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Honeybees teach drones how to navigate

A team of scientists has developed a novel navigation strategy inspired by honeybees, allowing small robots to travel far away from home and return successfully. The 'Bee-Nav' system uses a neural network to process panoramic images of the environment, enabling lightweight, safe robots to navigate on their own.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Penn and UMich create world’s smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Researchers at Penn and UMich created microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. The robots are powered by light and can be programmed to move in complex patterns, sense local temperatures, and adjust their paths accordingly.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

When minds align: a neural basis for flocking

Researchers propose that neural activity in each animal becomes linked through perception, allowing individuals to maintain bearings towards others relative to stable features in the environment. This synchronization gives rise to spontaneous alignment and collective movement.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2025

Durham University scientists pioneer new drone swarm technology

Researchers developed T-STAR system, enabling swarms of drones to fly faster and safer in complex environments. The technology has potential for various applications, including search and rescue, disaster response, and logistics.

SourceDurham University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems·DateSep 3, 2025

Study overturns long-held belief about shape of fish schools

A team of researchers at Princeton University and Harvard found that fish schools do not form diamond shapes as previously believed. Instead, they adopt a dynamic ladder pattern, allowing them to stagger in multiple planes and reduce energy expenditure.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

In VR school, fish teach robots

Scientists used virtual reality to mimic schooling behavior in zebrafish, discovering a simple and robust control law that enables coordinated motion. This natural algorithm was then applied to swarms of robotic cars, drones, and boats, achieving performance comparable to state-of-the-art autonomous systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Robotics·DateApr 30, 2025

RoboBee comes in for a landing

The Harvard RoboBee has been equipped with crane fly-inspired legs and an updated controller, allowing it to land safely on various surfaces. The robot's delicate actuators were protected by the improved design, which enabled controlled landing tests on a leaf and rigid surfaces.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025

How to get a robot collective to act like a smart material

A team of researchers has created a robotic material-like collective that can change shape and stiffness in response to internal signals. The robots, composed of disk-shaped autonomous units, use light sensors, magnets, and force fluctuations to achieve this behavior, reducing power consumption compared to traditional robotic systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2025

This fast and agile robotic insect could someday aid in mechanical pollination

Researchers at MIT have developed a new design for robotic insects that can perform precise pollination with increased speed and maneuverability. The revamped robot has a longer flight duration and can complete acrobatic maneuvers, enabling it to aid in mechanical pollination and boost fruit yields.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateJan 15, 2025

Singapore and Japan scientists develop technology to control cyborg insect swarms

Researchers from Singapore, Japan and US developed an advanced swarm navigation algorithm for cyborg insects that prevents them from getting stuck in challenging terrain. The new algorithm represents a significant advance in swarm robotics and could pave the way for applications in disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Microrobots and the “lazy agent problem”

Physicists from the University of Konstanz have created a solution using microrobots and counterfactual rewards to ensure fair distribution of load in collective tasks. The approach enhances efficiency and provides insights into improving teamwork in various collective systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Robotics·DateDec 18, 2024

For these little robots, two heads are better than one

Scientists at Princeton University develop a system of two robots connected by flexible tether, enabling them to solve complex problems like maze navigation and object gathering. The innovative approach harnesses physical characteristics rather than digital calculation to achieve remarkable abilities.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

Mars mission: Würzburg researchers orchestrate swarm of robots

A team of Würzburg researchers is using a swarm of autonomous robots to explore the Martian canyon system, Valles Marineris. The robots will collect data on the canyon's geology and search for signs of liquid water and potentially life, shedding light on the planet's habitability.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateSep 10, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Safe drone traffic in smart cities of the future

Eötvös Loránd University researchers develop first large-scale autonomous drone traffic solution, combining route planning and bio-inspired flocking models to avoid conflicts and manage remaining issues. The system can handle up to 5000 drones in two dimensions with varying speeds and priorities.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalSwarm Intelligence·DateJul 15, 2024

How can we make good decisions by observing others? A videogame and computational model have the answer

Researchers developed a computational model to understand key decision-making processes, showing how group rewards improve performance. A videogame model inferred sequences of decisions from visual data, revealing the importance of balancing exploration and resource usage in collective behavior.

