Robotics

MIT researchers have given their fleet of autonomous “roboats” the ability to automatically target and clasp onto each other — and keep trying if they fail. The roboats are being designed to transport people, collect trash, and self-assemble into floating structures in the canals of Amsterdam.

Autonomous boats can target and latch onto each other

Fleet of “roboats” could collect garbage or self-assemble into floating structures in Amsterdam’s many canals.

June 5, 2019

MIT researchers have developed a low-cost, sensor-packed glove that captures pressure signals as humans interact with objects. The glove can be used to create high-resolution tactile datasets that robots can leverage to better identify, weigh, and manipulate objects.

Sensor-packed glove learns signatures of the human grasp

Signals help neural network identify objects by touch; system could aid robotics and prosthetics design.

May 29, 2019

To bring more human-like reasoning to autonomous vehicle navigation, MIT researchers have created a system that enables driverless cars to check a simple map and use visual data to follow routes in new, complex environments.

Bringing human-like reasoning to driverless car navigation

Autonomous control system “learns” to use simple maps and image data to navigate new, complex routes.

May 22, 2019

Lead author Joseph DelPreto demonstrates the system's ability to mirror his movements by monitoring muscle activity.

This robot helps you lift objects — by looking at your biceps

CSAIL system can mirror a user's motions and follow nonverbal commands by monitoring arm muscles.

May 22, 2019

Sophomore Lydia Light, left, prepares her robot for competition, with MechE Associate Professor Amos Winter, right.

Robots shoot for the moon in MIT’s annual 2.007 competition

Robotic sweepers, flappers, and telescoping arms face off for a shot at coveted engineering prize.

May 10, 2019

MIT engineers have designed a magnetic microrobot that can help push drug-delivery particles into tumor tissue (left). They also employed swarms of naturally magnetic bacteria to achieve the same effect (right).

Nanoparticles take a fantastic, magnetic voyage

Tiny robots powered by magnetic fields could help drug-delivery nanoparticles reach their targets.

April 26, 2019

A new “particle simulator” developed by MIT researchers improves robots’ abilities to mold materials into simulated target shapes and interact with solid objects and liquids. This could give robots a refined touch for industrial applications or for personal robotics— such as shaping clay or rolling sticky sushi rice.

Giving robots a better feel for object manipulation

Model improves a robot’s ability to mold materials into shapes and interact with liquids and solid objects.

April 16, 2019

RoCycle can detect if an object is paper, metal, or plastic. CSAIL researchers say that such a system could potentially help enable the convenience of single-stream recycling with lower contamination rates that confirm to China's new recycling standards.

Robots that can sort recycling

CSAIL’s "RoCycle" system uses in-hand sensors to detect if an object is paper, metal or plastic.

April 16, 2019

“Before I came to MIT, I would build something, and no one would challenge it,” Ernie Ho says. “Now I have a network of people who push me to be better by asking me ‘Why do you want to build that?’ or ‘Why not build it another way?’”

Driving toward success

Through MIT Professional Education’s Advanced Study Program, Ernie Ho found the tools — and the community — he needed to realize his vision and launch his career.

April 5, 2019

Designing vehicles that drive, fly — and swim

Senior and Marshall Scholar Crystal Winston pursues her vision of a world where cars aren’t limited to roads.

March 31, 2019

Researchers have developed computationally simple robots, called particles, that cluster and form a single “particle robot” that moves around, transports objects, and completes other tasks. The work hails from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Columbia University, and elsewhere.

“Particle robot” works as a cluster of simple units

Loosely connected disc-shaped “particles” can push and pull one another, moving en masse to transport objects.

March 20, 2019

The origami gripper can lift a wide range of objects, from apples and soup cans to wine glasses and drones.

Robot hand is soft and strong

Gripper device inspired by “origami magic ball” can grasp wide array of delicate and heavy objects.

March 15, 2019

MIT’s new mini cheetah robot is springy, light on its feet, and weighs in at just 20 pounds.

Mini cheetah is the first four-legged robot to do a backflip

Robot’s lightweight, high-power design is the perfect platform to share and play, developers say.

March 4, 2019

Whirlwind I, the first digital computer capable of real-time computation

Twenty-five ways in which MIT has transformed computing

From digital circuits to ingestible robots, the Institute has helped spearhead key innovations in the technology revolution.

February 25, 2019

MIT Media Lab researchers are using RFID tags to help robots home in on moving objects with unprecedented speed and accuracy, potentially enabling greater collaboration in robotic packaging and assembly and among swarms of drones.

Robots track moving objects with unprecedented precision

System uses RFID tags to home in on targets; could benefit robotic manufacturing, collaborative drones, and other applications.

February 18, 2019

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