Resilient bug-sized robots keep flying even after wing damage
New repair techniques enable microscale robots to recover flight performance after suffering severe damage to the artificial muscles that power their wings.
Mix-and-match kit could enable astronauts to build a menagerie of lunar exploration bots
Robotic parts could be assembled into nimble spider bots for exploring lava tubes or heavy-duty elephant bots for transporting solar panels.
New “traffic cop” algorithm helps a drone swarm stay on task
By keeping data fresh, the system could help robots inspect buildings or search disaster zones.
Responsive design meets responsibility for the planet’s future
Senior Sylas Horowitz tackles engineering projects with a focus on challenges related to clean energy, climate justice, and sustainable development.
Inside two MIT students’ historic BattleBots runs
PhD students Lucy Du ’14, SM ’16 and Ginger Schmidt are crushing the competition — and gender barriers — in the world of televised robot combat.
Engineers devise a modular system to produce efficient, scalable aquabots
The system’s simple repeating elements can assemble into swimming forms ranging from eel-like to wing-shaped.
Startups led by MIT mechanical engineers offer health care solutions
Companies founded by MechE faculty and alumni solve a variety of health care challenges, from better drug delivery to robotic surgery.
Using robotics to supercharge health care
Vecna Technologies, founded by a pair of MIT alumni, has followed a long and winding path to help people in health care settings.
A global lab for teaching and practicing synthetic biology
A pandemic-fueled transformation of the MIT course MAS.S64 (How to Grow (Almost) Anything) leads to next steps in democratizing synthetic biology.
Should we tax robots?
Study suggests a robot levy — but only a modest one — could help combat the effects of automation on income inequality in the U.S.
Looking beyond “technology for technology’s sake”
Whether building robots or helping to lead the National Society of Black Engineers, senior Austen Roberson is thinking about the social implications of his field.
Channeling creativity through art and engineering
Recent mechanical engineering alumna Emily Satterfield ’22 pursues passions that might seem unrelated but “actually go hand-in-hand.”
Flocks of assembler robots show potential for making larger structures
Researchers make progress toward groups of robots that could build almost anything, including buildings, vehicles, and even bigger robots.
Building resilience for the next supply chain disruption
James Rice discusses supply chain resilience and how organizations can prepare for the next big problem.
Tiny particles work together to do big things
Simple microparticles can beat rhythmically together, generating an oscillating electrical current that could be used to power microrobotic devices.