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Bio-inspired neuroprosthetics: Sending signals the brain can understand

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Prostheses that connect to the nervous system have been available for several years. Now, researchers at ETH Zurich have found evidence that neuroprosthetics work better when they use signals that are inspired by nature.

A few years ago, a team of researchers working under Professor Stanisa Raspopovic at the ETH Zurich Neuroengineering Lab gained worldwide attention when they announced that their prosthetic legs had enabled amputees to feel sensations from this artificial body part for the first time.

Unlike commercial leg prostheses, which simply provide amputees with stability and support, the ETH researchers’ prosthetic device was connected to the sciatic nerve in the test subjects’ thigh via implanted electrodes. [Read more…] about Bio-inspired neuroprosthetics: Sending signals the brain can understand

ETH develops ‘lighter, safer, more robust’ artificial muscles for robots

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Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed artificial muscles for robot motion. The researchers say their solution offers several advantages over previous technologies: it can be used wherever robots need to be soft rather than rigid or where they need more sensitivity when interacting with their environment.

Many roboticists dream of building robots that are not just a combination of metal or other hard materials and motors but also softer and more adaptable. Soft robots could interact with their environment in a completely different way; for example, they could cushion impacts the way human limbs do, or grasp an object delicately.

This would also offer benefits regarding energy consumption: robot motion today usually requires a lot of energy to maintain a position, whereas soft systems could store energy well, too. So, what could be more obvious than to take the human muscle as a model and attempt to recreate it? [Read more…] about ETH develops ‘lighter, safer, more robust’ artificial muscles for robots

CMU Robotics Institute develops system to detect and fix problems in gas pipelines

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Researchers in Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute are developing a modular robot that can creep inside natural gas pipelines to map where pipes are, detect decrepit or leaking pipes, and, when necessary, repair the pipe by applying a resin coating along its inner wall.

“We don’t even know where all the old pipes are,” says Howie Choset, the Kavčić-Moura Professor of Computer Science, who directs the project in the Biorobotics Lab with research scientist Lu Li.

The confined spaces of pipes, largely inaccessible to people, are a natural place to deploy robots. Over the years, CMU researchers and spinout companies have developed a number of schemes and robots for inspecting sewer, gas distribution and nuclear power plant pipes. [Read more…] about CMU Robotics Institute develops system to detect and fix problems in gas pipelines

Origami-inspired robotic plants grow with their environment

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How do you deploy an environmental sensor to collect climate change readings over a prolonged period on an uninhabited island without failing? How do you power a seismic detector to operate for months in an underwater cave?

In environments that are difficult to reach because of the hazards or hardships for humans, a device behaving like a native plant could be the answer.

This is the approach taken by Suyi Li, associate professor in mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech, and Clemson professor and collaborator Ian Walker. Their work is being advanced thanks to a four-year, $840,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. [Read more…] about Origami-inspired robotic plants grow with their environment

Japanese researchers develop ‘innovative, low-cost’ UAV for inspecting transmission lines

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The novel approach avoids costly and sophisticated equipment, while also enabling automated close-range inspection of transmission lines

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now widely used for remote inspection of electrical transmission lines, but capturing detailed information over long distances poses challenges.

Additionally, sophisticated equipment is needed due to magnetic field interferences, increasing costs. Now, a team of researchers has introduced an innovative low-cost UAV platform.

Using specialized algorithms, it addresses the limitations of affordable equipment, facilitating close-range inspections. The proposed system paves the way for the widespread adoption of automated inspection systems. [Read more…] about Japanese researchers develop ‘innovative, low-cost’ UAV for inspecting transmission lines

3D printed organs set to become ‘reality in two decades’

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Biotech firms are making progress in developing 3D-printed organs, with recent breakthroughs aiding the production of increasingly intricate tissues. Companies like Vital3D are tackling the challenge with cutting-edge technology, and seeing remarkable results.

In recent years, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative technology for the field of organ transplantation. Doctors are already using 3D-printed skin for burn treatment and wound healing, and this year has seen the first successful use of 3D-printed cartilage for ear reconstruction.

Now, amidst rising demand for organ transplants and a dire shortage of donor organs worldwide, researchers are working toward using 3D printing to produce even more complex structures, like livers, hearts, and kidneys. [Read more…] about 3D printed organs set to become ‘reality in two decades’

ETH succeeds in printing robot parts with different polymers and new laser scanning technique

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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 expanded considerably. While the technology was previously limited to fast-​curing plastics, it has now been made suitable for slow-​curing plastics as well.

These have decisive advantages as they have enhanced elastic properties and are more durable and robust. [Read more…] about ETH succeeds in printing robot parts with different polymers and new laser scanning technique

Gecko-inspired adhesive offers a bio-inspired twist on robotic handling

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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 that can pick up and release delicate materials without damage.

The team, based at Kyungpook National University and Dong-A University, has published their research work in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, an international science journal.

The researchers are hoping it can be applied to the transfer of objects by robotic systems. [Read more…] about Gecko-inspired adhesive offers a bio-inspired twist on robotic handling

Robotics engineers work to ‘bee’ part of climate change solution

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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 bees, and other pollinators to reproduce. [Read more…] about Robotics engineers work to ‘bee’ part of climate change solution

Scientists create new technique to generate holograms faster than any GPU

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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 deep learning, researchers from Chiba University now propose what they say is “a game-changing approach” that utilizes neural networks to transform ordinary two-dimensional color images into 3D holograms.

The researchers say their proposed approach can simplify 3D hologram generation and can find applications in numerous fields, including healthcare and entertainment. [Read more…] about Scientists create new technique to generate holograms faster than any GPU