Robotics, AI and SmartTech News – Latest Headlines

Team develops world's first ciliary stroke motion microrobots

A Korean research team developed microrobots with high propulsion efficiency in highly-viscous fluid environments, applying propulsion techniques that mimic the ciliary stroke motion of paramecia.

September 1, 2016 Read more

Study examines how AI might affect urban life in 2030

This year-long exercise in scientific introspection yields a report meant to spur discussion about how the fruits of an AI-dominated economy should be shared.

September 1, 2016 Read more

A robot to zap 'Darwin's nightmare', the invasive lionfish (w/video)

A lionfish harvester robot would use a robot arm with two metal electrodes on the end to electrocute invasive lionfish.

August 30, 2016 Read more

Researchers discover machines can learn by simply observing

It is now possible for machines to learn how natural or artificial systems work by simply observing them, without being told what to look for, according to new research.

August 30, 2016 Read more

The first autonomous, entirely soft robot

Powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, the 3D-printed 'octobot' has no electronics.

August 24, 2016 Read more

The robots are coming - and they are here to help

A new European network effort has put robot-assisted neurorehabilitation on the map.

August 24, 2016 Read more

Natural scale caterpillar soft robot is powered and controlled with light

Researchers using the liquid crystal elastomer technology, demonstrated a bioinspired micro-robot capable of mimicking caterpillar gaits in natural scale. The 15-millimeter long soft robot harvests energy from green light and is controlled by spatially modulated laser beam.

August 18, 2016 Read more

Biohybrid robots built from living tissue start to take shape (w/video)

By combining robotics with tissue engineering, researchers are starting to build robots powered by living muscle tissue or cells. These devices can be stimulated electrically or with light to make the cells contract to bend their skeletons, causing the robot to swim or crawl.

August 10, 2016 Read more

Robot companions are coming into our homes - so how human should they be?

Some see robots as a hypothetical future replacement for human carers. But a question roboticists are asking is: how human should these future robot companions be?

August 9, 2016 Read more

Dot-drawing with drones (w/video)

Flying robots could someday help artists create outdoor murals.

August 4, 2016 Read more

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