A study found that responses with both visual and tactile feedback were most effective in conveying emotions on social media. Participants experienced greater feelings of support and approval when receiving tactile emoticons compared to visual-only feedback alone.
Researchers developed a novel methodology utilizing digital twins to establish the usefulness of built environment design guidelines for robots. Digital twins allow for real-time monitoring, hazard identification, and training a robot's algorithm before deployment.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed an artificial tactile system that can detect pressure by touch in a similar way to the human nervous system. The technology has the potential to restore lost functionality to patients after a stroke, as well as enhance interactions between humans and robots.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Research at Tampere University aims to develop adaptable safety systems for autonomous off-road mobile machinery. The framework focuses on ensuring public safety without compromising technological advancements, incorporating a human-in-the-loop safety option.
A new online curriculum and simulation training program, developed by Penn State researchers, significantly reduced complications in central line placement. The program, launched in 2022, has been shown to decrease error rates for mechanical issues, infections, and blood clots.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing cameras that process and scramble visual information. The approach, known as 'sighted systems,' creates distorted images that can still be used by robots to complete tasks but do not compromise privacy.
A team of Columbia engineers created Emo, a robotic face that makes eye contact and uses AI to anticipate and replicate human smiles. The robot can predict facial expressions and execute them simultaneously with humans, reducing disingenuous interactions.
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Researchers at University of Missouri are developing software that allows drones to fly independently, perceiving and interacting with their environment while achieving specific goals. This technology has the potential to assist in mapping and monitoring applications, such as 3D or 4D advanced imagery for disaster response.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, calibration, or adjustments. The system uses deep learning to autonomously adjust assistance levels for walking, standing, and climbing stairs, reducing user effort and metabolic expenditure.
A portable robotic device has been developed to improve walking function in stroke survivors by altering gait asymmetry. The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, reveals that the exoskeleton can effectively train individuals to modify their walking asymmetry.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
The study investigates relationships between customer equity drivers and trust in social robots, finding that effective customer service creates value equity. Businesses can benefit from social robots by enhancing relationship equity and brand equity, leading to greater trust and positive customer experiences. However, the negative asp...
The USC team created a low-cost, customizable learning kit for students to build their own 'robot friend' using the Blossom robot. The three-part module provides hands-on experience and instruction on various AI aspects, including robotics, machine learning, and software engineering.
A temperature-sensitive prosthetic limb has been developed to improve amputee interactions and feelings of human connection. Researchers have created a device called MiniTouch that provides realistic and real-time thermal feedback, enabling amputees to discriminate between objects of different temperatures and materials.
A study found that people prefer social robots speaking the same dialect as them, and those who are comfortable with a local accent trust robots that speak it more. The researchers suggest that this is because familiarity and similarity contribute to trustworthiness and competence perceptions.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
A study redevelops a framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics to preschool children, providing five big ideas that can be grasped by young kids. The framework aims to prepare children to understand and use AI tools effectively, promoting healthy and responsible learning in the rapidly developing digital society.
A soft, wearable robot was used to help a person living with Parkinson’s disease walk without freezing, eliminating the debilitating symptom and allowing them to regain their independence. The device provided instantaneous effects and consistently improved walking in a range of conditions.
Researchers found that gentle electric currents on the back of the head improved skills in virtual reality and real-world surgical settings. Participants with stimulation showed a notable boost in dexterity, transferring skills from simulation to actual robot use.
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.
Researchers at EPFL report on controlling a third arm with diaphragm movement, enhancing human cognition and exploring nervous system limitations. The study demonstrates intuitive control of an extra limb and potential applications in rehabilitation protocols.
A new robot grasping algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning (RGRL) is proposed to safely grasp objects from users' hands. The algorithm incorporates domain randomization and a multi-objective reward function, eliminating the need for manual labeling of data and reducing computational costs.
A Washington State University study found that watching videos of a soft robot working with a person at picking and placing tasks lowered the viewers' safety concerns and feelings of job insecurity. Soft robots have a potential psychological advantage over rigid robots, as proximity does not increase negative reactions.
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.
