Researchers have developed a computer program that can control a robot using electrical signals emitted by a patient's brain, allowing them to move the robot with their thoughts. The system uses an algorithm that can learn from the patient's brain activity and adjust the robot's movements accordingly.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new fabrication technique that enables the creation of soft actuators with 75% lower voltage requirements and 80% more payload capacity than current versions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of flying microrobots with improved performance and payload capabilities.
A team of UBC Okanagan researchers has developed a system to enhance interactions between humans and robots in industrial settings. The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to capture and analyze the environment, allowing robots to respond in a timely manner to ensure human safety.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that humans can instantly estimate slipperiness of a surface by detecting radial strain in the fingertip skin during initial contact. This innovation has significant implications for robotics and prosthetics design.
A new floating robotic film can hoover oil spills at sea or remove contaminants from drinking water, using a pulsing motion inspired by water striders. The film is powered by light and fueled by water, making it sustainable and reusable.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have created the first living robots capable of reproducing, using AI-designed Xenobots. This groundbreaking achievement has significant implications for regenerative medicine, as it demonstrates a new form of biological self-replication.
A recent study by Bocconi University professors reveals that individuals exposed to automation are more likely to support radical-right parties. The researchers found a strong correlation between automation exposure and poorer economic conditions, lower job satisfaction, and increased support for the radical right.
A recent study found that robots negatively impact marriage stability and fertility, while improving gender pay equity. The research revealed that exposure to industrial robots worsens men's economic stature and reduces their ability to form long-term commitments, but boosts women's earnings and increases their labor force participation.
Researchers developed a bioinspired system using ultrasound measurements to create customized assistance profiles for users. The exosuit significantly reduced metabolic energy of walking across various speeds and inclines.
Bubble casting is a new way to make soft robots using 'fancy balloons' that change shape in predictable ways when inflated with air. The researchers successfully cast star-shaped hands, coils and fingers, demonstrating the potential for soft robotics applications such as harvesting produce or providing personal care.
Researchers at Nicolaus Copernicus University developed an algorithm to help robots avoid dead ends by predicting obstacles and using augmented reality. This innovation significantly improves the efficiency of mobile robots.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate orbiting debris with spinning magnets, allowing for gentler maneuvering and potential repair of malfunctioning objects. The technology has the potential to help clear space junk from Earth's orbit and extend the life of satellites.
Researchers use physical reservoir computing to teach robots to think like humans by simulating brain signals. The system enables goal-directed behavior without additional learning, highlighting a potential breakthrough in AI development.
Researchers from Michigan Technological University created a robot that uses Marangoni propulsion to move across liquid surfaces like insects. The robot's design is inspired by the ability of certain species to manipulate surface tension for speed and maneuverability.
Researchers created a paper-like material that folds itself into new shapes in response to environmental humidity, with potential applications in self-folding envelopes and boxes. The material's ability to morph on demand could lead to the development of autonomous origami robots and other complex shapes.
Dr. Yasemin Ozkan-Aydin successfully built four-legged swarm robots that can navigate challenging environments and overcome obstacles collectively. The robots were tested on various terrain types, including grass, leaves, and rough surfaces, with individual units sending signals to others for support when needed.
Researchers discovered how neurons in a small area of the brain filter distracting signals to coordinate dexterous movements. The findings may hold lessons for building better prosthetics and robots that can fine-tune their movements based on sensory input.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that 10-year-old children follow social norms and reciprocate consideration from adults. Children of this age tend to behave more like adults, giving weight to adults' opinions if they are credited, whereas younger children trust their own decisions independently of adult behavior.
Researchers are developing insect-like robots for agriculture, mining, and space exploration using dynamic force sensing and agile movement. The goal is to create robots that can navigate difficult terrains and interact safely with humans.
SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.
Scientists have designed a 4D-printed soft robot with unique properties, enabling it to roll uphill, navigate uneven terrain, and carry heavy loads. The robot's ability to adapt to its environment was a surprise discovery for the researchers, who hope to unlock new applications in confined spaces.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed micro-robotic swimmers powered by high-frequency sound waves, which can propel tiny robots forward. The technology has potential for targeted drug delivery and could be used to navigate the human body.
