Robotics, AI and SmartTech News – Latest Headlines

AI system monitors 2D semiconductor manufacturing at the atomic layer

Researchers combined low-temperature plasma processing with machine learning to synthesize and etch 6-inch MoS2 and WS2 wafers and predict film thickness in real time.

Today, 05:00 UTC Read more

Intelligent, but not conscious: a warning about AI chatbots

As artificial-intelligence systems become more powerful and increasingly used for advice, comfort and psychological support, three neuroscientists sound the alarm.

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AI speed up the use of optical tweezers

By teaching an AI to use optical tweezers, researchers have sped up the analysis of life’s smallest components. The AI platform captures particles, takes measurements and loads new samples, all without human intervention.

June 18, 2026 Read more

Fully implanted miniature radio controller boosts cyborg insect mobility in challenging terrains

Tiny onboard electronics guide insect movement without hindering agility, pointing to potential use in search-and-rescue work after disasters.

June 17, 2026 Read more

Molecular 'slack' switch could lead to tougher, smarter soft materials

Molecular rings reveal how hidden chain length controls stiffness, toughness and elasticity, offering a blueprint for tunable smart materials.

June 12, 2026 Read more

On the trail of the missing hydrogen atoms

AI method reconstructs missing hydrogen atom positions in crystal databases, enabling faster, more accurate materials simulations for storage, batteries and other uses.

June 11, 2026 Read more

AI fast-forwards molecular simulations by 10 000-fold

AI can now predict molecular changes over time, potentially accelerating drug testing and helping identify promising treatments faster and more accurately.

June 11, 2026 Read more

Can robots read the room?

Robots need better social awareness to interpret human facial cues, context and relationships in shared spaces.

June 9, 2026 Read more

Artificial eyes could bring human-like sight to self-driving cars, robots

Inspired by the way human eyes adjust from bright to dark settings, the new system is able to recognize visual patterns with high accuracy in mixed lighting in a test reminiscent of an eye doctor exam.

June 9, 2026 Read more

AI-guided AFM analyzes nanostructures without human intervention

AI integration could help atomic force microscopy optimize scans, enhance images and interpret nanostructures without human intervention.

June 8, 2026 Read more

Fish-scale sensor gives robots a better sense of touch

Fish-scale-like gaps help soft robotic grippers sense bending, texture, and firmness through small contact changes.

June 5, 2026 Read more

AI-powered tiny optical device corrects distorted light for sharper imaging

AI-powered tiny optical device corrects distorted light in a single image, enabling sharper imaging for microscopy, astronomy and compact optical systems.

June 5, 2026 Read more

Teaching AI to design optical surfaces using real-world imperfections

Researchers developed an AI-powered deep-learning framework trained on experimental data rather than simulations, enabling faster and more accurate design of light-controlling nanostructures.

June 4, 2026 Read more

AI-designed material wrinkles enable programmable surface patterns

AI-guided material wrinkles could create low-cost micro- and nanoscale surface patterns for anti-counterfeiting and flexible electronics.

June 4, 2026 Read more

Physics-trained digital 'super-brain' speeds up technology development

A digital 'super-brain' with built-in knowledge of the fundamental laws of nature can speed up the development of optical components for everything from quantum computers to eyeglass or camera lenses.

June 4, 2026 Read more

Microrobots repair spinal cord

Researchers developed a novel approach to treating spinal cord injuries: controllable microrobots deliver stem cells directly to the site of an injury, where they promote nerve cell regeneration. In animal experiments, this approach significantly improved mobility.

June 2, 2026 Read more

Fewer animal experiments thanks to virtual mouse

Researchers have developed an AI-supported computer model of a mouse body that uses machine learning to predict how different nanomaterials are distributed in the mouse organism.

June 2, 2026 Read more

A stair-climbing robot that catches itself when it falls

A reinforcement-learning-based safety system teaches a stair-traversing service robot to brace itself mid-fall, addressing one of the biggest barriers to deploying autonomous robots on staircases.

May 29, 2026 Read more