Robot vision could soon get a boost thanks to the development of a bioinspired eye that can automatically adjust its pupil size in response to changing light levels. Robots, self-driving cars and drones often struggle with dynamic lighting. If a car enters a dark tunnel, its camera aperture needs to stay wide open to capture enough light to see, just like our pupils do when the lights go out. But when it exits into daylight, it can be instantly blinded by the glare.Robot vision could soon get a boost thanks to the development of a bioinspired eye that can automatically adjust its pupil size in response to changing light levels. Robots, self-driving cars and drones often struggle with dynamic lighting. If a car enters a dark tunnel, its camera aperture needs to stay wide open to capture enough light to see, just like our pupils do when the lights go out. But when it exits into daylight, it can be instantly blinded by the glare.[#item_full_content]

A new approach to simulating biologically inspired robotics can cut the design and training of tactile robots from eighteen months to two weeks, new research suggests. Published in Cyborg & Bionic Systems, the study applies lessons from some of nature’s most famous “sensors,” including cats’ paws and elephant trunks, to help create artificial sensors with a human-like sense of touch better and faster than ever before. Combined with recent work in Nature Communications on training these tactile sensors in a way that mirrors human tactile memory, the team led by King’s College London now believe they can dramatically slash the time and cost of producing next-generation robots.A new approach to simulating biologically inspired robotics can cut the design and training of tactile robots from eighteen months to two weeks, new research suggests. Published in Cyborg & Bionic Systems, the study applies lessons from some of nature’s most famous “sensors,” including cats’ paws and elephant trunks, to help create artificial sensors with a human-like sense of touch better and faster than ever before. Combined with recent work in Nature Communications on training these tactile sensors in a way that mirrors human tactile memory, the team led by King’s College London now believe they can dramatically slash the time and cost of producing next-generation robots.[#item_full_content]

Researchers have taken inspiration from nature to create a robotic wing that can sense and adapt to changes in water to deliver unparalleled stability. Drawing on the adaptive movements of birds and fish, the wing senses disturbances in the flow of water and automatically changes its shape to adjust to these.Researchers have taken inspiration from nature to create a robotic wing that can sense and adapt to changes in water to deliver unparalleled stability. Drawing on the adaptive movements of birds and fish, the wing senses disturbances in the flow of water and automatically changes its shape to adjust to these.[#item_full_content]

A new glove with more than three dozen actuators across all five fingers and the palm, developed by Cornell researchers, aims to reduce swelling for people suffering from edema. The glove, known as EdemaFlex, was proven safe for unsupervised home use in a seven-participant study, with hand volume decreasing by up to 25% after one 30-minute session.A new glove with more than three dozen actuators across all five fingers and the palm, developed by Cornell researchers, aims to reduce swelling for people suffering from edema. The glove, known as EdemaFlex, was proven safe for unsupervised home use in a seven-participant study, with hand volume decreasing by up to 25% after one 30-minute session.[#item_full_content]

Rice becomes weaker when compressed quickly, while staying stronger under slow pressure—a discovery enabling scientists to design a new material that could be used to build “soft” robots that change stiffness automatically and protective gear that adapts to impact speed. Researchers harnessed this effect to design a new “metamaterial”—an artificially engineered composite structure designed to behave in ways impossible for natural materials.Rice becomes weaker when compressed quickly, while staying stronger under slow pressure—a discovery enabling scientists to design a new material that could be used to build “soft” robots that change stiffness automatically and protective gear that adapts to impact speed. Researchers harnessed this effect to design a new “metamaterial”—an artificially engineered composite structure designed to behave in ways impossible for natural materials.[#item_full_content]

A leading cause of disability in the United States is hemiparesis, a condition where impaired motor control, muscle weakness, and spasticity affect one side of the body. Occurring in 80% of stroke survivors, reduced mobility and decreased quality of life are challenges that impact millions of individuals.A leading cause of disability in the United States is hemiparesis, a condition where impaired motor control, muscle weakness, and spasticity affect one side of the body. Occurring in 80% of stroke survivors, reduced mobility and decreased quality of life are challenges that impact millions of individuals.[#item_full_content]

Eyes are said to be the mirror of the soul. Eyes and gaze direction guide attention, evoke emotions and activate the brain’s social perception mechanisms. Researchers at Tampere University and the University of Bremen conducted a study examining how people perceive the minds of humanoid robots. Mind perception refers to the way humans detect and infer that other people, beings or even objects possess consciousness, emotions and cognitive states.Eyes are said to be the mirror of the soul. Eyes and gaze direction guide attention, evoke emotions and activate the brain’s social perception mechanisms. Researchers at Tampere University and the University of Bremen conducted a study examining how people perceive the minds of humanoid robots. Mind perception refers to the way humans detect and infer that other people, beings or even objects possess consciousness, emotions and cognitive states.[#item_full_content]

While the statement, “Humanoid robots are coming,” might cause anxiety for some, for one Georgia Tech research team, working with humanlike robots couldn’t be more exciting. The researchers have developed a new “thinking” technology for two-legged robots, increasing their balance and agility.While the statement, “Humanoid robots are coming,” might cause anxiety for some, for one Georgia Tech research team, working with humanlike robots couldn’t be more exciting. The researchers have developed a new “thinking” technology for two-legged robots, increasing their balance and agility.[#item_full_content]

Mobile robots must continuously estimate their position to navigate autonomously. However, satellite-based navigation systems are not always reliable: signals may degrade near buildings or become unavailable indoors. To operate safely and efficiently, robots must interpret their surroundings using onboard sensors and robust localization algorithms.Mobile robots must continuously estimate their position to navigate autonomously. However, satellite-based navigation systems are not always reliable: signals may degrade near buildings or become unavailable indoors. To operate safely and efficiently, robots must interpret their surroundings using onboard sensors and robust localization algorithms.[#item_full_content]

Human hands are a wonder of nature and unmatched in the animal kingdom. They can twist caps, flick switches, handle tiny objects with ease, and perform thousands of tasks every day. Robot hands struggle to keep up. They typically miss the sense of touch, can’t move many fingers at once, and lose track of what they are holding when their fingers block their camera’s view. Scientists have now developed a smarter way to train a robot’s brain to give its hands human-like dexterity.Human hands are a wonder of nature and unmatched in the animal kingdom. They can twist caps, flick switches, handle tiny objects with ease, and perform thousands of tasks every day. Robot hands struggle to keep up. They typically miss the sense of touch, can’t move many fingers at once, and lose track of what they are holding when their fingers block their camera’s view. Scientists have now developed a smarter way to train a robot’s brain to give its hands human-like dexterity.[#item_full_content]