The team's creation is the smallest robot that transduces force, is untethered, and engages in its own locomotion. It features two independent microactuators for forward motion and turning, powered by a grid of electrodes.
A team of researchers, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has developed a network of distributed sensing devices and water-monitoring robots that use solar power to extend their deployment time. This technology will enable the detection of chemical and biological trends in lakes, rivers, and waterways to improve water quality ...
Researchers have developed a method to create densely packed carbon nanotube carpets with an artificial gecko foot-like grip, 200 times stronger than natural geckos. This breakthrough enables the development of dry adhesives for microelectronics, robotics, and other fields.
Researchers at MIT have created an Anklebot to aid stroke patients in regaining ankle movement. The device is one part of a larger robotic gym targeting different limbs, building on previous success with arm rehabilitation.
Researchers are exploring the use of interactive humanoids like RUBI and QRIO in educational environments. The robots are attending a UCSD nursery school as part of a long-term study to advance the field of real-time, social robotics.
NASA's Goddard technologist Vladimir Lumelsky proposes developing a 'High-Tech Skin' with over 1,000 infrared sensors to enable robots to sense their environment and react like humans. This technology is crucial for carrying out NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, where humans and robots work together in unstructured environments.
The Swarms Project aims to develop software framework for autonomous robots to work together, inspired by natural swarming behaviors. The project will leverage expertise in AI, robotics, and biology to tackle complex tasks such as locating terrorists or chemical spills.
Carnegie Mellon University is partnering with United Defense to develop a semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (TUGV) for the US Marine Corps. The Gladiator TUGV will provide remote scouting, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities to increase human survival and reduce risk.
Scientists use Zoe, an autonomous solar-powered rover, to explore the Atacama Desert and test robotic capabilities. They aim to detect signatures of microbial life remotely, which will aid in future human missions to Mars.
Researchers developed control methods for self-reconfigurable robots that can change shape and perform different tasks without falling apart. The methods ensure guaranteed correct behavior, enabling robots to adapt to various environments and tasks.
The Explorer robot, developed by Carnegie Mellon University, successfully inspected hundreds of feet of live gas mains in Yonkers, NY. The robot's wireless capabilities and advanced cameras enable near-real-time images of the pipe's interior, reducing costs per foot of pipe inspected.
The INEEL-designed closure system will demonstrate operations and equipment, with the prototype constructed and operated at the INEEL. The project builds on INEEL's expertise in spent fuel canister welding and robotics to develop a remote-operated waste package closure system.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon developed a smart system that improves darkened photographs by digitally adding light to shadows. The tool, called Shadow Illuminator, uses principles based on human vision processes to enhance details within shadows.
The National Robotics Engineering Consortium will lead the development of perception and path planning within the Autonomous Navigation System. The team aims to advance mobile robotics and increase soldier safety by eliminating direct UGV operation.
New technologies, such as robotics and GPS-guided therapy, are being integrated with imaging technology to enhance precision in minimally invasive procedures. These advancements aim to reduce human error and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that ants use distinct body odors to signal tasks, such as foraging and patrolling, allowing them to coordinate complex behaviors without a hierarchical control structure. The discovery sheds light on the importance of scent in insect communication and has implications for fields like computer science and robotics.
Researchers will test semi-autonomous, interactive robots in a simulated disaster environment. The goal is to develop robots that can autonomously navigate and find victims by 2050.
The Carnegie Mellon, NASA collaboration aims to push the limits of technology in harsh environments using a robotic system that will use sensing and intelligence to find land forms or environmental conditions that could harbor life. The project involves annual field experiments in the Atacama Desert with an increasingly capable robot.
Researchers at USC's ISI Polymorphic Robotics Laboratory have developed modular robot units programmed with
A Toronto-based researcher has developed a system that uses acoustic signals to locate and orient devices, mimicking the navigation abilities of blind people. The technology could lead to improved communication devices such as cell phones or hand-held computers within five to ten years.
