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Advancing brain–computer interfaces for rehabilitation and assistive technologies

A novel AI-based framework, EDGCN, decodes dynamic variations in EEG patterns for better brain-computer interface technology. The model outperforms current state-of-the-art methods with high classification accuracies and decoding accuracy, enabling more seamless communication between the human brain and machines.

SourceChiba University·JournalInformation Fusion·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 10, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dual-coil magnetic guidewire robot: a new smooth steering solution for vascular interventional navigation

The dual-coil magnetic guidewire robot offers improved steering capabilities, switching between three modes for better curvature control and branch entry. The robot's design and control enable safer and more consistent procedures by reducing unintended vessel-wall interaction and enhancing access to small, tortuous, and branching targets.

SourceJournal Center of Harbin Institute of Technology·JournalSmartBot·DateMar 9, 2026

New robotic microfluidic platform brings ai to lipid nanoparticle design

Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed LIBRIS, an automated microfluidic platform capable of generating lipid nanoparticle formulations at high speed and scale. This enables the creation of large, systematic datasets needed to train predictive AI models, accelerating the design of lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

New ultra-low-cost technique could slash the price of soft robotics

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

NASA robot’s 10-year mission complete as uni marks rare feat

Researchers have advanced humanoid robot control, motion planning, and perception using Valkyrie, a 10-year mission robot developed by NASA. The university will continue research with Talos, a 1.75-metre-tall robot, to study human-robot cooperation and adapt to changing environments.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateMar 6, 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.

Evolved robots are born to run and refuse to die

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed AI-designed robots called 'legged metamachines' that can combine and recombine in the wild, recover from injury and transform into new shapes. The robots can adapt to the environment, survive catastrophic damage and even recover from being chopped in half or cut into pieces.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2026

Listening to the body’s quietest, yet most dynamic movements

Researchers developed a wearable vibration sensor capable of detecting subtle body movements without external power, opening new possibilities for healthcare technologies. The sensor accurately captures physiological signals and detects extremely faint vibrations across a broad frequency range.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·DateMar 5, 2026

FAU lands $4.5M US Air Force T-1A Jayhawk flight simulator

Florida Atlantic University has received a $4.5 million grant from the US Air Force to establish a high-fidelity platform for autonomous decision-making and real-time sensor fusion research. The T-1A Jayhawk simulator will be used to study cognitive performance, situational awareness, stress and decision-making under pressure.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·DateMar 4, 2026
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Not either, but both: making a highly precise and highly mobile precision positioning robot

Researchers from Yokohama National University created a highly precise mobile robot with a wide range of motion using piezoelectric actuators, achieving path errors of under 0.5-4.75 µm. The robot's performance demonstrated its suitability for precise positioning and wide transportation of objects of various sizes.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Magnetic microrobot swarms enable contactless manipulation of objects through fluidic torque

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 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.

MambaAlign fusion framework for detecting defects missed by inspection systems

Researchers developed an efficient system to detect subtle defects missed by existing inspection systems. The MambaAlign framework captures long-range and orientation-aware context using state-space refinement, achieving improved localization and detection accuracy without excessive computational overhead.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Computational Design and Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2026

Rise of the rice robots – creating active smart materials

A new material composed of rice grains can bend, buckle, or stiffen differently under slow movements versus sudden impacts without electronics or sensors. This innovative material has potential applications in soft robotics, creating machines lighter, safer, and more adaptable.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Ionogel actuators: a review

This review constructs a tripartite analytical framework for ionogel actuators, covering material construction, actuation mechanisms, and system integration. It presents a function-oriented classification of materials and evaluates the applicability of seven distinct actuation modes.

SourceJournal Center of Harbin Institute of Technology·JournalSmartBot·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 23, 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.

Max Planck spin-off draws Epic Games to Tübingen

Epic Games has acquired Meshcapade, a Max Planck startup that develops solutions for creating and animating digital humans. The technology, based on the SMPL body model, enables realistic human movement and expression in 3D.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2026

A more accurate measure of calories burned

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

3D printing soft robots

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
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.

