Robotics

Scientists working with microfluids as part of biotechnology research often rely on large, clunky machines to manage the samples, but this tinkering could one day be handled by tiny robots that make the process far more efficient.

Shimon the robot is a marimba-mashing musical maestro we first saw back in 2017. Now he’s learned to sing, dance, write lyrics and compose his own melodies – and he’s about to go on tour to promote his first album.

Researchers at Northwestern University have come up with a new congestion-busting control algorithm for autonomous vehicles, demonstrating its capabilities via a swarm of tiny robots that can assemble into desired shapes within 60 seconds.

Engineers from Johns Hopkins have looked to how snakes move around to inform the design of a nimble new robot. It is hoped that the development could lead to search and rescue bots able to tackle all kinds of obstacles with ease.

Boston Dynamics put its nimble four-legged robot called Spot up for sale in September last year, and its unique abilities are catching the attention of oil companies looking toward a future of automation.

Robots move along in all kinds of different ways. Some walk on legs, others roll on wheels, and some crawl on tracks. At some point though, they'll encounter an obstacle and the RCTR tackles this by rising up and trundling on over.

Scientists in Korea are touting their newly unveiled robotic hand as the world’s strongest, with an ability to handle objects three times its own weight but also to take on delicate tasks like playing a piano or serving a glass of water.

Getting rid of excess heat from a robot can be the difference between smooth operation and breakdown. Researchers at Cornell University have developed 3D-printed robot fingers that can regulate temperature by sweating.

The port of Yokohama will play host to a colossal, walking Gundam robot for a year starting this October. With 24 degrees of motion, it'll be the most advanced full-sized Gundam ever built, and the engineering challenge of making it work is enormous.

Sea anemones are essentially soft-bodied tubes, that are capable of capturing a wide variety of prey items simply by engulfing them. Chinese scientists have now copied this concept in the form of what may be a "better" robotic grasper.

After a successful Kickstarter last year, Robosen Robotics has launched the T9, a robot that transforms into a vehicle through voice commands or via an app.

Sarcos revealed its Guardian XO robotic exoskeleton at CES 2019. At this year's CES, the robotics specialist and Delta Air Lines announced pilot trials, with Delta employees set to become among the first workers to suit up in the wearable robots.