Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Engineers devise a modular system to produce efficient, scalable aquabots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers developed a new approach to building deformable underwater robots, using simple repeating substructures. The team demonstrated the new system in two different example configurations, one like an eel and the other a wing-like hydrofoil.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Performing human-like motions that involve multiple contacts is challenging for robots. In this regard, a researcher has envisioned an interactive cyber-physical human (iCPH) platform with complementary humanoid (physical twin) and simulation (digital twin) elements. iCPH combines human measurement data, musculoskeletal analysis, and machine learning for data collection and augmentation. As a result, iCPH can understand, predict, and synthesize whole-body contact motions.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robot: I'm sorry. Human: I don't care anymore!      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Humans are less forgiving of robots after multiple mistakes -- and the trust is difficult to get back, according to a new study.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Contributing to the utilization of big data! Developing new data learning methods for artificial intelligence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research group has developed a new learning method for artificial intelligence that combines classification performance for data with multiple labels with the ability to learn continually from data. Numerical experiments on real-world multi-label data indicate that the new method outperforms conventional approaches. The simplicity of this algorithm makes it easy to integrate it with other algorithms to devise new ones.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Legged robots need more testing before real-world use      (via sciencedaily.com) 

When it comes to the 'evolution' of mobile robots, it may be a long time before legged robots are able to safely interact in the real world, according to a new study.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Autonomous steering system keeps human drivers engaged      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed an automated driving system based on the concept of 'collaborative steering', which aims to increase transportation safety, efficiency, and comfort by encouraging active interaction between autonomous vehicles and their human drivers.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: Biodiversity Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a huge challenge for global biodiversity and affects humanity by causing problems in food production. Researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot equipped with artificial muscle. Could this artificial fairy be utilized in pollination?

Biology: Developmental Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Artificial human skin paves the way to new skin cancer therapy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In a new study, researchers have managed to curb skin cancer. The study was conducted on artificial human skin.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Versatile robo-dog runs through the sandy beach at 3 meters per second      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Meet the new addition to the robo-dog family, 'RaiBo', that can run along the sandy beach without losing balance and walk through grassy fields and back on the hard-floored tracking fields all on its own -- no further tinkering necessary.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Person-shaped robot can liquify and escape jail, all with the power of magnets      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Inspired by sea cucumbers, engineers have designed miniature robots that rapidly and reversibly shift between liquid and solid states. On top of being able to shape-shift, the robots are magnetic and can conduct electricity. The researchers put the robots through an obstacle course of mobility and shape-morphing tests.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Robotics Research Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Artificial photosynthesis uses sunlight to make biodegradable plastic      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have succeeded in synthesizing fumaric acid, a raw material for plastics, from CO2 powered by solar energy. Typically, fumaric acid is synthesized from petroleum as a raw material to make polybutylene succinate, a biodegradable plastic, but this research shows that it can be synthesized from CO2 and biomass-derived compounds using renewable energy.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Fish sensory organ key to improving navigational skills of underwater robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have been studying a fish sensory organ to understand cues for collective behavior which could be employed on underwater robots.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Click beetle-inspired robots jump using elastic energy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have made a significant leap forward in developing insect-sized jumping robots capable of performing tasks in the small spaces often found in mechanical, agricultural and search-and-rescue settings. A new study demonstrates a series of click beetle-sized robots small enough to fit into tight spaces, powerful enough to maneuver over obstacles and fast enough to match an insect's rapid escape time.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New soft robots poised to be more agile, controlled      (via sciencedaily.com) 

One of the virtues of untethered soft robots is their ability to mechanically adapt to their surroundings and tasks. Now they are poised to become even more agile and controlled.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Squid tissues and chemistry combine for versatile hydrogels      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The natural abilities of squid tissues and the creativity of chemists combine to take hydrogel research in new directions.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

'Smart' walking stick could help visually impaired with groceries, finding a seat      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For people who are blind or visually impaired, finding the right products in a crowded grocery store can be difficult without help. A team of computer scientists is trying to change that.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

How to push, wiggle, or drill an object through sand      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers developed a faster and simpler way to model the forces needed to push, wiggle, and drill an object through soft, granular material in real-time. The methods could help engineers drive a rover over Martian soil, anchor a ship in rough seas, and walk a robot through sand and mud.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Microelectronics give researchers a remote control for biological robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

First, they walked. Then, they saw the light. Now, miniature biological robots have gained a new trick: remote control. The hybrid 'eBiobots' are the first to combine soft materials, living muscle and microelectronics, said researchers.

Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms Geoscience: Severe Weather Offbeat: Earth and Climate
Published

When migrating birds go astray, disturbances in magnetic field may be partly to blame      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Disturbances to Earth's magnetic field can lead birds astray -- a phenomenon scientists call 'vagrancy' -- even in perfect weather, and especially during fall migration. While other factors such as weather likely play bigger roles in causing vagrancy, researchers found a strong correlation between birds that were captured far outside of their expected range and the geomagnetic disturbances that occurred during both fall and spring migrations.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

A precision arm for miniature robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Until now, microscopic robotic systems have had to make do without arms. Now researchers have developed an ultrasonically actuated glass needle that can be attached to a robotic arm. This lets them pump and mix minuscule amounts of liquid and trap particles.