AquaLux 3D uses precisely controlled water droplets to create 3D images in water, allowing for unique effects like video games on falling water. The technology can also enable physical interaction with the display.
Researchers at the University of Miami designed intelligent 3D simulation robots to participate in the Robocup 2010 competition. The team developed a soccer team of six autonomous robots that can acquire strategic knowledge and real-time reasoning, setting their sights on making it through the first round.
The Virtual Manufacturing Automation Competition and Mobile Microrobotics Challenge demonstrated robotic capabilities for complex tasks like mixed palletizing and microassembly. The competitions aimed to advance robotic skills for future robots in various industries.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important fundamental advance in robotics, achieving optimal approach with robotic mechanisms. This breakthrough aims to create robots that can walk and run effectively while using little energy, potentially leading to applications in military missions, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchai...
Dr. Fumin Zhang, a Georgia Tech Savannah professor, has received the 2010 Young Investigator Award from The Office of Naval Research for his research on unmanned robots and mobile sensor networks in oceanography and robotics/control engineering.
The Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository is experiencing unprecedented demand for its services, doubling every two to three years, due to the growing need for genetic clues to autism, schizophrenia, and other diseases. The new expansion will turn the repository into a robotics-driven laboratory, allowing for deeper and finer geno...
Researchers found that replaying recent events in the hippocampus is not just for memory, but also for creating cognitive maps and making better navigation decisions. The study suggests that the brain uses replays to build a complete representation of its environment, allowing animals to plan novel routes.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center developed a plant-sorting machine that uses computer vision and machine learning to classify and sort harvested strawberry plants more consistently and faster than human workers. The system has the potential to improve quality, streamline production and de...
A French team has developed a computerized 3D model that predicts the movement of the heart as it beats, allowing robotic tools to move in concert with each beat. This innovation could enable less invasive surgical procedures with high precision and reduce complications.
Researchers at USC's CRES are evaluating robots as exercise coaches for adults of all ages, particularly the elderly. The study examines how physical presence affects robotic exercise motivation in older subjects.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $360,000 grant to establish a Robotics Crystallization Core Facility on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus. The grant will provide sophisticated robotics equipment to support collaborative efforts among structural biologists in the state.
The NRL's Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence has won two top awards at the IJCAI conference for its videos on transfer learning and gesture recognition. The winning videos showcase the lab's cutting-edge research in AI and robotics, with applications to naval missions.
The NSF grants will scale up Stevens' 'BUILD IT' project to four new regions, launching an underwater robotics curriculum in underserved audiences. The grants also support an education research study to develop engineering curricular modules for high-school biology and chemistry courses.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has announced its honorees for the AIAA Honors and Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in space automation and robotics, space operations and support, and space systems. The awards will be presented at the AIAA SPACE 2009 Conference and Exposition.
Researchers have created a robot-controlled palpating device that detects tumors with 40% more accuracy than humans, reducing tissue damage by over 35%. The device applies consistent force in each step, producing a complete map of the tissue.
Engineers propose new laws to rethink human-robot relationships, focusing on human organizations that develop and deploy robots. The laws aim to ensure high safety standards and address the limitations of current AI capabilities.
The International Journal of Robotics Research is launching a new genre of research paper called 'data papers,' which will facilitate the release of high-quality, peer-reviewed datasets to the robotics community. The launch also includes revamped multimedia services with improved access and quality for supplementary data.
Researchers at Brown University have created a novel system where robots can follow humans at a precise distance without special clothing or environments. The team used computer programs and depth-imaging cameras to recognize human gestures and respond accordingly.
Manuela Veloso, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has won the Autonomous Agents Research Award for her influential research in artificial intelligence and robotics. Her work on robot soccer has emerged as an important tool for studying autonomous agent cooperation in complex environments.
Researchers found that two small robots weighing 330 pounds each can build a berm around a landing site in under six months to block the sandblasting effect. The hard-surface landing pad using indigenous materials could reduce this need, allowing for more efficient cargo transfer and reducing damage to the outpost.
