Everyday occurrences like snapping hair clips or clicking retractable pens feature a mechanical phenomenon known as “snap-through.” Small insects and plants like the Venus flytrap cleverly use this snap-through effect to amplify their limited physical force, rapidly releasing stored elastic energy for swift, powerful movements.Everyday occurrences like snapping hair clips or clicking retractable pens feature a mechanical phenomenon known as “snap-through.” Small insects and plants like the Venus flytrap cleverly use this snap-through effect to amplify their limited physical force, rapidly releasing stored elastic energy for swift, powerful movements.[#item_full_content]

With jerky determination, robots played soccer, wowed children with shadow-boxing skills and shot arrows on Monday at the birthplace of the Olympic Games.With jerky determination, robots played soccer, wowed children with shadow-boxing skills and shot arrows on Monday at the birthplace of the Olympic Games.[#item_full_content]

Skoltech and MSU scientists have uncovered the advantage gained by microscopic bugs from their feather-like wings that are unlike those of dragonflies, bees, mosquitoes and other familiar insects. A wing largely made up of bristles that stand somewhat apart from each other is lighter than the conventional membranous wing that comes in one piece.Skoltech and MSU scientists have uncovered the advantage gained by microscopic bugs from their feather-like wings that are unlike those of dragonflies, bees, mosquitoes and other familiar insects. A wing largely made up of bristles that stand somewhat apart from each other is lighter than the conventional membranous wing that comes in one piece.[#item_full_content]

Able to undergo repeated compressions without losing their shape, woven materials could form robots, exoskeletons, car parts, architectural components and more.Able to undergo repeated compressions without losing their shape, woven materials could form robots, exoskeletons, car parts, architectural components and more.[#item_full_content]

Soft robotics, which uses flexible and deformable materials, is an emerging field in autonomous systems. It has recently been applied to next-generation tasks such as deep-sea sampling with soft robotic grippers—requiring strong adhesion and autonomous detachment. Bioinspired adhesion offers a promising solution.Soft robotics, which uses flexible and deformable materials, is an emerging field in autonomous systems. It has recently been applied to next-generation tasks such as deep-sea sampling with soft robotic grippers—requiring strong adhesion and autonomous detachment. Bioinspired adhesion offers a promising solution.[#item_full_content]

Henan University of Technology researchers report on the development of a lightweight lattice-based limb design for a bionic robot. Lightweight structures that can withstand high loads and torsion are in demand in a range of industries such as aerospace, shipbuilding, and robotics. Experimental thin-walled structures, honeycomb cores and lattice frameworks are being tested in search of a new generation of material forms.Henan University of Technology researchers report on the development of a lightweight lattice-based limb design for a bionic robot. Lightweight structures that can withstand high loads and torsion are in demand in a range of industries such as aerospace, shipbuilding, and robotics. Experimental thin-walled structures, honeycomb cores and lattice frameworks are being tested in search of a new generation of material forms.[#item_full_content]

Despite decades of progress, most robots are still programmed for specific, repetitive tasks. They struggle with the unexpected and can’t adapt to new situations without painstaking reprogramming. But what if they could learn to use tools as naturally as a child does by watching videos?Despite decades of progress, most robots are still programmed for specific, repetitive tasks. They struggle with the unexpected and can’t adapt to new situations without painstaking reprogramming. But what if they could learn to use tools as naturally as a child does by watching videos?[#item_full_content]

In a major step toward intelligent and collaborative microrobotic systems, researchers at the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed a new generation of autonomous microrobots—termed smartlets—that can communicate, respond, and work together in aqueous environments.In a major step toward intelligent and collaborative microrobotic systems, researchers at the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed a new generation of autonomous microrobots—termed smartlets—that can communicate, respond, and work together in aqueous environments.[#item_full_content]

Robots are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday environments—from homes and hospitals to factories and farms. However, safely operating around humans requires more than strength or speed. Robots must also sense their surroundings, detect physical contact, and respond quickly. Conventional sensors, especially those embedded in soft materials, often fall short when it comes to real-time, large-area tactile and proximity sensing.Robots are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday environments—from homes and hospitals to factories and farms. However, safely operating around humans requires more than strength or speed. Robots must also sense their surroundings, detect physical contact, and respond quickly. Conventional sensors, especially those embedded in soft materials, often fall short when it comes to real-time, large-area tactile and proximity sensing.[#item_full_content]

Nature, the master engineer, is coming to our rescue again. Inspired by scorpions, scientists have created new pressure sensors that are both highly sensitive and able to work across a wide variety of pressures.Nature, the master engineer, is coming to our rescue again. Inspired by scorpions, scientists have created new pressure sensors that are both highly sensitive and able to work across a wide variety of pressures.[#item_full_content]