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AI in a mini-lab or putting precision to the test

Juan Gamella's mini-labs provide a flexible test environment for new AI algorithms, allowing researchers to test their performance beyond simulated data. The mini-labs help identify issues early on, enabling targeted improvements to underlying mathematical assumptions and algorithms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Coffee-making robot breaks new ground for AI machines

A new coffee-making robot, developed by the University of Edinburgh, demonstrates cutting-edge AI and motor skills that enable it to adapt to challenging kitchen environments. The robot can interact with objects and people seamlessly, solving complex problems like accessing drawers and measuring ingredients.

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.

Magnetic microalgae on a mission to become robots

Researchers developed magnetic micro swimmers covered in a thin coating of magnetic nanoparticles, unaffected by the coating. The algae maintained their swimming speed after magnetization and navigated 3D-printed channels using magnetic guidance.

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.

Most AI struggles to read clocks and calendars, study finds

State-of-the-art AI models struggle to interpret clock-hand positions and answer questions about dates on calendars, requiring spatial awareness, context, and basic maths. Researchers tested various clock designs with different fonts and styles and found that AI systems got clock-hand positions right less than a quarter of the time.

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.

Future innovators take over UTA at science fair

The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.

Artificial muscles for tremor suppression

Researchers at Max Planck Institute have created a biorobotic arm with artificial muscles that can mimic and suppress real tremors. The technology has the potential to revolutionize assistive exoskeletons and wearable devices for individuals with tremors, providing a more discreet and effective solution.

Press program now available for the world's largest physics conference

The Global Physics Summit will feature nearly 1,200 sessions and 14,000 presentations on various topics, including astrophysics, climate science, medicine, and quantum information. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with meeting information.

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.

A springtail-like jumping robot

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.

Teaming up tiny robot swimmers to transform medicine

Ebru Demir aims to study how groups of AI-driven microswimmers move in biological fluids for potential applications in drug delivery, fertility treatments, and other medical fields. Her research combines artificial microswimmers with machine learning to uncover the underlying physics governing their movement.

How to get a robot collective to act like a smart material

A team of researchers has created a robotic material-like collective that can change shape and stiffness in response to internal signals. The robots, composed of disk-shaped autonomous units, use light sensors, magnets, and force fluctuations to achieve this behavior, reducing power consumption compared to traditional robotic systems.

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.

Two Michigan Engineering researchers named 2025 Sloan Research Fellows

Thatchaphol Saranurak and Andrew Owens have been awarded Sloan Research Fellowships for their innovative work on graph networks and machine perception systems. Their research aims to create more efficient algorithms for computing dynamic systems, such as social networks and traffic patterns.

Mammal-like tails most promising for acrobatic robots

A team of researchers found that mammalian tails can form complex curves and enable body rotations in mid-air, challenging the conventional design of robotic tails. The study suggests that tail structure optimized for inertial maneuvering could be applied to robots, improving their performance and efficiency.

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.

MIT engineers help multirobot systems stay in the safety zone

A team of MIT engineers has developed a training method for multiagent systems that can guarantee their safe operation in crowded environments. The method enables agents to continually map their safety margins, allowing them to scale up to any number of agents while maintaining system safety.

Scientists ‘mimic real biological processes’ using synthetic neurons

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel high-performance organic electrochemical neuron that responds within the frequency range of human neurons. The device was integrated with artificial touch receptors and synapses to create a complete perception system, enabling real-time tactile signal sensing and processing.

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.

Influential robotics journal picks UVA paper as Best of 2024

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.

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.

Empowering older adults with home-care robots

A study found that user participation and perspective are crucial in developing home-care technology. Common factors across countries include familiarity with robots and a positive impression of them. Japan values convenience, Ireland prioritizes notifying family members, and Finland emphasizes design. These findings highlight the impo...

How to make robots more lifelike

Researchers created a measurement scale to assess robot human likeness, revealing four key qualities: appearance, emotional capacity, social intelligence, and self-understanding. To seem lifelike, robots must exhibit these traits, with self-understanding being the most challenging aspect to simulate.

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.

A tapeworm-inspired, tissue-anchoring mechanism for medical devices

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a tissue-anchoring mechanism for medical devices, inspired by the circular hook-like attachment organ found in intestinal tapeworms. The device can be deployed in under 1 millisecond and anchors into soft tissue with minimal damage.

NYU Langone performs world’s first fully robotic double lung transplant

The surgical team led by Stephanie H. Chang performed the groundbreaking procedure using da Vinci Xi robotic system at NYU Langone Transplant Institute. The successful transplant marks a significant milestone in lung transplantation surgery, offering hope to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like Cheryl Mehrkar.

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.

Kaya advancing AI literacy

Erdogan Kaya and his team aim to create an AI curriculum for grades 4-5, focusing on emergent multilingual learners and preparing students for AI-intensive careers. The project explores the impact of the integrated curriculum on students' understanding of AI concepts and teachers' AI teaching efficacy beliefs.

Smart robots could withstand waves to cut green energy costs

A new study suggests that smart robots can predict waves in real-time, enabling them to work stably in turbulent seas. This technology could reduce the cost of generating renewable energy by up to 50%, making it more competitive with fossil fuels.

NeuroMechFly v2: Simulating how fruit flies see, smell, and navigate

NeuroMechFly v2 simulates how a fruit fly navigates through its environment while reacting to sights, smells, and obstacles. The model can track moving objects visually or navigate towards an odor source, while avoiding obstacles in its path, enabling researchers to study brain-body coordination and animal intelligence.

Plastic device aids robot-assisted heart surgery

A new plastic device has been developed to secure the surgical field during robot-assisted heart surgery, allowing surgeons to operate with greater independence. The device, made from a type of plastic used in medical implants and aerospace industry, expands to a certain size and retains its shape.

IIT’s Leg Prosthetic technologies took the podium at Cybathlon 2024

IIT's Omnia prosthetic won the 'Leg Prosthesis' category at Cybathlon 2024, showcasing a novel lower limb prosthetic prototype designed for individuals with transfemoral amputations. The system features a knee and ankle that exchange information to adjust parameters for optimal performance.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

For these little robots, two heads are better than one

Scientists at Princeton University develop a system of two robots connected by flexible tether, enabling them to solve complex problems like maze navigation and object gathering. The innovative approach harnesses physical characteristics rather than digital calculation to achieve remarkable abilities.

Virginia Tech team creates new method of flexing on electronics

Researchers developed a novel technique using liquid metal microdroplets to create stair-like structures forming vias that connect circuit layers without drilled holes. This approach enables rapid and parallel fabrication of soft electronic components, overcoming challenges in conventional rigid electronics.

Touching the future: Mastering physical contact with new algorithm for robots

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new consensus complementarity control (C3) algorithm that allows robots to react to complex physical contact in real-time. The algorithm enables robots to control the motion of sliding objects, a challenging task previously thought to be impossible for autonomous 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.

Helping robots zero in on the objects that matter

A new method called Clio allows robots to make task-relevant decisions by identifying the parts of a scene that matter. In real experiments, Clio successfully mapped scenes at different levels of granularity based on natural-language prompts and enabled robots to grasp objects of interest.

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.

Versatile knee exo for safer lifting

A new knee exoskeleton has been developed to support the quadriceps muscles during lifting tasks, helping workers maintain better posture even when fatigued. The device, which uses a complex algorithm to predict assistance needs, enabled participants to lift faster and with improved posture.

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.