Blog

Avoiding Connector Failures with a Multiple-Beam Floating Contact Design

rscasny

The failure mechanisms of electrical connectors have become more complex, as connector technology has evolved and downsized into fine pitch packages for high speed applications. These mechanisms can be obvious to the naked eye, as well as subtle, req...
- 31 Jul 2019
Prosthetic arm, LUKE, imitates human sensation with touch

Catwell

Prosthetic wearers all have a common goal in mind – to regain the functionality of an amputated limb. While their prosthetics may restore some degree of movement, it doesn’t carry the feeling of touch when it’s worn. Now scientists at the University ...
- 29 Jul 2019
LightSail 2 successfully sends data back from space

Catwell

The LightSail 2 spacecraft developed by Planetary Society is now operational, without any issues in orbit, while the mission team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California follows procedures to ensure the LightSail 2 spacecraft is ready for sail depl...
- 26 Jul 2019
NASA’s LEMUR robot successfully traverses Death Valley

Catwell

NASA’s four-limbed robot LEMUR has successfully climbed a cliff in Death Valley and is now inspiring future climbing robots. LEMUR has four limbs and 16 fingers equipped with hundreds of tiny fishhooks. (Image credit: NASA) NASA has been sending...
- 25 Jul 2019
Jumping robots work together to tackle large obstacles

Catwell

These jumping robots were inspired by real-life ants in terms of their movement and how they work together. These bots use infrared and proximity sensors to communicate with one another. (Image credit: EPFL) Size isn’t necessarily a disadvantage...
- 17 Jul 2019
The current space treaty doesn’t cover future space exploration

Catwell

The 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty appears to be outdated when thinking about where space exploration is headed next. Is it time to update the space treaty? Probably. (Image credit: pixabay) When man first landed on the moon 50 years ago, no one c...
- 15 Jul 2019
Vegebot uses machine learning to pick iceberg lettuce

Catwell

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an iceberg lettuce harvesting robot dubbed the ‘Vegebot.’ Using machine learning algorithms, the robot can learn how to recognize and harvest the lettuce despite any challenges it may face. No...
- 12 Jul 2019
Jaco, a robotic arm helps those in powered wheelchairs find their independence

Catwell

Canadian tech company Kinova Robotics’ Jaco arm is the newest addition to robotics for those with accessibility needs. The new lightweight, carbon fiber arm attaches to a power wheelchair, giving the user a transformative life experience by using the...
- 12 Jul 2019
Harvard’s updated RoboBee X-Wing can now fly on its own

Catwell

The new solar-powered RoboBee uses four wings to propel itself without a tether. The newly updated RoboBee X-Wing. (Image credit: Harvard University) A few years ago, Harvard University introduced RoboBee, a flying robot that took inspiration fr...
- 11 Jul 2019
Scientists Create a Circulatory System to Power Robotic Fish

Catwell

The synthetic circulatory system pumps an energy-dense hydraulic liquid that stores energy, transmits force, and actuates the fins of the robotic fish. (Image credit: Cornell University) Scientists from Cornell University and the University of ...
- 21 Jun 2019
Drone motors can create synth music, and other alternative devices

Catwell

www.youtube.com/watch I’ve been on a synthesizer kick lately. Check out my Micro:bit WAV Sound player, and from there all the other synth project. When it comes to synthesizers, people generally think of analog or digital technologies. Th...
- 19 Jun 2019
Robot algorithm by MIT predicts human movement

Catwell

In 2018, MIT researchers teamed up with BMW to closely observe how human workers and robots might work alongside each other when it comes to assembling car parts. On a factory floor mock-up, the team put together a robot on rails that deliver car par...
- 18 Jun 2019
SIRSLaB’s new Soft ScoopGripper can be readjusted to handle different objects

Catwell

The Soft ScoopGripper’s has an under scoop that allows for more precise grips (Photo from SIRSLaB) When it comes to soft robotics, typically the robotic hands adjust its shape to the object it’s trying to grab. But since most of the grasps are o...
- 17 Jun 2019
Planetary Society Prepares to Launch LightSail 2

Catwell

An artist rendition of the LightSail 2 above Earth (Image credit: Josh Spradling / The Planetary Society) Back in 2015, LightSail, the Planetary Society’s Carl Sagan inspired solar sailer, took flight. The kite-like aircraft was proposed as a wa...
- 14 Jun 2019
Robotic furniture developed by IKEA will make space

Catwell

https://vimeo.com/340144236 This isn’t the first time seeing robotic furniture or Ori Living’s furniture efforts. Glad something is on the way. IKEA has started a collaborative effort with American furniture start-up company, Ori Living to ...
- 11 Jun 2019
DeepMind AI uses Synthetic Team to Defeat Human Players at Quake III

Catwell

Researchers used a team of AI agents with reinforcement learning to beat humans in capture the flag mode in Quake III. (Image credit: DeepMind) Alphabet’s DeepMind AI has already beaten the best at Go, Shogi, and chess, and now Quake III can be...
- 7 Jun 2019
Soft robots powered by air flow

Catwell

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed a soft robot that could lead the way for robotic implementations for space exploration, biomimetics, medical surgery, search and rescue operatio...
- 5 Jun 2019
Five robot from DIY to NASA

Catwell

Doggo, a robot that can do acrobatics comes at an affordable pricewww.youtube.com/watchDoggo can walk, trot, do backflips and even jump with ease and can prop itself back up if it loses its balance. (Image Credit: Stanford University) Stanford'...
- 3 Jun 2019
Alakai Announces Skai Air Mobility Vehicle (flying car) Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Catwell

The Skai eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) vehicle can fly up to 4-hours, has a 400-mile range, and can seat up to five passengers. (Image credit: Skai press kit) Alakai Technologies has recently announced the launch of Skai- a hydr...
- 31 May 2019
NASA Tasks Maxar Technologies to Build the First Element of Lunar Gateway

Catwell

Maxar is set to build the power and propulsion element of the Lunar Gateway, which is based on the company’s SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility to use a myriad of subsystems. (Image credit: Maxar via BusinessWire) Colorado-based ...
- 31 May 2019
SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are so bright they could be a problem for astronomers

Catwell

The satellites could not only obstruct our view of the universe, but they also make it harder for astronomers to observe far away objects. Starlink solar arrays capture and reflect sunlight making them easy to see from Earth at times. (Photo from Spa...
- 30 May 2019
NASA’s Leaked Artemis Plan Brings Permanent Moon Base by 2028

Catwell

The NASA diagram outlines the Artemis mission set for establishing a permanent ‘Lunar Gateway’ on the moon. (Image credit: NASA via Ars Technica) A leaked internal infographic from NASA outlines their ambitious journey to return astronauts to t...
- 28 May 2019
USPS introduce autonomous delivery trucks, Ford delivery robot

Catwell

On May 21, 2019, the United States Postal Service (USPS) granted a contract to a self-driving truck company, TuSimple, in an effort to carry out five round trips over a two-week time span. The goal is to deliver USPS trailers over 1,000 miles between...
- 24 May 2019
Amazon deploys robotic machines in factories, after all

Catwell

Amazon will be deploying robotic machines to automate jobs already held by thousands of human workers in their warehouses. The robots can pack up hundreds of boxes per hour and can also wrap up packages that have been custom-built for each item. Even...
- 22 May 2019
Mack's electric truck transports trash to landfills

Catwell

On May 7th 2019, Mack Trucks unveiled their long-awaited Mack LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) during the WasteExpo 2019 event. Coupling both the refuse design of the Mack LR model with an electric Mack drivetrain, the prototype will begin demonstra...
- 20 May 2019