Add BrightSurf on Google Email

AI scientist autonomously generates and validates new biological discoveries

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology created an AI scientist capable of generating scientific hypotheses, designing experiments and interpreting results. The AI system, Eve, identified promising biological questions, recommended experiments and evaluated outcomes, and iteratively refined its understanding based on new evide...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 30, 2026

Seoul National University of Science and Technology develops AI framework to test and improve vision-system robustness

A new AI framework, AdvWT, uses realistic fading, cracks, and corrosion to test vulnerabilities in AI vision systems. It achieves near-perfect attack success rates on lightweight CNNs and transformer-based models, and can also be used to restore naturally damaged traffic signs.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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