Articles tagged with Robots
Researchers at Harvard University have created battery-free folding robots that can perform complex movements using wireless magnetic fields and shape-memory alloy coils. The robots, inspired by origami, use passive electronic components to deliver an electric current, eliminating the need for batteries or wired connections.
A new robotic system developed by MIT researchers can find even tiny leaks in water or gas pipes with high accuracy, helping to alleviate water shortages and structural damage. The system uses a small, rubbery robot that moves passively through the pipe, detecting pressure variations to locate leaks.
Researchers developed Empowerment to help robots and humans work together safely and effectively. The concept enables robots to prioritize human safety while maintaining their own autonomy.
Researchers at Brown University developed a new system that enables robots to follow spoken instructions, regardless of their level of abstraction. The system uses language grounding and hierarchical planning algorithms to analyze the specificity of commands, resulting in dramatic speed-ups in performance.
Researchers from Stanford University and NASA's JPL have designed a robotic gripper to grab and dispose of space debris, featuring gecko-inspired adhesives. The gripper can stick to flat objects and curved surfaces, and switch between relaxed and rigid states for precise manipulation.
Researchers have developed tiny microbots that can remove up to 80% of pathogenic bacteria from contaminated water. The microbots use hydrogen bubbles propelled by magnesium and silver nanoparticles to kill bacteria, offering a potential solution to the global clean water crisis.
Researchers found that pre-school children respond well to simple interactions, while older children engage with robots that reference previous conversations. Interactive storytelling also boosts vocabulary and cognitive development in young children, suggesting that collaborative technology can be an effective tool for education.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a system of quadcopter drones that can both fly and drive through urban environments with ease. The drones, equipped with wheels on the bottom, can navigate around obstacles in both air and ground modes, making them ideal for transporting objects or rescuing people in disaster zones.
Scientists develop a simple method to make graphene oxide smart, allowing it to bend in response to changing humidity without external power. They created spider-like crawlers and claw robots that move in response to environmental changes.
The new tool enables users to build customized legged or wheeled robots using 3D-printed components and off-the-shelf actuators. It provides a physical simulation environment to test the robot before fabrication, allowing for iterative design adjustments.
A study published in Science Robotics reveals that patients modify their walking patterns only when the robotic exoskeleton interferes with gait stability. The brain prioritizes stability over other aspects of walking, such as step height or toe angle, requiring customized forces to challenge balance.
Georgia Tech researchers have developed a team of free-flying robots that can maintain formation and avoid collisions. The robots use virtual top hats to maneuver in the air. Meanwhile, autonomous blimps with face-detecting capabilities are being built to recognize hand gestures and interact with humans.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Koblenz-Landau and the University of Wurzburg found that people who watched live interactions with a robot were more likely to consider the robot to have more human-like qualities. Observing a live interaction or encountering the robot in virtual reality led to more perceived realness,...
A study from the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that 6-year-old girls who programmed a robot showed greater interest in technology and more positive attitudes about their skills than those who didn't. The intervention reduced the gender gap in technology interest by 42%.
A new interface designed by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers enables more efficient and faster robot operation, particularly for non-expert users. The point-and-click method resulted in significantly fewer errors and allowed participants to perform tasks quicker and reliably than the traditional ring-and-arrow technique.
A team of engineers has developed a technique to control soft robots using magnetic fields, enabling the creation of devices with complex functions and simple designs. The new method involves embedding iron microparticles in liquid polymer mixtures and applying magnetic fields to induce chain formation.
A Baylor University study found that people who fear technology, known as technophobes, are three times more likely to fear unemployment and nearly three times more likely to worry about financial instability. The study suggests that these fears may be a legitimate social concern, rather than simply a subset of fearful individuals.
A £5m project by the University of Manchester aims to reduce offshore wind farm maintenance costs using AI, robotics, and advanced sensors. The initiative will enable predictive diagnostics, allowing for early issue detection and minimal human intervention in hazardous environments.
Researchers are developing control algorithms and imaging technology to harness MRI power for millimeter-sized robots to navigate the body's venous system. The goal is to use large numbers of mini-robots to target specific lesions, delivering chemotherapy or interventions.
