Researchers developed an AI system, Ataraxos, that excels at Stratego, a two-player game of imperfect information, by combining efficient training algorithms with new techniques for calculated decision-making. The system defeated top human players and outperformed other models in strategic games, demonstrating its potential to help hum...
The EMERGE project establishes a philosophical, mathematical and technological framework for collaborative awareness in artificial systems. Researchers found that people can understand an artificial system as aware without assuming subjective experience, and that increasing awareness can improve performance.
The HKU Robocon team, consisting of 40 students, won the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union's Asia-Pacific Robot Contest 2026, defeating teams from 15 countries. The team's exceptional collaboration, innovative engineering, and operator training contributed to their victory.
Researchers developed MOFU, a robot that mimics living organisms' volumetric motion, changing its body volume through expansion and contraction. This design improves human-robot interaction by increasing perceived animacy, as participants rated the robot as more lifelike in experiments.
A new method, called CW-Net, translates the reasoning process of an autonomous vehicle's AI system into understandable concepts that explain its behavior. CW-Net explains the decisions of machine learning-based planners using concepts like
Research from the University of Birmingham and other institutions found that interacting with AI-powered customer service robots can reinforce or alter a consumer's self-perception. The study explores how mirroring and mimicry can lead to a 'robotoid humanness' where consumers become more like robots, raising ethical concerns.
Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a novel approach using porous triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) feet and deep reinforcement learning controller, which significantly reduces battery power consumption in quadruped robots. The solution reduces energy consumption by up to 6.2% while maintaining stable locomotion.
Researchers at MIT developed a new technique called VLASH that allows robots to predict their future position, enabling smoother motions and quicker reactions. This breakthrough doubles the speed of robots performing tasks like pick-and-place and boosts performance in dynamic activities.
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.
A research team developed a walking-support robot that uses large-area tactile contact at the torso to track movement intent and share load. The system continuously adapts as the coupled human-robot dynamics evolve, allowing intention alignment and balance support to emerge from the same physical channel.
Researchers at Penn State have developed paint-on tattoos that can power sensors and track health data like heart rate and brain waves. The innovative conductive ink can be customized with various colors and designs, providing a comfortable and accurate wearable solution.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2026
A mechanical soft force sensor eliminates electronic components, allowing soft robots to sense and respond without power or signal processing. The sensor detects multi-axis forces and converts them directly into fluidic actuation.
Researchers at UC San Diego successfully performed two surgeries using teleoperated humanoid robots, called Surgie, which have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries. The compact robots can be deployed in remote areas and are easier to use than specialized robotic systems.
Researchers developed a robotic system inspired by social insects to optimize mining operations. The honeybee-inspired approach outperformed others in tests, reducing travel distance by up to 80% and completing ore delivery tasks 60% faster.
A research group developed an edible agent capable of social interaction to explore human-food interactions and psychological acceptance. Participants perceived different behaviors as affecting mind perception and reluctance to eat or guilt, indicating a need for further studies.
A new spatial memory system allows robots to rapidly form and recall detailed mental models of large-scale environments, enabling fast and accurate object recognition. This framework combines advanced map representations with rich descriptions of the environment, enabling robots to answer complex queries in plain language.
Researchers found that humanoid robots like Pepper can make good playmates in cooperative modes with natural pace and order of play. However, competitive gameplay led to frustration due to robot's stiffness and overzealousness.
Researchers developed piezoelectric patch sensors that track finger movements to play rock-paper-scissors, promoting self-motivated healthcare and entertainment. The sensors provide quantifiable data and objective feedback, improving patient outcomes through accessibility, independence, and motivation.
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.
A robot that catches itself when it falls has been developed using reinforcement learning and artificial intelligence. The system achieved an average success rate of 69.4 percent in arresting the robot's fall and returning it to a stable position.
A robotic hand developed at USC can hear a melody once and play it back after just two minutes of self-taught practice on a keyboard. The system, called the Musician Hand, mimics the way the brain and body coordinate fine motor skills through trial and error, offering a new model for machines — and medicine — to approach complex moveme...
