Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Researchers from MIT and elsewhere developed an algorithm that automatically and dynamically determines whether a machine learning to complete a task should try to mimic its teacher or explore on its own through trial-and-error. This algorithm enabled simulated student machines to learn tasks faster and more effectively than other techniques.

A more effective way to train machines for uncertain, real-world situations

Researchers develop an algorithm that decides when a “student” machine should follow its teacher, and when it should learn on its own.

May 31, 2023

Illustration of two humanoid robots standing in a kitchen, mixing fluids on a table to make a batter

Helping robots handle fluids

Researchers create a new simulation tool for robots to manipulate complex fluids in a step toward helping them more effortlessly assist with daily tasks.

May 24, 2023

A four-legged, dog-like robot stands in front of a soccer ball against an amber background. Behind it, a mirror shows an overhead view of the robot.

A four-legged robotic system for playing soccer on various terrains

“DribbleBot” can maneuver a soccer ball on landscapes such as sand, gravel, mud, and snow, using reinforcement learning to adapt to varying ball dynamics.

April 3, 2023

Illustration of a thick green snake on top of a grey and blue laptop with a black card, a few grey rocks, and a little green onion on the side

Python-based compiler achieves orders-of-magnitude speedups

Codon compiles Python code to run more efficiently and effectively while allowing for customization and adaptation to various domains.

March 14, 2023

Four line rays, starting with a tangled ball and gradually untying to a straight line, are shown on a blue background with white dots.

A new chip for decoding data transmissions demonstrates record-breaking energy efficiency

The chip, which can decipher any encoded signal, could enable lower-cost devices that perform better while requiring less hardware.

February 22, 2023

Closeup of a screen has 3 layers of individual LEDs; blue on top, then green and red.

Engineers invent vertical, full-color microscopic LEDs

Stacking light-emitting diodes instead of placing them side by side could enable fully immersive virtual reality displays and higher-resolution digital screens.

February 1, 2023

A pipe-like object is made of tiny blocks in lime and pink. Left side says “inlet,” and right side says “outlet.” Outlet-side has 16 small square openings. 3 inset images show iterations of design.

Computational system streamlines the design of fluidic devices

This computational tool can generate an optimal design for a complex fluidic device such as a combustion engine or a hydraulic pump.

December 9, 2022

A hand icon clicks on a search box. The search box has garbled letters and a lock icon. Background has medical icons.

A faster way to preserve privacy online

New research enables users to search for information without revealing their queries, based on a method that is 30 times faster than comparable prior techniques.

December 7, 2022

A figurine of video game character Mario runs across a cardboard cutout environment, which features several brown pixelated bricks, a yellow mystery box, a magical yellow star, and a green pipe.

Ensuring AI works with the right dose of curiosity

Researchers make headway in solving a longstanding problem of balancing curious “exploration” versus “exploitation” of known pathways in reinforcement learning.

November 10, 2022