This shape-changing robot just got a lot smaller. In a new study, engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder debuted mCLARI, a 2-centimeter-long modular robot that can passively change its shape to squeeze through narrow gaps in multiple directions. It weighs less than a gram but can support over three times its body weight as an additional payload.This shape-changing robot just got a lot smaller. In a new study, engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder debuted mCLARI, a 2-centimeter-long modular robot that can passively change its shape to squeeze through narrow gaps in multiple directions. It weighs less than a gram but can support over three times its body weight as an additional payload.[#item_full_content]

Imagine you’re visiting a friend abroad, and you look inside their fridge to see what would make for a great breakfast. Many of the items initially appear foreign to you, with each one encased in unfamiliar packaging and containers. Despite these visual distinctions, you begin to understand what each one is used for and pick them up as needed.Imagine you’re visiting a friend abroad, and you look inside their fridge to see what would make for a great breakfast. Many of the items initially appear foreign to you, with each one encased in unfamiliar packaging and containers. Despite these visual distinctions, you begin to understand what each one is used for and pick them up as needed.[#item_full_content]

Engineers from the Computer Science Department at Binghamton University, State University of New York have programmed a robot guide dog to assist the visually impaired. The robot responds to tugs on its leash.Engineers from the Computer Science Department at Binghamton University, State University of New York have programmed a robot guide dog to assist the visually impaired. The robot responds to tugs on its leash.[#item_full_content]

Robots should ideally interact with users and objects in their surroundings in flexible ways, rather than always sticking to the same sets of responses and actions. A robotics approach aimed towards this goal that recently gained significant research attention is zero-shot object navigation (ZSON).Robots should ideally interact with users and objects in their surroundings in flexible ways, rather than always sticking to the same sets of responses and actions. A robotics approach aimed towards this goal that recently gained significant research attention is zero-shot object navigation (ZSON).[#item_full_content]

Ryo Yoshida has monster-sized dreams for his drivable, “Gundam”-like robot, even though its huge size makes it hard to park and the $3-million price tag will crush most wallets.Ryo Yoshida has monster-sized dreams for his drivable, “Gundam”-like robot, even though its huge size makes it hard to park and the $3-million price tag will crush most wallets.[#item_full_content]

Solar energy is one of the most promising ways to power the world of the future. However, creating more efficient solar cells requires finding new and better materials.Solar energy is one of the most promising ways to power the world of the future. However, creating more efficient solar cells requires finding new and better materials.[#item_full_content]

Smart, stretchable and highly sensitive, a new soft sensor developed by UBC and Honda researchers opens the door to a wide range of applications in robotics and prosthetics.Smart, stretchable and highly sensitive, a new soft sensor developed by UBC and Honda researchers opens the door to a wide range of applications in robotics and prosthetics.[#item_full_content]

An electric knifefish shimmies in the water for the same reason a dog sniffs or a human glances around a new place—to make sense of their surroundings. For the first time, scientists demonstrate that a wide range of organisms, even microbes, perform the same pattern of movements in order to sense the world.An electric knifefish shimmies in the water for the same reason a dog sniffs or a human glances around a new place—to make sense of their surroundings. For the first time, scientists demonstrate that a wide range of organisms, even microbes, perform the same pattern of movements in order to sense the world.[#item_full_content]

At EPFL’s CREATE lab, under the guidance of Josie Hughes, a breakthrough has been made in the realm of soft robotics. Drawing inspiration from the versatile movement of elephant trunks and octopus tentacles, the team introduced the trimmed helicoid—a novel robotic structure that promises greater compliance and control in robotic designs.At EPFL’s CREATE lab, under the guidance of Josie Hughes, a breakthrough has been made in the realm of soft robotics. Drawing inspiration from the versatile movement of elephant trunks and octopus tentacles, the team introduced the trimmed helicoid—a novel robotic structure that promises greater compliance and control in robotic designs.[#item_full_content]

To safely share spaces with humans, robots should ideally be able to detect their presence and determine where they are located, so that they can avoid accidents and collisions. So far, most robots were trained to localize humans using computer vision techniques, which rely on cameras or other visual sensors.To safely share spaces with humans, robots should ideally be able to detect their presence and determine where they are located, so that they can avoid accidents and collisions. So far, most robots were trained to localize humans using computer vision techniques, which rely on cameras or other visual sensors.[#item_full_content]