Robotics

Robots promise to transform our lives in myriad ways. Having already revolutionized the production line, robots are getting smarter, smaller and more capable, and they're walking, rolling and flying out of labs and into homes and businesses at an astonishing rate. With the ability to perform tasks that are considered too menial or impossible for humans, robots are destined to make many aspects of our lives easier. Will they ultimately supplant us? We'll just have to wait and see.

Robotics

Robotic fossil shows off the swagger of ancient animals

Michael Irving January 16, 2019

It can be hard to picture a living creature from dusty bones and old footprints, but now that might require a little less imagination. Researchers at EPFL and the Humboldt University of Berlin have built a robot to figure out just how a 300-million year-old ancestor of ours might have moved around.

The OroBOT is a robotic version of a 300-million-year-old animal called Orobates pabsti that was designed ...

Robotics Audio available

Robotic bar could soon be hailed like a drink-making cab

Ben Coxworth January 15, 2019

It was six years ago that we first heard about Makr Shakr, a robotic bar that can reportedly mix one Googol (the digit 1 followed by 100 zeroes) drink combinations. Now, its designers are planning on installing the tech in an autonomous vehicle that users can hail whenever they want a bevvy.

Users will be able to hail the Guido vehicle, and order their drinks, using an app

Robotics

Assistive robot made to seek out seniors in their home

Ben Coxworth January 14, 2019

We've already seen assistive robots for seniors, which sit in one place in the user's home. A team at Washington State University, however, has developed one that figures out where its user is, then goes to them and offers its assistance when needed.

The robot assists master's student Nisha Raghunath in a medication-taking task

Robotics

Robotic ElliQ system is made to engage seniors

Ben Coxworth January 11, 2019

It's an unfortunate fact that many seniors end up becoming socially isolated and mentally unstimulated. Israel-based tech firm Intuition Robotics has set out to address that problem, with its artificially-intelligent ElliQ system. The technology was on display this week at CES 2019.

ElliQ has been in development for the past few years, but is now available for preorder

Robotics Audio available

These exoskeletons were made for walkin' – and lifting

Ben Coxworth January 10, 2019

What would a consumer electronics show be without powered exoskeletons? Panasonic subsidiary Atoun is presenting two new models at CES 2019 – one of them helps you to lift, while the other helps you walk.

The Model Y exoskeleton (left) and the prototype HIMICO

Robotics

BreadBot automated breadmaker bakes up a storm at CES

David Szondy January 7, 2019

This year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada is enjoying the smell of freshly baked bread thanks to the Walla Walla, Washington-based Wilkinson Baking Company's BreadBot. Making its public debut at CES, the fully automated bread-making machine can crank out 10 loaves per hour.

The BreadBot is designed for grocery stores and other locations

Robotics

Snackbots to satiate students with delivery of snacks on demand

David Szondy January 5, 2019

PepsiCo has gotten into the robotic delivery business as its Hello Goodness subsidiary and Robby Technologies team up to operate a team of self-driving "snackbots" on the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton, California to deliver a variety of cold food and beverages to students on demand.

A team of self-driving vending wagons are being unleashed on the University of the Pacific campus ...

Robotics Audio available

Battery-powered, full-body exoskeleton lets users lift 200 pounds

Rich Haridy January 2, 2019

Sarcos Robotics is speeding us towards that promising future, now taking pre-orders for the Guardian XO Max – the world's first battery-powered, full-body industrial exoskeleton – with delivery slated for early 2020.

Sarcos' full-body exoskeleton promises to make users twenty times stronger

Robotics

LG helps warehouse workers with the bends

Paul Ridden December 27, 2018

Consumer electronics giant LG will be taking a refreshed version of its CLOi SuitBot to CES 2019 next month, as it inches closer to commercial availability. Updated versions of the company's PorterBot, ServeBot and CartBot service robots will also be on show.

As LG inches closer to commercialization of its CLOi SuitBot, the latest design will be on ...

Robotics

Haptic feedback robots to give bomb disposal squads a feel for the fuse

Nick Lavars December 26, 2018

Bomb disposal work is as dangerous as it comes, but the British Army will now have an advanced new tool to help them with the task at hand. Welcomed into the ranks this week is a shiny new set of ground vehicles that will afford the bomb disposal team some useful capabilities.