Researchers use simulation tools to analyze and optimize soft robotic systems, increasing their utility through predictive approaches and thermodynamic perspectives. The study highlights the importance of considering machine design and performance in achieving widespread adoption.
A company's failed attempt to bring jamming-based robotic gripper technology to market provides valuable insights into the challenges of product development and commercialization. The authors share their research and product design efforts, highlighting key factors that influenced customer purchasing decisions.
A team of researchers at Cornell University has created a soft robotic hand that can sense its surroundings through internal curvature, elongation, and force sensors. The hand uses stretchable optical waveguides to detect changes in light transmission, allowing it to grasp and probe objects with human-like sensitivity.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $3 million in funding for robotics research, application, and education in agriculture. This funding will support research on collaborative human-robot interactions, including the development of customizable robots and infrastructure to lower barriers to entry.
The roadmap advocates for research efforts in human-robot interaction to develop intelligent machines that empower people to stay in their homes as they age. It also highlights the need for flexible robotics systems to accommodate customization in manufacturing and other areas.
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has launched a novel summer program that brings together teams of teachers and their students to learn robotics and entrepreneurial education. The program aims to improve teacher practices and student outcomes by combining robotics and entrepreneurship to establish elective courses in STEM subjects.
Researchers developed a smart textile that can sense and move like a muscle, enabling new device applications. The textile generates a mechanical work capacity and power output higher than human muscles, with potential uses in robotics, sensors, and smart clothing.
The new motor uses a precisely machined hollow iron ball to move in any direction using electronic controls, reducing mechanical failures and maintenance. SIMbot can maintain its balance while moving at speeds of up to 1.9 meters per second, making it capable of navigating through doorways and furniture.
A team at Rice University is creating a haptic cueing system that provides real-time vibration feedback to medical students during endovascular surgeries. The system aims to improve the smoothness of tool movements, reducing errors and improving training efficiency.
Researchers at Harvard University have created the first autonomous, entirely soft robot called the octobot. The small, 3D-printed robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, eliminating the need for electronics.
Eight people with spinal cord injuries regained partial sensation and muscle control in their lower limbs after training with brain-controlled robotics. The research, led by Miguel Nicolelis, offers promise for regaining strength, mobility, and independence for those with spinal cord injury, stroke, and other conditions.
Researchers developed a new language called Simit that automatically switches between low-level and high-level descriptions of physical systems, reducing simulation time and code complexity. The language has applications in various fields, including machine learning, data analytics, and robotics.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a new approach to manufacturing mechanical metamaterials that can deform in a complex manner. This breakthrough may lead to more comfortable and user-friendly prosthetics, as well as applications in soft robotics and wearable technologies.
A new UK-RAS Network white paper led by Professor Yang Gao showcases the future of space robotics, predicting autonomous robots will replicate insects, birds, animals, and even humans on future missions. The report highlights technological advancements with applications in sectors like healthcare, mining, agriculture, and more.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a dielectric elastomer with broad motion range that requires relatively low voltage and no rigid components. This innovation addresses key challenges in soft actuation and opens doors for various applications in soft robotics.
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering's SMART program teams city teachers with university faculty and graduate students for advanced STEM workshops, research, and entrepreneurship. A new NSF grant adds a weeklong industry experience at major businesses.
At the Summer Davos Forum 2016, three KAIST professors discussed the Fourth Industrial Revolution's impact on biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. They explored opportunities and challenges in machine learning and autonomous robotics. The event highlighted KAIST's research excellence and global participation.
A new computer processor designed specifically for robotic motion planning can plan movements up to 10,000 times faster than existing approaches while using significantly less power. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize robotics and automation in manufacturing environments.
New research reveals that hierarchy in biological networks arises due to cost constraints on connections, leading to more efficient networks. This finding may accelerate the development of complex computational brains in AI and robotics.
Researchers are designing cooperative robots to empower people with disabilities to safely travel and navigate unfamiliar environments. A gaze-controlled robotic system is also being developed to enable people with motor impairments to fetch objects by looking at them.
