Researchers created a hydrogel actuator inspired by plant cell turgor pressure, boasting an actuation force of 730 newtons, 3 orders of magnitude higher than existing actuators. The actuator enables rapid construction of complex structures in minutes, with applications in soft robotics, tunable optics, and biomedicine.
A study from EPFL and the University of Lausanne developed a method to calculate which jobs are at risk of being automated by robots. The team created an algorithm that predicts the risk of automation for hundreds of jobs and suggests alternative careers with minimal retraining requirements.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a 3D-printed artificial fingertip that produces nerve signals similar to those from human tactile nerves. The innovation could improve robot dexterity and prosthetic hand performance by giving them an in-built sense of touch.
A study has discovered that using a strategically-timed pull from a waist belt can help individuals walk more efficiently, reducing metabolic cost by as much as half. This approach uses biomechanical testing to optimize the timing of assistance, which was found to be most effective during a brief window between steps.
Researchers created BirdBot, a robotic leg inspired by the ostrich's anatomy, which achieves energy efficiency through a mechanical coupling of muscles and tendons. The robot leg requires fewer motors than other machines, making it suitable for large size applications.
Researchers at Rutgers University have successfully stabilized an enzyme that degrades scar tissue resulting from spinal cord injuries, promoting tissue regeneration. The study used AI-driven liquid handling robotics to synthesize and test copolymers that stabilize the enzyme, offering new hope for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at HKUST and UChicago have designed the basic elements needed for logic operations using liquid crystals, paving the way for novel computing methods. The team controlled topological defects to perform operations like amplification and switching, opening the door to potential applications in robotics and sensing.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University applied cognitive science theories to human-robot interaction, finding that humans need to see variation in robot behavior to build accurate mental models. Theories suggest that strategic variation can reveal concepts that might be difficult for a person to discern otherwise.
Scientists have designed logic operations using liquid crystals, enabling potential applications in robotics and sensing. The technique uses topological defects to carry information, offering a new approach to computing.
A new study employs computer algorithms to design multimaterial structures mimicking natural designs for efficient actuators and energy absorbers. The approach enables the creation of sustainable devices with reusable and fully recoverable energy dissipators.
A new HMI system, Robotic VR, allows users to teleoperate robots with precision and feel, enabling complicated tasks such as Covid-19 swab tests and patient care. The system provides immersive feedback via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the internet.
Developed by University of Cambridge researchers, these materials can sense strain, temperature and humidity, and partially repair themselves at room temperature. The low-cost materials have potential applications in robotics, tactile interfaces and wearable devices.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated humanity's transition to a new technological stage, particularly in fields like medicine, biotech, and robotics. This shift is expected to bring about significant socio-political changes, including the development of an e-state and the increasing role of sociotechnical systems in managing society.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a tuneable, elastic and temperature-sensitive gel by using complementary DNA strands to connect star-shaped polymer molecules together. The gel exhibits predictable behavior, self-healing properties and durability suitable for medical and engineering applications.
A UOC study analyzed 28,000 European citizens' perceptions of robot-assisted surgery, finding that experience and user-friendliness are key factors in trust. The study highlights the need for a patient-aligned robotic strategy to develop effective healthcare policies.
A new drive system has been developed for flapping wing autonomous robots, eliminating the need for conventional motors and gears. The Liquid-amplified Zipping Actuator (LAZA) achieves wing motion without rotating parts or gears, simplifying the flapping mechanism and enabling miniaturization to insect size.
A robot performed laparoscopic surgery on a pig without human guidance, demonstrating improved results compared to human surgeons. The Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) excelled at intestinal anastomosis, a procedure requiring high precision and accuracy.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a material-based reservoir computing device using single-walled carbon nanotubes and porphyrin-polyoxometalate composites. This innovation enables AI robots to classify grasped objects based on tactile signals, demonstrating the potential for energy-saving AI systems and situational awar...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new control technology that enables ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to combine visual perception of its environment with proprioception-based sensing. This allows the robot to tackle rough terrain faster and more efficiently.
Physicists at the University of Bath and Michigan discover a new photonic effect in semiconducting nanohelices, accelerating drug discovery and development. The effect enables chirality measurement in tiny volumes, potentially revolutionizing high-throughput screening for life-saving medicines.