Researchers found a faster way for six-legged robots to move on flat ground without adhesive pads, dubbed the 'bipod' gait. This locomotor strategy is more efficient than traditional tripod gait used by insects.
Maja Matarić will present her research on socially assistive robots designed to support stroke patients, children with autism, and people with Alzheimer's disease. These robots use AI to decipher emotions, body language, and social cues to provide personalized interactions.
Researchers at MIT have developed transparent hydrogel robots that can perform fast, forceful tasks, including catching and releasing a live fish. The robots are nearly invisible underwater due to their similar visual and acoustic properties to water.
The researchers have developed an ultra-lightweight, highly powerful artificial muscle using rubber tubes and high-tensile fibers. It has a strength-to-weight ratio 5-10 times greater than conventional electric motors and hydraulic cylinders, making it suitable for tough robots that can handle strong external shocks and vibrations.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have developed underwater robots that mimic the movement of plankton to study ocean currents and marine life. The robotic plankton, also known as M-AUEs, were deployed in a swarm to capture a three-dimensional view of the interactions between ocean currents and marine life.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that ants walking backwards use the sun's position and visual memories to set a course relative to the sun. This flexible navigational behavior could inspire novel computer algorithms for guiding robots.
The automotive industry is shifting towards more frequent model changes and smaller volumes, requiring increased flexibility in production. Researchers are using 3D scans to generate virtual three-dimensional images of production facilities, simulating how to convert lines for new models.
Researchers from DTU Biosustain have engineered E. coli cells to produce large amounts of serine, a compound used in detergents and pharmaceuticals. The cells can tolerate high concentrations of serine and produce up to 250-300 grams per kg of sugar added.
A study of robot use in a retirement home found that seniors preferred companion robots with serious dementias and assistant robots with playful demeanors. The findings suggest that robot design could play a crucial role in promoting healthy interactions between seniors and robots.
Researchers have developed a method to automatically design soft actuators for complex motions, enabling the creation of soft robots that can bend and twist like living tissues. This breakthrough streamlines the process of designing soft robots, allowing for the creation of robots with enhanced mobility and dexterity.
Scientists have combined hair-like wires with electronic skin to make a more versatile sensor for robots and prosthetics. The new device can detect air flow, pressure, and slip forces, allowing it to mimic the sensations felt by humans.
A Stanford study used laser light to track parrotlets flying through aerosol particles, revealing that bird-generated vortices break up suddenly and violently close to the bird. The results challenge commonly used models of lift in flight research, highlighting the need for new designs.
Using swarms of sensor-equipped biobots and remote-control technology, researchers create detailed maps of unfamiliar environments. The mapping process involves releasing the biobots into a defined area, which are then stitched together to form a comprehensive map, useful for locating survivors after a disaster.
A University at Buffalo research team explores the limitations of banning autonomous weapons, arguing that the actual problem lies in societal forces driving their development. They emphasize the need to examine cultural techniques and ideologies that lead to technological advancements.
An international group of researchers has developed self-powered mobile polymers that can move without traditional power sources. The polymers directly convert ultraviolet light into motion, eliminating the need for electronics or other mechanisms.
The 'robomussels' have tracked internal body temperature, enabling scientists to pinpoint areas of unusual warming and develop strategies to prevent extinction of certain species. The findings can reveal emerging hotspots, allowing policymakers and scientists to intervene before it's too late.
Researchers have developed soft robots that mimic human muscles, using muscle-like actuators to provide safe and efficient movement. These robots have the potential to be used in patient rehabilitation, handling fragile objects, biomimetic systems, and home care, among other applications.
Researchers created simple microswimmers with a phototaxis system, enabling them to move towards darker areas. By using a laser-generated light field with saw-tooth profiles, the microswimmers can be steered reliably over long distances.
The NYU Holodeck is a well-integrated software/hardware instrument that combines visual, audio, and physical components to create an immersive research environment. It has the potential to create new insights into fundamental natural phenomena, offering unparalleled tools for intellectual and creative output across disciplines.
A team of researchers at Georgia Tech has developed new algorithms that allow any number of robots to move within inches of each other without colliding. This breakthrough enables robots to work together effectively in crowded spaces, such as lab floors and airspace, with minimal safety concerns.
