Ideas

Elon Musk’s Tesla Bot Raises Serious Concerns – but Probably Not the Ones You Think

The Tesla Bot comes with a whole portfolio of risks that are hard to quantify and easy to overlook and yet inevitably end up tripping up innovators.

Emerging Tech

Rescue Robots Get a Speed Upgrade for Rough Terrain

A new planning algorithm helps robots figure out how to balance with hands and feet.

Ideas

Lesson from a Robot Swarm: Change Group Behavior by Talking One-on-One Rather than Getting on a Soapbox

Persuading people one-on-one might be the best route to getting them to recognize better alternatives.

Emerging Tech

Fish Fins Are Teaching Us the Secret to Flexible Robots and New Shape-Changing Materials

Materials based on a segmented structure could be used in underwater propulsion and improve the agility and speed of fish-inspired submarines.

Ideas

Military Robots Dig into New Underground Environments

Only a few organic creatures specifically designed for that environment are able to do it well.

Ideas

AI Teaches a Robot How to Learn to Walk

The system allows legged robots to adapt to their environment by exploring and interacting with the world.

Artificial Intelligence

South Korea to Add Robots-on-Rails and AI Surveillance to DMZ Border

The demilitarized zone between North and South Korea will be getting new surveillance technologies in the coming months, Korean news outlets report.

Ideas

The New Space Race Will Be Run by Robots

Given the risks of space travel versus the potential rewards, it seems like robots are better suited for this role than humans.

Ideas

Exoskeleton Cloud One Day Boost Walking Speed of Older Adults

Being unable to walk quickly can be frustrating and problematic, but it is a common issue, especially as people age.

Artificial Intelligence

Army Explores Equipping Robots with Living Muscle Tissue

A scientist from the Army Research Lab gave a glimpse into its early work with biohybrid robotics.

Emerging Tech

Police Departments Experiment With 70-Pound Robot Dog

Departments have deployed the cyber K-9s in hostage situations and as part of the covid response. Proponents say the robots can help keep officers out of harm's way, while critics worry how they could be used without clear policy guidelines in place.

Emerging Tech

Army Launches Autonomous Vehicle Tests in Maryland

Researchers aim to better understand how the self-moving machines respond to real-world challenges.

Ideas

What Robots Need to Become Better Helpers

Hand, fingers and a sense of touch are tricky but may be essential for some robots' tasks.

Emerging Tech

Government Seeks ‘Dog-Like,’ Throwable and Other Robots

Several recent notices and announcements point to agencies’ ongoing and planned use of the futuristic machines.

Ideas

Can Robots and Drones Help to Fight COVID-19?

Using drones to help make our living and working spaces a little safer is not too much of a stretch. 

Emerging Tech

Robotic Surgeries Are Changing the Game Inside One VA Facility

More than 60 robotics-boosted surgical procedures were performed since March—and the program will likely expand in the next year.

Emerging Tech

NASA’s Ready for Companies to Put Its ‘Robo-Glove’ to Use

The futuristic, robotic handwear could help people on the job, or if they suffer from limited hand strength.