Robots excel at many things, but having a good sense of touch is not among them. Whether dropping items or pinching them too tightly, which crushes the object, many robots struggle with these basic skills that humans have mastered.Robots excel at many things, but having a good sense of touch is not among them. Whether dropping items or pinching them too tightly, which crushes the object, many robots struggle with these basic skills that humans have mastered.[#item_full_content]

For the millions of Americans who live with a mobility issue, making a pizza can be a lot more challenging than just choosing between pepperoni or sausage. Now Virginia Tech researchers have developed a robotic arm with novel assistive grippers that can help those with disabilities accomplish complex everyday tasks, including building a pizza.For the millions of Americans who live with a mobility issue, making a pizza can be a lot more challenging than just choosing between pepperoni or sausage. Now Virginia Tech researchers have developed a robotic arm with novel assistive grippers that can help those with disabilities accomplish complex everyday tasks, including building a pizza.[#item_full_content]

Future robots could soon have a lot more muscle power. Northwestern University engineers have developed a soft artificial muscle, paving the way for untethered animal- and human-scale robots. The new muscles, or actuators, provide the performance and mechanical properties required for building robotic musculoskeletal systems.Future robots could soon have a lot more muscle power. Northwestern University engineers have developed a soft artificial muscle, paving the way for untethered animal- and human-scale robots. The new muscles, or actuators, provide the performance and mechanical properties required for building robotic musculoskeletal systems.[#item_full_content]

When a multimillion-dollar extraterrestrial vehicle gets stuck in soft sand or gravel—as did the Mars rover Spirit in 2009—Earth-based engineers take over like a virtual tow truck, issuing a series of commands that move its wheels or reverse its course in a delicate, time-consuming effort to free it and continue its exploratory mission.When a multimillion-dollar extraterrestrial vehicle gets stuck in soft sand or gravel—as did the Mars rover Spirit in 2009—Earth-based engineers take over like a virtual tow truck, issuing a series of commands that move its wheels or reverse its course in a delicate, time-consuming effort to free it and continue its exploratory mission.[#item_full_content]

For robots to be successfully introduced in a wider range of real-world settings, they should be able to safely and reliably navigate rapidly changing environments. While roboticists and computer scientists have introduced a wide range of computational techniques for robot navigation over the past decades, many of them were found to perform poorly in environments that are dynamic, cluttered or characterized by narrow pathways.For robots to be successfully introduced in a wider range of real-world settings, they should be able to safely and reliably navigate rapidly changing environments. While roboticists and computer scientists have introduced a wide range of computational techniques for robot navigation over the past decades, many of them were found to perform poorly in environments that are dynamic, cluttered or characterized by narrow pathways.[#item_full_content]

A new slip-prevention method has been shown to improve how robots grip and handle fragile, slippery or asymmetric objects, according to a University of Surrey–led study published in Nature Machine Intelligence. The innovation could pave the way for safer, more reliable automation across industries ranging from manufacturing to health care.A new slip-prevention method has been shown to improve how robots grip and handle fragile, slippery or asymmetric objects, according to a University of Surrey–led study published in Nature Machine Intelligence. The innovation could pave the way for safer, more reliable automation across industries ranging from manufacturing to health care.[#item_full_content]

Nature has long served as inspiration for cutting-edge engineering—especially in the realm of underwater propulsion.Nature has long served as inspiration for cutting-edge engineering—especially in the realm of underwater propulsion.[#item_full_content]

While the advent of robotic systems that can complete household chores has been widely anticipated, those commercially released so far are primarily robot vacuums that autonomously clean the floor. In contrast, robots that can reliably clean surfaces, tidy up, cook or perform other tasks in home environments are either too expensive or have not yet reached the market.While the advent of robotic systems that can complete household chores has been widely anticipated, those commercially released so far are primarily robot vacuums that autonomously clean the floor. In contrast, robots that can reliably clean surfaces, tidy up, cook or perform other tasks in home environments are either too expensive or have not yet reached the market.[#item_full_content]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are now widely used worldwide to tackle various real-world tasks, including filming videos for various purposes, monitoring crops or other environments from above, assessing disaster zones, and conducting military operations. Despite their widespread use, most existing drones either need to be fully or partly operated by human agents.Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are now widely used worldwide to tackle various real-world tasks, including filming videos for various purposes, monitoring crops or other environments from above, assessing disaster zones, and conducting military operations. Despite their widespread use, most existing drones either need to be fully or partly operated by human agents.[#item_full_content]

Teaching a robot new skills used to require coding expertise. But a new generation of robots could potentially learn from just about anyone.Teaching a robot new skills used to require coding expertise. But a new generation of robots could potentially learn from just about anyone.[#item_full_content]