Articles tagged with Robotics
A Japanese study found that a robot's physical texture, such as softness or elasticity, affects perceptions of its personality. The researchers used six humanoid robots with varying arm textures and asked participants to touch and evaluate them.
Researchers developed a perching robot inspired by birds, called SNAG, which can fly around, catch objects, and land on different surfaces. The robot's design mimics the legs of a peregrine falcon, allowing it to absorb impact energy and convert it into grasping force.
Fred Martin, a UMass Lowell computer scientist, is being recognized for developing an educational framework that introduces robotics and AI to K-12 students. His work has guided the development of primary and secondary AI education initiatives worldwide.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have found that drones can be used as communication bases with underwater robotic devices (AUVs) for ocean surveys. UAVs offer high-speed observations, mobility, and resistance to ocean currents, making them suitable candidates for this application.
A new study published in Applied Ergonomics found that the cognitive demands of wearing a low-back exoskeleton can hinder its mechanical advantages, offsetting benefits in reducing spine loading. The researchers used ambulatory brain imaging and connectivity analysis to demonstrate how increased cognitive response to tasks can cancel o...
A team of WVU researchers has created a six-armed robot, StickBug, to assist with pollination tasks in greenhouse environments. The robot aims to improve food security during insect declines, support indoor agriculture, and provide services beyond what insects can do.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that robotic pet cats improved mood scores and cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate dementia. The intervention involved 12 visits with the robotic cat, where participants interacted with it and reported positive emotions.
Researchers created a shape-shifting material that can morph into any stable shape, enabling independent control of geometry and mechanics. The totimorphic structural materials have the potential to be used in robotics, biotechnology, architecture, and other applications.
Researchers found that humanlike chatbots raise unrealistic expectations, leading to lower satisfaction and purchase intentions in angry customers. To mitigate this effect, companies should deploy non-humanlike chatbots in customer service situations where customers tend to be angry.
Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology created a robot that can track fast-moving rats for extended periods using real-time localization and movement analysis. The robotic rat's built-in stereo vision system enables it to characterize typical behaviors of actual rats, promoting autonomy and reproducibility in behavior research.
A new study from UCLA finds that a social companion robot, Robin, provides comfort to young patients during hospital visits. Children and their parents reported significant improvements in positive affect and reductions in negative affect after interacting with Robin compared to tablet-based interactions.
Researchers at Stanford University found that exoskeletons work best when users are given time to learn how to use the device, with customized control improving performance by around half. Participants who received optimized training saw significant reductions in energy expenditure, with benefits persisting even after they became experts.
Researchers developed a soft robotic steerable micro-catheter for precise brain surgery, enabling targeted treatment of cerebral disorders. The innovative catheter uses biomimicry to navigate and maneuver within the brain's complex anatomy.
SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.
A new study from the University of Toronto suggests that social robots could be more persuasive if they project less authority. The research found that people are more likely to accept advice or instructions from a robot when it is presented as a peer helper rather than an authoritative figure.
Scientists developed a machine learning method to analyze NMR data, allowing faster and more accurate analysis of proteins and chemical reactions in the human body. The method uses an artificial deep neural network to separate and analyze complex data, resulting in highly reproducible results comparable to human experts.
A new algorithm provides accurate solutions that mimic natural human movement, reducing the risk of injury. The Pro-ISADE approach improves calculation speed while ensuring calculated joint angles are feasible for robotic use in daily activities like drinking water and brushing teeth.
Researchers discover brain forms a single motor plan to optimize task performance despite uncertainty, upending decades-old theory of motor averaging. The study used experiments and computational modeling to demonstrate the brain's ability to generate an optimal action choice under uncertain conditions.
Children use a specific word to remind robots to speak quickly, but not with parents or strangers, showing sophisticated social awareness. In everyday life, most children stop using the word after a short period.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to create systems that enable plants to communicate their hidden biology to sensors, optimizing growth and the local environment. This will lead to breakthrough discoveries, new educational opportunities, and transformative management of crops.
Researchers built a robot that mimics the movement of mantis shrimp, which can deliver impressive forces. The study sheds light on the biology of mantis shrimp and reveals how they control their movements using geometry.
