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New spinning drone hides in plain sight

Northwestern University engineers created a drone called Phantom Twist that harnesses motion blur to blend into its surroundings. The drone spins up to 25 times per second, making it difficult for humans to see clearly, and can potentially monitor wildlife or inspect infrastructure with less disruption.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJul 16, 2026

Flying robot rides the wind like a bird

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

Rovers, regolith, robots: The blueprint for the moon

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.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateMay 29, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bats inspire advance in aerial robots

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute developed a palm-sized aerial robot that uses ultrasound sensors and AI to navigate through fog, smoke, and other difficult conditions. The drone achieved a success rate of 72% to 100% in navigating challenging courses during 180 tests.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 25, 2026

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.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalCommunications Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025
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.

RoboBee comes in for a landing

The Harvard RoboBee has been equipped with crane fly-inspired legs and an updated controller, allowing it to land safely on various surfaces. The robot's delicate actuators were protected by the improved design, which enabled controlled landing tests on a leaf and rigid surfaces.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Engineers enable a drone to determine its position in the dark and indoors

MIT researchers have introduced a new system called MiFly that enables drones to self-localize in indoor, dark, and low-visibility environments. The system uses radio frequency waves reflected by a single tag placed in the environment, allowing the drone to estimate its trajectory with high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 13, 2025

Bat wings boost hovering efficiency

Researchers design flexible, batlike wings that boost lift and improve flight performance. The study found that smooth curvature of the membrane wing generates more lift than a leading-edge vortex.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2025

Wind sensing by biomimetic flexible flapping wing with strain sensors

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed a method to detect wind direction using seven strain gauges on a flapping wing and a convolutional neural network model. The system achieved high classification accuracy of 99.5% in detecting wind conditions, opening up new possibilities for improving robotic flight control.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 26, 2024
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.

Steady flight of kestrels could help aerial safety soar

Researchers studied kestrels' hovering flight behavior, revealing insights that could improve drone stability in turbulent conditions. The study found that birds use changes in wing surface area to achieve stable flight, a method that could be applied to morphing wings in drones.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 7, 2024

Flying like a beetle

Scientists have unveiled that beetles' hindwings are passively deployed and retracted, leveraging the elytra to deploy and retract while flapping forces unfold the wings. This finding has potential applications in designing new microrobots that can fly in confined spaces.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 31, 2024

Revolutionizing drone navigation: AI algorithms take flight

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateMar 26, 2024

Planning algorithm enables high-performance flight

MIT researchers developed a new algorithm that can execute complex maneuvers like loops and rolls for tailsitter aircraft, enabling agile trajectories with fast-changing accelerations. The algorithm uses differential flatness to ensure feasibility and planning in real-time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Robotics·DateAug 23, 2023
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.

Feathered robotic wing paves way for flapping drones

Researchers created a robotic wing that can flap more efficiently than previous robots, mimicking the upstroke of birds. This study could lead to more efficient flapping drones for various applications, including deliveries.

SourceLund University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateJan 13, 2023

Researchers develop winged robot that can land like a bird

Scientists at EPFL have developed a method for a flapping-wing robot to land autonomously on a horizontal perch using a claw-like mechanism. The innovation could significantly expand the scope of robot-assisted tasks and enable robots to recharge using solar energy.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2022
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.