Rolf Mueller, Virginia Tech associate professor of mechanical engineering, has traveled the world investigating the prolific species, using his fascination with the creatures to further a research program focusing on sensing technology for robo...
One multitasking robot can build semiconductors for solar cells on six-inch-square plates of glass, plastic or flexible metals in just over half an hour. Six of these tireless mechanical workers, chugging away at the National Renewable Energy L...
German researchers have built an anthropomorphic robot hand that can endure collisions with hard objects and even strikes from a hammer without breaking into pieces. The DLR hand has the shape and size of a human hand, with five articulated fingers p...
www.youtube.com/watch Some type of trees disperse their seeds by releasing ‘helicopters’, those single-winged seeds that are also called ‘samaras’. As these seeds fall to the ground, their wing causes them to swirl and spin in a process called a...
In a first-of-its-kind experiment, University of Vermont roboticist Josh Bongard created both simulated and actual robots that, like tadpoles becoming frogs, change their body forms while learning how to walk. And, over generations, his simulated rob...
Bangkok University is developing robotic waiters that can take your order and deliver it to your table as part of the ‘MK Robot Project’. The robot waiters are to be part of MK restaurants new service robots that will take your order and deliver your...
Researchers at Northwestern University have created a robotic fish that can move from swimming forward and backward to swimming vertically almost instantaneously by using a sophisticated, ribbon-like fin. The research team, led by Malcolm MacIver, as...
With the economy being as bad as it is, it may become even harder to find a job come January 28th when the HRP-4 becomes available to consumers. The humanoid robot, developed by Tokyo-based Kawada Industries and Japan's National Institute of Ad...
www.youtube.com/watch There are already a few telepresence robots on the market, but none that use Apple’s iPad. iRobot's AVA is a self-navigating, tablet-controlled droid that can map out environments, project your presence into remote location...
www.youtube.com/watch Every year, starting in 2005, MIT has what it calls the ‘Useless Ball’, where students show off their ‘what if’ projects. Sort of a useless device symposium. Five finalist teams are awarded $100 each to manufacture a protot...
I have been saying for years that the world needs more robotic balls. Did anyone listen? A company called ‘Orbotix’ did with their introduction of ‘Sphero’ at this year’s CES. Sphero is a robotic ball that can be controlled from an iOS, Windows Phone...