Robotics

A novel model developed by MIT and Microsoft researchers identifies instances in which autonomous systems have "learned" from training examples that don't match what's actually happening in the real world. Engineers could use this model to improve the safety of artificial intelligence systems, such as driverless vehicles and autonomous robots.

The robot is known as LEONARDO, an acronym for LEg ON Aerial Robotic DrOne, or Leo for short. It has a capability most robots these days just don't have: It can both walk and fly.

Researchers have created 3D-printed flexible mesh structures that can be controlled with applied magnetic fields while floating on water. The structures can grab small objects and carry water droplets, giving them the potential to be useful as soft robots that mimic creatures living on water surfaces or that can serve as tissue scaffolds for cell cultures.

Amazonhave been hard at work developing a new, fully-electric delivery system - Amazon Scout - designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices. These devices were created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace.

Robust, intelligent robots that react to their surroundings are being developed to work in situations that are too dangerous for humans, such as cleaning up Europe's decades-old radioactive waste or helping during a nuclear emergency.

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Scientists at EPFL and ETH Zurich have developed tiny elastic robots that can change shape depending on their surroundings. Modeled after bacteria and fully biocompatible, these robots optimize their movements so as to get to hard-to-reach areas of the human body. They stand to revolutionize targeted drug delivery.

The piezoelectric materials that inhabit everything from our cell phones to musical greeting cards may be getting an upgrade. Researchers have developed methods to 3D print piezoelectric materials that can be custom-designed to convert movement, impact and stress from any directions to electrical energy.

WhiteShark Nano, a super smart autonomous underwater robot, is an ideal solution for underwater photography and videography. It uses AI to follow a preset target, whether that is a human diver or marine life, to capture beautiful shots even from a distance.

Robosen, a Shenzhen-based robotics company with the capability of mass production of intelligent auto-transforming robots.

Established in October 2010 and with 66 employees, ispace is a Japanese start-up developing robotics for lunar delivery and resource exploration

IDTechEx analysts attended CES 2019 in Las Vegas during 6th to 12th January 2019. This article covers Senior Technology Analyst Dr Xiaoxi He's highlights.

Traditional robotic systems with rigid parts often pose a threat to human operators. Recently flourishing soft actuators and robots, in contrast, offer excellent adaptivity to surroundings and safe, coexisting interaction with humans. However, their competence in load-bearing tasks is undermined by the inherent low-stiffness nature of constituent materials like silicone rubbers.

The Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) conducted the world's first multi-specialty clinical trial using the "Single Port Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgical System". More than 60 patients underwent single port robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery as part of this trial and demonstrated that multiple procedures could be performed through a single entry site.

Compared to center aisle bread, The BreadBot produces loaves that are fresher, healthier, preservative free and eco-friendly. The BreadBot mixes, forms, proofs, bakes and cools ten loaves of bread per hour - all on its own and is capable of making most varieties of bread that require dry ingredients - including white, wheat, whole wheat, nine grain, sourdough and honey oat.

Founded in 2015, San Francisco, California, Hoversurf is a R&D company that works on the challenging prospect of aerial human delivery. They have focused on developing a flying motorcycle which is named Hoverbike.

Researchers have for the first time used game theory to enable robots to assist humans in a safe and versatile manner.

Robots will perform spinal surgery with greater accuracy than humanly possible as part of a ground-breaking research project led by Nottingham Trent University.

The need for efficient, rapid, resilient transportation for disaster assistance is what led Hyundai to develop the first-ever vehicle with moveable legs. Elevate is the first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle blending technology found in electric cars and robots, which allows it to traverse terrain beyond the limitations of even the most capable off-road vehicle.

Sally the robot, serves customizable, made-to-order salads, snacks, breakfast bowls, and grain bowls within a sleek 3×3 footprint. Future robots are in development and will offer a wide array of menu items and cuisines.