Category: Science
-
ETH succeeds in printing robot parts with different polymers and new laser scanning technique
Scientists at ETH have succeeded in printing a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons made of different polymers using a new laser scanning technique. It is believed this is the first time such materials and techniques have been used. 3D printing is advancing rapidly, and the range of materials that can be used has…
-
Gecko-inspired adhesive offers a bio-inspired twist on robotic handling
Researchers develop a technique to allow fragile objects to be transferred and released by robotics, without damage, while using a gecko inspired adhesive. The subtle adhesive forces that allow geckos to seemingly defy gravity, cling to walls and walk across ceilings have inspired a team of researchers in South Korea to build a robotic device…
-
Robotics engineers work to ‘bee’ part of climate change solution
This summer’s weather extremes were stark reminders that climate change is not only real, it’s here. Less visible to most of us than smoke-filled skies, water-logged roads, and life-threatening heat – but just as important – is the dramatic and ongoing decline of global bee populations. Many crops rely on commercially managed honeybees, wild native…
-
Scientists create new technique to generate holograms faster than any GPU
Researchers propose a novel approach that utilizes deep learning to generate three-dimensional holograms from colored two-dimensional images – faster than a “state-of-the-art graphics processing unit” Holograms have long held the promise of offering immersive three-dimensional (3D) experiences, but the challenges involved in generating them have limited their widespread use. Capitalizing on the recent developments in…
-
Can 3D printed organs alleviate shortages of kidneys for transplants?
Rising kidney transplant demands underscore a pressing global health concern. While 3D-printed organs promise a potential solution, challenges in printing speed and accuracy persist. In this Q&A interview, Vidmantas Šakalys of Vital 3D provides valuable insights and hints at a “transformative solution on the horizon”. The increasing demand for organ transplants paints a dire picture…
-
Carnegie Mellon researchers demo robotic hand costing less than $2,000
With prices ranging from $16,000 to $150,000, the cost of robotic hands has stunted progress in manipulation research. Even as machine learning and artificial intelligence enable robots to acquire more skills and accomplish more tasks, the lack of suitable, reliable and affordable hardware has limited the transfer of these gains out of simulation and into…
-
Washington university scientists build tiny, self-driving robot powered only by light and radio waves
Small mobile robots carrying sensors could perform tasks like catching gas leaks or tracking warehouse inventory. But moving robots demands a lot of energy, and batteries, the typical power source, limit lifetime and raise environmental concerns. Researchers have explored various alternatives: affixing sensors to insects, keeping charging mats nearby, or powering the robots with lasers.…
-
Worcester Polytechnic invents robot lizard to ‘sneak into small spaces’
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researchers have partnered with the City of Worcester to develop a lizard-like soft robot that can creep into walls, ductwork, and pipes to perform inspections and three-dimensional mapping tasks that could be dangerous or impossible for humans. Funded by a $50,000 National Science Foundation grant, the team – Cagdas Onal, Paul…
-
Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’
Researchers at Purdue University are advancing the world of robotics and autonomy with their patent-pending method that improves on traditional machine vision and perception. Zubin Jacob, the Elmore Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and research scientist Fanglin Bao have developed HADAR, or heat-assisted…
-
Plymouth university students design and build ‘scarecrow’ robots to protect wildlife
Plymouth State University (PSU) students in their “Spring 2023 Industrial Robotics” course began work on a multi-semester project to bring new life to a pair of robots belonging to Casella Waste Systems, which has used six of these robots to ward off wildlife at their Bethlehem, New Hampshire landfill for roughly the past four years.…