Articles tagged with Robots
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers have developed a technology that enables robots to navigate and forage for energy sources in their environment, eliminating the need for batteries or computers. The system uses oxidation reactions with surrounding air to power the robot, allowing it to sense and respond to changes in chemical concentrations.
Scientists from Lancaster and Manchester Universities have received a £1.49 million grant to research the use of robots for nuclear decontamination. The ALACANDRA project aims to improve the interpretation of robot-derived information from complex, cluttered spaces contaminated with dispersed radioactivity.
MIT researchers develop a deep-learning algorithm to optimize sensor placement on soft robots, allowing them to better interact with their environment and complete assigned tasks. The algorithm learns the most efficient sequence of movements and identifies the most important particles to improve performance.
Cornell University researchers developed micron-sized shape memory actuators that enable atomically thin materials to fold themselves into 3D configurations. These tiny machines can hold their shape even after voltage is removed, enabling potential applications in nano-robots and smart materials.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a significant speed-up in robot learning time using quantum physics, enabling machines to learn faster and make better decisions. This breakthrough has promising implications for the development of autonomous systems.
Researchers found that robots can elicit involvement from even the most reluctant participants by redirecting their gaze towards less proficient players, suggesting a productive role for robots in educational settings.
The university will focus on breakthroughs in automated driving, robotics, and machine-assisted cognition with a total of $2.2M in funding over three years. Researchers will develop a standardized testbed and protocol for testing autonomous vehicles and create robots to assist older adults age in place.
The I-Seed project aims to develop intelligent, biodegradable soft robots that mimic plant seeds' behavior to monitor soil and climate parameters. These innovative robots will be used for detecting pollutants, humidity, CO2 levels, temperature, and water quality.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of control system that allows soft-bodied robots to turn rigid on demand. This advancement could enable robots to combine the strength and precision of rigid robots with the fluidity and safety of soft ones, leading to improved performance in various tasks such as caring for human patients.
Researchers at KIMM developed an all-round gripper technology that can handle objects of various shapes and sizes. The gripper's soft structure allows it to perfectly match the target object contour, providing a firm grip and preventing damage.
Scientists have developed a smart material that responds to environmental stimuli, such as mechanical pressure or stretching, and can be used to create autonomous grippers. The material's unique properties make it ideal for use in soft robots performing complex tasks or locomotion.
Purdue University scientists create ROUGHIE, a maneuverable underwater glider that can operate silently and efficiently in shallow seas. The glider's unique design allows it to follow complex paths and explore areas inaccessible to other underwater gliders.