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AI-equipped aerial robots help to track and model wildfire smoke

Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed AI-guided aerial robots to detect, track and analyze wildfire smoke plumes. The technology provides high-resolution data collection across large areas at a lower cost than satellite-based tools, enabling more accurate computer models for air quality predictions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Woven metamaterials inspired by baskets for stiff, resilient robots

Researchers at the University of Michigan created woven metamaterials that return to their original shape after repeated compressions, while continuous sheets permanently deform. The structures demonstrated high stiffness and resilience, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics, car parts and architectural components.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Smarter robot planning for the real world

Vasile's research aims to map and model an agent's capabilities, particularly in motion, manipulation, and perception, to reliably predict their behavior. The goal is to use this understanding to plan effectively for large teams of agents.

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.

A wearable robot that learns

A wearable robot has been upgraded to provide personalized assistance to ALS and stroke patients. The device uses machine learning and a physics-based model to adapt to an individual user's movements, offering more nuanced help with daily tasks.

With human feedback, AI-driven robots learn tasks better and faster

Researchers at UC Berkeley developed an AI-powered training method called Human-in-the-Loop Sample Efficient Robotic Reinforcement Learning (HiL-SERL) that enables robots to perform complicated tasks with precision and speed. With human feedback, robots learn from demonstrations and real-world attempts, achieving a 100% success rate in...

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 make better magnets – at a lower cost

A new magnet manufacturing process has been developed that produces strong permanent magnets quickly and uses less energy and is less expensive. The technique, called friction stir consolidation, eliminates porosity in the magnetic material and reduces oxidation.

Novel 3D printing technique creates hydrogels that mimic natural tissues

Researchers developed a novel 3D printing technique called IPS 3DP to create personalized implants with specific mechanobiological properties. The method enables the creation of structurally complex hydrogels with hierarchical microstructures and strain-stiffening behavior, paving the way for advanced biomedical applications.

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.

Tiny robots use sound to self-organize into intelligent groups

A team of scientists has developed microrobots that use sound waves to coordinate into large swarms exhibiting intelligent-like behavior. The swarms can navigate tight spaces and re-form themselves, making them suitable for tasks like cleaning up pollution and delivering drugs directly to a problem area.

A patch for the heart

Researchers at ETH Zurich create a novel three-dimensional heart patch for intraventricular implantation, integrating into existing heart tissue. The RCPatch combines a fine mesh, 3D-printed scaffold, and hydrogel with living cells to promote complete repair and regeneration of damaged heart tissue.

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.

Muscle-inspired sheet-like robot navigates the tightest spaces

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.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How tiny fossils are leading to smarter robots

Researchers create a technique to model organic objects, creating photorealistic 3D images of complex shapes for autonomous sorting. This method improves robotic systems that sort microscopic marine fossils used in climate research.

Kavraki elected to European Academy of Sciences

Lydia Kavraki, a pioneering researcher in robotics and AI, has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences. Her work on physical AI, transforming robotics and biomedicine, and leadership at Rice University's Ken Kennedy Institute have earned her this prestigious honor.

‘Bone-ified muscles’ could be robots’ next flex

Researchers have developed soft artificial muscles that provide the performance and mechanical properties required for building robotic musculoskeletal systems. The new muscles can be battery-powered, enabling robots to move more naturally and safely in unstructured environments.

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.

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.

New tool gives anyone the ability to train a robot

MIT engineers developed a versatile demonstration interface that allows users to teach robots new skills in three intuitive ways: remote control, physical manipulation, or demonstration. This innovation expands the type of users and 'teachers' who interact with robots, enabling robots to learn a wider set of skills.

Robots that grow by consuming other robots

Scientists at Columbia University have developed a process called 'Robot Metabolism' that enables machines to absorb and reuse parts from other robots or their surroundings. This new paradigm allows robots to physically sustain themselves, grow, adapt, and repair using materials from their environment or from other robots.

Research center developing digital twins for manufacturing

Researchers are creating generalized digital twins for machines, aiming to improve coordination up and down the production line. The center also plans to develop digital twins for human-robot collaboration and use software for simulation and analysis.

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.

Animal-inspired AI robot learns to navigate unfamiliar terrain

Researchers developed an AI system that enables a four-legged robot to adapt its gait to different terrain, just like animals. The robot learned to switch gaits on the fly and navigate uneven surfaces without any alterations to the system itself, overcoming previous limitations around adaptability.

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.

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.

Medical needles in the hands of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing medical needle procedures by providing unprecedented levels of accuracy and precision. AI-powered robots can assist physicians in complex tasks, enabling safer and more effective procedures. The four components of AI guidance are formalized, categorizing current systems into Eyes-on/Hands...

Scientists develop method to build tiny custom microrobots

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a new way to build and control tiny particles that can move and work like microscopic robots. The team's method combines high-precision 3D printing and microstenciling, allowing for precise surface patches on active particles of arbitrary shape.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Robotic probe quickly measures key properties of new materials

A fully autonomous robotic system developed by MIT researchers can measure important material properties like photoconductivity, increasing the speed and precision of research. The system uses machine learning and robotics to analyze new semiconductors and optimize the development of more powerful solar panels.

How game-play with robots can bring out their human side

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.

Safely navigating treetops thanks to a scaly tail

Researchers from Empa's Soft Kinetic group studied the rare scaly-tailed squirrels' unique bodily structure, discovering that their thorn-covered scales help them maintain position and grip onto tree bark. The study aims to inform robotics by adopting morphological structures and behaviors honed through millions of years of evolution.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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.

BCI robotic hand control reaches new finger-level milestone

Researchers have successfully controlled a dexterous robotic hand using noninvasive EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for individual finger movements. The study demonstrates real-time brain decoding and motor imagery control, paving the way for potential applications beyond basic communication to intricate motor control.

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.

Study overturns long-held belief about shape of fish schools

A team of researchers at Princeton University and Harvard found that fish schools do not form diamond shapes as previously believed. Instead, they adopt a dynamic ladder pattern, allowing them to stagger in multiple planes and reduce energy expenditure.

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.

How the world is preparing the workforce for AI

The study analyzed 50 countries' national AI strategies, finding that only 13 gave high priority to training the current workforce and improving AI education. Common themes included establishing AI-focused programs in universities and on-the-job training, with a focus on human soft skills such as creativity and collaboration.

Soft robot modules for new haptic interactions

The Digits framework uses compressed air to produce shape changes, vibrations, and haptic feedback, offering a versatile platform for virtual reality and physical therapy. The device's modular design and pneumatic actuation enable adaptable and scalable control methods.

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.

In an era where empathy feels unfamiliar, AI now translates emotions

A research team developed AI technology that analyzes individual personality traits and values to generate personalized analogies, allowing people to understand others' feelings through familiar experiences. This approach significantly improved emotional understanding and empathy in participants compared to traditional methods.