Spontaneous robot dances highlight a new kind of order in active matter
Predicting when and how collections of particles, robots, or animals become orderly remains a challenge across science and engineering. In the 19th century, scientists and engineers developed the discipline of statistical mechanics, which predicts how groups of simple particles transition between order and disorder, as when a collection of randomly colliding atoms freezes to form a uniform crystal lattice.
An open-source and low-cost robotic arm for online education
Researchers at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico have recently created a low-cost robotic arm that could enhance online robotics education, allowing teachers to remotely demonstrate theoretical concepts explained during their lessons.
Engineers develop soft robotic gripper
Scientists often look to nature for cues when designing robots—some robots mimic human hands while others simulate the actions of octopus arms or inchworms. Now, researchers in the University of Georgia College of Engineering have designed a new soft robotic gripper that draws inspiration from an unusual source: pole beans.
Dyson pledges new investment into AI, robotics and batteries
Dyson will invest an additional £2.75bn on developing technologies and products over the next five years, as the appliances brand pushes deeper into areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and energy storage.
Miniscule robots of metal and plastic may revolutionize the field of medicine
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a technique for manufacturing micrometer-long machines by interlocking multiple materials in a complex way. Such microrobots will one day revolutionize the field of medicine.
Previewed Reality: A system that allows users to predict future changes in their environment
When robots and humans interact in a shared environment, it is important for them to move in ways that prevent collisions or accidents. To reduce the risk of collisions, roboticists have developed numerous of techniques that monitor an environment, predict the future actions of humans moving in it, identify safe trajectories for a robot and control its movements accordingly.
Why soft skills could power the rise of robot leaders
What would the world look like if socially skilled robots stepped into the roles normally reserved for humans? Recruitment experts have long predicted that AI technology will make “uniquely human” soft skills such as emotional intelligence and creativity more highly prized in the workplace.
A system to improve a robot's indoor navigation
Over the past decade or so, roboticists developed increasingly sophisticated robotic systems that could help humans to complete a variety of tasks, both at home and in other environments. In order to assist users, however, these systems should be able to efficiently navigate and explore their surroundings, without colliding with other objects in their vicinity.
A self-balancing robot with a tail-like component
Nature is one of the greatest sources of inspiration for engineers and computer scientists developing new technological tools. Over the past decade or so, roboticists have developed countless robots inspired by the behavior and biological mechanisms of snakes, fish, cheetahs, birds, insects and countless other animals.
Origami-inspired miniature manipulator improves precision and control of teleoperated surgical procedures
Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, in which a surgeon uses tools and a tiny camera inserted into small incisions to perform operations, has made surgical procedures safer for both patients and doctors over the last half-century.
Robotic arms extend the reach of UV disinfection
Since the pandemic began, people are focused on keeping their home and workspaces squeaky clean as an important step to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hospitals and labs, especially, are meticulous.
Study examines robotic exoskeletons and bodily fit
A shoddily tailored suit or a shrunken T-shirt may not be the most stylish, but wearing them is unlikely to hurt more than your reputation. An ill-fitting robotic exoskeleton on the battlefield or factory floor, however, could be a much bigger problem than a fashion faux pas.
Connected Roombas get smarter with iRobot’s ‘Genius’ update
For iRobot, much of the last several years has been devoted to making its line of home-cleaning robots smarter. There hasn’t been much in the way of new hardware in a while, as the company focuses on things like connectivity, smart home integration and smarter cleaning. This latest update touches on all three, but primarily focuses on the latter.
Exploring the interactions between sound, action and vision in robotics
In recent years, researchers have developed a growing amount of computational techniques to enable human-like capabilities in robots. Most techniques developed so far, however, merely focus on artificially reproducing the senses of vision and touch, disregarding other senses, such as auditory perception.
THEaiTRE: A theatre play written entirely by machines
Researchers at Charles University, Švanda Theater and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague are currently working on an intriguing research project that merges artificial intelligence and robotics with theater. Their project’s main objective is to use artificial intelligence to create an innovative theatrical performance, which is expected to premiere in January 2021.