A new platform uses machine learning to design and build transformable, inflatable systems with potential applications in medicine, architecture, robotics, space travel, and more. The researchers used finite element simulations and neural networks to learn how to control the deformation of membranes when pressurized.
A novel carbon-based biosensor developed at the University of Technology Sydney detects electrical signals sent by the brain, translating them into commands for autonomous robotic systems. The biosensor overcomes three major challenges in graphene-based biosensing: corrosion, durability, and skin-contact resistance.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that humans can instantly estimate slipperiness of a surface by detecting radial strain in the fingertip skin during initial contact. This innovation has significant implications for robotics and prosthetics design.
Researchers have developed a new pressure sensor that can be stretched up to 50% while maintaining its sensing performance, enabling advanced robotics and prosthetic applications. The sensor is sensitive enough to detect the pressure of small objects and responds rapidly to changes in pressure.
Fred Martin, a UMass Lowell computer scientist, is being recognized for developing an educational framework that introduces robotics and AI to K-12 students. His work has guided the development of primary and secondary AI education initiatives worldwide.
Bubble casting is a new way to make soft robots using 'fancy balloons' that change shape in predictable ways when inflated with air. The researchers successfully cast star-shaped hands, coils and fingers, demonstrating the potential for soft robotics applications such as harvesting produce or providing personal care.
The 'Rolling Fingers' robotic hand can move objects in a single grasp without needing two arms, simplifying tasks for robots. Its adaptive fingers and rotating skin enable safe manipulation of non-rigid objects, making it suitable for industrial and clinical applications.
Researchers developed a bioinspired system using ultrasound measurements to create customized assistance profiles for users. The exosuit significantly reduced metabolic energy of walking across various speeds and inclines.
Researchers have developed an autonomous robot that can open its own doors and find nearby outlets to recharge. The innovation addresses a significant challenge in robotics, enabling helper robots to work independently without human assistance.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have invented a new technology that enables the rapid printing of wearable and electronic sensors without the need for polymer binders. This breakthrough can significantly reduce production time, making it suitable for applications such as health monitoring, prosthetics, and robotics.
A new study published in Applied Ergonomics found that the cognitive demands of wearing a low-back exoskeleton can hinder its mechanical advantages, offsetting benefits in reducing spine loading. The researchers used ambulatory brain imaging and connectivity analysis to demonstrate how increased cognitive response to tasks can cancel o...
Researchers created a shape-shifting material that can morph into any stable shape, enabling independent control of geometry and mechanics. The totimorphic structural materials have the potential to be used in robotics, biotechnology, architecture, and other applications.
The new AI-CARING initiative aims to develop robotics and artificial-intelligence systems to help seniors manage daily activities, including medication schedules and meal preparation. The project also seeks to grow employment opportunities and educational programs in the field of AI-robotics, with UMass Lowell as a key partner.
Dr. Yasemin Ozkan-Aydin successfully built four-legged swarm robots that can navigate challenging environments and overcome obstacles collectively. The robots were tested on various terrain types, including grass, leaves, and rough surfaces, with individual units sending signals to others for support when needed.
The KIMM research team developed a flexible, stretchable battery that bends and stretches like a snake, offering potential applications in wearable devices, soft robots, and disaster relief. The battery's design mimics the structure of snake scales, providing stability and flexibility.
SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.
Cong Wang aims to develop a two-fingered robot that can perform everyday tasks with precision manipulation, using artificial intelligence and crowdsourcing. The robot will be taught by human volunteers through the Amazon Mechanical Turk system, with the goal of creating a physically intelligent being.
Erdogan Kaya and his team will develop an ELL-friendly elementary computer science curriculum utilizing educational robotics, aiming to improve English language proficiency, science, math, and computer science achievement. Funding from NSF CSforAll grant will support a collaborative project with institutions nationwide.
Researchers will use C. thermocellum bacteria to better understand metabolism and production of cellulosic biofuels, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy-duty transportation. The $1.2M grant will integrate enzyme assays, robotics, computer modeling, and advanced chemistry techniques.
Researchers have developed a shape memory polymer that can store up to 17.9 J/g energy, allowing it to lift objects 5,000 times its own weight upon heating. The polymer's high energy density and low cost make it an ideal material for soft robotics, smart biomedical devices, and deployable space structures.