Researchers developed innovative solutions for autonomous flight, sensing and swarm coordination. The team's breakthroughs include new manufacturing methods, ultra-low power computing architectures and adhesives for agile robots.
Children can learn robotics skills from a young age, with even pre-school students showing complex conceptual thinking and creativity. Robotics provides an engaging way for students and teachers to work together, promoting problem-solving and hands-on learning.
A Carnegie Mellon University software is helping robots cope with clutter, revealing their creativity in solving problems. The rearrangement planner software automatically finds a balance between 'pick and place' and 'push and shove' strategies to efficiently navigate cluttered environments.
The Cubimorph modular interactive device can change shape on-demand, featuring touchscreens on each of its six faces and a hinge-mounted turntable mechanism. Researchers from the University of Bristol presented their design rationale and prototypes demonstrating key aspects at ICRA 2016.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a method that incorporates the robot's arm as a sensor to improve the accuracy of environmental mapping. This approach enables robots to precisely locate their hands, which is crucial for tasks like inspection and manipulation.
A new type of hydrostatic transmission combines hydraulic and pneumatic lines to drive robot arms with extreme precision, enabling delicate tasks like picking up an egg. This technology enables robots to interact with people in a life-like manner, making them ideal for human-robot interaction research.
A UA computer engineering researcher is developing a guided simulation model to train surgeons on minimally invasive robotic systems. The system uses visual and haptic force guidance to help correct depth perception mistakes, reducing the risk of serious damage during complex procedures.
A University of Washington team developed a highly capable five-fingered robot hand that can perform dexterous manipulation and learn from its own experience. The hand uses machine learning algorithms to model physics and plan actions, allowing it to adapt to new tasks without human intervention.
Researchers have built a computer model that mimics bees' ability to detect motion and navigate complex environments. The model uses optic flow to control flight and avoid obstacles, paving the way for more efficient autonomous flying robots.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield developed a computer model to understand how bees use vision to avoid collisions. The model suggests that adding speed detection capabilities to existing motion-direction detecting circuits could enhance the navigation and routing algorithms for autonomous flying robotics.
Researchers found that ants form rafts with different members occupying specific positions based on experience, demonstrating collective memory and cooperation. This phenomenon has implications for our understanding of social insects and potential applications in robotics and medicine.
Researchers developed a system to enable robot or computer avatar interaction with patients playing the mirror game, promoting attachment and improving social coordination. The results show that players sharing similar movement features interact better, paving the way for social rehabilitation.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that touching a robot's intimate areas triggers physiological arousal in humans. The experiment used Aldebaran Robotics' NAO human-shaped robot and measured skin conductance and reaction time.
Researchers from MIT developed a new infrared depth-sensing system that works outdoors, using a smartphone with a $10 laser. The system captures four frames of video and subtracts ambient infrared light to improve accuracy. It has been tested on a driverless golf cart and shows promise for autonomous vehicles.
The DOE has awarded Carnegie Mellon a $3 million grant to train graduate students in robotics for environmental remediation of nuclear sites. The five-year program will provide financial support and research opportunities for up to 20 Ph.D. and master's degree students.
A team of UTA engineering and business school graduates has designed a Build-Teach-Play Robots package to stimulate STEM learning in kindergarten through 12th grades. The project aims to expose students to pathways in science, technology, math and engineering fields.
The NREC has been selected for four major federal research projects totaling over $11 million, focusing on topics such as automated stress testing and transformative wheel technology. The center anticipates hiring additional staff to augment its existing team of around 100 researchers.
Researchers at University of Sheffield developed an automated programming method for swarm robots, reducing human error and increasing reliability in complex tasks. The method uses supervisory control theory to ensure predictable behavior, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as driverless cars.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully programmed underwater robots to independently analyze data and trigger new missions based on real-time information. This technology has the potential to reveal new details about prey movement and behavior in the ocean.
Scientists developed a flexible, paper-based skin that responds to external stimuli, sensing pressure, temperature, humidity, proximity, pH, and air flow. This innovative material is made from household items and offers multi-sensory functionalities similar to natural skin.
