Feb 10, 2026

NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes First AI-Planned Drive on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover successfully navigated 456 meters on Mars using waypoints generated entirely by artificial intelligence. The demonstration utilized orbital imagery and digital elevation models to identify hazards like sand traps and boulder fields without human intervention. This milestone proves that generative AI can streamline autonomous navigation for off-planet driving by handling perception and path planning. The technology reduces the reliance on time-consuming communication cycles between Earth and Mars, allowing for more efficient exploration. This advancement paves the way for future missions to operate with greater autonomy in challenging extraterrestrial terrains.

Ambi Robotics Launches AI Skill Suite to Standardize Physical AI

Ambi Robotics has introduced its new AI Skill Suite, allowing third-party warehouse robots to license production-hardened skills for item inspection and picking. The suite is powered by the PRIME-1 foundation model, which leverages data from over 150 million processed consumer packages. By isolating hardware complexities, the system enables diverse robotic configurations to perform complex physical tasks with precision dexterity. This move aims to accelerate the deployment of reliable physical AI across multiple industries beyond traditional logistics. It represents a significant shift toward software-defined robotics where intelligence is decoupled from specific hardware forms.

ERC System Begins Flight Testing Europe's Heaviest eVTOL Prototype

Munich-based startup ERC System has commenced flight testing of its third-generation 'Romeo' prototype, one of the largest eVTOL aircraft in Europe. The fully electric vehicle weighs nearly three tonnes and features a 16-meter wingspan designed for emergency medical and cargo transport. The current test campaign focuses on validating vertical takeoff and landing characteristics under representative mass conditions. ERC System intends to certify a hybrid-electric version by 2031 to provide economical aerial transportation for critical inter-hospital patient transfers. This development highlights the growing momentum in heavy-lift electric aviation for specialized mission profiles.

NASA Selects Two New Satellite Missions to Explore Earth Systems

NASA has selected the STRIVE and EDGE satellite missions for continued development to improve our understanding of Earth's atmospheric and terrestrial systems. The STRIVE mission will provide high-resolution measurements of temperature and ozone recovery to support longer-range weather forecasting. Meanwhile, the EDGE mission will observe the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the topography of glaciers and sea ice. These missions aim to deliver life-saving data to disaster responders and decision-makers while informing future exploration across the solar system. Each mission is part of a program designed to address key priorities identified by the national science community.

AeroVironment Secures $75 Million U.S. Air Force Contract for AI Drones

AeroVironment has been awarded a $75 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to focus on biotechnology and AI-enabled materials for autonomous systems. This agreement reinforces the company's role as a key partner in providing advanced drone technology for military and defense operations. The contract emphasizes the integration of software and artificial intelligence into what were previously hardware-centric drone platforms. These developments are part of a broader trend toward autonomous navigation and integrated airspace management in the drone sector. The investment reflects the increasing importance of AI-driven capabilities in maintaining safety and operational efficiency in complex environments.

Joby Aviation Achieves Full Transition Flight with Pilot Onboard

Joby Aviation has successfully completed a flight with a full transition from vertical takeoff to wing-borne cruise with a pilot onboard its eVTOL aircraft. This milestone marks a critical step toward the commercial certification of electric air taxis for urban mobility. The aircraft is designed to transport four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph while producing zero operating emissions. Achieving piloted transition flight demonstrates the maturity of the tilt-rotor technology required for efficient high-speed travel. Joby plans to launch commercial services as early as 2026, potentially transforming short-range regional transportation.

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