New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation. The study is published in 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation. The study is published in 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).[#item_full_content]

It looks a bit like a small lawnmower, but instead of dual handles, a single black pole with a tablet-sized screen attached rises from the machine.It looks a bit like a small lawnmower, but instead of dual handles, a single black pole with a tablet-sized screen attached rises from the machine.[#item_full_content]

A team of engineers at Google’s DeepMind Project has demonstrated a robot capable of playing amateur-level table tennis (ping-pong). The team has published a paper on the arXiv preprint server describing how they developed the robot, how well it performed at different ability levels and how human players responded to playing with the robot.A team of engineers at Google’s DeepMind Project has demonstrated a robot capable of playing amateur-level table tennis (ping-pong). The team has published a paper on the arXiv preprint server describing how they developed the robot, how well it performed at different ability levels and how human players responded to playing with the robot.[#item_full_content]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are now used to capture images and carry out a wide range of missions in outdoor environments. While there are now several UAV designs with different advantages and characteristics, most conventional aerial robots are underactuated, meaning that they have fewer independent actuators than their degrees of freedom (DoF).Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are now used to capture images and carry out a wide range of missions in outdoor environments. While there are now several UAV designs with different advantages and characteristics, most conventional aerial robots are underactuated, meaning that they have fewer independent actuators than their degrees of freedom (DoF).[#item_full_content]

Picture this: hundreds of ant-sized robots climb over rubble, under rocks and between debris to inspect the damage of a fallen building before human rescuers explore on-site.Picture this: hundreds of ant-sized robots climb over rubble, under rocks and between debris to inspect the damage of a fallen building before human rescuers explore on-site.[#item_full_content]

Someday, instead of large, expensive individual space satellites, teams of smaller satellites—known by scientists as a “swarm”—will work in collaboration, enabling greater accuracy, agility, and autonomy. Among the scientists working to make these teams a reality are researchers at Stanford University’s Space Rendezvous Lab, who recently completed the first-ever in-orbit test of a prototype system able to navigate a swarm of satellites using only visual information shared through a wireless network.Someday, instead of large, expensive individual space satellites, teams of smaller satellites—known by scientists as a “swarm”—will work in collaboration, enabling greater accuracy, agility, and autonomy. Among the scientists working to make these teams a reality are researchers at Stanford University’s Space Rendezvous Lab, who recently completed the first-ever in-orbit test of a prototype system able to navigate a swarm of satellites using only visual information shared through a wireless network.[#item_full_content]

The phrase “practice makes perfect” is usually reserved for humans, but it’s also a great maxim for robots newly deployed in unfamiliar environments.The phrase “practice makes perfect” is usually reserved for humans, but it’s also a great maxim for robots newly deployed in unfamiliar environments.[#item_full_content]

Researchers working on large artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT have vast swaths of internet text, photos and videos to train systems. But roboticists training physical machines face barriers: Robot data is expensive, and because there aren’t fleets of robots roaming the world at large, there simply isn’t enough data easily available to make them perform well in dynamic environments, such as people’s homes.Researchers working on large artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT have vast swaths of internet text, photos and videos to train systems. But roboticists training physical machines face barriers: Robot data is expensive, and because there aren’t fleets of robots roaming the world at large, there simply isn’t enough data easily available to make them perform well in dynamic environments, such as people’s homes.[#item_full_content]

More than 8,000 man-made satellites orbit planet Earth today, many of which were launched into space decades ago. Repairing and maintaining the proper operation of these satellites is not always easy and often requires carefully planned and targeted interventions.More than 8,000 man-made satellites orbit planet Earth today, many of which were launched into space decades ago. Repairing and maintaining the proper operation of these satellites is not always easy and often requires carefully planned and targeted interventions.[#item_full_content]

In recent years, many research teams have been trying to design artificial skins with electronic properties for humanoid robots, smart prosthetics and other bio-inspired systems. These skins could sense the textures and tactile properties of objects, allowing various systems to plan their actions based on the information they detected.In recent years, many research teams have been trying to design artificial skins with electronic properties for humanoid robots, smart prosthetics and other bio-inspired systems. These skins could sense the textures and tactile properties of objects, allowing various systems to plan their actions based on the information they detected.[#item_full_content]