Researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Sony Corp. have developed an origami-inspired manipulator, the mini-RCM, which could make robotic surgery more portable.
How Amazon robotics engineers continue to build technologies from their garages
Brad Porter, the Amazon vice president leading the company’s robotics initiatives, describes how employees have continued to develop innovative systems while working from home.
Flexible medical robots get low-cost, highly accurate guidance at UC San Diego
Roboticists at UC San Diego have developed a method using magnetic localization and a neural network to more cheaply and accurately track flexible medical robots than conventional radiation-based methods.
Robotic rover uses ‘rear rotor pedaling’ to avoid sand traps
Researchers at Georgia Tech have combined limbs that can move up and down with loose wheels for innovative gaits to help propel a NASA rover that could conduct exploration in the sandy hills of the moon or Mars.
RISE Robotics raises funding for high-performance linear actuators
The Engine has invested in RISE Robotics, which is developing electric and mechanical systems to displace hydraulics and reduce energy consumption.
New Gecko SP robotic gripper built for finer industrial applications
The new Gecko SP gripper from OnRobot applies the award-winning technology to smaller objects such as printed circuit boards.
Unified interface for OnRobot grippers gains UR+ cobot certification
The certified URCap software provides a unified interface for the new versions of OnRobot’s RG2, RG6, and VG10 grippers with Universal Robots’ cobots.
Bumblebee Spaces gets Series A funding, including investment from Toyota AI Ventures
Robotic furniture startup Bumblebee Spaces has joined Toyota AI Ventures portfolio of service robots along with its Series A funding.
Robotic assembly with swarms and blocks could build aircraft, space habitats
Robotic assembly of large structures, made possible with swarms of relatively simple robots and construction materials organized like building blocks, could change how aircraft and buildings are constructed, said MIT researchers.
Sawyer Black Edition debuts as Rethink Robotics gets a new CEO
Rethink Robotics GmbH is following its plans to continue developing collaborative robots with the quieter and more precise Sawyer Black Edition.
Immune response to implants mitigated in soft robotics breakthrough
A international team of researchers said their discovery could enable devices such as pacemakers, breast implants, biosensors, and drug-delivery devices to last longer and function better.
Designing parallel grippers for collaborative robot precision
Providing the right motor for small precision devices can be challenging, as New Scale Robotics found when it designed a parallel gripper for cobots.
ANYmal C legged robot is optimized for industrial inspection, says ANYbotics
ANYbotics released its new ANYmal C legged robot, which it said has been optimized for industrial inspections with the capability to carry multiple sensors and climb stairs.
Exoskeleton developers must keep improving capabilities, cost, says maxon manager
Even as the enabling technologies for exoskeletons have improved, there is much work yet to be done, says maxon’s Otto Oneichen.
Robotic neck brace uses sensors, actuators to restore ALS patient functions
A robotic brace that supports the neck during its natural motion is the first device shown to dramatically assist ALS patients in holding their heads and actively supporting them during range of motion.
Programmable soft actuators show potential of soft robotics at TU Delft
Researchers at TU Delft have developed soft actuators that could help soft robots collaborate with humans.
MIT ‘walking motor’ could help robots assemble complex structures
Years ago, MIT Professor Neil Gershenfeld had an audacious thought. Struck by the fact that all the world’s living things are built out of combinations of just 20 amino acids, he wondered: Might it be possible to create a kit of just 20 fundamental parts that could be used to assemble all of the different…
TRI tackles manipulation research for reliable, robust human-assist robots
Toyota Research Institute’s VP of robotics research explains how TRI is working on algorithmic techniques and simulation to improve manipulation for human-assist robots, eventually in the home.
AMP Robotics applies AI, robots to mounting recycling challenge
Recycling robots such as AMP Robotics’ Cortex can help meet demand for more intensive recycling amid trade disputes. The CEO of Denver-based AMP explains the development of systems specifically for materials handling and sorting of waste.
Georgia Tech SlothBot goes slow to save energy for environmental monitoring
SlothBot, a project shown at ICRA by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers, is designed to conserve energy and could be useful for environmental monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, and other long-term applications.
Harmonic Drive to show importance of actuators at Robotics Summit & Expo
At the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, Harmonic Drive will be sharing its expertise in actuators and motion control through a presentation and demonstrations on the show floor.
5 reasons for robotics engineers to attend the Robotics Summit & Expo
If you’re a robotics engineer, there is still time to register for next month’s Robotics Summit & Expo. The event in Boston will provide opportunities to learn from technology and business leaders about the development and use of commercial robots and intelligent systems.