http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/robotics/ Robots and Artificial Intelligence. From babybots to surprisingly accomplished robots, read all the latest news and research in robotics here. Full-text, images, free. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/robotics/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132708.htm Professor Yosi Shacham-Diamand of Tel Aviv University's Department of Engineering, working with a team of European Union scientists, has successfully wired a state-of-the-art artificial hand to existing nerve endings in the stump of a severed arm. The device, called "SmartHand," resembles -- in function, sensitivity and appearance -- a real hand. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102112050.htm A telemedicine system based on a modified version of the Bluetooth wireless protocol can transfer patient data, such as medical images from patient to the health-care provider's mobile device for patient assessment almost four times as fast as conventional Bluetooth and without the intermittent connectivity problems. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102112050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102085825.htm Nature inspires technology as an engineer and an ecologist have teamed to develop robots that use advanced materials to swim like fish to probe underwater environments. Robotic fish -- perhaps schools of them operating autonomously for months -- could give researchers far more precise data on aquatic conditions, deepening our knowledge of critical water supplies and habitats. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102085825.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132959.htm Researchers are investigating long-distance, mobile optical links imperative for secure quantum communications capabilities in theater. They have conducted high data-rate experiments using an optical laser link, a tool which exploits the quantum noise of light for higher security. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132959.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027195507.htm An armada of robots may one day fly above the mountain tops of Saturn's moon Titan, cross its vast dunes and sail in its liquid lakes. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027195507.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026133016.htm A robot is currently building a looping brick wall right in the middle of New York City. Over a period of three weeks, passers-by can watch the "Pike Loop" installation in the making on a traffic island. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026133016.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022064747.htm Researchers in Germany have developed a new test process -- using lab-on-a-chip technology -- for establishing whether or not a cancer patient's tumor cells will respond to a particular drug. Such sensor biochips could potentially be used in the future to aid in rapid identification of the most effective medication for individual patients. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022064747.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163025.htm Scientists have created a remote-controlled robot that is able to simulate the "visual" experience of a blind person who has been implanted with a visual prosthesis, such as an artificial retina. An artificial retina consists of a silicon chip studded with a varying number of electrodes that directly stimulate retinal nerve cells. It is hoped that this approach may one day give blind persons the freedom of independent mobility. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122645.htm Scientists tested our ability to interpret a robot's "emotion" by reading its expression to see if there were any differences between the ages. They found that older adults showed some unexpected differences in the way they read a robot's face from the way younger adults performed. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015191043.htm Conventional imaging systems incorporate a light source for illuminating an object and a separate sensing device for recording the light rays scattered by the object. By using lenses and software, the recorded information can be turned into a proper image. Human vision is an ordinary process: the use of two eyes (and a powerful brain that processes visual information) provides human observers with a sense of depth perception. But how does a video camera attached to a robot "see" in three dimensions? Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015191043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122043.htm Prosthetic hand devices used by wounded soldiers have limited motor control and no sensory feedback. But a bioengineered interface, made of muscle cells and a nano-sized polymer, could go a long way in creating prostheses that move like a normal hand. Animal studies show the interface may possibly restore a sense of touch. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102203.htm Researchers have discovered that, contrary to previous assumptions, older adults are more amenable than younger ones to having a robot "perform critical monitoring tasks that would require little interaction between the robot and the human." Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928194449.htm NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is testing a new robotic lunar lander test bed that will aid in the development of a new generation of multi-use landers for future robotic space exploration. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928194449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091835.htm Researchers have used nature for inspiration in designing a new type of swimming robot which could bring a breakthrough in submersible technology. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091835.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144125.htm Researchers are one step closer to creating a micro-aircraft that flies with the maneuverability and energy efficiency of an insect after decoding the aerodynamic secrets of insect flight. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144144.htm Using a new software protocol called the Interoperable Telesurgical Protocol, nine research teams from universities and research institutes around the world recently collaborated on the first successful demonstration of multiple biomedical robots operated from different locations in the US, Europe and Asia. SRI International operated its M7 surgical robot for this demonstration. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144144.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071957.htm In spite of rising energy prices, many car drivers in large cities still ride alone. The OpenRide mobile ridesharing service aims to save them money while reducing the amount of traffic and thus the burden on the environment. At the IFA international consumer electronics exhibition in Berlin, researchers presented a prototype of their open infrastructure for organizing spontaneous ridesharing opportunities. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904071957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909181752.htm Like the robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which wheeled tirelessly across the dusty surface of Mars, a new robot spent most of July traveling across the muddy ocean bottom, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the California coast. This robot, the Benthic Rover, has been providing scientists with an entirely new view of life on the deep seafloor. It will also give scientists a way to document the effects of climate change on the deep sea. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909181752.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165241.htm Scientists are developing a new technology for use in underwater acoustics. The new technology uses flashes of laser light to remotely create underwater sound. The new acoustic source has the potential to expand and improve both Naval and commercial underwater acoustic applications, including undersea communications, navigation and acoustic imaging. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807091200.htm Robots are whirring away in factories all over the world, building cars, phones and cookers. Yet they can do so much more. Robotics for healthcare has been tipped as the next big wave, according to a road-mapping study. