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Aerial robot that can morph in flight

Researchers designed an aerial robot that can alter its profile during flight to reduce its wingspan and navigate through narrow passages. The Quad-Morphing robot has two rotating arms equipped with propellers, allowing it to fly like a helicopter and adopt different arm orientations to traverse tight spaces.

SourceCNRS·JournalSoft Robotics·DateMay 31, 2018

Rare sharks are no longer in the 'dark,' thanks to new species survey method

Researchers analyzed genetic material from organisms to assess dark diversity of sharks and found three times more species in wilderness areas than traditional visual methods. The results suggest a lower estimated dark diversity of sharks in the region, potentially impacting IUCN Red List classifications and aiding conservation efforts.

Hello DARKNESS

A team of UCSB physicists has created a device named DARKNESS, the first 10,000-pixel integral field spectrograph designed to overcome the limitations of traditional semiconductor detectors. This instrument enables direct imaging of planets around nearby stars and can detect fainter planets with higher contrast ratios.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific·DateApr 16, 2018

Berkeley Lab 'minimalist machine learning' algorithms analyze images from very little data

Researchers create a new approach to machine learning using a single-layer neural network that can analyze images with limited training data. The algorithm, called MS-D, requires far fewer parameters than traditional methods and has the ability to learn from a remarkably small set of images.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018

Using technology to detect hidden threats

A team of researchers at the University of Delaware is developing an augmented reality system that can spot explosive hazards precisely and from a safe distance. The technology uses traditional cameras, thermal infrared sensing, and ground penetrating radar to detect IEDs up to 30 meters away.

Researchers help robots think and plan in the abstract

Scientists at Brown University have created a way for robots to learn high-level abstract representations of their surroundings, enabling them to plan and act more autonomously. By using machine learning algorithms, robots can distill complex sensory data into simple, text-based descriptions that facilitate planning and skill execution.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Artificial Intelligence Research·DateFeb 8, 2018

New lensless camera creates detailed 3-D images without scanning

Researchers developed a compact and inexpensive camera that produces high-resolution 3D images from a single 2D image. The DiffuserCam uses computational imaging to reconstruct 100 million voxels from a 1.3-megapixel image, with potential applications in brain research, self-driving cars, and machine learning.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 21, 2017

Zwicky Transient Facility sees 'first light'

The Zwicky Transient Facility's (ZTF) new survey camera captures hundreds of thousands of stars and galaxies in a single shot, taking its first image of the sky, dubbed 'first light.' ZTF aims to discover objects and events varying in brightness over time, including explosive supernovae, hungry black holes, and asteroids/comets.

How aerial thermal imagery is revolutionizing archaeology

Researchers have demonstrated how aerial thermography is transforming archaeology by introducing a new realm of possibilities for collecting site data. The study showcases the potential of this methodology to reveal archaeological features, detect hidden structures, and analyze environmental conditions.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAdvances in Archaeological Practice·DateSep 24, 2017

Drones can almost see in the dark

Researchers from the University of Zurich have developed a new camera system that allows drones to capture images in high-speed motion and low light, enabling autonomous flight. This technology can assist search and rescue teams in disaster areas where conventional drones are unable to operate.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateSep 20, 2017

An app for the perfect selfie

A smartphone app developed by computer scientists at the University of Waterloo uses an algorithm to direct users on camera positioning for optimal photos. The app, which has shown a 26% improvement in selfie quality, teaches users about composition principles and can be expanded to include additional factors.

Picture perfect

A new system called Computational Zoom enables photographers to compose images post-capture by controlling object positions and sizes. This allows for novel image compositions, including automatically combining wide-angle and telephoto perspectives into a single multi-perspective image.

Seeing the colored light: Bee brains open way for better cameras

Researchers discovered a new mechanism for processing color information in honeybees, which could improve color constancy in imaging systems. The study found that the bees' ocelli contain two color receptors that can detect ambient light color, allowing them to discount naturally colored illumination and perceive true colors.

SourceRMIT University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017