Researchers developed electrically-driven soft valves to control hydraulic soft actuators, enabling faster and more powerful control of macro- and small-scale hydraulic actuators. The breakthrough allows for unprecedented motion control of soft robots with internal volume ranging from hundreds of microliters to tens of milliliters.
A study published in Nature's Communications Biology reveals how geckos steer in mid-air and stabilise landings using their heads and tails. Researchers found that a shorter tail length results in increased adhesive foot force, crucial for successful vertical landing.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an electrochemical actuator that utilizes organic semiconductor nanotubes, exhibiting high performance and tunable dynamics in liquid and gel-polymer electrolytes. The device demonstrates excellent stability, low power consumption, and fast response time.
Researchers at UTHealth found that exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation can be beneficial for stroke survivors, correcting impaired walking patterns and increasing motor coordination. The study used the Ekso 1.1 exoskeleton to guide patients with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia or hemiparesis in a 10-15 session training program over thre...
Scientists develop robotic model of mantis shrimp strike, revealing geometric latching process behind ultra-fast movements. The device accelerates to 26 meters per second, equivalent to a car reaching 58 mph in four milliseconds.
The UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education has received a $2.4 million grant to establish an initiative introducing Black/African American girls to engineering and robotics. The Ujima Girls in Robotics Leadership Project offers a free, hands-on program teaching girls middle and high school engineering and leadership.
A POSTECH research team developed a water-driven self-operating soft actuator that exceeds the strength and speed of conventional soft actuators. The actuator is inspired by the mutable collagenous tissue of sea cucumbers, which can change shape in response to water uptake.
A team of engineers and physicians developed a steerable catheter that can navigate the brain's arteries and blood vessels in any direction. The device was inspired by nature and successfully tested in pigs, with potential to treat brain aneurysms and other neurological conditions.
Researchers at Seoul National University developed a wearable artificial chameleon skin that can detect and adapt to its surroundings in real-time. The device, which combines thermochromic liquid crystal ink with vertically-stacked silver nanowires, enables high-resolution camouflage and blending into complex backgrounds.
Researchers at UC Berkeley studied how squirrels decide whether to take a leap and assess their biomechanical abilities to know whether they can land safely. They found that squirrels learn to adapt their leaping strategy in just a few attempts, depending on the branch's compliance and gap distance.
Engineers at MIT have developed a soft, lightweight neuroprosthetic hand that enables amputees to perform daily activities with ease. The prosthetic features a system for tactile feedback, allowing users to feel sensations in their residual limb, and is potentially low-cost for low-income families.
Cornell University researchers used facial recognition AI to develop an imaging robot called BlackBird that scans grape leaf samples automatically, reducing manual assessment time from six months to one day. The technology has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars by detecting disease early and reducing fungicide usage.
University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.
A team of engineers discovered that the unique design of fish fins, with layered structures made up of stiff and soft materials, enables them to achieve remarkable dexterity and flexibility. This finding could lead to new materials and technologies for robotic applications and aircraft design.
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm that enables drones to navigate complex obstacle courses at high speeds without crashing. The new approach combines simulations with real-world experiments, allowing drones to adapt to challenging aerodynamics and find the fastest routes.
Researchers at Tohoku University and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have decoded salamanders' body-limb coordination mechanisms. Their findings provide insights into adaptive locomotion and could aid the development of agile robots.
A new robotic neck brace designed by Columbia Engineering can precisely detect changes in patient neck movements during routine clinical visits. The device can help identify patients who may have issues with neck movement, enabling targeted physical therapy interventions to improve recovery outcomes.
A single case report describes a 65-year-old man who developed thrombocytopenia with thrombosis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, highlighting the need for increased awareness and vigilance. The authors conclude that while rare events may occur, the benefits of vaccination should not be dissuaded.
The study used WomBot to explore 30 wombat burrows in Tasmania, finding average temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 85%. The authors suggest that environmental conditions within burrows may facilitate sarcoptic mange transmission by promoting mite survival.