The Ohio University team, dubbed the 'Robobcats,' has developed soccer-playing robots that employ artificial intelligence to devise play strategies. The technology also has practical applications in disaster response and space exploration.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are developing crayfish-inspired robots that can navigate complex terrain and perform tasks with minimal brain power. The study aims to advance biomimetics, a field that harvests nature's best design ideas for robotics.
Srinivas Akella receives $399,700 to develop software enabling industrial robots to manipulate flexible objects and assemble complex 3-D structures. His techniques could reduce manufacturing costs and time required for new products.
The first Workshop on Interactive Robotics and Entertainment (WIRE 2000) will bring together experts from academia and industry to analyze the growing interaction between robotics and the toy industry. The conference will predict how this interaction will change both areas in the future.
The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is hosting Pittsburgh Robotics Day to celebrate robotics technology in western Pennsylvania. The event features exhibits and demonstrations of various robotic applications, including autonomous farming, bridge construction, and driver monitoring systems.
Researchers at Purdue University are creating plastic and mathematical models to analyze the aerodynamic sound of human speech. They aim to predict the consequences of surgery on the throat and develop a method to better synthesize and characterize voices for robotics and voice-recognition purposes.
The Carnegie Mellon University's Nomad robot successfully completed its mission to find meteorites in Antarctica, classifying seven specimens as meteorites. The robot achieved this feat autonomously and without prior knowledge of the samples, marking a significant milestone in robotics and scientific inquiry.
Carnegie Mellon's Big Signal allows users to explore Antarctica remotely through Nomad's sensors and cameras. The project aims to engage students in remote geology and provide them with access to scientific data.
The robot population in North America has nearly doubled over the last decade, with robots becoming increasingly important in various applications. The latest edition of the Handbook of Industrial Robotics highlights the evolution of robots and their integration with humans in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
Gavin Miller's robotic snakes replicate slithering and sidewinding motions, paving the way for advanced robotics. The designs' potential applications extend beyond toys to include planetary exploration and handling diverse terrains.
Researchers have developed a new robotic technique for performing coronary artery bypass surgery, which appears to be safe and effective. The procedure uses a small tubelike instrument and robotic arms to minimize scarring and promote faster recovery times.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed miniature robots that can bounce, climb stairs and explore buildings. The robots can gather information via radio links and be deployed in groups to provide diverse perspectives on a situation.
Computer scientists at Brandeis University have successfully designed and built various LEGO structures, such as bridges and cranes, without human input. The team's program uses a trial-and-error approach to optimize designs based on simple optimization goals, laying the groundwork for robots capable of reworking their own hardware.
A Johns Hopkins University engineer has developed a microchip-based robotic vision system that enables toy cars to follow lines while avoiding obstacles. The technology could also be used in medical systems, manufacturing plants, and surveillance systems.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a robot called BOA that removes asbestos from pipes, meeting OSHA and regulatory requirements. The device operates 10 times faster than humans, offering a safer and more economical solution to the nation's environmental problem.
A Yale University robot is modeled after bat and dolphin echolocation behavior, exploiting sensor mobility and rotating ears to pinpoint objects. The robot can detect and identify various objects, such as coins and ball bearings, with high accuracy and ease.
Nomad, an autonomous wheeled robot, is undertaking a 40-day, 125-mile journey through the Atacama Desert to explore terrain, navigate, and conduct remote science. The experiment aims to develop technologies for planetary exploration and provide a unique opportunity for public teleoperation.
The Pantex storage building will utilize automated gas generator disassembly system (AGGDIS) and weighing and leak check system (WALS) to improve the efficiency and safety of nuclear dismantlement operations. These robotic systems will enable faster handling of sensitive components, reducing radiation exposure for humans.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed three robotic systems to streamline the dismantlement of nuclear weapons, including AGGDIS and WALS. These systems can handle delicate operations faster and more accurately than humans, reducing radiation exposure and increasing efficiency.
The report summarizes findings of a workshop on robotics and computer-assisted medical interventions, highlighting advancements in surgical simulations, image-guided therapies, robotics, and teleinterventions. Researchers aim to improve patient care and reduce treatment costs with more precise tools that leverage human skills.