Comparative survey data from over 25,000 respondents highlights workers' concerns about technology-related job risks and expectations for funding for training and continuing education. Governments are advised to take a balanced policy approach, investing in social investment and social transfer measures.
Researchers found that aging workforces, characterized by a higher ratio of workers 56 and older to those ages 21-55, are associated with increased robot deployment in 60 countries. This study suggests that automation adoption is partly driven by labor shortages, particularly middle-aged labor needed for blue-collar work.
Researchers at Arizona State University studied the physics behind humans balancing coffee while walking, revealing a natural mode of flexibility that mimics human motion. The findings can be used to design smart robots to adaptively handle complex objects in changing environments.
A North Carolina State University panel of experts assesses AV deployment risks and benefits, predicting substantial benefits if well-regulated. The study's findings suggest regulations could limit urban use of AVs and commercial fleet ownership, reducing risk and increasing benefits.
Researchers found that robots and vehicle automation account for a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, with delivery vehicle size and fuel source having larger impacts. A human-driven, battery-powered cargo van has the lowest per-package footprint among analyzed methods.
Cornell University researchers used facial recognition AI to develop an imaging robot called BlackBird that scans grape leaf samples automatically, reducing manual assessment time from six months to one day. The technology has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars by detecting disease early and reducing fungicide usage.
Wastewater screening at UC San Diego detects 85% of COVID-19 cases early, enabling timely testing, contact tracing, and isolation. The approach has reduced campus positivity rates to less than 1% during the pandemic.
The proposed scan matching algorithm reduces data processing time and improves robot performance by filtering out unnecessary data. The technique allows robots to redirect computational resources to other tasks, enabling faster processing and improved accuracy in applications such as SLAM and SfM.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University develop robots capable of conducting complex experiments and analyzing data. The 'Nobel Turing Challenge' achieves significant advancements in scientific discovery by leveraging AI-driven robotics.
Researchers developed simple, low-cost legged robots that can link and unlink to accomplish tasks like gap traversal and stair climbing on uneven terrains. The robots use easily acquired off-the-shelf technology and a magnetic connector for docking and cooperative behaviors.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a soft robotic hand that can play Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. by integrating fluidic circuits into a single 3D printed unit. The breakthrough enables agile and adaptable soft robots with improved control, paving the way for applications in prosthetics, biomedical devices, and more.
Researchers developed an optimized schedule for automated biology lab robots, maximizing experiments within time and resource constraints. The S-LAB framework accounts for time constraints and resource conflicts, improving efficiencies in life science experiments.
Researchers have developed a swarm of tiny drones that can autonomously detect and localize gas sources in complex indoor environments. The drones use bio-inspired navigation and search strategies, including the 'Sniffy Bug' algorithm, to find gas leaks quickly and efficiently.
Agricultural economist Thomas Daum argues that farm robots could lead to a utopian future with rich fields, diverse crops, and conservation of biodiversity. In contrast, large, tractor-like robots could result in a dystopian scenario with environmental degradation.
Joe Cloud, a UTA doctoral student, has been awarded the prestigious Tau Beta Pi Fellowship for his outstanding research in robotic learning for space and industrial robots. He is working with Assistant Professor William Beksi to develop learning-based methods for safe robot trajectory generation and motion planning.
Researchers from Baidu Research and the University of Maryland have developed an autonomous excavator system (AES) that can operate continuously for over 24 hours without human intervention. AES uses perception, planning, and control capabilities to identify target materials and avoid obstacles, achieving performance comparable to expe...
Researchers at Saarland University are developing soft robotic tools with smart polymeric materials for flexibility and sensitivity. These systems can mimic human movements and interact with humans in a safe and harmonious way.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed a new type of joint inspired by spiders' hydraulic actuation mechanisms. The joints use electrohydraulic forces to enable robots to move rapidly and interact with various environments, making them ideal for small-scale robotic systems.