Researchers at FAU's CA-AI are developing machine learning technologies to enable autonomous systems to sense, learn, and act in coordination. The project aims to overcome the challenge of individual smart systems failing to collaborate effectively as part of a network.
Experts warn that AI-enhanced surgical robotics could enable true personalized surgery and enhance surgical team performance. However, regulatory reforms are needed to address risks from adaptive systems and ensure patient benefits.
Researchers develop Kinematic Intelligence framework to transfer skills between robots with different mechanical structures, enabling safe and predictable behavior. The approach reduces time and expertise needed to deploy robots in real-world settings.
Researchers at Binghamton University have created a talking robot guide dog system that determines ideal routes and guides visually impaired users safely to their destinations. The system offers real-time verbal feedback and provides situational awareness, significantly enhancing the user experience.
Researchers at MIT have developed an ultrasound wristband that precisely tracks hand movements, allowing users to control a robotic hand or manipulate virtual objects. The device produces high-quality images of the wrist's muscles and tendons, which are then translated into specific hand positions, enabling precise movement control.
The Center for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing will hold its first field day on April 9 to share research on developing new robotic technologies. Researchers will demonstrate tools for deboning, detecting foreign materials and pathogens, as well as using virtual reality to operate equipment remotely.
A novel AI-based framework, EDGCN, decodes dynamic variations in EEG patterns for better brain-computer interface technology. The model outperforms current state-of-the-art methods with high classification accuracies and decoding accuracy, enabling more seamless communication between the human brain and machines.
Florida Atlantic University has received a $4.5 million grant from the US Air Force to establish a high-fidelity platform for autonomous decision-making and real-time sensor fusion research. The T-1A Jayhawk simulator will be used to study cognitive performance, situational awareness, stress and decision-making under pressure.
A new machine learning model interprets leg motion as expended energy, providing a more accurate measure of calories burned. The device has been shown to have double the accuracy of commercial smartwatches and activity trackers.
Researchers found that participants initially overestimated the awkwardness of their gait but improved as they practiced using the prosthetic device. Despite significant performance gains, participants remained inaccurate in assessing their own body movement, focusing on torso position rather than prosthetic behavior.
Researchers at UC3M develop a new methodology for autonomous arm movement using observational learning and intercommunication between limbs. The ADAM robot can perform daily tasks such as setting and clearing the table, ironing, or tidying up the kitchen with fluid efficiency and natural movement.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new design method for optimizing rolling contact joints in robots, which can lead to better grippers, assistive devices, and more efficient robotic movement. The optimized joints performed spectacularly, correcting misalignment by 99% in knee-assist devices.
A new robotic design uses vine-like structures to lift and grasp a variety of objects, including humans, with a gentler approach. The robot can snake around obstacles, squeeze through tight spaces, and even secure itself in a closed loop to create a sling.
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.
In a study by SWPS University, researchers found that children interact with polite robots almost always respond politely. Younger children and girls are more likely to anthropomorphise the robot, suggesting social cues in interactions between children and robots are crucial for positive learning outcomes.
A recent study reveals that the response to witnessing robot mistreatment depends on factors such as the robot's humanlike design and the observer's moral identity. Anthropomorphism influences empathy, encouraging customers to treat robots with dignity, while moral identity plays a crucial role in shaping behavioral contagion.
A team of researchers at the University of Bath has developed a new technology called HydroHaptics that allows users to interact with soft objects in a meaningful way. The system uses a deformable surface to provide tactile feedback, enabling applications such as wearable tech, gaming, and medical simulation.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched an initiative to bring artificial intelligence and robotics training to students across Africa. The programme combines hands-on AI and robotics training for young people in underserved communities, with a focus on reaching girls and other underrepresented groups.
Researchers discovered that humans treat a robotic hand as part of their body schema when working together on tasks, particularly when the robot's gestures are synchronized with those of humans. The study paves the way for better-designed robots that can interact more intuitively with humans.
A new study from the University of Chicago found that children experience less anxiety when reading aloud to a robot than to a human adult. The robot's calming influence helped children feel more comfortable making mistakes, creating a more encouraging environment for building their reading skills. While there were no substantial diffe...