Disney researchers developed a speech technology system that can sort through overlapping speech, social side talk, and creative pronunciations of young children to make it work. The system was 85% accurate in recognizing keywords, outperforming commercial speech recognition systems.
Researchers have discovered a way for machines to learn about natural or artificial systems by observing them, eliminating the need for prior knowledge. This breakthrough could lead to advances in technology, including predictive human behavior and algorithm development for detecting abnormalities.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a dielectric elastomer with broad motion range that requires relatively low voltage and no rigid components. This innovation addresses key challenges in soft actuation and opens doors for various applications in soft robotics.
Researchers have created a robotic mimic of a stingray that's powered and guided by light-sensitive rat heart cells, demonstrating a new method for building bio-inspired robots through tissue engineering. The robotic stingray can be controlled using pulses of light, with different frequencies used to control its speed.
A new computer processor designed specifically for robotic motion planning can plan movements up to 10,000 times faster than existing approaches while using significantly less power. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize robotics and automation in manufacturing environments.
Researchers are designing cooperative robots to empower people with disabilities to safely travel and navigate unfamiliar environments. A gaze-controlled robotic system is also being developed to enable people with motor impairments to fetch objects by looking at them.
Researchers developed an actuator that mimics the movement of skeletal muscles using vacuum power, generating movements similar to those of real muscles. The actuators are soft, shock-absorbing, and pose no danger to their environment or humans working alongside them.
A Carnegie Mellon University software is helping robots cope with clutter, revealing their creativity in solving problems. The rearrangement planner software automatically finds a balance between 'pick and place' and 'push and shove' strategies to efficiently navigate cluttered environments.
Researchers at Washington State University developed an algorithm that enables non-expert users to train virtual robots, mimicking animal training methods. The system uses user feedback to improve robot performance and adapts to different teaching styles.
Researchers found that screens alone could convince participants of a robot's femininity, eliminating the need for physical shape changes. This discovery may help develop customized robots for specific roles and populations, enhancing user experiences.
Bhounsule plans to create algorithms enabling legged robots to balance on difficult terrain. His goal is to make a versatile robot with efficient balance and navigation capabilities.
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers developed a biologically inspired artificial eye that can see in the dark using a lobster-inspired fish-eye design. The system improves image-taking through lenses rather than sensor components, resulting in fourfold sensitivity improvement.
Scientists developed a simpler and less costly smart skin that boosts sensitivity without increasing costs, enabling robots to feel and sense their environment. The skin harnesses mechanical energy and turns it into an electric current, eliminating the need for external power sources.
Researchers found that robot avatars using multi-modal communication, combining speech and iconic hand gestures, are as easily understood as human actors. The study demonstrated that avatars can convey their message more effectively when using gestures with speech.
A study by Penn State researchers found that older adults who recalled more robots in films had lower anxiety toward robots. The researchers suggest that incorporating features reminiscent of Hollywood portrayals, such as human-like interfaces and sympathetic designs, may ease apprehension toward robots.
A team of UTA engineering and business school graduates has designed a Build-Teach-Play Robots package to stimulate STEM learning in kindergarten through 12th grades. The project aims to expose students to pathways in science, technology, math and engineering fields.
Researchers have developed an 'octopus-like' skin that can stretch, sense pressure, and emit light. The hyperelastic, light-emitting capacitor (HLEC) device outperforms previous models in terms of elasticity and versatility.
A team of Cornell graduate students has developed a hyper-elastic light-emitting capacitor (HLEC) that can stretch up to six times its original size while emitting light. The material allows robots to change their color in response to mood or environment, enabling human-robot interactions.
Researchers at University of Sheffield developed an automated programming method for swarm robots, reducing human error and increasing reliability in complex tasks. The method uses supervisory control theory to ensure predictable behavior, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as driverless cars.
A new study from BSMS shows that computers can detect boredom by monitoring non-instrumental movements. The research has the potential to develop more engaging online tutoring programs and companion robots. By tracking subtle changes in body language, computers can adapt to a user's level of interest.
Using stories to teach human values to artificial agents is a technique developed by Mark Riedl and Brent Harrison at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The method aligns an AI's goals with human values by training robots to read stories, learn acceptable sequences of events and understand successful ways to behave in human societies.