Robotics, AI and SmartTech News – Latest Headlines

First wave-propelled robot swims, crawls and climbs using a single, small motor (w/video)

The 3D-printed robot can move forward or backward in a wave-like motion, moving much like a worm would in a perpendicular wave.

August 1, 2016 Read more

Hey robot, shimmy like a centipede

New robotic devices mimic creature's surprising unstable advantage.

July 22, 2016 Read more

Artificial muscle for soft robotics: low voltage, high hopes

Researchers have developed a dielectric elastomer with a broad range of motion that requires relatively low voltage and no rigid components.This type of actuator could be used in everything from wearable devices to soft grippers, laparoscopic surgical tools, entirely soft robots or artificial muscles in more complex robotics.

July 21, 2016 Read more

Researchers build a crawling robot from sea slug parts and a 3-D printed body

Researchers have combined tissues from a sea slug with flexible 3-D printed components to build 'biohybrid' robots to manage different tasks than an animal or purely manmade robot could.

July 19, 2016 Read more

Engineers to use cyborg insects as biorobotic sensing machines

A team of engineers is looking to capitalize on the sense of smell in locusts to create new biorobotic sensing systems that could be used in homeland security applications.

June 28, 2016 Read more

'Squishy' motors and wheels give soft robots a new ride

Engineers, in a breakthrough, create a soft motor that could power versatile soft robots.

June 28, 2016 Read more

Robotic motion planning in real-time (w/video)

Engineers and computer scientists develop a new computer processor specially designed for robotic motion planning.

June 20, 2016 Read more

Flight of the RoboBee

One of the more unexpected robotics applications in recent years comes from the RoboBees project, which aims to create autonomous robotic insects capable of sustained, independent flight.

June 7, 2016 Read more

Using static electricity, RoboBees cling to surfaces (w/video)

New method extends energy life of insect-inspired flying microrobots.

May 19, 2016 Read more

Robots get creative to cut through clutter

Clutter is a special challenge for robots, but new software is helping robots cope, whether they're beating a path across the Moon or grabbing a milk jug from the back of the refrigerator.

May 18, 2016 Read more

Animal training techniques teach robots new tricks

Researchers are using ideas from animal training to help non-expert users teach robots how to do desired tasks.

May 16, 2016 Read more

Robot's in-hand eye maps surroundings, determines hand's location

Researchers have shown that a camera attached to the robot's hand can rapidly create a 3-D model of its environment and also locate the hand within that 3-D world.

May 16, 2016 Read more

Gentle strength for robots

A soft actuator using electrically controllable membranes could pave the way for machines that are no danger to humans.

May 13, 2016 Read more

Hybrid hydrostatic transmission enables robots with human-like grace and precision (w/video)

Tele-operated system can thread needle, pick up an egg.

May 13, 2016 Read more

Ingestible origami robot (w/video)

Robot unfolds from ingestible capsule, removes button battery stuck to wall of simulated stomach.

May 13, 2016 Read more

'CardBoardiZer' allows users to create robotic models in minutes (w/video)

A new computerized system allows novice designers to convert static three-dimensional objects into moving robotic versions made out of materials including cardboard, wood and sheet metal.

May 10, 2016 Read more

This 5-fingered robot hand learns to get a grip on its own (w/video)

A team of computer science and engineering researchers has built a robot hand that can not only perform dexterous manipulation but also learn from its own experience without needing humans to direct it.

May 9, 2016 Read more

Robots battle it out, revolutionary-style

On Thursday evening, just before nightfall, a revolution was afoot at MIT. The battleground was set, the munitions were stocked, the targets were marked, and the soldiers were... robots.

May 7, 2016 Read more