Articles tagged with Robots
Researchers at Harvard have engineered a new soft actuator that utilizes unstable responses to create fast-moving instabilities. These snap-through instabilities can trigger large changes in internal pressure, shape, and exerted force without significant volume change, enabling fast, untethered motion for soft robots.
A team of computer scientists found that mass extinctions can speed up evolution in robots, leading to more efficient and creative problem-solving. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used simulations to demonstrate how extinction events promote the emergence of novel features and abilities.
Scientists used Darwinian selection to evolve robot controllers that enable efficient self-organization of tasks. The new method allows the evolution of complex behaviors, surpassing previous complexity achieved in swarm robotics.
A team of biologists observed and analyzed the jumping behavior of water striders, revealing two phases: a dimple creation phase and a leg movement phase. Mathematical models were created to understand the surface tension forces involved in the jump, predicting optimal jumping performance.
Researchers created a robot that mimics the jumping ability of water striders by controlling the acceleration of its legs. The robot uses a torque reversal catapult mechanism to generate force without exceeding the maximum force that water surface tension can withstand.
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have found inspiration in the boxfish's armor, which includes hexagon-shaped scales and sutures. The structure provides a balance between flexibility and strength, making it an ideal design for body armor and flexible electronics.
A Virginia Tech scientist has developed a mathematical model that demonstrates bacteria can control the behavior of robots, opening up new possibilities in ecology, biology, and robotics. The model uses engineered gene circuits in E. coli to create a bacteria-robot system that exhibits unique decision-making behavior.
Researchers designed a more efficient jumping robot using 3D printing techniques and combining hard and soft materials. The robot's unique design, inspired by nature, allows for improved durability and control.
The seahorse tail's square shape provides better resistance to twisting and grasping control due to increased contact area. Its resilience is attributed to gliding joints, making it a valuable inspiration for designing search-and-rescue robots and other technologies.
Researchers studied seahorse's unusual skeletal structure and found its square-tail design provides flexibility and strength, allowing for energy-efficient grasping mechanisms and crushing resistance. This discovery may inspire robotics applications in laparoscopic surgery, industrial systems, or search & rescue robots.
MIT engineers have developed an autonomous mission-planning system that enables underwater robots to plan their own missions, execute, adapt, and re-plan them alone without human support. The system allows robots to make high-level decisions, prioritize tasks, and avoid collisions, freeing engineers to focus on overall strategy.
The project aims to develop individualized robots that can adapt to the special needs of each elderly user, improving their well-being. The robots will be designed to model human-human interaction and adjust to user pace, abilities, and actions in real-time.
Researchers create ultra-sensitive wearable sensors that can detect subtle eye movements and facial expressions, allowing robots to understand human emotions. These advancements could lead to more intuitive interactions between humans and robots, improving their usability and user experience.
Researchers aim to create a computational model for flying robots to detect specific odors in natural environments. Insect behavior and molecular work will focus on separating target odors from background scents.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method to mass-produce electronic circuits made of liquid-metal alloys using inkjet printing. This technology enables the creation of stretchable garments and pliable robots that can interact with computers or provide therapeutic benefits. The approach involves dispersing liquid met...
Researchers at Stanford University have created a robotic wing that can recover from mid-air collisions using a passive morphing mechanism inspired by bird wings. The mechanism allows the wing to fold and unfold without actuation, making it lighter and more reliable.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a modular robot that can replicate the sharp turns of real sidewinder rattlesnakes. By analyzing the snakes' complex motion, they discovered how to change the phase and amplitude of two wave motions to achieve exceptional maneuverability.
UMass researchers develop a new planning algorithm that enables semi-autonomous systems to handle uncertainty and prioritize human safety. By considering multiple objectives, such as safety and speed, the system can make sequential decisions in complex scenarios.
A team of scientists has developed flexible, microscopic hand-like grippers that can perform remotely guided surgical procedures and biopsies. The microhands use hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles to provide energy and control, enabling the creation of biodegradable, miniaturized surgical tools.
A new study from Harvard University compares the design of fuel systems for soft robots, assessing various types of pneumatic energy sources and their benefits for specific applications. The study provides a framework for configuring fuel systems in soft robotics.
