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]

A collaborative team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Ajou University in South Korea has revealed that the unique fan-like propellers of Rhagovelia water striders—which allow them to glide across fast-moving streams—open and close passively, like a paintbrush, ten times faster than the blink of an eye.A collaborative team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Ajou University in South Korea has revealed that the unique fan-like propellers of Rhagovelia water striders—which allow them to glide across fast-moving streams—open and close passively, like a paintbrush, ten times faster than the blink of an eye.[#item_full_content]

Biological systems have inspired the development of next-generation soft robotic systems with diverse motions and functions. Such versatility in soft robots—in terms of rapid and efficient crawling—can be achieved via asymmetric bending through bilayer-type actuators that combine responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with flexible substrates. This, in turn, requires temperature-responsive LCEs with accurate temperature regulation via elaborate Joule heating configurations.Biological systems have inspired the development of next-generation soft robotic systems with diverse motions and functions. Such versatility in soft robots—in terms of rapid and efficient crawling—can be achieved via asymmetric bending through bilayer-type actuators that combine responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with flexible substrates. This, in turn, requires temperature-responsive LCEs with accurate temperature regulation via elaborate Joule heating configurations.[#item_full_content]

At UC Berkeley, researchers in Sergey Levine’s Robotic AI and Learning Lab eyed a table where a tower of 39 Jenga blocks stood perfectly stacked. Then a white-and-black robot, its single limb doubled over like a hunched-over giraffe, zoomed toward the tower, brandishing a black leather whip. Through what might have seemed to a casual viewer like a miracle of physics, the whip struck in precisely the right spot to send a single block flying from the stack while the rest of the tower remained structurally sound.At UC Berkeley, researchers in Sergey Levine’s Robotic AI and Learning Lab eyed a table where a tower of 39 Jenga blocks stood perfectly stacked. Then a white-and-black robot, its single limb doubled over like a hunched-over giraffe, zoomed toward the tower, brandishing a black leather whip. Through what might have seemed to a casual viewer like a miracle of physics, the whip struck in precisely the right spot to send a single block flying from the stack while the rest of the tower remained structurally sound.[#item_full_content]

Modular robots built by Dartmouth researchers are finding their feet outdoors. Engineered to assemble into structures that best suit the task at hand, the robots are pieced together from cube-shaped robotic blocks that combine rigid rods and soft, stretchy strings whose tension can be adjusted to deform the blocks and control their shape.Modular robots built by Dartmouth researchers are finding their feet outdoors. Engineered to assemble into structures that best suit the task at hand, the robots are pieced together from cube-shaped robotic blocks that combine rigid rods and soft, stretchy strings whose tension can be adjusted to deform the blocks and control their shape.[#item_full_content]

Nature, particularly humans and other animals, has always been among the primary sources of inspiration for roboticists. In fact, most existing robots physically resemble specific animals and/or are engineered to tackle tasks by emulating the actions, movements and behaviors of specific species.Nature, particularly humans and other animals, has always been among the primary sources of inspiration for roboticists. In fact, most existing robots physically resemble specific animals and/or are engineered to tackle tasks by emulating the actions, movements and behaviors of specific species.[#item_full_content]

In a world where automation is advancing by leaps and bounds, collaboration between robots is no longer science fiction. Imagine a warehouse where dozens of machines transport goods without colliding, a restaurant where robots serve dishes to the correct tables, or a factory where robot teams instantly adjust their tasks according to demand.In a world where automation is advancing by leaps and bounds, collaboration between robots is no longer science fiction. Imagine a warehouse where dozens of machines transport goods without colliding, a restaurant where robots serve dishes to the correct tables, or a factory where robot teams instantly adjust their tasks according to demand.[#item_full_content]

Most existing robots designed to move on the ground rely on either wheels or legs, as opposed to a combination of the two. Yet robots that can seamlessly switch between wheeled and legged locomotion could be highly advantageous, as they could move more efficiently on a wider range of terrains, which could in turn contribute to the successful completion of missions.Most existing robots designed to move on the ground rely on either wheels or legs, as opposed to a combination of the two. Yet robots that can seamlessly switch between wheeled and legged locomotion could be highly advantageous, as they could move more efficiently on a wider range of terrains, which could in turn contribute to the successful completion of missions.[#item_full_content]

Science frequently draws inspiration from the natural world. After all, nature has had billions of years to perfect its systems and processes. Taking their cue from mollusk catch muscles, researchers have developed a low-voltage, muscle-like actuator that can help insect-scale soft robots to crawl, swim and jump autonomously in real-world settings. Their work solves a long-standing challenge in soft robotics: enabling tiny robots to move on their own without sacrificing power or precision.Science frequently draws inspiration from the natural world. After all, nature has had billions of years to perfect its systems and processes. Taking their cue from mollusk catch muscles, researchers have developed a low-voltage, muscle-like actuator that can help insect-scale soft robots to crawl, swim and jump autonomously in real-world settings. Their work solves a long-standing challenge in soft robotics: enabling tiny robots to move on their own without sacrificing power or precision.[#item_full_content]