Topic
Robots
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Paul McEuen delivers inaugural Dresselhaus Lecture on cell-sized robots
Cornell University professor and physicist uses nanoscale parts to create smart, active microbots.
December 4, 2019 -
How to design and control robots with stretchy, flexible bodies
Optimizing soft robots to perform specific tasks is a huge computational problem, but a new model can help.
November 22, 2019 -
Predicting people's driving personalities
System from MIT CSAIL sizes up drivers as selfish or selfless. Could this help self-driving cars navigate in traffic?
November 18, 2019 -
Flexible yet sturdy robot is designed to “grow” like a plant
Its extendable appendage can meander through tight spaces and then lift heavy loads.
November 7, 2019 -
Autonomous system improves environmental sampling at sea
Robotic boats could more rapidly locate the most valuable sampling spots in uncharted waters.
November 4, 2019 -
Better autonomous “reasoning” at tricky intersections
Model alerts driverless cars when it’s safest to merge into traffic at intersections with obstructed views.
November 4, 2019 -
Technique helps robots find the front door
Navigation method may speed up autonomous last-mile delivery.
November 4, 2019 -
Two-legged robot mimics human balance while running and jumping
New control system may enable humanoid robots to do heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks.
October 30, 2019 -
Self-transforming robot blocks jump, spin, flip, and identify each other
Developed at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, robots can self-assemble to form various structures with applications including inspection.
October 30, 2019 -
Helping autonomous vehicles see around corners
By sensing tiny changes in shadows, a new system identifies approaching objects that may cause a collision.
October 27, 2019 -
System prevents speedy drones from crashing in unfamiliar areas
Drones can fly at high speeds to a destination while keeping safe “backup” plans if things go awry.
October 25, 2019 -
Pushy robots learn the fundamentals of object manipulation
Systems “learn” from novel dataset that captures how pushed objects move, to improve their physical interactions with new objects.
October 21, 2019 -
Deep learning with point clouds
Research aims to make it easier for self-driving cars, robotics, and other applications to understand the 3D world.
October 21, 2019 -
Giving robots a faster grasp
An algorithm speeds up the planning process robots use to adjust their grip on objects, for picking and sorting, or tool use.
October 17, 2019 -
Assembler robots make large structures from little pieces
Systems of tiny robots may someday build high-performance structures, from airplanes to space settlements.
October 16, 2019 -
Professor Emeritus Woodie Flowers, innovator in design and engineering education, dies at 75
Beloved teacher and pioneer in hands-on engineering education developed design and robotics competitions at MIT, FIRST, and beyond, while promoting his concept of “gracious professionalism.”
October 14, 2019 -
Robots help patients manage chronic illness at home
Move over, Alexa and Siri. Talking Mabu robot provides one-to-one support while relaying information to doctors.
October 10, 2019 -
An interdisciplinary approach to accelerating human-machine collaboration
Professor’s startup brings millimeter-scale location tracking to factories, ports, and other industrial environments.
October 2, 2019 -
Soft robotics breakthrough manages immune response for implanted devices
Discovery could enable longer-lasting and better-functioning devices — including pacemakers, breast implants, biosensors, and drug delivery devices.
September 4, 2019 -
MIT’s fleet of autonomous boats can now shapeshift
New capabilities allow “roboats” to change configurations to form pop-up bridges, stages, and other structures.
August 29, 2019