In 2018, Google DeepMind’s AlphaZero program taught itself the games of chess, shogi, and Go using machine learning and a special algorithm to determine the best moves to win a game within a defined grid. Now, a team of Caltech researchers has developed an analogous algorithm for autonomous robots—a planning and decision-making control system that helps freely moving robots determine the best movements to make as they navigate the real world.In 2018, Google DeepMind’s AlphaZero program taught itself the games of chess, shogi, and Go using machine learning and a special algorithm to determine the best moves to win a game within a defined grid. Now, a team of Caltech researchers has developed an analogous algorithm for autonomous robots—a planning and decision-making control system that helps freely moving robots determine the best movements to make as they navigate the real world.[#item_full_content]

A team of researchers has beaten its own record for the fastest swimming soft robot, drawing inspiration from manta rays to improve their ability to control the robot’s movement in the water.A team of researchers has beaten its own record for the fastest swimming soft robot, drawing inspiration from manta rays to improve their ability to control the robot’s movement in the water.[#item_full_content]

Electronic skins (e-skins) are flexible sensing materials designed to mimic the human skin’s ability to pick up tactile information when touching objects and surfaces. Highly performing e-skins could be used to enhance the capabilities of robots, to create new haptic interfaces and to develop more advanced prosthetics.Electronic skins (e-skins) are flexible sensing materials designed to mimic the human skin’s ability to pick up tactile information when touching objects and surfaces. Highly performing e-skins could be used to enhance the capabilities of robots, to create new haptic interfaces and to develop more advanced prosthetics.[#item_full_content]

Cornell researchers in physics and engineering have created the smallest walking robot yet. Its mission: to be tiny enough to interact with waves of visible light and still move independently, so that it can maneuver to specific locations—in a tissue sample, for instance—to take images and measure forces at the scale of some of the body’s smallest structures.Cornell researchers in physics and engineering have created the smallest walking robot yet. Its mission: to be tiny enough to interact with waves of visible light and still move independently, so that it can maneuver to specific locations—in a tissue sample, for instance—to take images and measure forces at the scale of some of the body’s smallest structures.[#item_full_content]

A QUT research team has taken inspiration from the brains of insects and animals for more energy-efficient robotic navigation.A QUT research team has taken inspiration from the brains of insects and animals for more energy-efficient robotic navigation.[#item_full_content]

One of the most promising approaches to teaching robots how to complete manual tasks such as cleaning dishes or preparing food is known as imitation learning. End-to-end imitation learning typically entails training a deep learning algorithm on raw videos, images and/or motion capture data of humans completing manual tasks.One of the most promising approaches to teaching robots how to complete manual tasks such as cleaning dishes or preparing food is known as imitation learning. End-to-end imitation learning typically entails training a deep learning algorithm on raw videos, images and/or motion capture data of humans completing manual tasks.[#item_full_content]

To assist humans with household chores and other everyday manual tasks, robots should be able to effectively manipulate objects that vary in composition, shape and size. The manipulation skills of robots have improved significantly over the past few years, in part due to the development of increasingly sophisticated cameras and tactile sensors.To assist humans with household chores and other everyday manual tasks, robots should be able to effectively manipulate objects that vary in composition, shape and size. The manipulation skills of robots have improved significantly over the past few years, in part due to the development of increasingly sophisticated cameras and tactile sensors.[#item_full_content]

A pair of engineers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has designed, built and tested a feathered, hawk-inspired drone capable of carrying out banking maneuvers without using its wings.A pair of engineers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has designed, built and tested a feathered, hawk-inspired drone capable of carrying out banking maneuvers without using its wings.[#item_full_content]

In a review paper published recently in Science Robotics a cognitive roboticist, cognitive psychologist and a psychiatrist discuss the concept of “sense of self” in humans, and they explore how robots can be used to better understand the phenomenon.In a review paper published recently in Science Robotics a cognitive roboticist, cognitive psychologist and a psychiatrist discuss the concept of “sense of self” in humans, and they explore how robots can be used to better understand the phenomenon.[#item_full_content]

Four-legged animals that start walking and gradually pick up speed will automatically fall into a trot at some point. This is because it would take more energy not to change gait. This correlation was discovered more than 40 years ago. Now, Alin Albu-Schäffer, a professor at the Chair of Sensor-based Robotic Systems and Intelligent Assistance Systems at TUM, has successfully transferred this method to the movement of robots.Four-legged animals that start walking and gradually pick up speed will automatically fall into a trot at some point. This is because it would take more energy not to change gait. This correlation was discovered more than 40 years ago. Now, Alin Albu-Schäffer, a professor at the Chair of Sensor-based Robotic Systems and Intelligent Assistance Systems at TUM, has successfully transferred this method to the movement of robots.[#item_full_content]