A new neural network component, developed at University of Michigan Engineering, challenges a common assumption in robot learning: that the same general-purpose neural networks used for image recognition are equally suited to controlling physical movement.A new neural network component, developed at University of Michigan Engineering, challenges a common assumption in robot learning: that the same general-purpose neural networks used for image recognition are equally suited to controlling physical movement.[#item_full_content]

If “to err is human,” you could say robots are superhuman. They’re more error-prone than we are, even when tasked with things like home and factory chores, which we might consider easy. One reason for these mistakes is that robots struggle to extract relevant details from the past and act on them in real time, even with vision-language models (VLMs), which interpret visual inputs such as videos and images along with natural language.If “to err is human,” you could say robots are superhuman. They’re more error-prone than we are, even when tasked with things like home and factory chores, which we might consider easy. One reason for these mistakes is that robots struggle to extract relevant details from the past and act on them in real time, even with vision-language models (VLMs), which interpret visual inputs such as videos and images along with natural language.[#item_full_content]

Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a flexible robot that functions like an elephant’s trunk to grip objects, with a goal of one day sending teams of these machines to aid in space exploration or to help with any number of other complex tasks.Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a flexible robot that functions like an elephant’s trunk to grip objects, with a goal of one day sending teams of these machines to aid in space exploration or to help with any number of other complex tasks.[#item_full_content]

To complete many everyday tasks and chores, humans typically use both of their hands. For instance, when opening a bottle, they use one hand to hold the bottle and the other to twist its cap. Researchers at the University of California San Diego recently developed EgoThumb, a robotic thumb that could allow people to complete some tasks that generally require both hands using only one.To complete many everyday tasks and chores, humans typically use both of their hands. For instance, when opening a bottle, they use one hand to hold the bottle and the other to twist its cap. Researchers at the University of California San Diego recently developed EgoThumb, a robotic thumb that could allow people to complete some tasks that generally require both hands using only one.[#item_full_content]

Humans are intuitive by nature. We can sense meaning beyond the literal words that we encounter. Now, a new artificial intelligence–assisted learning platform developed by MIT engineers is enabling robots to read larger meaning into a human’s natural language commands.Humans are intuitive by nature. We can sense meaning beyond the literal words that we encounter. Now, a new artificial intelligence–assisted learning platform developed by MIT engineers is enabling robots to read larger meaning into a human’s natural language commands.[#item_full_content]

In recent months, artificial intelligence agents that can reason, plan and use external tools to accomplish multistep tasks have already reshaped computer coding, online shopping, dinner reservations and cyberattacks.In recent months, artificial intelligence agents that can reason, plan and use external tools to accomplish multistep tasks have already reshaped computer coding, online shopping, dinner reservations and cyberattacks.[#item_full_content]

In an emergency, a human might someday ask a robotic assistant to fetch a wall-mounted defibrillator located down the hall. But if the robot has incorrectly labeled the defibrillator as a fire extinguisher in its stored memory, it may not know where to find the lifesaving device.In an emergency, a human might someday ask a robotic assistant to fetch a wall-mounted defibrillator located down the hall. But if the robot has incorrectly labeled the defibrillator as a fire extinguisher in its stored memory, it may not know where to find the lifesaving device.[#item_full_content]

Scuba diving places heavy demands on the human body. Divers must constantly overcome water resistance while carrying breathing equipment and other gear, and their underwater time is ultimately limited by both physical endurance and the amount of breathing gas they can carry.Scuba diving places heavy demands on the human body. Divers must constantly overcome water resistance while carrying breathing equipment and other gear, and their underwater time is ultimately limited by both physical endurance and the amount of breathing gas they can carry.[#item_full_content]

When a doctor taps just below your kneecap, your lower leg kicks forward automatically. This knee-jerk reflex is one example of the reflexes that play an essential role in human motor control. Now, researchers at Tohoku University have developed a reflex module for musculoskeletal robots that works without electronic sensors or circuits. Using this module, the team reproduced the knee-jerk reflex in a robot and generated bipedal walking.When a doctor taps just below your kneecap, your lower leg kicks forward automatically. This knee-jerk reflex is one example of the reflexes that play an essential role in human motor control. Now, researchers at Tohoku University have developed a reflex module for musculoskeletal robots that works without electronic sensors or circuits. Using this module, the team reproduced the knee-jerk reflex in a robot and generated bipedal walking.[#item_full_content]

Manipulating an object with one hand is a balancing act. Fingers must release and renew their grip while keeping the object from slipping away, even with the palm facing downward.Manipulating an object with one hand is a balancing act. Fingers must release and renew their grip while keeping the object from slipping away, even with the palm facing downward.[#item_full_content]