Sandia National Laboratories is developing technology to improve the endurance of legged robots, enabling them to operate for long periods in disaster response scenarios. The new robots, STEPPR and WANDERER, will demonstrate energy-efficient actuators and biped walking capabilities.
Researchers have developed a robotic fish prototype with advanced flexibility, inspired by Anguilliform fish. The device can swim forward, backward, and turn using artificial intelligence and torques applied to its joints.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $31.5 million to develop and use co-robots that work cooperatively with people, advancing fundamental understanding of robotic sensing and motion. These robots will perform critical tasks safely and resiliently near humans.
Youngsters with diabetes are more inclined to perform tasks related to their condition when prompted by a friendly interactive robot. The ALIZ-E project has shown that social robots can assist children with other medical conditions and act as classroom assistants, improving learning outcomes.
Researchers at Georgia Tech studied mid-air orientation and impact behavior in cats and humans to develop a 'soft roll' landing for robots. The goal is to reduce impact and damage from falls, particularly for search-and-rescue robots in hazardous conditions.
University of Michigan researchers demonstrate how chains of self-assembling particles can form and extend when exposed to an alternating electric field. This innovation could enable electronics that rewire on demand and pave the way for development of tiny, mobile robots with potential applications in medicine and manufacturing.
Researchers studied five bird species and developed a computer model to understand their efficient running behaviors. They found that birds prioritize energy conservation over stability, allowing for dynamic leg motion and adaptability. This study may inspire the development of more agile and efficient robots.
Researchers at MIT have created a new visualization system that projects a robot's intentions in real-time, enabling engineers to better understand and optimize their decisions. This technology has the potential to significantly improve the development of self-driving cars, package-delivering drones, and other autonomous vehicles.
Researchers successfully replicated the sidewinder snake's ability to traverse sandy slopes using a modular snake robot, gaining insights into the animals' unique wave motion. By studying the snakes and physical model simultaneously, they learned general principles that allowed them to improve the robot.
A team led by Nina Mahmoudian has created a tabletop model of a robot team that can bring power to places in need. The robots can link up power cords and batteries to light or set flags, operating independently to choose the shortest path and avoid obstacles.
Researchers developed a new search algorithm that enables robots to find and navigate to tagged household objects using ultra-high frequency radio-frequency identification (UHF RFID) tags. The system allows the robot to play a 'hot-or-cold?' game to determine its direction, reducing complexity and increasing accuracy.
Engineers at Harvard University have created an untethered soft robot, measuring over half a meter in length, which can carry up to 7.5 pounds on its back. The robot, designed using composite silicone rubber and Kevlar fabric, has withstood extreme conditions such as snow, water, flames, and being run over by a car.
Robo Brain is a large-scale computational system that learns from publicly available internet resources. It will process images to pick out objects and connect them with text to recognize patterns and behaviors. The system employs structured deep learning, allowing robots to understand how the world works and interact with humans.
MIT researchers have created an algorithm that enables a drone to monitor its health in real-time, allowing it to take proactive measures during delivery missions. The approach simplifies planning by separating vehicle-level and mission-level tasks, resulting in more efficient and reliable deliveries.
A self-organizing swarm of 1,024 robots creates complex shapes by following simple programmed rules, showcasing collective artificial intelligence. The Kilobots overcomes individual limitations through a smart algorithm, guaranteeing task completion and demonstrating the potential for large-scale robotics.
Researchers developed a way to coax flat sheets of composite materials into complex robots that crawl and turn. The new approach allows for rapid assembly, scalability, and high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for mass production and diverse applications.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a way to control the stiffness of a sheet material using an origami folding pattern called Miura-ori. By introducing pop-through defects, they can program the material's properties, creating a programmable matter that can snap into place and perform mechanical functions.
A new open-source pipetting system, iPipet, uses an iPad to guide complex pipetting protocols, sharing expertise across research communities. The system has shown promising results in accuracy and efficiency compared to liquid-handling robots.
A new study by Fraunhofer Institute explores the biomechanical loads resulting from collisions between robots and humans. Researchers use a pendulum to measure force, pressure distribution, and impact velocity to identify thresholds for injuries.
