Artificial tactile sensors are being developed to mimic human fingers, providing detailed information on object shape and texture. The new technology could enable robots to handle delicate objects with increased precision and force control.
The University of Manchester is developing a state-of-the-art Vision Chip that will enable robots to respond to events and multitask like humans. The chip, based on the retina of the human eye, will process complex images at rapid rates, allowing robots to react in real time.
Researchers found that nanotubes are stiff from the ends but soft from the middle, with larger tubes becoming softer. The study's findings are important for developing nanoelectronics and could lead to more efficient nanowires.
NIST's special test arena is used to train bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as robotic rescue systems. The arenas provide a challenging environment for dogs to find hidden explosives or narcotics, while robotics experts observe police techniques.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have observed octopuses walking on two arms, using the outer halves as 'tank treads' for locomotion. This bipedal behavior may be a strategy for backing away from predators while maintaining camouflage.
Researchers unveiled a new breed of energy-efficient bipedal robots with a human-like gait. The robots use passive-dynamic walking devices to reduce power consumption, enabling applications in prosthetic devices and robotic control.
Researchers at Cornell University and their colleagues have built robots that mimic the human gait, consuming energy comparable to a human walker. The robots use simple control programs, suggesting that steady-state human walking might require only simple control as well.
Researchers built robots with sensors and programming similar to rat pups' basic senses and motor skills. The robots showed a new behavior in an arena, favoring one wall over another, displaying emergent behavior. Understanding this simple system's biology may inform the design of more sophisticated robots.
Researchers found that large groups can make accurate decisions even when no individuals are leaders and few have information. The study's results may be useful in understanding human behavior in crowds and designing robots for remote exploration.
Researchers developed control methods for self-reconfigurable robots that can change shape and perform different tasks without falling apart. The methods ensure guaranteed correct behavior, enabling robots to adapt to various environments and tasks.
Researchers will create mechanical systems with one or two motors to accomplish tasks currently done by robots. The goal is to provide a cheaper and lower maintenance alternative for assembly line designers.
A Kansas State University computer science professor aims to develop autonomous cooperative robotic teams that can work together without human intervention. He hopes to create robots that can adapt and reorganize to accomplish their mission, enabling more efficient and cost-effective operations in various industries.
The study by ASU researchers could lead to smarter robots and a better understanding of how humans process patterns. Oscillatory associative memory networks have been shown to have high memory capacity, similar to the Hopfield network, but with oscillatory units instead of discrete states.
Graduate student Sommer Gentry investigates haptic communication in swing dancing and its potential applications in robotic surgery, human-robot collaboration, and urban warfare. Her research has shown that pure haptic communication is sufficient for humans and robots to move in coordination.
The PERs will allow museum visitors to search for organo-fluorescent evidence of life in a Martian terrain, mimicking the role of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. The robots are powered by Intel technology and can move at 1.6 inches per second, providing an interactive experience for visitors.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon developed a smart system that improves darkened photographs by digitally adding light to shadows. The tool, called Shadow Illuminator, uses principles based on human vision processes to enhance details within shadows.
Researchers conduct simulations of collapsed buildings using arena environments, focusing on advanced algorithms, sensors, and mechanisms for improved robot performance. The competition aims to increase the relevance of events for real emergencies by incorporating new limitations and sensor identifications.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new computer model that accurately reflects how the brain uses experience to improve motor control. The brain creates a map of forces expected in the world by multiplying electrical signals from nerve cells.
Researchers will test semi-autonomous, interactive robots in a simulated disaster environment. The goal is to develop robots that can autonomously navigate and find victims by 2050.
Howie Choset's snakebot technology can navigate through three-dimensional terrains with enhanced flexibility and 'reach' ability. The robot's hyper-redundant mechanisms enable it to thread through tightly packed spaces without disturbing the surrounding areas.
Researchers aim to compress images for small mobile agents, reducing power requirements and enabling wireless data transmission in confined spaces. Successful technology advances could benefit search and rescue operations, soldiers' field communications, and micro-air vehicles.
Researchers are developing robots inspired by cockroaches' legs using biomimetics and Shape Deposition Manufacturing. The study found that a cockroach leg's response to displacement inputs can be modeled as a viscoelastic material, enabling the design of stable and compliant robot legs.
Researchers at Duke University's Center for Neuroengineering will develop brain-controlled prosthetic limbs and apply brain-mapping technologies to aid surgeons in distinguishing healthy tissue from tumors. The center aims to increase resolution in mapping brain regions and enable control of complex robotic actions.
Researchers at UC Davis's Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) center are developing high-tech machines to improve safety in highway construction zones. The center has created innovative solutions such as automated debris removal vehicles, crack sealers, and traffic cone-laying robots.
A recent study by IBM and researchers found that software-based robotic trading agents ('bots') made seven per cent more cash than people in a commodities market test. The bots used basic strategies to maximize their profit, while humans were given an upper spending limit and minimum sale price.
A U of T engineer has devised a method to control vibrations in robots assembling or repairing objects in outer space. By entering a 'corrected' equation into the system, scientists can reduce deformations and complete tasks more quickly.
Gavin Miller's robotic snakes replicate slithering and sidewinding motions, paving the way for advanced robotics. The designs' potential applications extend beyond toys to include planetary exploration and handling diverse terrains.
A robotic caterpillar, Moccasin II, has been developed to navigate through gas, water, and sewerage pipes in buildings damaged by earthquakes or explosions. The robot can successfully navigate multiple 90-degree bends and is equipped with lights, a video camera, and microphones to detect survivors.
A new MIT software has significantly improved the accuracy of a robotic system used in cancer treatment, reducing errors from 7-8mm to under 1/3mm. This breakthrough technology has potential applications beyond cancer therapy, including inspection and repair work in nuclear power facilities.
The Personal Roving Presence (PRoP) is a small, affordable robot that allows users to explore environments remotely. With a PC and internet connection, users can control the robot's movement, see what it sees, listen to its audio, and even gesture with its arm.
A Yale University robot is modeled after bat and dolphin echolocation behavior, exploiting sensor mobility and rotating ears to pinpoint objects. The robot can detect and identify various objects, such as coins and ball bearings, with high accuracy and ease.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed three robotic systems to streamline the dismantlement of nuclear weapons, including AGGDIS and WALS. These systems can handle delicate operations faster and more accurately than humans, reducing radiation exposure and increasing efficiency.
Researchers from Northwestern University demonstrate a robot called Scooter that is programmed to refuse to go past a virtual surface. This innovation is part of a new class of collaborative robots called cobots, which are designed to work with humans safely and efficiently.
A new object recognition technique developed at Johns Hopkins University could help robots sort and pack chocolates with accuracy. By comparing distinctive series of numbers, called electronic signatures, a computer can tell how closely two objects resemble one another.
A new algorithm using transformations can optimize robotic movements, reducing calculation time by up to 10-fold. This technique may enable robots to perform tasks more efficiently in space and on Earth, such as satellite repairs and inspection tasks.