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Keeping flapping-wing robots stable during disturbances

Researchers developed a disturbance observer to compensate for external disturbances, allowing the robot to reject disturbances while maintaining stable flight. The approach reduced the X-axis position error by 53.1% and improved overall stability.

SourceChiba University·JournalControl Engineering Practice·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

AI underwater robots can now track diver stress via exhaled bubbles

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed an AI system that tracks a diver's health in real-time using robotic vision and exhaled bubble analysis. The system can detect signs of stress, hyperventilation, or exhaustion, providing a non-contact approach to monitor divers' physiological stress underwater.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·DateJul 27, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Rovers, regolith, robots: The blueprint for the moon

Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateMay 29, 2026

New research enables a robot to chart a better course

A new open-source trajectory-planning system, MIGHTY, has been developed by researchers at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania. The system enables robots to generate smooth flight paths while reacting to obstacles in real-time, making it suitable for applications such as search-and-rescue, last-mile delivery, and industrial inspection.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateMay 19, 2026
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Aston University finds new way to train robots for real-world tasks using AI

Researchers at Aston University have created an AI-based training method that enables robots to adapt to real-world conditions without extensive data collection. This breakthrough could significantly accelerate innovation in sustainable manufacturing, recycling, and autonomous industrial systems.

SourceAston University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

For autonomous robots, not all rules are equal

A new rulebooks framework developed by Iowa State University researchers provides a principled way for autonomous systems to rank and reconcile competing goals. The framework avoids the issues of blending weighted trade-offs, allowing systems to clearly define which rules come first and choose the least harmful option.

SourceIowa State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateApr 30, 2026

Aquatic robot to monitor species, advance hydropower

The eDNA-bot revolutionizes biological monitoring by providing comprehensive results at lower cost than conventional surveying methods. It can detect elusive species and monitor wastewater for pathogens, streamlining environmental assessments in hydropower licensing.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateApr 29, 2026

Too many cooks, or too many robots?

The study, led by Lucy Liu and L. Mahadevan, shows that adding the right amount of noise to individual robot movements can ease gridlock and improve efficiency in crowded environments. The researchers used computer simulations and experiments with small robots to test their ideas.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Do you trust me? A framework for making networks of robots and vehicles safer

Researchers propose a foundational framework to help multi-agent, connected systems decide what information they can trust before acting. The 'cy-trust' concept assigns a numerical trust value between 0 and 1 to data from other agents based on sensing, context, network behavior, and past experience.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 2, 2026
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Bats inspire advance in aerial robots

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute developed a palm-sized aerial robot that uses ultrasound sensors and AI to navigate through fog, smoke, and other difficult conditions. The drone achieved a success rate of 72% to 100% in navigating challenging courses during 180 tests.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 25, 2026

Forestry is becoming digital and automated

The COMET project AutoForst aims to increase safety, alleviate labor shortages, and improve forest logistics with digital and automated systems. Researchers will develop sensor and camera systems to recognize critical situations during loading and automate transport systems.

SourceGraz University of Technology·TypeNews article·DateJan 15, 2026

Penn and UMich create world’s smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Researchers at Penn and UMich created microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. The robots are powered by light and can be programmed to move in complex patterns, sense local temperatures, and adjust their paths accordingly.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Can AI read humans’ minds? A new model shows it’s shockingly good at it

A breakthrough AI system called OmniPredict can predict human pedestrian behaviors with unprecedented accuracy, revolutionizing self-driving cars and urban mobility. The model combines visual cues with contextual information to anticipate pedestrians' next moves, reducing the risk of accidents and improving traffic safety.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalComputers & Electrical Engineering·DateDec 8, 2025

Who watches the AI watchman?

A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a framework that uses mathematical tools and machine learning to rigorously check and verify the safety of AI-driven systems. The framework has been tested on challenging control problems and matched or exceeded traditional approaches.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalAutomatica·DateOct 21, 2025

Robots that spread and forget like humans: DGIST cuts driving time by 30% with physical AI

A new Physical AI technology cuts driving time for robots in logistics centers and smart factories by up to 30%, improving navigation efficiency through social behavior modeling. The tech allows robots to forget unnecessary information, share important details, and achieve more efficient cooperative navigation.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Industrial Information Integration·DateSep 29, 2025
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Robots map chemical reaction “hyperspaces” to unlock complex networks

Researchers at CARS create detailed maps of chemical reactivity, discovering regions of unexpected outcomes and reconstructing intricate reaction networks. This new understanding enables control over the formation of different major products from a set of starting materials.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2025

Algorithm optimizes robot teamwork for efficient manufacturing assembly

Researchers at Stanford University created an algorithm that efficiently manufactures products with a team of robots, directing them to work alone or in teams and laying out the assembly floor to prevent collisions. The ability to generate assembly plans quickly could provide flexibility in manufacturing, allowing factories to pivot mo...

