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Making robots faster by helping them think ahead

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 28, 2026

ELTE ethologists’ service robot sparks curiosity rather than fear

A study found that people behave more curiously than cautiously around a service robot, noticing it more often and even grabbing multiple candies at once. However, some visitors felt slightly uncomfortable when the robot came close, highlighting the need for deeper user assessments.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior Reports·DateJul 22, 2026

New chip could help tiny robots traverse complex environments

MIT researchers developed a new system-on-a-chip called Gleanmer, which generates highly accurate 3D maps of the robot's environment using Gaussians to represent obstacles. This approach reduces memory and power consumption by up to 99%, making it suitable for lightweight augmented reality headsets.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 23, 2026
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.

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

Watering smarter, not more

A new system can map soil moisture tree by tree, allowing growers to water specific trees if they're dry. Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for plant health, as too little water can stress trees, while too much water can deprive roots of oxygen.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·DateApr 2, 2026

A smarter way to move in tight spaces using ‘flexible’ robots

IITGN researchers develop a novel control framework for flexible continuum robots, called virtual actuation space (VAS), to improve their precision and scalability. VAS reduces the complexity of controlling multi-section robots by using just two parameters: direction and magnitude.

SourceIndian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar·JournalRobotica·DateMar 31, 2026

Optimizing robotic joints

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.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2026
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.

Vine-inspired robotic gripper gently lifts heavy and fragile objects

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 10, 2025

New funding to develop technology for first robots to weld in space

The University of Leicester, in partnership with TWI Ltd, has secured £560k to develop a robot-mounted arc-welding system for in-space repair and manufacturing. The project aims to overcome the challenges of welding in space by developing a new, space-qualified robotic welding capability.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·DateDec 3, 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.

New imaging technique reconstructs the shapes of hidden objects

A new imaging technique developed by MIT researchers leverages reflections from wireless signals like Wi-Fi to create accurate 3D reconstructions of objects blocked from view. This approach achieved 96 percent reconstruction accuracy on everyday objects with complex shapes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 1, 2025

A new robotic gripper made of measuring tape is sizing up fruit and veggie picking

The new robotic gripper, called GRIP-tape, uses a combination of softness and stiffness to grasp fragile fruits and vegetables with precision. With its ability to navigate obstacles and deposit objects into containers, the gripper has shown promising results in lifting large fruits like lemons.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025

Green manufacturing: the impact of industrial robots on export emissions

A new study finds that industrial robots can significantly lower CO2 emissions in manufacturing exports. However, a U-shaped relationship is uncovered, where emissions initially drop before plateauing, highlighting the need for careful integration of robotics into manufacturing systems.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalData Science and Management·DateDec 31, 2024
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.

Autonomous excavator constructs a 6-meter-high dry-stone wall

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023

Making “transport” robots smarter

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Production Economics·DateNov 29, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Extra “eye” movements are the key to better self-driving cars

A new AI system uses artificial neural networks to recognize objects more accurately and stably, despite changing visual inputs. The system mimics human eye movements to improve machine vision capabilities, reducing errors in self-driving cars and other applications.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 22, 2022