Inventors and researchers have been developing robots for almost 70 years. To date, all the machines they have built—whether for factories or elsewhere—have had one thing in common: They are powered by motors, a technology that is already 200 years old. Even walking robots feature arms and legs that are powered by motors, not by muscles as in humans and animals. This in part suggests why they lack the mobility and adaptability of living creatures.Inventors and researchers have been developing robots for almost 70 years. To date, all the machines they have built—whether for factories or elsewhere—have had one thing in common: They are powered by motors, a technology that is already 200 years old. Even walking robots feature arms and legs that are powered by motors, not by muscles as in humans and animals. This in part suggests why they lack the mobility and adaptability of living creatures.[#item_full_content]

Honesty is the best policy… most of the time. Social norms help humans understand when we need to tell the truth and when we shouldn’t, to spare someone’s feelings or avoid harm. But how do these norms apply to robots, which are increasingly working with humans? To understand whether humans can accept robots telling lies, scientists asked almost 500 participants to rate and justify different types of robot deception.Honesty is the best policy… most of the time. Social norms help humans understand when we need to tell the truth and when we shouldn’t, to spare someone’s feelings or avoid harm. But how do these norms apply to robots, which are increasingly working with humans? To understand whether humans can accept robots telling lies, scientists asked almost 500 participants to rate and justify different types of robot deception.[#item_full_content]

Building a robot takes time, technical skill, the right materials—and sometimes, a little fungus.Building a robot takes time, technical skill, the right materials—and sometimes, a little fungus.[#item_full_content]

Advancements in the field of robotics are fueled by research, which in turn heavily relies on effective platforms to test algorithms for robot control and navigation. While numerous robotics platforms have been developed over the past decades, most of them have shortcomings that limit their use in research settings.Advancements in the field of robotics are fueled by research, which in turn heavily relies on effective platforms to test algorithms for robot control and navigation. While numerous robotics platforms have been developed over the past decades, most of them have shortcomings that limit their use in research settings.[#item_full_content]

To reliably assist humans with daily tasks in a broad range of real-world settings, robots should be able to effectively and dexterously manipulate different types of objects. The development of new cost-effective robotic grippers or other hand-like artificial systems plays a key role in enabling dexterous object manipulation in robots.To reliably assist humans with daily tasks in a broad range of real-world settings, robots should be able to effectively and dexterously manipulate different types of objects. The development of new cost-effective robotic grippers or other hand-like artificial systems plays a key role in enabling dexterous object manipulation in robots.[#item_full_content]

In an innovative leap forward for workplace safety, a research team at Seoul National University has developed the Bilateral Back Extensor Exosuit (BBEX), a robotic back-support device designed to prevent spinal injuries and assist workers in heavy lifting tasks.In an innovative leap forward for workplace safety, a research team at Seoul National University has developed the Bilateral Back Extensor Exosuit (BBEX), a robotic back-support device designed to prevent spinal injuries and assist workers in heavy lifting tasks.[#item_full_content]

A multidisciplinary research team based across China and Brazil has used a dog-like robot and AI to create a new way to find fire ant nests. Published in the journal Pest Management Science, the study highlights how a “CyberDog” robot integrated with an AI model can automate the identification and control of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), a globally destructive pest.A multidisciplinary research team based across China and Brazil has used a dog-like robot and AI to create a new way to find fire ant nests. Published in the journal Pest Management Science, the study highlights how a “CyberDog” robot integrated with an AI model can automate the identification and control of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), a globally destructive pest.[#item_full_content]

On a research cruise around Hawaii in 2018, Yuening Zhang SM ’19, Ph.D. ’24 saw how difficult it was to keep a tight ship. The careful coordination required to map underwater terrain could sometimes lead to a stressful environment for team members, who might have different understandings of which tasks must be completed in spontaneously changing conditions.On a research cruise around Hawaii in 2018, Yuening Zhang SM ’19, Ph.D. ’24 saw how difficult it was to keep a tight ship. The careful coordination required to map underwater terrain could sometimes lead to a stressful environment for team members, who might have different understandings of which tasks must be completed in spontaneously changing conditions.[#item_full_content]

Over the past few decades, electronics engineers have developed increasingly flexible, versatile and highly performing devices for a wide range of real-world applications. Some of their efforts have been aimed at creating smart and sensing textiles, which could be used to fabricate stretchy robotic systems, medical devices and wearable technologies.Over the past few decades, electronics engineers have developed increasingly flexible, versatile and highly performing devices for a wide range of real-world applications. Some of their efforts have been aimed at creating smart and sensing textiles, which could be used to fabricate stretchy robotic systems, medical devices and wearable technologies.[#item_full_content]

In recent years, roboticists worldwide have designed various robotic grippers that can pick up and manipulate different types of objects. The grippers that are most effective in tackling real-world manual tasks, particularly complex object manipulation tasks, are often those inspired by human hands.In recent years, roboticists worldwide have designed various robotic grippers that can pick up and manipulate different types of objects. The grippers that are most effective in tackling real-world manual tasks, particularly complex object manipulation tasks, are often those inspired by human hands.[#item_full_content]