SourceStanford University·JournalRobotics and Autonomous Systems·DateSep 17, 2025

AI-equipped aerial robots help to track and model wildfire smoke

Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed AI-guided aerial robots to detect, track and analyze wildfire smoke plumes. The technology provides high-resolution data collection across large areas at a lower cost than satellite-based tools, enabling more accurate computer models for air quality predictions.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateSep 2, 2025

Smarter robot planning for the real world

Vasile's research aims to map and model an agent's capabilities, particularly in motion, manipulation, and perception, to reliably predict their behavior. The goal is to use this understanding to plan effectively for large teams of agents.

SourceLehigh University·DateAug 26, 2025

Meet Rainbow: the multi-robot lab racing to discover the next quantum dots

Researchers at North Carolina State University unveiled Rainbow, a self-driving laboratory that autonomously discovers high-performance quantum dots. The system combines advanced robotics and AI to conduct up to 1,000 experiments per day, accelerating materials discovery.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2025
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Set it and forget it: Autonomous structures can be programmed to jump days in advance

Researchers created dynamic metashells that leap into the air on a predetermined schedule without intervention, jumping up to nine times their height. The structures were engineered to store energy and release it at a controlled timing, with scheduled jumps possible from three seconds to 58 hours in advance.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2025

Transforming hospital sanitation: autonomous robots for wiping and UV-C disinfection

Researchers developed an intelligent autonomous robot capable of automating hospital disinfection processes through dual disinfection system, increasing efficiency and precision. The robot's performance was validated through real-world testing, reducing the risk of infection in hospitals.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalIEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine·DateMay 7, 2025

In VR school, fish teach robots

Scientists used virtual reality to mimic schooling behavior in zebrafish, discovering a simple and robust control law that enables coordinated motion. This natural algorithm was then applied to swarms of robotic cars, drones, and boats, achieving performance comparable to state-of-the-art autonomous systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Robotics·DateApr 30, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

High-wire act: Soft robot can carry cargo up and down steep aerial wires

A soft robot can carry loads through the air along established tracks, navigating angles of up to 80 degrees and carrying loads up to 12 times its weight. The robot uses infrared light to move along the track, repeating a rolling motion that pulls it forward.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2025

Farm robot autonomously navigates, harvests among raised beds

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an autonomous driving algorithm for robots to navigate raised cultivation beds, utilizing lidar point cloud data. The system enables precise movement and accuracy in both virtual and actual environments, promising to expand tasks beyond harvesting to monitoring and pruning.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Hopping gives this tiny robot a leg up

Researchers created a hopping robot that can traverse challenging terrains, carry heavy payloads, and uses less energy than aerial robots. The robot's springy leg and flapping-wing modules enable it to jump over obstacles and adjust its orientation mid-air.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 9, 2025

Tiny, soft robot flexes its potential as a life saver

A tiny, soft robot developed by Penn State researchers can navigate through debris and deliver medicine inside the body. The flexible electronics system enables smart sensors to interact with its surroundings, allowing the robot to operate with minimal human intervention.

SourcePenn State·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

Kumamoto University researchers develop novel method for modeling periodically time-varying systems

Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a new mathematical modeling technique for linear periodically time-varying systems, enhancing the accuracy of control system models. This breakthrough has profound implications for industries relying on complex control systems, such as autonomous vehicles and aerospace applications, imp...

SourceKumamoto University·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2025
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Most AI struggles to read clocks and calendars, study finds

State-of-the-art AI models struggle to interpret clock-hand positions and answer questions about dates on calendars, requiring spatial awareness, context, and basic maths. Researchers tested various clock designs with different fonts and styles and found that AI systems got clock-hand positions right less than a quarter of the time.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateMar 13, 2025

‘Odd’ objects that adapt and move without a brain

Researchers develop active metamaterials that can autonomously roll, crawl, and wiggle over unpredictable terrain, including uphill and obstacles. These 'odd' objects achieve motion through unusual interactions between motorized building blocks, demonstrating decentralized and robust locomotion.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Tiny “rhinoceros beetle” robot does micro-scale manipulation in extreme conditions

Researchers at Yokohama National University have developed a tiny, low-weight robot that can act independently and with ultra-high precision in extreme environments. The Holonomic Beetle 3 (HB-3) integrates piezoelectric actuators with autonomous technology for precise manipulation tasks, addressing industries such as laboratory automa...

