Scientists have created the first soft robots that can walk out of the machines that make them using a new 3D printing system. The flexible devices were developed to overcome challenges in manufacturing and design, making them suitable for various industries like nuclear decommissioning and space exploration.
The F3T sensor accurately decouples temperature, normal force, and all-directional tangent force. It outperforms traditional sensors in static and dynamic tests, enabling robots to adaptively respond to external disturbances.
Antonio Bicchi has been selected for the 2025 Pioneer in Robotics and Automation Award for his groundbreaking contributions to robotics and prosthetics. He is recognized for developing innovative robotic limbs that match human hand capabilities, as well as natural prosthetic limbs.
The Stuttgart Cluster of Excellence IntCDC will continue to develop innovative construction methods that reduce resource consumption and CO2 emissions through computational design and engineering methods. The cluster aims to evolve its Co-Design approach into a Co-Agency approach, focusing on bio-based building materials, AI technologi...
Triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, enhancing robotic autonomy and efficiency. The technology has the potential to reshape future robotic capabilities, particularly in industrial automation, healthcare, and smart home applications.
Researchers found that artificial intelligence tools can accurately predict disease for patients with typical symptoms but struggle with those exhibiting atypical symptoms. Human oversight is necessary for high-quality patient-centered care when using AI as an assistive tool.
A new simulation method enables researchers to test social robots without human participants, making research faster and more scalable. The study introduces a dynamic scanpath prediction model that helps humanoid robots predict where people would look in a social setting, mimicking human-like eye movements.
The ETH Zurich researchers have developed SonoTextiles, a novel technology that uses acoustic waves to measure touch, pressure, and movement in fabrics. This allows for accurate health monitoring, such as tracking breathing patterns, with minimal power consumption and high precision.
Researchers developed a spherical prototype with adjustable surface dimples to cut through pressure drag and generate lift, reducing drag by 50% compared to smooth counterparts. The adaptive skin setup can adjust dimple depth to maintain drag reductions and generate controlled movement.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
Researchers developed novel haptic devices to enable precise robot control with tactile feedback, reducing collisions and improving user proficiency. The devices integrate digital twin technology and augmented reality for enhanced immersion.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new framework called HUMAC that enables robots to collaborate like humans by teaching them Theory of Mind. After just 40 minutes of guidance, robot teams exhibited strong collaborative behaviors and achieved high success rates in simulations and physical tests.
The Purdue team developed Purdubik’s Cube, a high-speed robotic system that solves a Rubik’s Cube in record-breaking 0.103 seconds. The team leveraged machine vision, custom solving algorithms, and industrial-grade motion control hardware to achieve this feat.
UCF students created an AI system, AIMS, to track surgical staples during robotic surgeries, reducing waste and improving sustainability. The technology was developed as part of the college's Senior Design capstone course and has been successfully tested in operating rooms at Orlando Health.
Developers of educational tools focus on technical challenges, while educators are concerned with broader impacts, such as inhibiting critical thinking skills and exacerbating systemic inequality. Researchers recommend designer-centered approach to facilitate development of educator-centered edtech.
Researchers created a new type of insect cyborg that can navigate autonomously using UV light to guide movement, preserving sensory organs and maintaining consistent control. The system outperformed traditional methods in tests, with 94% of cyborg insects escaping a maze-like environment compared to just 24% of normal cockroaches.
SWORD accelerates robotics development by reducing manual coding required for complex applications, integrating CAD with open-source ROS tools to streamline automation. The software models, plans, and executes automation in a user-friendly environment.
A new robot designed to physically support the elderly and prevent falls as they move around their homes. The Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot (E-BAR) has a set of robotic handlebars that can be used for support, with airbags that inflate instantly to catch users if they fall.
Generative AI agents powered by large language models meet three conditions of free will: goal-directed agency, genuine choices, and control over actions. Experts warn that as AI gains more power and freedom, moral responsibility may shift from developers to the AI agents themselves.
Researchers developed a technique that enables robots to learn about an object's weight, softness, or contents by picking it up and gently shaking it. This method uses internal sensors and simulation processes to rapidly identify characteristics of the object, making it suitable for applications where cameras might be less effective.
A research team from AMOLF created a soft robot that moves with surprising coordination and autonomy, thanks to the principle of physical synchronization. The robot's soft tubes oscillate to create rhythmic locomotion gaits, adapting to obstacles and environments without central control.
A study by Aalto University researchers found that people's perception of AI creativity increases with the amount of process and producer information revealed. This discovery has implications for designing creative AI systems, as well as understanding human biases towards creativity in others.
A team of Brown University researchers has developed an artificial intelligence model called MotionGlot that can generate movement in robots and animated figures. The model enables users to type an action and generates accurate representations of that motion, translating across different robot and figure types.
Researchers at MIT created a table tennis bot that can return shots with high-speed precision, achieving a hit rate of 88% in tests. The technology could be adapted to improve the speed and responsiveness of humanoid robots for search-and-rescue operations.
Researchers developed an intelligent autonomous robot capable of automating hospital disinfection processes through dual disinfection system, increasing efficiency and precision. The robot's performance was validated through real-world testing, reducing the risk of infection in hospitals.
The observation pyramid uses different robot platforms to survey ocean areas, enabling flexible task management. Autonomous robotic organizations will reduce costs, improve mission efficiency and increase system robustness.