Researchers at Princeton University and Google have developed a new technique to teach robots to ask for help when they're unsure. The method uses large language models to gauge uncertainty in complex environments, allowing robots to reduce the amount of help required while maintaining high accuracy.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an autonomous excavator called HEAP to construct a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The excavator uses sensors, machine vision, and algorithms to place stones in the desired location, achieving a high level of precision and speed.
The team developed a set of 11 actions allowing the robotic arm to pick up a wide variety of foods, including soups and pre-cut pizza. The system uses user-input images to identify foods and applies unique trajectories for scooping motions or wiggling inside food items.
A novel robotic system developed by USC researchers can help clinicians accurately assess a patient's rehabilitation progress. The method generates an 'arm nonuse' metric using machine learning and a socially assistive robot to track how much a patient is using their weaker arm spontaneously.
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.
A team of researchers at Penn State found that a moderate talking speed for digital assistants increases user likelihood to use them. Conversation-like interactions also mitigate negative effects and increase user trust.
Researchers at MIT found that similarity-focused generative AI models falter when tasked with designing new products, highlighting the need to prioritize innovation in engineering tasks. By adjusting training objectives and metrics, AI can be an effective 'co-pilot' for engineers, enabling faster creation of innovative products.
Researchers found that humans who worked with robots were more likely to catch fewer defects later in the task, indicating a 'looking but not seeing' effect. This could lead to safety implications and negative impacts on work outcomes if not addressed in real-world environments.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers discovered that users' prior beliefs about an AI chatbot's motives significantly impact their interactions with the agent. Priming users to believe certain things about the AI's empathy, neutrality, or manipulation influences their perception of its trustworthiness and effectiveness.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and their colleagues have found that supernumerary robotic arms can be used as effectively as a partner, enabling tasks like opening doors while carrying packages. The study suggests these arms could aid people with various tasks, such as surgery or industrial work.
Researchers discovered that humans experience empathic embarrassment when witnessing robots in embarrassing situations. The study also found cognitive empathy was stronger for human actors compared to robot avatars.
Researchers created a robot-assisted dressing system using artificial intelligence to accommodate various human body shapes, arm poses, and clothing selections. The system was evaluated in a human study with 510 trials across 17 participants, achieving an average success rate of 86% in pulling the sleeve of each garment onto their arm.
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
A new sensor developed by Queen Mary University of London enhances robots' sense of touch, allowing them to accurately measure interaction forces and geometry. This breakthrough could pave the way for more advanced and reliable robotics in the future, enabling better handling and manipulation of objects.
A team of researchers at Harvard University has developed a compact, soft pump that can power soft robots in various applications. The pump uses dielectric elastomer actuators and can control pressure, flow rate, and flow direction, making it suitable for biomedical settings.
Researchers examine whether robots and AI can replicate the ethical concepts attributed to human nurses, including advocacy, accountability, cooperation, and caring. While AI can inform patients about medical errors and present treatment options, it questions its ability to truly understand and empathize with patients' values.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a new model, Vision-Robotics Bridge, which enables robots to learn from observing humans complete tasks in any environment. The robots successfully learned 12 tasks, including opening drawers and picking up objects, with minimal practice time of just 25 minutes.
A communication robot is being developed to prevent elderly isolation by facilitating self-disclosure through different communication options. The study found that the most appropriate option depends on the recipient, message content, and sender's gender and personality traits, reducing participants' anxiety in self-disclosure.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have created a fabric and sensing system, RobotSweater, that allows machines to better interact with humans. The knitted textile 'skin' can sense contact and pressure, enabling robots to move in response to human gestures.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a robot system that uses artificial intelligence to track objects, including medication and glasses. This technology has shown high accuracy in locating everyday items, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia.
Researchers identified three main topics: environmental perception, risk assessment and mitigation, and human factors and ergonomics in automated agricultural machines. The study highlights the need for improved sensors and safety standards to address the challenges posed by dynamic environments.
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.
A Cornell University-led study using the Tetris game found that players who receive fewer turns perceive their partner as less likable, regardless of whether a human or AI allocates the turns. The researchers also discovered that machine allocation behavior can lead to worse performance and gameplay when fairness is not guaranteed.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that advanced AI systems can lead to excessive suspicion and damage relationships due to uncertainty about conversational partner's intentions. The study highlights the need for transparent AI design, with well-functioning voices that clearly indicate they are synthetic.