SourceYokohama National University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateMar 6, 2025

Morphing robot turns challenging terrain to its advantage

A bioinspired robot called GOAT can change shape to alter its physical properties in response to the environment, resulting in a robust and efficient autonomous vehicle. The robot's compliance allows it to navigate diverse environments with minimal sensing equipment, enabling it to find the path of least resistance.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

Submersible robot surfs water currents

Researchers developed a submersible robot that leverages vortices to boost efficiency in autonomous underwater vehicles. By 'surfing' vortex rings, CARL reduces energy consumption by one-fifth compared to traditional methods.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 25, 2025

Robots learn how to move by watching themselves

Researchers at Columbia University developed a way for robots to autonomously model their own 3D shapes using a single camera, enabling them to understand and adapt to their movements. This breakthrough allows robots to overcome damage to their bodies, making them more reliable and resilient for various applications.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeNews article·DateFeb 25, 2025
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Teaming up tiny robot swimmers to transform medicine

Ebru Demir aims to study how groups of AI-driven microswimmers move in biological fluids for potential applications in drug delivery, fertility treatments, and other medical fields. Her research combines artificial microswimmers with machine learning to uncover the underlying physics governing their movement.

SourceLehigh University·DateFeb 24, 2025

Turning robotic ensembles into smart materials that mimic life

Researchers created robotic materials that can change shape, support heavy loads, and self-heal by enabling dynamic inter-unit forces and biochemical signaling. The system can be scaled to thousands of units, enabling the development of robust and adaptable robotic materials.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalScience·DateFeb 20, 2025

A robust and adaptive controller for ballbots

Researchers develop a novel adaptive nonlinear PID controller integrated with radial basis function neural network for enhanced ballbot functionality. The proposed NPID-RBFNN controller demonstrates superior stability and robustness, outperforming traditional PID and NPID controllers.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 19, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Leafbot: A soft robot conquers challenging terrains

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed Leafbot, a soft robot that uses vibration-driven locomotion to traverse uneven surfaces. The robot's compliant structure and simple motion strategy enable it to overcome complex obstacles, making it valuable for applications such as inspection and exploration.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateFeb 17, 2025

Paved with good inventions: Road management needs new technologies, simpler regulations and improved collaboration

Two EU-funded projects presented digital, robotic, and other technologies for improved road monitoring and maintenance, emphasizing the need for automation, data-driven solutions, and sustainability. High-level participants highlighted the importance of collaboration and regulation in paving the way for smarter infrastructure management.

SourceEuropean Science Communication Institute gGmbH·DateFeb 5, 2025

MIT engineers help multirobot systems stay in the safety zone

A team of MIT engineers has developed a training method for multiagent systems that can guarantee their safe operation in crowded environments. The method enables agents to continually map their safety margins, allowing them to scale up to any number of agents while maintaining system safety.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateFeb 3, 2025
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Navigating a safer path for autonomous vehicles

Researchers are developing a software framework for crowd-sourced 3D map generation and visual localization from camera data to improve real-time updates and low-cost visual localization. This technology aims to advance self-driving vehicles and enable fully automated transportation

SourceTexas A&M University·DateJan 17, 2025

Influential robotics journal picks UVA paper as Best of 2024

The University of Virginia's AI-powered vision system, mimicking praying mantis eyes, has been selected as the best paper of 2024 by Science Robotics. The innovative system enables machines to track objects in 3D space, addressing limitations in current visual data processing.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateJan 14, 2025
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Singapore and Japan scientists develop technology to control cyborg insect swarms

Researchers from Singapore, Japan and US developed an advanced swarm navigation algorithm for cyborg insects that prevents them from getting stuck in challenging terrain. The new algorithm represents a significant advance in swarm robotics and could pave the way for applications in disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

Balancing act: the science behind BallBot control

Researchers discover that modifying BallBot's body mass and ball size can significantly improve its balancing abilities, enabling more stable and reliable robots. The study introduces a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller to fine-tune the robot's movements, allowing for improved balance and stability in dynamic environments.

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalInternational Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics·DateDec 11, 2024

How to make robots more lifelike

Researchers created a measurement scale to assess robot human likeness, revealing four key qualities: appearance, emotional capacity, social intelligence, and self-understanding. To seem lifelike, robots must exhibit these traits, with self-understanding being the most challenging aspect to simulate.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Service Research·TypeSurvey·DateDec 9, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Bird-inspired drone can jump for take-off

The EPFL researchers built a drone with birdlike legs that can walk, hop, and jump into flight, greatly expanding the potential environments for unmanned aerial vehicles. The design allows it to take off autonomously in previously inaccessible environments.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Autonomous imaging robot plays a crucial role in assessing embryos’ response to environmental change

The LabEmbryoCam is a robotic instrument that autonomously monitors embryonic development in aquatic species, providing insights into how environmental conditions impact early life stages. The open-source instrument enables scientists to track key features such as heart rate and growth in large numbers of embryos simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalHardwareX·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Helping robots make good decisions in real time

A team of Caltech researchers has developed an algorithm called Spectral Expansion Tree Search (SETS) that enables autonomous robots to determine the best movements to make as they navigate the real world. SETS uses control theory and linear algebra to find natural motions that use a robotic platform's capabilities to its fullest extent.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateDec 4, 2024