University of Washington researchers used crowdsourcing to teach robots how to build models and perform manipulation actions. The results showed that the robot learned faster and produced simpler yet effective models with input from humans and online communities.
Researchers at MIT have developed a system that enables printable robotic components to fold into prescribed three-dimensional configurations when heated, allowing for the creation of fully assembled robots. The technology also includes designs for resistors, inductors, and capacitors, as well as sensors and actuators.
Researchers at Hebrew University discovered how octopuses avoid tying themselves in knots by producing a chemical that temporarily inhibits sucker attachment to their own skin. This unique mechanism enables the arms to maintain flexibility and accuracy despite an infinite number of degrees of freedom.
Penn State researchers found that older adults fear companion robots will negatively affect young people, leading to design challenges for developers. To address this concern, robot designers may need to include parental controls to monitor children's use of robots and prevent dependency.
A new 3D printer developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research can turn wool and wool blend yarns into fabric objects. The device produces 3D objects made of a form of loose felt reminiscent of hand-knitted materials.
Researchers have created a system of extremely simple robots that can cluster together without requiring complex computation. This development enables the creation of large numbers of robots to perform tasks collectively, with potential applications in precision farming and healthcare technologies. The robots use minimal information an...
Researchers programmed a robot to use eye gaze as a nonverbal cue, making handovers more fluid. People reached out to take an object sooner in scenarios where the robot used head movements or made eye contact.
A team of researchers from Washington State University developed a novel approach to teaching computers new skills, mimicking the interaction between a human teacher and student. The method involves giving action advice to help students learn complex games like Pac-Man and StarCraft.
Researchers at MIT create a self-contained autonomous soft robot capable of rapid body motion, mimicking the escape maneuver of real fish. The robotic fish uses fluid flow through flexible channels to change direction quickly and explore new advantages in soft robotics.
NASA successfully tested remote robotic oxidizer transfer technology, enabling robots to replenish hazardous propellant in satellites. The technology has the potential to extend satellite life, mitigate orbital debris, and aid commercial satellite servicing.
Heinrich Jaeger will present a lecture on the cyclical nature of his research, which spans from basic science to technological applications and back again. The study of granular materials has led to new insights into jamming, a property that describes the transition from liquid- to solid-like behavior.
Researchers designed algorithms that reflect termite behavior, enabling robots to build complex structures without detailed plans. The robots use simple cues from their environment and each other to complete user-defined structures.
A team of researchers created an autonomous robotic construction crew that builds complex structures without a central command, using collective intelligence and stigmergy. The TERMES system consists of simple robots that cooperate to modify their environment, achieving impressive results in building towers, castles, and pyramids.
Researchers discovered that ants' neck joints can withstand pressures of up to 5,000 times the ant's weight due to a unique combination of soft tissue and hard exoskeleton materials. This finding could lead to the development of micro-sized robots with improved mechanical functionality.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are investigating ways for robots to work alongside humans in settings like manufacturing plants and elderly homes. They aim to develop algorithms that enable robots to collaborate with people on tasks, enhancing productivity without compromising safety.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding human walking by identifying two phases: alleviation and launching. The ankle tendons release stored elastic energy to propel the leg forward with minimal energy loss.
Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute used underwater robots to survey a marked dump site off the coast of Southern California. The survey revealed numerous 55-gallon drums and other marine debris, but no chemical munitions were detected.
Researchers studied cockroach behavior to develop faster robots, finding that mechanical changes can overcome nervous system limitations. Cockroach antennae bend in response to rough surfaces, allowing for stable navigation during high-speed maneuvers.
Researchers have created an artificial heart that can pump human waste into future robots, powering eco-friendly systems. The device uses shape memory alloys to mimic the human heart's pumping action and is more mechanically simpler than conventional pumps.
Researchers at NYU-Poly used underwater robots to examine how golden shiner fish interact with a robot's coloration, size, and movement. The results show that the fish are drawn to a robot mimicking their natural colors and movement patterns, influencing their swimming behavior.
The MIT researchers' new system of self-assembling robots uses a surprisingly simple scheme to overcome the complexity of traditional modular robot designs. By giving up on static stability and leveraging clever engineering, they create cubes that can climb, roll, and even move while suspended upside down.