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807091200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152806.htm A new publication that recommends best practices for the next generation of portable biometric acquisition devices -- Mobile ID -- has been published by NIST. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152806.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827101219.htm Researchers have created a system with artificial intelligence techniques which notifies elderly people or people with special needs who might otherwise forget certain everyday tasks. This system uses sensors distributed in the environment in order to detect their actions and mobile devices which remind them, for example, to take their keys before they leave home. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827101219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073256.htm Scientists in England are to design the first ever biological robot using mould. Researchers are developing the amorphous non-silicon biological robot, plasmobot, using plasmodium, the vegetative stage of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum, a commonly occurring mould which lives in forests, gardens and most damp places in the UK. The research project aims to design the first every fully biological (no silicon components) amorphous massively-parallel robot. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135017.htm Canadian researchers have created a touchy-feely robot that detects tougher tumor tissue for minimally invasive surgery with 40 percent more accuracy than a human. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135017.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819083905.htm How do you handle the tiny components needed for constructing nanoscale devices? A European consortium has built two microrobotic demonstrators that can automatically pick up and install carbon nanotubes thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819083905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819164323.htm Using a novel robot-assisted endoscopic technique, a team of surgeons in Korea has successfully treated 200 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer. The minimally invasive operation, which has several technical and cosmetic benefits that the traditional open operation does not offer, is described in a new study. Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819164323.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143540.htm Researchers have developed imaging technology to be used in an intelligent harvesting machine that could minimize wastage and solve an impending labor shortage for UK farmers. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730140437.htm Front-line staff in the nursing and care sector would welcome sensor and robot technology in nursing homes and the homes of elderly people. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730140437.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090042.htm There is a long held belief among engineers and biologists that micro flying robots that fly like airplanes and helicopters consume much more energy than micro robots that fly like flies. A new study now shows that a fly wing that spins like a helicopter blade generates the same amount of lift as a flapping fly wing while consuming only half the energy to move the wing. This finding can inspire the design of efficient micro flying robots with spinning fly-like wings. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804132810.htm Research performed at Caltech as part of a collaborative U.S. Department of Energy--funded artificial-retina project designed to restore sight to the blind has received one of R&D Magazine's 2009 R&D 100 Awards. The prize recognizes significant new technologies that exemplify the most innovative ideas of the previous year. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804132810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731103332.htm To understand how a fly's tiny brain processes visual information efficiently enough to guide its aerobatic feats -- and ultimately to build more capable robots -- researchers have set up a flight simulator for flies. Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731103332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729155821.htm When the legendary science fiction writer Isaac Asimov penned the "Three Laws of Responsible Robotics," he forever changed the way humans think about artificial intelligence, and inspired generations of engineers to take up robotics. Two engineers now propose alternative laws to rewrite our future with robots. The future they foresee is at once safer, and more realistic. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729155821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093734.htm Against the background of climate change, how can xDSL systems function more energy-efficiently and cost-effectively? Scientists are providing a solution combining existing methods which network providers could implement immediately. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707094702.htm Using a system of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) equipped with thermal multispectral cameras scientists will be conducting flights over experimental plots with different crops, some of them being the largest pistachio nut crop in the world, as well as over almond tree and vineyard crops spread across the State of California. This system allows you to know the ideal time to water the crops, saving water, and it can even be used to detect situations of water waste or water leaks in the irrigation system. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707094702.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. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716123316.htm Insurgent groups like the Taliban can only be effectively engaged with timely and accurate military intelligence, and even good intelligence may only succeed in containing the insurgency, not defeating it, according to a new study. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716123316.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. Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708181206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708094832.htm The restoration of a 2,000-year-old bronze sculpture of the famed ancient Greek athlete Apoxyomenos may help modern scientists understand how to prevent metal corrosion, discover the safest ways to permanently store nuclear waste, and understand other perplexing problems. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708094832.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708094827.htm Errant pixels and blurry regions in a photo, whether digital or scanned, are the bane of photographers everywhere. Moreover, in vision processing research degraded photos are common and require restoration to a high-quality un-degraded state. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708094827.htm 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/2009/07/090707094704.htm Anyone who wants to can now produce their own vehicle in a factory on the “Second Life” Internet platform. They can program the industrial robots, and transport and assemble the individual parts themselves. Learning platforms provide relevant background information. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707094704.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/2009/06/090618125037.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/2009/06/090612115531.htm A new type of robot being developed will make it easier to detect drugs, weapons, explosives and illegal immigrants concealed in cargo containers. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616080133.htm Major challenges and opportunities will arise in the health sector in the future. Although sophisticated medical technology is already available in health systems in developed countries, further advances are constantly being made. As a result of the addition of medical nanotechnology to existing knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, it seems likely that new, more personalized, more accurate and more rapid diagnostic techniques will be devised in the future, as well as new treatments that are also more personalized and promote regeneration of the organism. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616080133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609073154.htm Scientists have developed a new type of fish-shaped, bionic robot as an alternative means of marine propulsion that might replace ships’ screws in sensitive waters. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609073154.htm