A study published in Science Robotics found that mutual gaze with a humanoid robot affects human neural activity and delays decision-making processes. Participants were slower to respond when the robot established mutual gaze during decision making, relative to averted gaze.
Researchers at University of Michigan and University of Tokyo developed a system to safely deliver electricity over the air, delivering 50 watts of power using magnetic fields. The technology can untether phones, laptops, and even implanted medical devices, opening new possibilities for mobile robotics.
Student researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed artificial intelligence to train robots to work together to move a couch around obstacles and through a narrow door. The robots successfully completed the task 95% of the time in simulations, with nearly equal success without re-training.
The UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education has received a $2.4 million grant to establish an initiative introducing Black/African American girls to engineering and robotics. The Ujima Girls in Robotics Leadership Project offers a free, hands-on program teaching girls middle and high school engineering and leadership.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop faster path planning approach for rubble-roving robots, enabling them to find stable paths in treacherous terrain more efficiently. The new algorithm outperformed traditional methods in success and total time to plan, with an 84% success rate in virtual experiments.
A team of engineers discovered that the unique design of fish fins, with layered structures made up of stiff and soft materials, enables them to achieve remarkable dexterity and flexibility. This finding could lead to new materials and technologies for robotic applications and aircraft design.
The proposed scan matching algorithm reduces data processing time and improves robot performance by filtering out unnecessary data. The technique allows robots to redirect computational resources to other tasks, enabling faster processing and improved accuracy in applications such as SLAM and SfM.
Researchers developed simple, low-cost legged robots that can link and unlink to accomplish tasks like gap traversal and stair climbing on uneven terrains. The robots use easily acquired off-the-shelf technology and a magnetic connector for docking and cooperative behaviors.
Researchers at Waseda University have developed a novel mechanism for inducing high-speed bending in thick crystals using the photothermal effect, enabling rapid actuation and simulation. This breakthrough has significant implications for flexible robotics, actuators, and soft robotics.
A new algorithm has been developed that can guide a quadrotor drone through a series of waypoints on a circuit, beating the fastest lap of two world-class human pilots. The algorithm generates time-optimal trajectories that fully consider the drones' limitations, resulting in faster and more consistent flight times.
Researchers at USC have developed a new simulator that accurately predicts the forces acting on a knife as it cuts through soft materials, enabling applications in safer food processing and surgical robotics. The system uses 'differentiable' simulation to automatically tune parameters from real-world measurements.
Researchers at CU Boulder's ATLAS Institute have developed shape-changing objects inspired by origami that can bend, wiggle, and flutter using artificial muscles. The 'Electriflow' designs utilize hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators to create paper-thin, fast-moving, and almost silent objects.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an algorithm that can assist autonomous vehicles in navigating tight spaces and unknown driver intentions. The algorithm was trained on simulation data and found to perform better than current models in handling complex scenarios like bi-directional lane usage.
Engineers at UC Riverside developed an air-powered computer memory that can be used to control soft robots. This innovation eliminates the need for electronic valves and computers, reducing size, cost, and power demands.
Researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles compare popular neuro-evolutionary methods for offline robot swarm design, observing a 'reality gap' where simulated neural networks fail in the real world. To address this, they propose reducing method 'power' to adopt simpler approaches with predefined building blocks.
Researchers from Baidu Research and the University of Maryland have developed an autonomous excavator system (AES) that can operate continuously for over 24 hours without human intervention. AES uses perception, planning, and control capabilities to identify target materials and avoid obstacles, achieving performance comparable to expe...
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has received a $1.8 million federal grant to develop legged robots that will assist sailors with shipboard firefighting and maintenance. The robots will be designed to prioritize personnel safety, particularly during fires, and reduce maintenance time.
A team of researchers has developed micro-actuators that use internal changes as a trigger for signal-based movement, paving the way for new applications in soft robotics, microscale sensing, and bioengineering. The devices, powered by chemical reactions, can be programmed to perform different modes of mechanical work.
A new algorithm developed at Caltech allows autonomous systems to recognize their location by analyzing the terrain around them, even in seasonal changes. The system uses self-supervised learning to identify patterns in images, resulting in more accurate localization, with 92% success rate compared to 50% with traditional techniques.
Researchers have developed an artificial skin that senses force through ionic signals and changes color from yellow to purple when damaged, mimicking human bruising. This innovation opens up new opportunities for detecting damage in prosthetic devices and robotics.