How can you rescue a “kidnapped” robot? A new AI system helps the robot regain its sense of location in dynamic, ever-changing environments

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

Personal perception of body movement changes when using robotic prosthetics

Researchers found that participants initially overestimated the awkwardness of their gait but improved as they practiced using the prosthetic device. Despite significant performance gains, participants remained inaccurate in assessing their own body movement, focusing on torso position rather than prosthetic behavior.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

AI-powered companionship: PolyU interfaculty scholar harnesses music and empathetic speech in robots to combat loneliness

Researchers at PolyU have discovered that combining music and empathetic speech in robots can foster a stronger bond between humans and machines. Music enhances the emotional resonance of on-screen robots, making interactions feel more real, but its impact diminishes over time.

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction·DateFeb 16, 2026
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.

Elephant trunk whiskers exhibit material intelligence

Researchers discovered functional gradients in elephant and cat whiskers, allowing for precise touch sensing. The stiff-to-soft transition enables elephants to navigate their environment with ease, including picking up delicate objects.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2026

Resource-sharing boosts robotic resilience

A team of EPFL roboticists has designed a modular robot that shares power, sensing, and communication resources among its individual units, significantly increasing its resistance to failure. The approach, called hyper-redundancy, allows the robot to continue functioning even if one module fails, by compensating with neighboring modules.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2026
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.

Open-source modular robot for understanding evolution

A new tool has arrived: a highly customizable, open-source robot design called The Robot of Theseus (TROT), developed at the University of Michigan. TROT can model most mammals and enable direct comparisons of variations on the same structure, helping researchers discover the advantages related to limb length and segmentation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateFeb 11, 2026

Path Planning Transformers supervised by IRRT*-RRMS for multi-mobile robots

The Path Planning Transformer (PPT) model learns to plan efficient paths from occupancy maps, avoiding obstacles with a modified right-of-way rule. This approach improves path smoothness and adaptability while reducing computational requirements, with potential applications in industrial automation and collaborative robot systems.

SourceELSP·JournalRobot Learning·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Robots that can see around corners using radio signals and AI

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
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Flexible electronics: Technological revolution of robot components for intelligent robots

Recent advancements in flexible electronics have transformed robotic systems, allowing for conformal integration of electronic components and autonomous decision-making. Flexible devices have improved operational accuracy and transformed the interaction methods of robots, laying the foundation for intelligent robotics development.

SourceJournal Center of Harbin Institute of Technology·JournalSmartBot·DateFeb 6, 2026

No brain, no problem: What robots can learn from sea stars

Researchers at USC's Kanso Bioinspired Motion Lab discovered that sea stars' tube feet respond independently to changing loads, enabling local control strategy. This decentralized approach can optimize robot locomotion and adapt to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 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

Kennesaw State researcher looking to give robots a human touch

A Kennesaw State University researcher is working on a new type of robotic hand that can move more naturally, enabling robots to handle objects with greater precision. The research uses advanced artificial intelligence to replicate human-like behavior, allowing robots to interact with their environment in a more intuitive way.

SourceKennesaw State University·DateJan 28, 2026
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.

Five researchers at Italian Institute of Technology win new ERC funding

Five IIT researchers receive Proof-of-Concept grants to develop innovative health technologies, including a smart microscope and edible pills. These projects aim to tackle cancer, dyslexia, and diagnostics with cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing and near-infrared photonic chips.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·DateJan 27, 2026

AI learns better when it talks to itself

Researchers at OIST found that combining inner speech with working memory enhances AI learning, enabling easier adaptation to new situations. This discovery holds promise for developing more human-like AI systems capable of handling complex, dynamic environments.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNeural Computation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2026

Misleading text in the physical world can hijack AI-enabled robots

Researchers have identified a new vulnerability in AI-powered robots, where malicious text on signs or objects can hijack their decision-making. The study, led by UC Santa Cruz professors Alvaro Cardenas and Cihang Xie, presents the first academic exploration of environmental indirect prompt injection attacks against embodied AI systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateJan 26, 2026
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

How can robots learn from humans?

