For years, it has felt like technology has hit a lull. Most new smartphones feel nearly identical, and the once-hyped promise of virtual and augmented reality has largely fallen flat for consumers. Even Apple’s 2024 Vision headset failed to revive interest, though VR remains valuable in medical fields. Emerging Innovations Signal a Major Shift Lately, […]
A South Korean Innovation is Literally Reinventing the Wheel Read More »
Amazon’s chief roboticist told AFP that the flashy humanoid robots impressing visitors at this week’s Web Summit in Lisbon are still a long way from transforming manual work in factories and warehouses. Tye Brady commented in a Wednesday interview that “it’s somewhat technology for technology’s sake.” He explained, “When we consider robotics, we first ask,
Humanoid Robots Still Can’t Replace Humans, Says a Robotics Expert Read More »
Machines naturally lag behind humans in navigating their environments. To strengthen the visual perception skills robots need to interpret the world, researchers have created a new training dataset designed to boost their spatial awareness. RoboSpatial Boosts Robots’ Spatial Awareness In recent work, experiments revealed that robots trained on the new dataset, RoboSpatial, surpassed those using
Robots Trained on Spatial Datasets Gain Better Awareness and Object Handling Read More »
These days, quadruped robots with powered wheels for feet aren’t uncommon, letting them walk or roll depending on the terrain. The modular D1 stands out by functioning as either a quadruped or two independent bipeds. Traditional quadrupeds handle rough terrain well, stepping over obstacles and climbing stairs while keeping four points of contact for stability.
A Modular Robot that Becomes one Quad or Two Bipeds — your Choice Read More »
Researchers at the University of Oxford have created a new type of soft robot that functions without electronics, motors, or computers, relying solely on air pressure. Published in Advanced Materials, the study demonstrates that these “fluidic robots” can produce complex, rhythmic motions and even synchronize their movements automatically. Professor Antonio Forte (Department of Engineering Science,
‘Brainless’ Robots That Move Together are Driven Entirely By Air Read More »
You might not recall it, but you probably had a few spills as a toddler. You weren’t the only one—falling is a normal part of learning to crawl, walk, climb, and jump. During early childhood, our balance, coordination, and motor skills are still developing. These abilities—often called physical intelligence—quickly become second nature for most people,
Improving Physical Intelligence and Safety in Humanoid Robotics Read More »
Researchers have unveiled the Dragon Firefighter, a flying firehose robot designed to assist human crews in tackling dangerous blazes. Published as Open Science in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, the design allows scientists worldwide to build their own versions. The team expects the technology to see real-world use within the next decade. Unlike mythical dragons
Scientists Develop a Flying Dragon fire-fighting Robot Read More »
For workers performing long hours of lifting and repetitive tasks, even minor innovations can significantly help prevent future musculoskeletal injuries. That’s why engineers at The University of Texas at Arlington have created a soft robotic exoskeleton designed to quite literally ease the burden by reducing strain on the arm and elbow. PASE: Soft Robotic Support
Pneumatic Soft Elbow Exoskeleton for Reducing Muscle Activity and Effort Read More »
University of Cincinnati researchers are creating a flapping-wing drone that tracks and hovers around moving light sources, mimicking a moth drawn to a flame. UC professor Sameh Eisa and his students study these efficient drones, aiming to miniaturize them for stealth surveillance. A Drone That Adapts to Its Environment Moths can hover, fly backward, and
Moth-like Drone Flies Autonomously without AI Read More »
As humanoid robots continue to advance rapidly, they raise more questions than answers about their potential role in manufacturing. How will this emerging technology integrate into industrial settings like factories, semiconductor facilities, and pharmaceutical labs? How will these robots understand their tasks and timing? What functionalities will be necessary for them to operate efficiently and
Flexxbotics CEO Says Humanoids Need Coordination to Work in Manufacturing Read More »