Researchers developed ProTac, a soft robotic link with multimodal perception to improve human-robot interactions. The device incorporates tactile and proximity sensing capabilities, enabling robots to react safely and predictably to physical contact.
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Four to eleven-year-olds deemed Alexa more human-like, but neither robot deserved to be harmed or yelled at. As kids advanced towards adolescence, the feeling dwindled, and older children reported it was slightly more acceptable to attack technology.
Researchers found that players' brains respond differently to human and machine opponents, with desynchronization indicating active calculations. The study suggests that training with machines may not replicate the experience of playing against humans.
A study on robot deception found that participants were overly trusting of AI and required explicit admission of lying in apologies to repair trust. Apologies that did not admit to deception were more effective at repairing trust, suggesting a need for designers to understand the ramifications of their design choices.
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.
The CONVINCE project, funded by €4 million, focuses on developing cognitive deliberation capabilities in autonomous robots to enhance safe and robust operation in unstructured environments. The goal is to enable robots to adapt to their surroundings and tasks autonomously without human intervention.
The TOAST project, led by Aarhus University, aims to develop the Tactile Internet technology and upscale the talent pool for this emerging field. Researchers will focus on edge intelligence, haptic communication, and machine learning to create immersive user experiences.
A study by researchers from the University of Cambridge found that robots can be a useful tool to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace. The experiment used two different robot wellbeing coaches, with participants showing a better connection and positive perception with a toy-like robot compared to a humanoid-like robot.
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.
The iCPH platform combines physical and cyber elements to capture human motions, using musculoskeletal analysis and machine learning. It generates contact motion networks for humanoid robots and simulates human behaviors, enabling smooth interactions with humans.
Researchers developed a haptics-based automated driving system that encourages continuous engagement between drivers and automation. The system achieves this through three functionalities: interaction, arbitration, and inclusion, resulting in increased safety and comfort for human drivers.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba discovered a phenomenon where moving a virtual assistant's voice closer to users increases customer rapport, contrasting with traditional ventriloquism effects. This 'mouth-in-the-door' effect can be used to enhance user experience in virtual commerce scenarios.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science developed a new electrostatically controlled clutch that enables soft robotic hands to hold 4 pounds, 40 times more than before. The clutch uses a fracture-mechanics-based model to achieve this feat while requiring only 125 volts of electricity.
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.
University of Missouri engineers are working on a collaborative human-robot order picking system to speed up the online delivery process. The proposed model aims to optimize key decisions in warehouse operations, allowing robots to navigate efficiently and collaborate with humans to increase efficiency.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a soft and flexible electronic 'e-skin' that can detect minute temperature differences between inhalation and exhalation, as well as touch and body motion. The material's island-bridge atomic structure provides an inherent softness and flexibility ideal for on-skin applications.
The University of Manchester's Centre for Robotics and AI will focus on interdisciplinary research, exploring applications of robotics in extreme environments and the intersection of AI and humanity. The centre aims to develop robots that can work safely in hostile zones, such as nuclear decommissioning sites.
Ritsumeikan University researchers have developed a soft robotic microfinger that enables direct interaction with insects through tactile sensing. The study shows great promise towards realizing human interactions with the microworld and has applications in augmented reality technology.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers at Texas A&M University used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor participant responses during human-robot collaborations. They found that faulty robot actions decreased operator trust and associated it with increased brain activity in the frontal, motor, and visual cortices.
Researchers developed a wearable soft robot called Reliebo that reduces pain and fear in patients undergoing injections. The robot's effectiveness was proven in a study where participants who wore the robot experienced less pain and reduced stress levels than those without it.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a blueprint for incorporating ethical guidelines into AI decision-making programs. The new mathematical formula, based on the Agent, Deed, and Consequence (ADC) Model, considers intent, character, and consequences of actions to make more informed decisions.
Researchers identified 7 core categories of behaviors important for human-dog bonds, including attunement, communication, and physical affection. These behaviors may be incorporated into robotic systems to provide mental health benefits for humans.