Researchers have developed a fast and controllable soft robot that can burrow through sand with minimal resistance. The robot's design is inspired by plants and animals that navigate subterranean spaces, enabling new applications for underwater exploration and potentially paving the way for future space missions.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University created millimetre-sized robots that can be controlled using magnetic fields to perform highly manoeuvrable manipulations. These robots improve on existing small-scale robots by optimizing their ability to move in six degrees-of-freedom, and can rotate 43 times faster than previous devices.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev conducted studies examining how people respond to various emotional facial expressions on drones. They found that five different emotions (joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise) can be recognized with high accuracy in static stimuli.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed a new formula that applies to a broad range of legged, wheeled, and tracked systems, showing they are as efficient as other ground mobile platforms. The findings have implications for designing future terrestrial robots for defense applications, particularly in challenging terrain.
A partially-compliant robot hand using a Crossed Flexural Hinge (CFH) was developed to increase lifting power while minimizing damage in collisions. The CFH-jointed robot hand demonstrated 46.7% more shock absorption than a pin joint-oriented robotic hand and could hold objects weighing up to four kilograms.
Artificial cilia powered by a rotating magnetic field move liquids around cells or propel soft robots with unprecedented efficiency. The researchers developed microscale cilia that mimic natural wave-like movements, producing faster pumping speeds and better control over flow rates.
Researchers at NTNU found that hospital robots were given social qualities by humans relating to them, transforming them into friendly, animal-like creatures. The robots' ability to interact with humans and follow pre-defined routes helped establish their personalities, making them relatable and endearing to staff and patients.
A quadruped robot platform reproduces neuromuscular dynamics of animals, discovering a reflex circuit generating steady gait in walking cats. The reciprocal excitatory reflex between hip and knee extensors is found to produce leg trajectories and a steady gait pattern.
Researchers created a system of small autonomous robots that teach themselves to move forward as quickly as possible by continuously conducting small experiments. The results showed that this simple self-learning robot can tackle new situations and recover from damage, making it robust and scalable for applications in soft robotics.
Researchers discovered a new law of physics that accounts for elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) friction, crucial for developing reliable haptic and robotic devices. This breakthrough enables the creation of more functional devices in applications like telesurgery and manufacturing.
Researchers propose a three-tiered categorization system to push soft robotics forward and increase its impact. The system includes Level 0 for exploratory studies, Level 1 for performance improvement, and Level 2 for applications beyond soft robotics.
A novel auditory perception model simulates human ear dynamics to capture time dynamics of dimensional emotions. Neural networks then extract features that reflect this time dynamics, showing better emotion recognition performance than traditional acoustic-based features.
A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed simple robots, dubbed 'dumb robots', which can collectively clear debris despite their simplicity. The BOBbots use task embodiment to achieve complex tasks without sensors or programming.
Researchers identified a set of approaches to assess human-automation teams' communication, focusing on structure, emotion, and content. The 11-critical approaches aim to improve Soldier-robot interactions, enabling less manual input and more natural teamworking.
Researchers at IBEC developed biobots with muscle tissue and flexible skeletons that can swim and coast like fish, achieving unprecedented velocities. The innovative skeleton creates a feedback loop through mechanical self-stimulation, leading to enhanced actuation and larger contraction force.
Two Norwegian University of Science and Technology professors have been awarded prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. The grants will fund research on mobile robots with advanced chemistry, providing up to NOK 25 million in support over five years.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new software tool called MagicDNA that can design more complex DNA robots and nanodevices in a fraction of the time. The software allows for 3D design and simulation, enabling fine control over individual component properties and increasing the complexity of overall geometry.
A multidisciplinary team from Kazan Federal University proposes a novel holistic architecture for an infectious disease hospital that employs robotic tools. The framework preserves classical organizational structure while assigning practical applicability to robots, helping to develop efficient and safe operations.
Scientists have discovered that snake scales adapt to different environments by changing their surface chemistry. The study found that tree snakes have ordered lipid molecules on their bellies, while sand snakes have similar layers on both sides.
A new system enables robots to recognize human workers and predict their poses, providing a safer and more efficient working environment. This allows robots to work side-by-side with humans on assembly lines without unnecessary interruptions.