Researchers developed a new approach to teach robots to learn human grasping skills, enabling adaptive and universal grasping to diverse objects. The framework captures multimodal tactile data and encodes it into high-level semantic grasping states, allowing robots to recognize general states of interaction.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2026

A robot learns to lip sync

Researchers at Columbia University develop a robot that can learn facial lip motions through observational learning, enabling it to articulate words in various languages and sing songs. The robot's ability to move its lips in sync is expected to improve with time and practice, paving the way for more holistic robot communication.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·DateJan 14, 2026

Hydrogel cilia set new standard in microrobotics

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

Bringing human dexterity to robots by combining human motion and tactile sensation

A team of researchers from Keio University has developed a novel system that uses Gaussian process regression to model and reproduce complex human motions. This enables robots to adapt to touch and interact with objects in dynamic environments, improving their dexterity and versatility.

SourceKeio University Global Research Institute·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 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.

Achieving ultra-low-power explosive jumps via locust bio-hybrid muscle actuators

Researchers developed a new type of bio-hybrid actuator using locust hind legs, achieving remarkable leaping capabilities and ultra-low power consumption. The actuators enable high maneuverability and autonomous self-righting capabilities, making them suitable for confined space exploration and precision medical delivery.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateJan 7, 2026

A researcher’s long quest leads to a smart composite breakthrough

Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering R Reports·DateDec 23, 2025

A multi-material microrobot that can grasp, carry and release a cell

A team of researchers developed a multi-material, multi-module microrobot that can grab, carry and release microscopic objects. The microrobot features two parts: one reacts to pH changes to grip an object, while the other responds to magnetic fields for movement.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateDec 22, 2025

AI learns to build simple equations for complex systems

A new AI framework uncovers simple, understandable rules governing complex dynamics in nature and technology. The AI generates equations that accurately describe complex systems, revealing hidden variables that govern their behavior. This approach offers scientists a new way to leverage AI for understanding complex systems.

SourceDuke University·Journalnpj Complexity·DateDec 17, 2025
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.

How brain-inspired algorithms could drive down AI energy costs

Researchers propose integrating processing capability within memory units to reduce energy consumption and latency in AI applications. Inspired by the brain's efficient processing mechanisms, spiking neural networks (SNNs) can respond to irregular events and store information in the same place.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·DateDec 16, 2025

World's smallest programmable robot perform tasks

Developed by U-M and Penn, the robots can sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. They have applications in monitoring cell health and aiding manufacturing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Robotics·DateDec 15, 2025

Tapping into whale talk

A Harvard-designed bio-logger captures high-fidelity audio of sperm whale codas, which are later analyzed by machine learning models to uncover structured communication. Recent results show that sperm whales have their own alphabet and use vowels and diphthongs in their language.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

Penn and UMich create world’s smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Researchers at Penn and UMich created microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. The robots are powered by light and can be programmed to move in complex patterns, sense local temperatures, and adjust their paths accordingly.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025
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.

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 bioelectronics device based on hydrogel- elastomer conductive nanomembranes

Researchers developed a novel bioelectronic material that transforms from a rigid film to a soft, tissue-like interface upon hydration, enabling seamless integration with living tissues. The device, called THIN, has been shown to record biological signals with high fidelity and stability in animal experiments.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025
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.

ERC Consolidator Grant for soft robotics researcher

Rothemund aims to harness phase transitions to improve controllability of soft robots, enabling tasks like grasping and crawling through tight spaces. The project seeks to develop new materials and a model robot arm for three-dimensional motion control.

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·DateDec 9, 2025

University of Utah engineers give a bionic hand a mind of its own

University of Utah engineers developed an autonomous approach using proximity and pressure sensors, training an artificial neural network on grasping postures. Study participants demonstrated improved grip security, precision, and less mental effort when using the AI-enhanced prosthesis.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

AI advances robot navigation on the International Space Station

Researchers at Stanford University have successfully used machine-learning-based control to operate a robot on the International Space Station, allowing for faster and more efficient navigation while maintaining safety. The system, which includes a warm start feature, enables robots like Astrobee to move through complex environments wi...

SourceStanford University·DateDec 8, 2025

RoboCrop: Teaching robots how to pick tomatoes

A new model developed by Osaka Metropolitan University Assistant Professor Takuya Fujinaga enables robots to accurately pick tomatoes, with an 81% success rate. The system evaluates the ease of harvesting for each tomato, taking into account factors such as fruit clustering and stem geometry.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalSmart Agricultural Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2025
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.