A humanoid robot has completed a half marathon faster than the human world record, marking a striking moment for robotics while raising important questions about what this kind of performance actually proves.

Tesla confirmed it was winding down parts of its car business as Elon Musk publicly repositioned the company around humanoid robots, artificial intelligence and autonomy rather than electric vehicles alone.

Tesla will tentatively begin offering public rides in driverless robotaxis in Austin, Texas on 22 June, according to Elon Musk, marking the long-delayed debut of a service he first promised back in 2019.

UK parcel delivery firm, Evri, has teamed up with a US robotics company to test four-legged autonomous deliveries in real neighbourhoods, starting in Barnsley.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have reported making a two-legged “biohybrid robot” after combining an artificial skeleton with biological muscle, which can walk and pivot underwater.