Researchers found that service robots with male characteristics can be more persuasive when interacting with women who have a low sense of power. Conversely, cute features in robot design can reduce the effect of portrayed gender on persuasiveness, making them effective for both male and female customers.
A new method to measure touch reception has been developed, allowing robots to accurately sense object curves and edges. By addressing the insulation layer issue in robotic skins, the researchers provided a clear step-by-step guide for trouble-shooting.
Engineers at Princeton University and Georgia Institute of Technology have created a method to reinforce structures without creating new weaknesses. The approach uses microstructures designed to protect against multiple loads, allowing designers to counter various stresses simultaneously.
A Sutter Health study found that an ambient AI platform reduced clinical documentation time and improved clinician satisfaction. The technology also enhanced patient care experiences, with clinicians spending more time listening to patients during appointments.
Researchers developed a novel vote-based model for accurate hand-held object pose estimation, addressing issues with existing approaches. The new framework achieves significant improvements in accuracy and robustness, enabling robots to handle complex objects and advancing AR technologies.
Kavraki's interdisciplinary research in robotics and biomedicine has been recognized for its impact on manufacturing, space exploration, and medicine. Her work bridges theory and application, with contributions to novel robot motion planning, personalized cancer treatments, and drug discovery.
A soft robot can carry loads through the air along established tracks, navigating angles of up to 80 degrees and carrying loads up to 12 times its weight. The robot uses infrared light to move along the track, repeating a rolling motion that pulls it forward.
A new robotic system uses cues in a scene to determine a human's objective and quickly identify relevant objects, enabling intuitive assistance in household, workplace, and warehouse settings. The approach achieved 90% accuracy in predicting human objectives and 96% accuracy in identifying relevant objects.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a 'metabot' material that can expand, assume new shapes, move, and respond to electromagnetic commands. The metamaterial's complex behavior is enabled by chirality, allowing it to defy typical physical object rules.
Researchers developed a method to fabricate functional flat-to-shape objects using a computer-controlled sewing machine. The technique allows for the creation of large, portable, and adaptable objects with varying levels of customization, including seating, wearables, and lamps.
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.
Researchers from Waseda University used machine learning to enhance the performance of photomechanical crystals, achieving up to 3.7 times greater force output compared to previously reported values. This breakthrough has significant implications for remote-controlled actuators, medical devices, and energy-efficient systems.
Researchers created a hopping robot that can traverse challenging terrains, carry heavy payloads, and uses less energy than aerial robots. The robot's springy leg and flapping-wing modules enable it to jump over obstacles and adjust its orientation mid-air.
The new robotic gripper, called GRIP-tape, uses a combination of softness and stiffness to grasp fragile fruits and vegetables with precision. With its ability to navigate obstacles and deposit objects into containers, the gripper has shown promising results in lifting large fruits like lemons.
The FLUID robot, developed by Hokkaido University researchers, automates the co-precipitation of cobalt and nickel to create binary materials with precision. The open-source system uses a 3D printer and off-the-shelf electronics, making it customizable and cost-effective for researchers worldwide.
The robot can switch between physical space and cyberspace modes using bioelectrical signals and gaze information, managing arm hand systems and IoT devices with high success rate. This technology aims to reduce nursing care costs and medical expenses by enhancing independence.
Text2Robot leverages generative AI to convert user text descriptions into functional robots. The system generates manufacturable robot designs that resemble the specific request within minutes, making it accessible to anyone with a computer and 3D printer.
A team of researchers discovered that a robotic hand can learn to grasp and rotate objects even with incomplete or absent tactile sensation. The study highlights the importance of the sequence of learning experiences, also known as the curriculum, in facilitating learning.
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.
A new brain-like computer uses analog computing to process and store information in the same location as biological neurons, reducing power consumption by 0.25%. The device, called a memristor network, is more efficient than conventional transistor-based computers and has implications for autonomous vehicles and drones.
Researchers developed electronics-free robots that can walk without electronics, using compressed gas as a power source. The robots were printed in one go from standard 3D printing material and demonstrated three-day operation with air pressure control.
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.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of inait's innovative AI technology, using its unique digital brain AI platform. It will focus on joint product development, go-to-market strategies, and co-selling initiatives, initially targeting the finance and robotics sectors.
A new platform allows users to rapidly prototype large, sturdy interactive structures without requiring mechanical or electrical engineering expertise. The system utilizes reconfigurable building blocks with integrated electronics that can be assembled into complex devices.
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.
MIT engineers have developed a way to grow artificial muscles that twitch and flex in multiple coordinated directions. This breakthrough allows for the creation of soft, wiggly robots with enhanced flexibility and range of motion.
Insilico Medicine has secured a $110 million Series E financing to accelerate the advancement of its AI-driven drug discovery pipeline and platform developments. The funds will focus on refining AI models and algorithms, as well as advancing clinical validation of its flagship candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment.
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.
Researchers at Saarland University develop film-based vacuum pumps and valves that are lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient. These devices can create a vacuum of up to 300 millibars without the need for compressed air, motors, or lubricants.
A new framework allows users to correct a robot's actions in real-time using intuitive interactions, such as pointing or nudging the arm. The method achieves a success rate of 21% higher than an alternative approach, enabling more efficient and accurate task completion.
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.
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.
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.
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.