A robot can struggle to discover objects in its surroundings when it relies on computer vision alone. But by taking advantage of all of the information available to it - an object's location, size, shape and even whether it can be lifted - a robot can continually discover and refine its understanding of objects, say researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute.
May 6th, 2013
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When the retina's supply of blood and oxygen runs low, physicians have to react quickly to preserve a patient's eyesight. But up until now there have been no methods sensitive enough to measure how well the eye is oxygenated. A microrobot invented by ETH researchers may come to the rescue.
May 6th, 2013
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Facial grimaces generate major electrical activity (EEG signals) across our heads, and the same happens when Angel concentrates on a symbol, such as a flashing light, on a computer monitor. In both cases the electrodes read the activity in the brain. The signals are then interpreted by a processor which in turn sends a message to the robot to make it move in a pre-defined way.
May 4th, 2013
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Researchers at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University are using satellites, acoustic transmitters, an underwater robot and historical records to pinpoint the ocean conditions that the fish prefer during migrations.
May 4th, 2013
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The two robots Flobi and Nao worked full time for three weeks in an isolation study in Cologne. Scientists from Bielefeld University's Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) were studying how these intelligent assistance systems can help astronauts to keep fit - both physically and mentally.
May 3rd, 2013
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Three types of robots, named rotorcraft UAVs (unmanned aircraft vehicles), transformable ruins search and rescue robot, and robotic life-detector, also landed in the quake-hit area with the researchers. This is their first application in an earthquake rescue and relief mission.
May 3rd, 2013
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Researchers are developing systems that can analyze people's needs to determine the best way to achieve their goals.
May 3rd, 2013
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Researchers have developed and demonstrated a new robotic bird, Robo Raven, whose wings flap completely independently of each other, and also can be programmed to perform any desired motion, enabling the bird to perform aerobatic maneuvers. This is the first time a robotic bird with these capabilities has been built and successfully flown.
May 3rd, 2013
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CSIRO celebrates Global Star Wars Day by unveiling the next generation of robotics research.
May 3rd, 2013
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Killer robots that can attack targets without any human input 'should not have the power of life and death over human beings,' a new draft U.N. report says.
May 2nd, 2013
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In culmination of a decade's work, RoboBees achieve vertical takeoff, hovering, and steering
May 2nd, 2013
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A robot industrial base with an estimated annual output of 50 billion yuan (8 billion U.S. dollars) will be established in northeast China's Liaoning Province, local authorities said.
May 2nd, 2013
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Using haptics to improve outcomes for people given visual prosthetics.
May 1st, 2013
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The tail of a seahorse can be compressed to about half its size before permanent damage occurs, engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have found. The tail's flexibility is due to its structure, made up of bony, armored plates, which slide past each other. Researchers are hoping to use a similar structure to create a flexible robotic arm, which could be used in medical devices, underwater exploration and unmanned bomb detection and detonation.
May 1st, 2013
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Just as people have embraced computers and smart phones, they may also give their blessing to talking tissue boxes and other smart objects, according to Penn State researchers.
May 1st, 2013
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It sounds like something from a science fiction film, but the concept of robots cleaning our streets is becoming a reality with what is believed to be a world first.
Apr 30th, 2013
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Whether reaching for a book out of a cluttered cabinet or pruning a bush in the backyard, a person's arm frequently makes contact with objects during everyday tasks. Animals do it too, when foraging for food, for example. Much in the same way, robots are now able to intelligently maneuver within clutter, gently making contact with objects while accomplishing a task. This new control method has wide applications, ranging from robots for search-and-rescue operations to assistive robotics for people with disabilities.
Apr 30th, 2013
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A robot in Cornell's Personal Robotics Lab has learned to foresee human action and adjust accordingly.
Apr 30th, 2013
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