http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/robotics/ Robotics News. Futuristic robots, robots that manipulate animal behavior and more. Read up-to-date robotics news from research institutions around the world. en-us Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:05:01 EDT Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/robotics/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093625.htm Tiny flying machines can be used for everything from indoor surveillance to exploring collapsed buildings, but simply making smaller versions of planes and helicopters doesn't work very well. Instead, researchers are mimicking nature's small flyers -- and developing robotic bats that offer increased maneuverability and performance. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708181206.htm A hyper-realistic Einstein robot learned to smile and make facial expressions through a process of self-guided learning. The researchers used machine learning to "empower" their robot to learn to make realistic facial expressions. "As far as we know, no other research group has used machine learning to teach a robot to make realistic facial expressions," said a computer science Ph.D. student involved in the research. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708181206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706141004.htm The cooperative soccer playing robots of the Universität Stuttgart are world champions in the middle size league of robot soccer. After one of the most interesting competitions in the history of Robocup from 29th June to 5th July, 2009, in Graz, the 1. RFC Stuttgart on the last day of the competition succeeded in winning the world championship 2009 in an exciting game against the team of Tech United from Eindhoven (The Netherlands) with the final result of 4:1. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706141004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163538.htm Scientists have developed an innovative robot rat which can seek out and identify objects using its whiskers. The SCRATCHbot robot will be demonstrated at an international workshop looking at how robots can help us examine the workings of the brain. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065323.htm Modern robotics can help where it is too dangerous for humans to venture. Search and rescue robots (S&R robots) have meanwhile become so sophisticated that they have already carried out their first missions in disasters. And for this reason rescue robots will be given a special place at the RoboCup 2009 – the robotics world championships in Graz. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065323.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075616.htm A robotic vision system that mimics key visual functions of the human brain promises to let robots maneuver quickly and safely through cluttered environments, and to help guide the visually impaired. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618125037.htm Bioengineers have developed a laboratory robot that can successfully locate tiny pieces of metal within flesh and guide a needle to its exact location --- all without the need for human assistance. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618125037.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605075302.htm European researchers in robotics, psychology and cognitive sciences have developed a robot that can predict the intentions of its human partner. This ability to anticipate (or question) actions could make human-robot interactions more natural. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605075302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520161335.htm Over the past few years, MIT engineers have successfully tested robotic devices to help stroke patients learn to control their arms and legs. Devices can help children learn to grasp and manipulate objects. Now, they're building on that work to help children with cerebral palsy. Thu, 21 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520161335.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512093540.htm A new project makes possible the seamless integration of domestic networked multimedia, home control and communications devices, providing universal access to computing and entertainment services. As a result, intelligent sensors, actuators, wireless networks and terminal devices will blend into our daily living environments. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512093540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065818.htm Work is beginning on a robot with artificial skin to be used to investigate how robots can help children with autism learn about social interaction. Sat, 09 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504210641.htm Scientists have developed a unique robotic hand that can firmly hold objects as heavy as a can of food or as delicate as a raw egg, while dexterous enough to gesture for sign language. Thu, 07 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504210641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061836.htm Maintenance of offshore drilling rigs or underwater cables, taking samples of sediment -- underwater robots perform a variety of deep-sea tasks. Research scientists now aim to equip robots with tactile capability so that they can orientate themselves better under the sea. Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506093948.htm The Bold Hearts, a student team from the University of Hertfordshire, has just won the Humanoid Simulation League in the Robocup German Open 2009. The team is now preparing for the Robocup World Championships in Austria, which will run from 29 June to 5 July, where they will play against student teams from across the globe. Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506093948.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090426075552.htm Robotic trained surgeons have developed a new and novel approach to surgically treat urothelial cancer (in the lining of the bladder or kidney). Using da Vinci robot-assisted technology, urologic cancer surgeons perform complicated urologic cases using minimally invasive surgery. Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090426075552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420170801.htm Robot-assisted surgery appears feasible for treatment of selected head and neck cancers, according to a new article. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420170801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090416083350.htm Researchers aim to enhance the quality of life of elderly and disabled persons by designing robotized solutions for intelligent homes. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090416083350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090413205339.htm A Canadian engineering research team has developed the world's first flying microrobot capable of manipulating objects for microscale applications. The microrobot discovery provides researchers with more control over the microscale environment, allowing them to move and place tiny objects with far greater precision. The microscale deals with tiny objects, at levels that are too small to be manipulated by humans. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090413205339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401102814.htm Scientists are planning on sending a robot to the moon to construct a house. The House on the Moon is a project that aims to put a little read cottage on the moon as a symbol of what one man can achieve. The robot will roll out a little cabin from a space rocket, find a stable vacant lot, and erect the planet's first building. Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401102814.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402143451.htm Researchers in the UK have created a 'robot scientist' which they believe is the first machine to have independently discovered new scientific knowledge. The robot, called Adam, is a computer system that fully automates the scientific process. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402143451.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401114818.htm A humanoid robot will lead to a deeper understanding of human intelligence, scientists say. Researchers will test their theories about cognition by creating a computer simulation of a brain, which will replicate how neurons in real brains communicate through short bursts of electrical energy. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401114818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323093127.htm Can the newly designed dashboard be easily installed? What paths should the assembly robot take so that the cables do not hit against the car body? A new software program simulates assembly paths and also factors in the pliability of components. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323093127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090318140614.htm Scientists have used a popular kids swimming pool game to guide their development of a system for controlling moving robots that can autonomously detect and capture other moving targets. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090318140614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085058.htm Researchers have demonstrated how a robot can follow human gestures in a variety of environments -- indoors and outside -- without adjusting for lighting. The achievement is an important step forward in the quest to build fully autonomous robots as partners for human endeavors. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225073357.htm Built from a simple Lego NXT kit, a new student-built robotic system can identify different types of dance and music in an intelligent independent manner. The next step is to create and manage choreography between humanoid robots. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225073357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132353.htm Small robots the size of riding mowers could prepare a safe landing site for NASA's Moon outpost, according to a NASA-sponsored study. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220131402.htm Scientists have managed to program clones that imitate the actions of humans playing soccer (known as football in the U.K.) on a computer. The clones learn the players’ behavior and apply this knowledge in order to avoid their opponents and score goals. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220131402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217141544.htm The day that robot playmates help children with autism learn the social skills that they naturally lack has come a step closer with the development of a system that allows a robot to monitor a child's emotional state. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217141544.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204165529.htm Children with mobility issues, like cerebral palsy and spina bifida, can't explore the world like other babies, because they can't crawl or walk. Infant development emerges from the thousands of daily discoveries experienced by babies as they move and explore their worlds. Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204165529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209205058.htm Today's advanced mobile robots explore complex terrains across the globe and even on Mars, but have difficulty traversing sand. A new study takes what may be the first detailed look at the problem of robot locomotion on granular surfaces. Among the study's recommendations: robots attempting to move across sandy terrain should move their legs more slowly, especially if the sand is loosely packed. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209205058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202140042.htm A robot scientist that can make informed guesses about how effective different chemical compounds will be at fighting different diseases could revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by developing more effective treatments more cheaply and quickly than current methods. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202140042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127112050.htm A newly developed mathematical model that figures out the best strategy to win the popular board game CLUE could some day help robot mine sweepers navigate strange surroundings to find hidden explosives. At the simplest level, both activities are governed by the same principles. A player, or robot, must move through an unknown space searching for clues. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090127112050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090129155416.htm Scientists are working on software that will enable robots to learn. It won't be long, they say, before personal robots are part of our lives. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090129155416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081218141724.htm Top robotics expert professor Noel Sharkey has called for international guidelines to be set for the ethical and safe application of robots before it is too late. Professor Sharkey believes that as the use of robots increases, decisions about their application will be left to the military, industry and busy parents instead of international legislative bodies. Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081218141724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081210144936.htm A trio of pole-climbing serpentine robots are designed to take the place of construction workers tasked with dangerous jobs such as inspecting high-rises or underwater bridge piers. The autonomous robots are designed to climb scaffolding and buildings by wrapping around a poll or beam and then rolling upward via an oscillating joint motion. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081210144936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205100137.htm What is the potential future impact of robots on society? New conclusions show that the enormous automation capacity of robots and their ability to interact with humans will cause a technological imbalance over the next 12 years between those who have them and those who do not. One significant area of research may well result in the insertion of robots into our bodies, such as intelligent implants in the brain, which will improve our rational thought, and nanorobots to be released into the blood to clean our arteries. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205100137.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081204074810.htm The first robot that can jump like a grasshopper and roll like a ball could play a key role in future space exploration. The 'Jollbot' is shaped like a spherical cage which can roll in any direction, giving it the maneuverability of wheels without the problem of overturning or getting stuck in potholes. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081204074810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081125181046.htm NIST held a rescue robot exercise recently in Texas in which about three dozen robots were tested by developers and first responders in order to develop a standard suite of performance tests to help evaluate candidate mechanical rescuers. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081125181046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081120111622.htm New robots develop and display emotions as they interact with humans, and become attached to them. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081120111622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081110112107.htm A shipping company must exercise patience whenever it needs a new a ship's propeller: its production is time consuming because a foundry workers must first fashion a model and a mold based on it. Industrial robots will support them in the future. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081110112107.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107071820.htm Humanoid robots have been used to show that that functional hierarchy in the brain is linked to time as well as space. Researchers in Japan have created a new type of neural network model which adds to the previous literature that suggests neural activity is linked solely to spatial hierarchy within the animal brain. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107071820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026101212.htm Service dogs, invaluable companions providing assistance to physically impaired individuals, are an elite and desired breed. Their presence in a home can make everyday tasks that are difficult - if not impossible - achievable, enhancing the quality of life for the disabled. Yet with a cost averaging $16,000 per dog -- not to mention the two years of training required to hone these skills -- the demand for these canines' exceeds their availability. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026101212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102843.htm New lightweight and portable robot is designed to perforate holes in large-scale aeronautic components, such as aircraft wing spars, during their assembly stage. The main innovation that the robot brings is its mobility – enabling the aircraft component being worked on to be fixed to its tool holder while the robot moves over the part. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102843.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085549.htm Robots can take any shape or form and with the explosion in European research and development for every imaginable robot application, there are dozens of completely different designs. Why, then, do we remain fascinated by humanoid robots? Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085549.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085551.htm Observers like Bill Gates believe that by 2025 we could have robots in every home. In labs across Europe, researchers are creating designs that could become the robo-butler of the future. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908201841.htm Researchers have developed technology enabling robots to obey Asimov’s golden rules of robotics: to do no harm to humans and to obey them. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908201841.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220517.htm Researchers have come up with a control system that allows a robot to pick up on cues that the leader is about to turn, predict where it is going and follow it. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220517.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103537.htm For the first time in Michigan, a diseased kidney has been surgically removed at Henry Ford Hospital using highly sophisticated 3-D robotics through a single incision. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103537.htm