Robot playmates may help children with autism
Papers delivered at three conferences in the US and Europe this summer report on new research at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering studying interactions of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with bubble-blowing robots. view more (2008-07-23)
Assistive robot adapts to people, new places
In the futuristic cartoon series "The Jetsons," a robotic maid named Rosie whizzed around the Jetsons' home doing household chores—cleaning, cooking dinner and washing dishes. view more (2007-04-12)
Have you ever seen an elephant...run?
If an elephant is thundering towards you at 15mph you are probably not too concerned with the finer points of biomechanics or the thorny question about whether they are truly running or not. view more (2006-08-21)
Helping human and robot firefighters work as a team
Imagine a firefighter scrambling through a burning building, searching for survivors of a devastating explosion. Injured people on the far side of a brick wall, but out of reach. However, the partner on the other side promptly smashes through the wall, clears a path so both can help the survivors. Science fiction perhaps? No, this is exactly the... view more... (2005-04-13)
Robot fish could monitor water quality
Nature inspires technology for an engineer and an ecologist teamed up at Michigan State University. They're developing robots that use advanced materials to swim like fish to probe underwater environments. view more (2009-11-02)
Researchers demonstrate direct brain control of humanoid robot
A classic science-fiction scene shows a person wearing a metal skullcap with electrodes sticking out to detect the person's thoughts. Another sci-fi movie standard depicts robots doing humans' bidding. Now the two are combined, and in real life: University of Washington researchers can control the movement of a humanoid robot with signals from a... view more... (2006-12-18)
For toy-like NASA robots in Arctic, ice research is child's play
Several snowmobiles navigated speedily over arctic ice and snow in Alaska's outback in late June. This scene might seem ordinary except that the recently unveiled snowmobiles are unmanned, autonomous, toy-size robots called SnoMotes - the first prototype network of their kind envisioned to rove treacherous areas of the Arctic and Antarctic... view more... (2008-07-16)
Researchers wanted: Humans need not apply?
As science fiction plot lines go, the unintended consequences of yielding tasks too complicated or dangerous for human hands to computers and robots is a popular one. view more (2009-04-07)
Engineers create mathematical method to design better robots, structures
Mechanical and civil engineers have created a new mathematical method to design better structures, machines and versatile computer-controlled robots called "robot manipulators." view more (2006-01-12)
Bio-inspired modules open new horizons for robotics
Inspired by cell biology, European researchers have created the world's first shape-shifting robot made of many modules, which could lead to new applications in fields ranging from medicine and space exploration to education and entertainment. view more (2004-11-12)
Spring in your step helps avert disastrous stumbles, scientists say
From graceful ballerinas to clumsy-looking birds, everyone occasionally loses their footing. New Harvard University research suggests that it could literally be the spring, or damper, in your step that helps you bounce back from a stumble. view more (2006-10-11)
A biomimetic jumping microrobot
Researchers from the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems at EPFL are unveiling a novel, grasshopper-inspired jumping robot at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation May 21 in Pasadena, California. The robot weighs a miniscule 7 grams, and can jump 1.4 meters, or more than 27 times its body size -- ten times farther for its size... view more... (2008-05-22)
For orthopedic injuries, a robot that follows patients as they move
A University of Florida engineer has designed a robot to shadow and shoot X-ray video of sufferers of orthopedic injuries as they walk, climb stairs, stand up from a seated position or pursue other normal activities. view more (2006-01-23)
UT Dallas nanotechnologists demonstrate artificial muscles powered by highly energetic fuels
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) nanotechnologists have made alcohol- and hydrogen-powered artificial muscles that are 100 times stronger than natural muscles, able to do 100 times greater work per cycle and produce, at reduced strengths, larger contractions than natural muscles. view more (2006-03-17)
Underwater robots work together without human input
This August in Monterey Bay, Calif., an entire fleet of undersea robots will for the first time work together without the aid of humans to make detailed and efficient observations of the ocean. view more (2006-08-02)
Penguins waddle but they don't fall down, UH researchers say
With their feathery tuxedoes and charming Chilly Willy-waddle, penguins are the quintessence of cute. Small wonder they're featured in Coke commercials, movies like "Madagascar" and "March of the Penguins" and children's toys galore. view more (2006-01-16)
How ants find their way
Ever wondered how ants find their way straight to the uncovered food in your kitchen? Now scientists have discovered how the humble wood ant navigates over proportionally huge distances, using just very poor eyesight and confusing and changing natural landmarks. view more (2006-10-18)
The second humanoid robot in France
The HOAP3 humanoid robot has just arrived at the Laboratory for Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics of Montpellier (LIRMM - CNRS - University of Montpellier 2). view more (2007-02-14)
Robotic surgeon to team up with doctors, astronauts on NASA mission
This week Raven, the mobile surgical robot developed by the University of Washington, leaves for the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The UW will participate in NASA's mission to submerge a surgeon and robotic gear in a simulated spaceship. view more (2007-04-19)
Gesture-controlled Communication with Computers
The handling of the new computer system of Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is contactless and based on gestures and hand commands. This user-friendly man-machine communication can be used for toys and games, for presentation technology and to control autonomous robots. A computer puzzle that can be played contactless and without... view more... (2004-03-12)
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