Top robotics expert Professor Noel Sharkey urges setting policy guidelines for the safe and ethical application of robots. Service robots are increasingly used in care settings, raising concerns about social isolation and potential psychological impacts on children and elderly individuals.
Researchers are developing ways to empower consumers and transit service providers in designing accessible transportation equipment, information services, and physical environments. A new Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) will focus on creating a public Web site where riders can report on their experiences and collabora...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing automated farming systems using sensors, autonomous vehicles, and data analysis to monitor tree health and crop status. The systems aim to provide growers with early warnings of diseases and insect infestations, as well as continuous updates on crop status.
The International Journal of Social Robotics will cover a broad array of topics related to socially interactive robots, including design philosophies, human-robot interaction, and neurorobotics. The journal aims to provide an overview of the current state of the field and its impact on society.
Scarab, a robotic system designed for lunar prospecting, will simulate a lunar mission to extract water, hydrogen, and oxygen from Hawaii's Mauna Kea. The robot will use a Canadian-built drill to obtain geologic cores, which will be chemically analyzed on-board instruments developed by NASA.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute are adapting their self-driving vehicle technology to create autonomous haul trucks for Caterpillar's largest haul trucks, each with payload capacities of 240 tons or more. The goal is to provide productivity gains through consistency in processes and improve mine safety.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a control system that allows robots to pick up on cues and predict where leaders are going, enabling them to follow accurately around corners. The system uses behavioral cues such as head turns and incorporates them into decision-making processes.
Researchers at USC's CRAFT center have developed a system to automate concrete building, with Caterpillar funding. The Contour Crafting process uses specialized concrete and has already built six-foot walls, paving the way for future research on design, robotics, and other issues.
Researchers investigate how humans perceive humanoid robots and attribute mental qualities, finding increased brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Participants enjoyed interactions more when robots displayed human-like features, suggesting a link between human-robot interaction and mentalizing.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created specially designed robots called SnoMotes to traverse dangerous ice environments and gather scientific measurements. The SnoMotes work autonomously in teams to cover all necessary ground, providing accurate data for scientists to validate climate models.
The Springer Handbook of Robotics presents the latest research in robotics, covering foundations to social and ethical implications. Edited by renowned experts Bruno Siciliano and Oussama Khatib, the handbook sets new standards for future developments and challenges in this scientific discipline.
Researchers at Purdue University found that discrete skills like typing are controlled differently than continuous skills like scribbling. This discovery could have implications for physical therapy and humanoid robotics.
Roberta, a German robotics project, aims to encourage high school girls to pursue technical trades and university programs. The program has been successful, with 22 regional centers in Germany and plans for European expansion.
Brown University has joined the Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact (ARTSI) Alliance to develop outreach programs and provide mentoring opportunities for African-American students in computer science and robotics. The program aims to create pathways for minority students to pursue graduate degrees in computer science.
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with ABB to develop green technologies and improve energy efficiency. The five-year, $5-million partnership will support research in areas like nanofluids, power electronics, and intelligent robotics.
The ARTSI Alliance will develop outreach programs and provide mentoring opportunities for underrepresented students in computer science and robotics. The alliance aims to address the shortage of diverse talent in these fields, with African-Americans currently making up only 4.8% of US computer scientists.
Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center has won a $14.4 million contract to develop an advanced, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the US Army. The UGV will utilize lessons learned from the successful 'Crusher' platform and incorporate latest suspension, vehicle frame, and hybrid-electric drive technologies.
The Scarab robot is equipped with a drill and features a novel rocker-arm suspension that enables it to plant its belly on the ground for drilling operations. The robot will demonstrate technologies for finding concentrations of hydrogen, water, and other volatile chemicals on the moon.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2007 Conference & Exposition. Burt Rutan will be recognized as the AIAA Engineer of the Year for his innovations in access to space.
A team of researchers successfully linked surgeons to robots via a 4,000-mile satellite connection, improving the quality of minimally invasive surgery. The study found that virtual reality prediction would greatly aid this type of surgery, paving the way for new efficient healthcare services.
