University of Maryland

Robotics

Robot learns to cook by watching YouTube

Scientists at the University of Maryland and NICTA, Australia are working on ways for robots to learn how to cook by watching YouTube videos.

An illustration of an air waveguide, with the four laser-produced "holes" (orange) and the source of the transmitted light (green)

Electronics

"Air waveguides" used to send optical data through the air

Efficient as fiber optic cables are at transmitting light pulses, they do need to be physically supported, and they can only handle a finite amount of power. Still, what's the alternative ... just send those pulses through the air? Actually, that's just what scientists have already demonstrated.

The US Department of Defense is pushing for the development of cheap, wearable systems that can detect the brain waves of people and display the data on smartphones or tablets (Image: Shutterstock)

Electronics

DOD pushes development of cheap, portable brain-reading device

The U.S. Department of Defense is pushing for the development of cheap, wearable systems that can detect the brain waves of people and display the data on smartphones or tablets in field scenarios.

After undergoing freefall tests in a NASA plane, the RINGS propulsion system will now be put through its paces on the ISS

Space Systems

RINGS propels satellites without propellants

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are testing a new propulsion system ... inside the station. While this might seem like the height of recklessness, this particular system doesn't use rockets or propellants.

Researchers have developed a quadcopter that can attach to walls and ceilings with a dry adhesive before taking off again

Drones

Sticky spy UAV turns things upside down with ability to land on walls and ceilings

Researchers have developed a quadcopter that can land on walls and ceilings, stay for a while, and then take off again.

Researchers from the University of Maryland have built a new micro air vehicle dubbed Robo Raven (Photo: University of Maryland)

Robotics

Robo Raven gets in a flap with real-life hawk

Researchers from the University of Maryland have built a new micro air vehicle dubbed Robo Raven that's such a convincing flyer, it's been attacked by a local hawk during testing.

The Gamera II team have broken the 60-second flight barrier and reached an altitude of over nine feet, although not in the same flight (Photo credit: Earl Zubkoff, Essential Eye Photographics)

Aircraft

Up, up and away: Gamera II team takes human-powered helicopter to new heights

The tweaks and modifications made to Gamera II since June's new national record for human-powered helicopter flight have resulted in the team breaking the 60-second barrier and reaching an altitude of over nine feet, although not in the same flight.

The National Aeronautic Association has confirmed a new national record of 49.9 seconds for human-powered helicopter flight for the Gamera II flight on June 21

Aircraft

Gamera II human-powered helicopter flight record confirmed by NAA

The National Aeronautic Association has confirmed a new national record of 49.9 seconds for human-powered helicopter flight for the Gamera II flight on June 21.

The Gamera human-powered helicopter team at the University of Maryland's Clark School of Engineering has announced the first test flights of a redesigned craft which is hoped will smash existing records and claim the elusive Sikorsky Prize.

Aircraft

Maryland team readies Gamera II for next human-powered helicopter record

The Gamera human-powered helicopter team at the University of Maryland's Clark School of Engineering has announced the first test flights of a redesigned craft which is hoped will smash existing records and claim the elusive Sikorsky Prize.

The smallest monocopter built by Ulrich to-date, with a maximum dimension of 95mm and a wing equal in size to a natural samara (Photo: Evan Ulrich/A. James Clark School of Engineering, U-Md.)

Aircraft

Spiraling maple tree seeds inspire world's smallest single-winged rotocraft

University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering students have created a flying device based on the unique spiralling maple tree seed that may lead to possible applications for military and emergency services.