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NASA robot’s 10-year mission complete as uni marks rare feat

Researchers have advanced humanoid robot control, motion planning, and perception using Valkyrie, a 10-year mission robot developed by NASA. The university will continue research with Talos, a 1.75-metre-tall robot, to study human-robot cooperation and adapt to changing environments.

Eye-inspired artificial skin lets robots feel before they touch

The new dynamic shielding layer allows the sensor to focus on specific areas when needed, achieving a 104.56% increase in detection depth. The sensor can also detect approaching objects from over 90mm away, providing a vital split-second for robots to avoid collisions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Are we ready for robot caregivers? The answer is a cautious “yes, if...”

A survey of 4,890 participants found that people are open to using home-care robots as long as they view them beneficially. Collaboration between users and developers is crucial for adoption, with emphasis on ethical considerations. Robots may play a significant role in addressing Japan's aging population and social healthcare challenges.

Humans sense a collaborating robot as part of their “extended” body

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.

The robot will see you now

New humanoid surgical robots offer a solution to the growing healthcare labor shortage, allowing for more efficient surgeries and reduced burnout among doctors. By taking on routine tasks, these robots can free up surgeons to focus on more complex procedures.

AI for Good Global Summit 2025 - Exclusive press tour (ITU/United Nations)

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.

Researchers at IIT have demonstrated that a humanoid robot can fly

Researchers at IIT have successfully demonstrated the first flight of a humanoid robot, iRonCub3, which can lift off the floor and maintain stability. The robot's AI-powered control system enables it to handle high-speed turbulent airflows, extreme temperatures, and complex dynamics.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Ping pong bot returns shots with high-speed precision

Researchers at MIT created a table tennis bot that can return shots with high-speed precision, achieving a hit rate of 88% in tests. The technology could be adapted to improve the speed and responsiveness of humanoid robots for search-and-rescue operations.

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.

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.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Learning dance moves could help humanoid robots work better with humans

A humanoid robot has been trained to learn and perform various expressive movements, including simple dance routines and gestures. The enhanced expressiveness and agility of the robot pave the way for improving human-robot interactions in settings such as factory assembly lines, hospitals, and homes.

Acting for a common goal with humanoid robots

Researchers found that humans feel jointly a sense of agency with humanoid robots when they perceive them as intentional and social agents. This teamwork is more likely to occur when the robot displays human-like behavior and emotions.

Robots face the future

The team, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi, created a layer of skin that can bind to complex forms of humanoid robots, granting them increased mobility and self-healing abilities. The research has potential applications in the cosmetics industry, medical research, and robotics.

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.

Robots' sense of touch could be as fast as humans

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.

Shuffling robot uses biological muscle to move and spin

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a two-legged biohybrid robot capable of walking and pivoting underwater. The robot uses lab-grown skeletal muscle tissue to move its legs, achieving efficient and silent movements. Future iterations aim to develop thicker muscles with nutrient supplies to enable robots to walk on land.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Robot preachers get less respect, fewer donations

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that exposure to robot preachers can undermine religious commitment and reduce donations. Participants rated robot preachers as less credible than human priests, with smaller donations also reported.

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.

Could AI-powered robot “companions” combat human loneliness?

A new report suggests that AI-powered robot companions could alleviate the loneliness epidemic and its associated health risks. Companion robots have already shown promise in reducing stress and promoting physical and mental well-being in socially isolated older adults.

Robots can help improve mental wellbeing at work – as long as they look right

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.

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.

Robot helps students with learning disabilities stay focused

Researchers at the University of Waterloo used a robot to help students with learning disabilities stay focused, leading to higher completion rates. The study found that students who worked with the robot were generally more engaged with their tasks.

Uncanny valley for interactive social agents: an experimental study

This study evaluates the uncanny valley theory through human interactions with four human-like entities: a voice assistant, child-sized robot, virtual human, and life-sized humanoid robot. The results show that anthropomorphic robots are most liked, while the 'uncanny valley' effect is not observed.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Scientists craft living human skin for robots

Researchers have developed a method to create living human skin on robots, providing a realistic texture and self-healing properties. The skin is made up of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts, which conform to the robot's surface and can even repair wounds with the help of a collagen bandage.

Art meets 5G: Digital experiments held at art museums in Turin

The collaboration between public and private organizations has led to innovative applications in tourism and culture sectors. Visitors can interact with a humanoid robot and solve puzzles using Meta Quest visors connected to the 5G network, exploring artworks and moving virtual objects.

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.

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android kid

Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.

Faster path planning for rubble-roving robots

Researchers at University of Michigan develop faster path planning approach for rubble-roving robots, enabling them to find stable paths in treacherous terrain more efficiently. The new algorithm outperformed traditional methods in success and total time to plan, with an 84% success rate in virtual experiments.

A touch from a conversing robot is linked to positive emotional state

A study published in PLOS ONE found that participants who were touched by a humanoid robot during conversation reported a better emotional state. Those who received non-functional touch from the robot were more likely to comply with requests and exhibit positive behavioral responses, suggesting potential for robots to boost motivation.

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.

A study predicts smooth interaction between humans and robots

A study by Tampere University found that making eye contact with a humanoid robot evokes strong physiological reactions, including arousal and positive emotional responses. The results suggest that interaction between humans and social robots may be surprisingly seamless, as people treat robots instinctively as if they could see them.

ONR Robotics enter the COVID-19 fight

The ONR robotics program has deployed a decontamination robot using short-wave ultraviolet (UVC) light to combat Covid-19. The robot's mechanical arm can reposition UVC lamps over surfaces, reducing human exposure and enabling autonomous disinfection.

Seeing through a robot's eyes helps those with profound motor impairments

A new interface system using augmented reality technology enables individuals with severe motor impairments to control a humanoid robot, allowing them to perform routine personal care tasks and interact with their environment. The system has shown promising results in improving the quality of life for users.

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.

Teaching robots to sort out their issues

UMass Lowell researchers aim to develop methods for robots to assess their performance in real-time, enabling better task completion and increased efficiency. The SUCCESS project will utilize humanoid robots like Baxter to evaluate their abilities and limitations, leading to improved human-robot collaboration and trust.

Humans can empathize with robots

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology found that humans can empathize with humanoid robots in perceived pain. However, the beginning of the top-down process of empathy is weaker for robots than for humans. This study contributes to the development of human-friendly robots whom we feel sympathy for and comfortable with.

Off to the future with a new soccer robot

Researchers from the University of Bonn have developed a new humanoid robot called NimbRo-OP, which is designed to facilitate research on humanoids. The robot's open-source design plan and source code aim to enable other researchers to use it as a basis for their work.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Robots Take The First Step Towards Learning By Imitation

Researchers created a computer simulation to help robots learn by imitation, using virtual android Adonis to teach the macarena dance. The system demonstrates that imitation can make robots more flexible and effective in learning any task.