Through an artificial sense of touch, a robot was taught to type on a Braille keyboard. This marks an important step towards achieving artificial intelligence with the ability of performing tactile tasks. Continue reading A Tactile Robot Learns to Type Braille
Researchers implemented an artificial pheromone system to allow robots to communicate within a swarm. Continue reading Robot Swarms Communicate with Artificial Pheromones
Engineers have built an artificial eye inspired by the design of biological eyes which can harness the many valuable characteristics of the human eye for image-sensing. It’s possible that it may even surpass the human eye in performance. Continue reading Looking to the Future: Creating an Artificial Eye
Forgiveness is associated with humans, but may play an integral role in human-robot interactions. A study asks whether we can forgive a robot for commiting a crime. Debating forgiveness rather than punishment, the study adds another ethical dimension to our perception of AI.
Continue reading Study asks, can we forgive robots?
Engineers at Beihang University and Harvard’s Wyss Institute use models to zero in on creating the perfect octopus tentacle for industrial gripping uses. Continue reading More Realistic Tentacles Improve Performance Of Octopus Inspired Robots
Scientists generally agree that today’s birds descend from ancient flying dinosaurs, but nobody is sure exactly how the first flying dinosaurs actually took flight. A group of researchers from Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences think they might be able to piece together the origins of flight using a mix of fossils, mathematical models, robotic models, and modern ostriches. The scientists started their … Continue reading How did dinosaurs learn to fly? Robots can help model the flapping wings.
Skin is the largest organ in human body, and can sense important information such as pressure, temperature and pain. This waterproof barrier protects us from infections and can heal itself. Electronic skins are soft and flexible electronics that mimic the functions of skin in one or multiple aspects, and can give robots or even prosthetic limbs the sensations of real skin. However, unlike real skin, … Continue reading Jellyfish-inspired electronic skin can heal itself under water
When looking for the perfect soundtrack to accompany your holiday celebrations, consider putting away the traditional albums and opting for this technologically savvy rendition of Jingle Bells instead. The performer, the latest work from Josie Hughes and colleagues at the University of Cambridge, is none other than a robot hand designed to play the piano without moving its fingers. While it may not be a … Continue reading 3D Printed Robot Plays Jingle Bells and More on the Piano
Bees and pollen are associated with a variety of irritations, but together they play a key role in crop production and global agriculture. Unfortunately, bee populations have been declining over the past decade. In response to the threat posed to the world’s food supply, scientists from Japan have been working to develop a robotic bee that can pollinate flowers just like a real honeybee. These … Continue reading Better Bees: Progress Towards Robotic Pollinators
Chemotherapy is a common and dangerous cancer treatment due to the negative effects on everything that is not a tumor cell. Researchers from Columbia University have invented a soft medical implant capable of administering drugs from inside the body. The ability to place this device close to the target area allows for a significant (90%) reduction of the drug dosage to be used. Similarly, avoiding body-wide administration of the drug can greatly reduce the damage inflicted by normal chemotherapy dosages. Continue reading A new medical implant might greatly reduce the risk of chemotherapy treatment