Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

The robot uses five peristaltic soft actuators to copy the function of an earthworm's body segments

Robotics

Earthworm-inspired robot moves by doing the wave

Earthworms move through the soil not just by wriggling around, but by sending peristaltic waves down their bodies. A new robot, which employs that same strategy, could one day be used in underground exploration or even search-and-rescue missions.

The MARM robot, seen here standing on two limbs while raising the third

Robotics

Three-legged MARM robot could soon be tending to spacecraft in orbit

Sci-fi fans may recall the bipedal robots from the 1972 film Silent Running, which performed maintenance on the outside of the spaceship. Well, the new MARM robot is reminiscent of them – except it has three limbs, for optimum dexterity and mobility.

A proof-of-concept version of the sensor changes color (circle at right) as a piece of frozen pork thaws

Science

Self-powered sensor changes color to warn if frozen foods have thawed

Just because a food item may be frozen when you buy it, that doesn't mean it wasn't thawed and refrozen somewhere along the line. A new self-powered sensor, however, would change color to let you know if that had happened.

This life-size robotic hand incorporates 18 of the GRACE actuators

Robotics

Pneumatic artificial muscles can be manufactured by a 3D printer

We've been hearing a lot about "artificial muscles," which allow robotic devices to perform human-like motions. And while most of them have been produced in labs utilizing high-tech materials, a new type could be made by hobbyists using a 3D printer.

Robotics

New iCub 3 biped robot used as a long-distance avatar for its operator

We first heard about the iCub humanoid robot in 2011, when it was nominated to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay. The latest and greatest version, the iCub 3, was the star of a recently-announced (and pretty impressive) telepresence demonstration.

Just like original Velcro, this new eco-friendly form of the popular fastener is also inspired by nature

Materials

Biodegradable take on Velcro latches on like a parasitic climbing plant

Scientists at the Italian Institute of Technology have developed what they describe as the first biodegradable version of Velcro which, while it won't keep your shoes on, can be attached to plants for the purposes of environmental monitoring.

Centauro is designed for disaster relief missions

Robotics

Karate-chopping Centauro robot shows that four legs are better than two

A new robot centaur is capable of aiding in disaster situations and has a mean karate chop. Called Centauro, the 1.5-m-tall (5 ft), 93-kg (205-lb) robot combines two arms with four legs in a robust construction to give it both dexterity and stability while dealing with harsh environments.

The new version of WALK-MAN operates a fire extinguisher

Robotics

New firefighting robot gets put to the test

SAFFiR, the US Navy's experimental firefighting robot, may be in for some competition. That's because researchers at IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have successfully tested a new-and-improved version of the WALK-MAN humanoid robot, which is designed to support firefighters.