SourceTechnische Universität Berlin – Science of Intelligence·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2024

Caterbot? Robatapillar? It crawls with ease through loops and bends

Researchers at Princeton University and North Carolina State University have combined ancient paperfolding and modern materials science to create a soft robot that can bend and twist through mazes with ease. The new design allows the flexible robot to crawl forward and reverse, pick up cargo and assemble into longer formations.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

'Smart swarms' of tiny robots inspired by natural herd mentality

By replicating nature's swarm behavior, researchers have created 'smart swarms' of microscopic robots that can adapt to changing environments, leading to improved task performance. This breakthrough enables potential applications in autonomous drone fleets, efficient drug delivery, and cleaning contaminated water.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 3, 2024
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

How do robots collaborate to achieve consensus?

Researchers proposed a novel self-organizing approach for robot swarms to achieve consensus, combining aspects of centralized and decentralized control. This method reduces uncertainty sources and enhances collective perception accuracy, enabling robots to fuse sensor information without global or static communication networks.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·DateSep 14, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Emulating how krill swim to build a robotic platform for ocean navigation

Researchers at Brown University have developed a krill-inspired robot called Pleobot, which emulates the swimming method of krill to navigate complex marine environments. The platform has the potential to enable scientists to understand how to engineer better robots for ocean navigation and exploration.

SourceBrown University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2023

Mori3: A polygon shape-shifting robot for space travel

The Mori3 robot is a polygon shape-shifting robot designed for space travel, capable of morphing into any 3D object and adapting to various environments. Its versatility makes it an ideal candidate for communication and external repairs in spacecraft.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJun 12, 2023

Swarming microrobots self-organize into diverse patterns

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a method to control the behavior of swarming microrobots by varying their size. By mixing different sizes of microrobots, they can self-organize into diverse patterns that can be manipulated when a magnetic field is applied. This technique may help inform future applications such as targ...

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 6, 2023
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Effective as a collective: Researchers investigate the swarming behavior of microrobots

A team of researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz studied the collective behavior of small robots and found that they can solve tasks that a single machine cannot. The study uses statistical physics to analyze how the robots interact and move, revealing potential applications in medical and pharmaceutical applications.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 26, 2023

Nanorobotic system presents new options for targeting fungal infections

Researchers develop microrobotic system using magnetic nanoparticles to target and eliminate fungal pathogens, achieving rapid eradication within 10 minutes. The nanozyme-based approach offers a potent and concentrated antifungal effect without affecting uninfected areas.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2023

Resilient bug-sized robots keep flying even after wing damage

Researchers at MIT have created a way for tiny robots to recover from severe damage to their wings, enabling them to sustain flight performance. The development uses laser repair methods and optimized artificial muscles that can isolate defects and overcome minor damage, allowing the robot to continue flying effectively.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 15, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The ants go marching … methodically

Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Swarm intelligence caused by physical mechanisms

Researchers at Leipzig University developed an experimental model of microswimmers that exhibit properties of natural swarm intelligence. The swimmers' internal states and navigation rules can be controlled, allowing for the observation of complex collective behaviors.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Teaching robots to be team players with nature

Researchers have developed a novel global-to-local design approach to compose heterogeneous swarms of robots, enabling them to achieve collective behavior. The system allows users to define target behaviors by changing the number and position of distribution's modes, enabling swarms to adapt autonomously.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2022

How animal swarms respond to threats

Researchers used microrobots to demonstrate how a swarm of animals can complete an optimum flight response even if individual animals do not notice the threat or they react incorrectly. The study suggests that missing information from individual members can be compensated by other members, which may explain why animals organize themsel...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 8, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.