Over the past few years, engineers have developed increasingly advanced robotic systems already introduced in some public spaces and could soon be deployed in home environments. Many of these robots are humanoids, meaning that their body structure and physical features resemble those of humans.Over the past few years, engineers have developed increasingly advanced robotic systems already introduced in some public spaces and could soon be deployed in home environments. Many of these robots are humanoids, meaning that their body structure and physical features resemble those of humans.[#item_full_content]

From mountain goats that run up near-vertical rock faces to armadillos that roll into a protective ball, animals have evolved to adapt effortlessly to changes in their environment. In contrast, when an autonomous robot is programmed to reach a goal, each variation in its pre-determined path presents a significant physical and computational challenge.From mountain goats that run up near-vertical rock faces to armadillos that roll into a protective ball, animals have evolved to adapt effortlessly to changes in their environment. In contrast, when an autonomous robot is programmed to reach a goal, each variation in its pre-determined path presents a significant physical and computational challenge.[#item_full_content]

Springtails, small bugs often found crawling through leaf litter and garden soil, are expert jumpers. Inspired by these hopping hexapods, roboticists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have made a walking, jumping robot that pushes the boundaries of what small robots can do.Springtails, small bugs often found crawling through leaf litter and garden soil, are expert jumpers. Inspired by these hopping hexapods, roboticists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have made a walking, jumping robot that pushes the boundaries of what small robots can do.[#item_full_content]

A recent breakthrough in photothermal actuator design has been achieved by a research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Prof. Tian Xingyou and Prof. Zhang Xian. The team developed a novel superstructure liquid metal/low expansion polyimide/polydimethylsiloxane (LM@PI/PDMS) actuator, which combines rapid movement with impressive load-carrying capacity—an achievement that has eluded previous actuator designs.A recent breakthrough in photothermal actuator design has been achieved by a research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Prof. Tian Xingyou and Prof. Zhang Xian. The team developed a novel superstructure liquid metal/low expansion polyimide/polydimethylsiloxane (LM@PI/PDMS) actuator, which combines rapid movement with impressive load-carrying capacity—an achievement that has eluded previous actuator designs.[#item_full_content]

Conventional drones use visual sensors for navigation. However, environmental conditions like dampness, low light, and dust can hinder their effectiveness, limiting their use in disaster-stricken areas. Researchers from Japan have developed a novel bio-hybrid drone by combining robotic elements with odor-sensing antennae from silkworm moths. Their innovation, which integrates the agility and precision of robots with biological sensory mechanisms, can enhance the applicability of drones in navigation, gas sensing, and disaster response.Conventional drones use visual sensors for navigation. However, environmental conditions like dampness, low light, and dust can hinder their effectiveness, limiting their use in disaster-stricken areas. Researchers from Japan have developed a novel bio-hybrid drone by combining robotic elements with odor-sensing antennae from silkworm moths. Their innovation, which integrates the agility and precision of robots with biological sensory mechanisms, can enhance the applicability of drones in navigation, gas sensing, and disaster response.[#item_full_content]

Soft robotics is an emerging field in the robotic world with promising adaptability in navigating unstructured environments. Where traditional robots struggle with unpredictable terrains, soft robots are advancing in their navigational skills due to their high-end flexibility.Soft robotics is an emerging field in the robotic world with promising adaptability in navigating unstructured environments. Where traditional robots struggle with unpredictable terrains, soft robots are advancing in their navigational skills due to their high-end flexibility.[#item_full_content]

A new study shows an application of machine-learning directed optimization (ML-DO) that efficiently searches for high-performance design configurations in the context of biohybrid robots. Applying a machine learning approach, the researchers created mini biohybrid rays made of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) and rubber with a wingspan of about 10 mm that are approximately two times more efficient at swimming than those recently developed under a conventional biomimetic approach.A new study shows an application of machine-learning directed optimization (ML-DO) that efficiently searches for high-performance design configurations in the context of biohybrid robots. Applying a machine learning approach, the researchers created mini biohybrid rays made of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) and rubber with a wingspan of about 10 mm that are approximately two times more efficient at swimming than those recently developed under a conventional biomimetic approach.[#item_full_content]

While exploring how best to design robots that use tails to reorient their bodies in midair, a team of researchers at the University of Michigan and University of California San Diego found that mammals had already figured out how to do more with less.While exploring how best to design robots that use tails to reorient their bodies in midair, a team of researchers at the University of Michigan and University of California San Diego found that mammals had already figured out how to do more with less.[#item_full_content]

A team of engineers at Westlake University, Zhejiang Normal University and Shaoxing University, all in China, has tested the possibility of making some robot parts biodegradable. In their project, published in the journal Science Advances, the group made some robot components using cotton cellulose films and pork gelatin.A team of engineers at Westlake University, Zhejiang Normal University and Shaoxing University, all in China, has tested the possibility of making some robot parts biodegradable. In their project, published in the journal Science Advances, the group made some robot components using cotton cellulose films and pork gelatin.[#item_full_content]

Imagine a swarm of tiny robots, each about the size of the palm of your hand, spreading out over a wildfire-ravaged community, mapping areas contaminated by toxic materials, searching for survivors, identifying areas of rapid wildfire spread. Or picture the robots being used to clear battlefields of mines, conduct search and rescue missions after earthquakes, or deployed on farms to fend against pests and track soil conditions.Imagine a swarm of tiny robots, each about the size of the palm of your hand, spreading out over a wildfire-ravaged community, mapping areas contaminated by toxic materials, searching for survivors, identifying areas of rapid wildfire spread. Or picture the robots being used to clear battlefields of mines, conduct search and rescue missions after earthquakes, or deployed on farms to fend against pests and track soil conditions.[#item_full_content]