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.
SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2026
A new robot designed by MIT engineers can swim underwater and fly through the air, mimicking the abilities of diving birds. The robot's wing flapping frequency and tail angle were adjusted to enable a smooth transition from swimming to flying.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2026
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers developed EleTac, a soft robotic gripper with high-resolution tactile sensing, to handle delicate objects. The gripper's innovative design enables it to adapt to various shapes and provide gentle forces, making it suitable for applications such as handling fruit, lab samples, and medical supplies.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026
Researchers create custom-fit prosthetic hands with soft magnetic sensors that capture subtle changes in muscle shape and pressure. The system performs consistently and reliably, translating intent into control of a dexterous robotic hand with up to 90% accuracy.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2026
Scientists created a shape-changing flying robot named Floaty that can fly efficiently while staying stable in the air. By adjusting its flaps to control air resistance, Floaty balances itself and recovers from disturbances.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·Journalnpj Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2026
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.
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.
SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJun 2, 2026
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.
Researchers predict that increased production will pose supply problems for certain raw materials like neodymium-praseodymium and carbon fibers. To mitigate these risks, they recommend piggybacking off existing capacity from industries like electric vehicles and designing robots with recyclable materials.
SourceCell Press·JournalChem Circularity·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 1, 2026
Researchers at Saarland University are developing smart implants that can continuously monitor and visualize the healing process of fractures. These customized implants can dynamically adapt to the healing process by becoming stiffer or more compliant as required, promoting bone regeneration through micromechanical stimulation.
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 Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new AI-powered snake-like robot that optimizes its movement using deep reinforcement learning. The robot's 'rolling motion' achieves twice the travel speed per unit of power consumption compared to traditional slithering motion, making it more efficient on flat surfaces.
SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalRobotics and Autonomous Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 15, 2026
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.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Electronics·DateMar 25, 2026
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.
SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·DateMar 19, 2026
Researchers at Oxford University developed an ultra-low-cost technique for manufacturing soft robots, using common lab equipment. The new method enables rapid and affordable production of soft robotic actuators, with a material cost of less than $0.10 per unit, and demonstrated strong mechanical performance and durability.
SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMar 8, 2026
Researchers demonstrated a breakthrough in microrobotics: swarms of magnetic microrobots can manipulate objects without physical contact by harnessing fluid-generated torque. The microrobots act as motors to move millimeter-sized passive objects, opening new pathways for precision manufacturing and biomedical applications.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
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.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalCommunications Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a new fabrication method for printing robotic devices with long filaments featuring precisely placed hollow channels. This allows the device to bend and deform in predetermined ways, enabling the creation of soft robots with predictable s...
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026
A hierarchical 3D LiDAR localization method improves robot positioning in large outdoor spaces even after seasonal changes. The method integrates deep learning techniques to extract discriminative local features from 3D point clouds, making it robust to environmental variability.
SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026
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 the University of Pennsylvania have developed HoloRadar, a system that enables robots to reconstruct hidden 3D spaces beyond their line of sight using radio waves processed by AI. This capability can improve safety and performance in driverless cars and cluttered indoor settings.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026
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.
Researchers at Duke University have created a programmable Lego-like material that can change its stiffness and damping in response to temperature changes. The material, made from gallium and iron, can be programmed to mimic various commercially available soft materials.
SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026
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
EPFL researchers develop a new textile actuator design, the X-Crossing geometry, which boosts force and flexibility in wearable robots. The innovation enables lightweight fabrics with seamless cooperation between fibers, achieving remarkable strength and compression capabilities.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2026
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.
Scientists created biologically realistic artificial cilia using hydrogel, enabling precise control over their motion. The tiny structures can be powered by low-voltage electrical signals and have shown remarkable durability and versatility.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026
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
Researchers developed soft robots inspired by manta rays, utilizing magnetic fields to move, recharge power supply, and perform tasks autonomously. The magnets stabilize electrochemical reactions in flexible batteries, enhancing performance and efficiency.
SourceNational University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 26, 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.
Oxford researchers have developed soft robots that operate without electronics, motors, or computers, using only air pressure to generate complex, rhythmic movements. The robots can automatically synchronize their actions and perform tasks like sorting beads into containers without external control.
SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 4, 2025
Researchers developed a method to trigger magnetic jamming in materials using wireless magnetic fields, enabling reversible and programmable clumping. This technique allows for the creation of structures that can assemble, stiffen, relax, or break apart under magnetic control.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2025
A team of engineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a proof-of-concept walking robot using only four moving parts connected by rubber bands and powered by one motor. The robot can find its way through mazes, avoid obstacles, and sort objects by mass without electronic control systems.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2025
Scientists at Linköping University develop artificial neurons made of conductive plastics that perform advanced functions like biological nerve cells. They simplify the basic structure to make it compact and biologically relevant.
SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 17, 2025
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Professor Paul Motzki is developing ultra-flat, compact, and lightweight cooling units using shape memory alloys and dielectric elastomer actuators. He aims to create climate-friendly and energy-efficient alternative to conventional systems.
Developed by a research team at POSTECH, the robot uses human muscle proteins as inspiration to generate strong force while navigating through tight spaces. The technology has potential applications in various fields, including medical settings, industrial environments, home cleaning, and caregiving robots.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2025
Researchers develop predictive framework that connects silicone curing conditions with adhesion strength, enabling dramatic improvements in performance for molded and 3D-printed elastomer components. The 'reaction coordinate' metric allows precise tracking of the degree of curing, even under variable thermal conditions.
SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 16, 2025
Researchers at Duke University developed a novel framework called WildFusion that fuses vision, vibration and touch to enable robots to sense complex outdoor environments like humans do. The system was tested in real-world settings and showed remarkable ability to accurately predict traversability and improve robot decision-making.
SourceDuke University·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2025
Researchers developed FAST-NPS, a new automated method to discover and scale up bioactive natural products from Streptomyces. The method uses self-resistance genes as markers to prioritize biosynthetic gene clusters with bioactivity.
SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalCell Systems·DateMar 12, 2025
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.
The Harvard robot uses latch-mediated spring actuation to jump high and cover long distances relative to its size. It combines walking and jumping modes for effective navigation in natural environments.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025
The University of Virginia's AI-powered vision system, mimicking praying mantis eyes, has been selected as the best paper of 2024 by Science Robotics. The innovative system enables machines to track objects in 3D space, addressing limitations in current visual data processing.
SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateJan 14, 2025
A study published in Science Robotics found that diverse and inclusive teams in robotics research achieve higher motivation, commitment, and productivity. The team identified seven main benefits of workforce diversity and inclusive leadership, including increased innovation and reduced bias.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalScience Robotics·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 12, 2024
Researchers have developed an octopus-inspired adhesive that can quickly grab and controllably release challenging underwater objects. The adhesive achieves high attachment strength on various surfaces, including rough and curved ones, within a fraction of a second.
SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 9, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
The Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND) center aims to develop robots capable of enhancing human labor through engineered systems of dexterous robotic hands, AI-powered fine motor skills, and human interface. The center's goal is to make robotic assistance accessible and applicable to a wide range of physical actions.
Researchers at UCLA developed a new class of tunable dynamic material that mimics the inner workings of push puppets, enabling precise control of structural shape and flexibility. The material has potential applications in soft robotics, reconfigurable architectures, and space engineering.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a lightweight fluidic engine that can power muscle-mimicking soft robots for use in assistive devices. The new engine generates significant force and is untethered to an external power source, making it particularly attractive for improving people's ability to move their upp...
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024
The University of Maryland team created a camera mechanism that mimics the involuntary movements of the human eye, resulting in sharper and more accurate images. The Artificial Microsaccade-Enhanced Event Camera (AMI-EV) has implications for robotics, national defense, and industries relying on accurate image capture.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience Robotics·DateJul 1, 2024
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.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a first-ever stretchy electronic skin that can equip robots with human-level touch sensitivity. The new technology overcomes existing limitations in sensing accuracy as the material stretches, allowing for precise control and force manipulation.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalMatter·DateMay 3, 2024
A recent study published in Science Robotics found that robots struggle to outperform biological organisms in foot races. The researchers analyzed data from dozens of studies and concluded that the failure of robots to outrun animals is not due to shortfalls in individual components, but rather inefficiencies in system design.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Robotics·DateApr 29, 2024
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.
SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Responsible Technology·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 4, 2024
The new metafluid can transition between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states, allowing for programmable viscosity and compressibility. The researchers demonstrated the fluid's capabilities in a hydraulic robotic gripper, picking up objects of varying weights without crushing them.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateApr 3, 2024
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.
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.
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.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024
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
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered that conical shells made from soft materials are vulnerable to buckling at much smaller loads than previously predicted. This finding has implications for designing soft robots and mechanisms, as free unclamped edges can weaken thin structures in a surprising manner.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 16, 2023
A new technology enables the printing of complex robots with soft, elastic, and rigid materials in one go. This allows for the creation of delicate structures and parts with cavities as desired.
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.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Robotics·DateJul 11, 2023
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.
Maynooth University is establishing a state-of-the-art robotics lab with a €150,000 donation from Intel Ireland. The lab will provide students with hands-on learning experiences using cutting-edge robotic technologies and equipment used by engineers from Intel.
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.
The caterpillar-bot uses a novel pattern of silver nanowires to control its movement, with the ability to steer in both directions and navigate through tight spaces. The robot's movement is driven by heating and cooling cycles that allow it to 'relax' before contracting again.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design developed a new reconfigurable workspace soft robotic gripper that can pick and place a wide range of consumer items. The RWS gripper's adaptive capabilities make it particularly useful in logistics and food industries where robotic automation is crucial.
SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalSoft Robotics·DateJan 10, 2023
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.
A team of researchers developed a new method for 3D-printing microrobots with multiple component modules inside the same microfluidic chip. The 'assembly line' approach allowed for the combination of various modules, such as joints and grippers, into a single device. This innovation may help realize the vision of microsurgery performed...
SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022
Researchers develop mechanical neural networks (MNNs) with tunable beams that can learn behaviors and adapt to external forces. The MNNs, composed of a triangular lattice pattern, exhibit smart properties through machine learning algorithms. Early prototypes overcame lag issues and achieved accurate performance in various applications.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022
Researchers found that an elephant's folded skin plays a crucial role in its flexible and strong trunk, enabling it to grasp fragile vegetation and rip apart tree trunks. The study suggests that wrapping soft robotics with a skin-like structure could give machines protection and strength while maintaining flexibility.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2022
Researchers at Harvard University have developed inflatable actuators that can bend, twist, and move in complex ways using origami-inspired designs. The actuator's bistable origami blocks allow it to perform up to eight different motions with a single pressure source.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 15, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.