Researchers developed algorithms that enable robots to create the best possible outcomes from their actions while minimizing uncertainty and risk. The new strategies allow robots to anticipate human actions, adapt to different scenarios, and prioritize human safety.
Computer scientists at Princeton University are working on a system that pairs virtual reality with a physical robot, allowing users to seamlessly interact with the physical world. The technology enables tasks like selecting an object across the room or erasing physical objects from view, creating a more immersive experience.
A wearable robot has been upgraded to provide personalized assistance to ALS and stroke patients. The device uses machine learning and a physics-based model to adapt to an individual user's movements, offering more nuanced help with daily tasks.
A study found that social robots like Luka can become deeply embedded in families over time, taking on emotional and symbolic roles. Children often reinterpret their relationship with the robot as they grow older, repurposing it as a companion or keepsake.
Researchers at TUM create standardized procedure to compare industrial robots and assess their sensitivity, categorizing them into 'industrial robots,' 'cobots,' 'soft robots' and 'tactile robots.' This evaluation scheme has the potential to become an industrial testing standard, creating a seal of quality for the robotics market.
A new type of intrinsically soft robotic sensors with quadruple sensing functionalities has been developed, enabling the perception of complex environments in both contact and non-contact manners. The sensors can be fully recycled for reuse, achieving superior cost-efficiency and eco-sustainability.
A team of undergrads at CU Boulder has created a digital twin for their robot, Armstrong, which is being used to train human operators on how to navigate the moon's surface. The study found that training in a digital environment resulted in faster task completion and reduced stress.
The AI for Good Global Summit 2025 will showcase AI innovations delivering better healthcare and education, reducing disaster risks, ensuring water and food security, and bolstering economic resilience. The event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), features talks from AI leaders and 100+ demos.
Scientists created a low-cost, durable, highly-sensitive robotic 'skin' that can detect various types of touch and pressure. The technology senses multiple physical inputs simultaneously, allowing robots to interact with their environment in a more human-like way.
The research team developed a novel auditory technology that allows sound-based interaction between humans and robots, even in noisy environments. The technology facilitates sound-based recognition of human positions using only a single microphone.
The Association for Computing Machinery has recognized five individuals with awards for their impactful service to the computing field. Manish Parashar received the ACM Distinguished Service Award for his leadership in furthering the transformative impact of computer science on science and engineering.
Researchers developed T2IRay, a VR input method with precise object pointing, and ChoreoCraft, a virtual reality tool supporting choreographers' creativity. These technologies received Honorable Mention awards at CHI 2025 for their contributions to human-computer interaction.
A robotic hand developed at EPFL can pick up 24 different objects with human-like movements that emerge spontaneously due to compliant materials and structures. The device uses 'self-organized' grasps that mimic natural human grips with a high success rate, making it suitable for highly unpredictable environments.
A team of Brown University researchers has developed an artificial intelligence model called MotionGlot that can generate movement in robots and animated figures. The model enables users to type an action and generates accurate representations of that motion, translating across different robot and figure types.
Researchers found that service robots with male characteristics can be more persuasive when interacting with women who have a low sense of power. Conversely, cute features in robot design can reduce the effect of portrayed gender on persuasiveness, making them effective for both male and female customers.
Kavraki's interdisciplinary research in robotics and biomedicine has been recognized for its impact on manufacturing, space exploration, and medicine. Her work bridges theory and application, with contributions to novel robot motion planning, personalized cancer treatments, and drug discovery.
Computer scientists at the University of Bath reprogrammed a Roomba to perform four new tasks, showcasing the untapped potential of domestic robots. The researchers identified over 100 ways to tap into the latent potential of robotic devices, proposing functions such as playing with pets, watering plants, and delivering breakfast in bed.
A new robotic system uses cues in a scene to determine a human's objective and quickly identify relevant objects, enabling intuitive assistance in household, workplace, and warehouse settings. The approach achieved 90% accuracy in predicting human objectives and 96% accuracy in identifying relevant objects.
Researchers found that realistic AI avatars are rated more positively than cartoon-style ones for perceived competence, integrity, and benevolence. However, individual factors such as prior AI knowledge and trust in science moderate perceptions of trustworthiness.