Researchers have discovered that pectoral fins in fish possess neurons and cells sensitive to touch, conveying information about pressure and motion. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary biology of touch and may inspire new advances in underwater robotics design.
A University of Exeter mathematician is studying the migration patterns of wildebeest, caribou, and salmon using state-of-the-art robotics and computer vision software. The research aims to understand how social influence impacts the stability and robustness of these migrations.
A new algorithm combines traditional computer vision classification with deep learning models to improve pedestrian detection speed and accuracy. The technology has the potential to be used in smart vehicles, robotics, and image/video search systems.
Researchers create soft gripper that uses electroadhesion to pick up fragile objects of arbitrary shape and stiffness. The new technology mimics muscle function, gripping onto objects with electrostatic forces.
Researchers developed soft robotic grippers to interact with deep sea coral reef organisms without harming them. The grippers' compliant materials matched natural environments, allowing for non-destructive manipulation and sampling of fragile organisms.
Researchers developed soft robotic grippers that can collect delicate underwater specimens without destroying them. These grippers are designed for use in deep-sea exploration and could enhance biodiversity research by allowing scientists to sample largely unexplored habitats.
A new miniature robot, inspired by the jumping mechanism of locusts, can jump 11 feet high and cover a horizontal distance of 4.5 feet in one leap, making it suitable for search-and-rescue missions in rough terrain. The researchers are currently working on a gliding mechanism to expand its applications.
Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno are developing a wearable robotic device that combines vision, tactile, force, temperature, and audio sensors to help blind and visually impaired individuals identify and grasp objects. The device aims to provide greater independence and ability to navigate daily tasks.
The National Institutes of Health is funding the development of three innovative robots to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The robots, including a smart-walker for elderly mobility and a hand-worn device for visually impaired grasping objects, aim to enhance independence and quality of life.
Researchers discovered that army ant bridges can move to span large gaps and change position as needed, balancing a cost-benefit trade-off between colony benefits and worker sequestration. This finding has implications for developing swarm robotics for disaster relief and exploration.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a row-bot that can operate indefinitely in remote locations by harnessing energy from dirty water. The robot's bio-inspired mechanism allows it to feed on nutrient-rich water, generating electricity through microbial fuel cells.
A robotic prosthetic control strategy based on human reflexes has shown promise in simulation and laboratory testing, producing stable walking gaits over uneven terrain and improved balance recovery from trips. The technology will be further developed and tested using volunteers with above-the-knee amputations over the next three years.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a 'spring-mass' walking system that combines passive dynamics with computer control, allowing robots to blindly react to rough terrain and maintain balance. The technology has the potential to enhance legged robots and enable new roles in industries such as manufacturing and firefig...
Researchers developed a lightweight, stretchable material that can mimic human organs and change shape by 300 percent. The material has potential applications in prosthetics and soft robotics.
A team of researchers used a toddler-like robot to study infant-parent interaction, finding that babies intentionally smile to elicit a response from their caregivers. By analyzing the timing of these smiles, they discovered a statistically strong correlation between intentional smiling and mutual smiling in both humans and robots.
A team of UK scientists has created the first three-dimensional picture of a submarine canyon habitat using marine robotics and ship-based measurements. The expedition used unique robot technology to collect data in hard-to-reach areas, leading to a better understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are exploring the use of soft robots in various fields, including medicine and disaster response. The goal is to develop intelligent surgical assistants that can help surgeons perform more effective manipulation during surgery.
Researchers at UTARI are developing a soft robotic glove that can open and close a patient's hand, providing relief for stroke victims. The device aims to address the limitations of current exoskeleton technology and improve long-term functional abilities and quality of life for those affected.
Scientists used Darwinian selection to evolve robot controllers that enable efficient self-organization of tasks. The new method allows the evolution of complex behaviors, surpassing previous complexity achieved in swarm robotics.
Researchers develop a new method to create highly stretchable conductors by aligning carbon nanotubes with rubber cores, resulting in an impressive 1000% stretch-to-conductivity ratio. This innovation has significant implications for future medical devices, optical elements, and robotics.