The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) has successfully reached the bottom of Cenote Zacatón, the world's deepest known sinkhole. The robotic sub is designed to survey and explore extreme regions on Earth and potentially in outer space, advancing the search for life beyond our planet.
The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) mission aims to study the physical dimensions, geothermal vents, and potential life in El Zacatón's depths. Using a 2.5-meter-diameter submarine, the team will collect water samples and core samples from the cenote walls.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed the TeRK robot kit, allowing users to build sophisticated internet-connected robots using off-the-shelf parts. The kits feature a Qwerk controller and recipes that enable customization and extension, making highly capable robots accessible to a wide range of users.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a motor that can safely power remote-controlled robotic medical devices for cancer biopsies and therapies guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The motor, dubbed PneuStep, is made entirely out of plastics, ceramics, and rubber and is driven by light and air.
Researchers at École Polytechnique de Montréal have successfully guided a microdevice inside an artery using computer control and a clinical MRI system. The breakthrough could enable interventional medicine to target inaccessible sites using nanorobots.
Researchers have developed a new nanotechnology that can examine single molecules to determine gene expression, enabling more accurate analysis of individual cancer cells. This technology uses a GRIN approach combining genomics, robotics, informatics, and nanotechnology.
Dr. Charles Bostater's grant will develop an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on remote sensing systems and robotic platforms, including detection of unexploded ordnance and humanitarian de-mining in marine environments. Selected students from US and European universities will receive stipends to travel to international institutions.
The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation ITEST grant. The BUILD IT program will introduce engineering design and problem solving skills to students through LEGO robotics and programming in an underwat...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Ballbot, a self-contained mobile robot that balances dynamically on a single sphere, enabling it to move easily among people and furniture. The robot's tall and skinny design allows it to outperform traditional statically stable robots in environments with obstacles.
The new curriculum is designed to encourage students to investigate problems and develop their own solutions, putting the responsibility on them to learn. Students will work with the upgraded software and hardware to appreciate the importance of math and science in real-world applications.
Researchers at MIT are testing kayak-based robots called SCOUTs, which use surface navigation to communicate wirelessly. The goal is to create a team of robots that can work seamlessly together with minimal human direction.
The Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center aims to develop technologies that enable older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and productively. Researchers will create intelligent systems that monitor health, prompt memories, and control household appliances.
Researchers develop a program that automatically generates 3D models from a single photograph, improving object recognition and understanding of geometric context. By teaching computers to spot visual cues that differentiate between vertical and horizontal surfaces, they create a breakthrough in computer vision research.
Claire French, a PhD student, has developed an easy-to-use test to distinguish between skin, vaginal, and mouth cells, with potential applications in forensic science. Andrew Graham and Hayley Reynolds have also been recognized for their research in medical robotics and melanoma detection, respectively.
A Florida State University researcher is creating unmanned ground vehicles to patrol areas without putting soldiers in harm's way. The Center for Intelligent Systems, Control, and Robotics is also working on algorithms that enable autonomous devices, such as wheelchairs and self-parking cars.
Researchers have made significant advancements in stroke treatment, improving functional use of arms and hands through robotics and neuromuscular stimulation. Additionally, a multidisciplinary program for Parkinson's disease patients has shown long-term improvements in motor function scores.
Charles Townes, the father of quantum electronics, receives the award for his work on masers and lasers, while Raj Reddy is recognized for transforming computer science through robotics and human-computer interaction. Their awards mark the nation's appreciation for their statesmanship in science.
The five robots were chosen by an international jury for their significant impact on robotics and computer science education. AIBO is a popular research platform used in robotic soccer, while SCARA has been widely adopted in industrial assembly operations.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania develop method to create world's smallest and cleanest nanometer gaps that can be imaged directly with atomic resolution. These nanogaps enable electrical connection to small objects, such as individual molecules, with applications in medicine, robotics, materials science, and security.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society meeting showcased research on disaster preparedness, including robotics in search and rescue efforts. The meeting also explored topics such as patient safety, driving safety, and space exploration, highlighting the importance of human factors in these fields.