Tiny particles power chemical reactions
A new material made from carbon nanotubes can generate electricity by scavenging energy from its environment.
Slender robotic finger senses buried items
The technology uses tactile sensing to identify objects underground, and might one day help disarm land mines or inspect cables.
Helping robots collaborate to get the job done
Algorithm enables robot teams to complete missions, such as mapping or search-and-rescue, with minimal wasted effort.
A robot that can help you untangle your hair
Robotic arm equipped with a hairbrush helps with brushing tasks and could be an asset in assistive-care settings.
A robot that senses hidden objects
System uses penetrative radio frequency to pinpoint items, even when they’re hidden from view.
Tactile textiles sense movement via touch
By measuring a person’s movements and poses, smart clothes developed at MIT CSAIL could be used for athletic training, rehabilitation, or health-monitoring for elder-care facilities.
Researchers’ algorithm designs soft robots that sense
Deep-learning technique optimizes the arrangement of sensors on a robot’s body to ensure efficient operation.
Algorithm helps artificial intelligence systems dodge “adversarial” inputs
Method builds on gaming techniques to help autonomous vehicles navigate in the real world, where signals may be imperfect.
The (robotic) doctor will see you now
Study finds patients are receptive to interacting with robots designed to evaluate symptoms in a contact-free way.
Helping soft robots turn rigid on demand
New type of control system may broaden robots’ range of tasks and allow safer interactions with people.
Researchers introduce a new generation of tiny, agile drones
The technology could boost aerial robots’ repertoire, allowing them to operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions.
An origami-inspired medical patch for sealing internal injuries
The patch, which can be folded around surgical tools, may someday be used in robotic surgery to repair tissues and organs.
Learning with — and about — AI technology
At Open Learning Talks, Cynthia Breazeal and Eric Klopfer discuss artificial intelligence education.
Designing customized “brains” for robots
A new system devises hardware architectures to hasten robots’ response time.
Computer-aided creativity in robot design
MIT researchers’ new system optimizes the shape of robots for traversing various terrain types.