A new robot-assisted broadband photo-monitoring platform has been developed using physically enriched carbon nanotube thin films to act as uncooled imager sheets. This device enables stereoscopic sensing of curved objects and detects minuscule defects, revolutionizing industrial inspection.
A study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting found that modifying the ERATS protocol significantly reduced in-hospital and post-discharge opioid consumption, particularly Schedule II opioids. The optimized protocol included replacing saline with 0.25% bupivacaine and switching tramadol to as-needed scheduling.
Two studies demonstrate the benefits of patient-forward approach to PCI, where systematically avoiding high-risk cases worsens hospital quality. Robotic-assisted technology shows safety and efficacy in treating complex lesions, reducing occupational hazards for physicians.
Researchers developed a neural control technology that enables amputees to regain control over their ankle movements, including standing on challenging surfaces and squatting. The study demonstrates improved postural control, stability, and overall quality of life for individuals with prosthetic ankles.
A national survey and cohort study found that patients are accepting and satisfied with robotic system evaluations, with 92.5% reporting satisfaction. Robotic systems are deemed useful for acquiring vital signs, conducting testing, and supporting placement of intravenous catheters.
A study found that patients are open to interacting with robots for symptom evaluation, reducing in-person contact. Robots equipped with sensors and video communication can measure vital signs and perform minor procedures like nasal swabs.
Researchers assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile robotic system in acquiring vital signs, performing nasal or oral swabs, and facilitating contactless triage interviews. The study suggests that robotic systems may be a viable option for improving patient care in emergency departments.
A new COVID-19 screening platform, C19-SPAR-Seq, has been developed to rapidly analyze thousands of samples for variants. The platform boasts a sensitivity rate greater than 95%, making it a crucial tool in the fight against the pandemic.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have connected a real locust ear to a robot that receives electrical signals and responds accordingly. The locust's ear detects vibrations in the air, allowing the robot to move forward or backward based on clapping sounds.
A new prototype of an intelligent underground robotic system has been developed to reduce noise and pollution in civil works. The system consists of a surface vehicle with a geo-radar and an autonomous underground robot that drills from one point to another, eliminating the need for digging ditches.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that small electrical sparks may be triggered by friction in Martian dust particles. The sparks, likely to be small and pose little danger, suggest that Mars may be an electrically active place with unique characteristics.
A systematic review identified approaches to tackle loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic, including robotic dogs, mindfulness, and Tai Chi. The studies showed that these interventions could be effective even with social distancing measures in place.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a solution to stabilize drones when one motor fails, using onboard camera information. The team equipped quadcopters with standard and event cameras, which enable the drone to estimate its position in space despite high-speed rotation. This innovation improves flight safety in area...
Stroke survivors regained clinically significant arm movement and control using a brain-machine interface coupled with a robotic device. The therapy showed potential for long-term benefits, suggesting a novel approach to rehabilitation.
A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science found that heifers trained on a phantom before introducing an automated milking system visited the actual system more frequently, increasing milk yield. The training program reduced the need for human assistance during milking and prepared animals well for early lactation.
A fleet of deep-diving ocean robots will investigate how marine life captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. The research, called SOLACE, aims to improve our understanding of the 'carbon pump', a process responsible for pumping large volumes of carbon into the ocean.
A team of researchers demonstrated that popular robotic household vacuum cleaners can be remotely hacked to record speech and music. They used signal processing and deep learning techniques to recover sound waves from the laser-based navigation system, revealing potential security risks and privacy breaches.
A new grant will enable scientists to deploy 500 robotic ocean-monitoring floats around the globe, collecting data on ocean chemistry and biology between the surface and 2,000 meters. The project aims to improve computer models of ocean fisheries and climate, and monitor the effects of ocean warming and acidification.
A new robotic device called TruST helps children with cerebral palsy improve their trunk and reaching control, allowing them to sit stably and perform daily activities without assistance. After a two-year pilot study, four children aged 6-14 showed significant postural and reaching control improvements.
A team of engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder has designed a robot inspired by pufferfish to improve drone safety. The PufferBot features an inflatable airbag that can expand in size to prevent dangerous collisions between people and machines.