Welcome to our robotics news blog, where we have carefully curated the top headlines from the globe to help you stay fully informed and up-to-date with the newest trends in the robotics industry.
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- Robotics News in August 2023
- Robotics News in July 2023
- Robotics News in June 2023
- Robotics News in May 2023
- Robotics News in April 2023
- Robotics News in March 2023
- Robotics News in February 2023
- Robotics News in January 2023
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in August 2023
The Humanoid robot Apollo: It can walk, grasp objects like humans
(Aug 24, 2023)
Image Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
A humanoid robot created by Austin-based robotics business Apptronik is designed to collaborate with people. On Wednesday, i.e 23 August 2023 It was unveiled that Apollo, a humanoid robot, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 72.6 kilograms, it is the same height as an average person.
Apollo has been built so that it can operate safely alongside people and can support weights of up to 25 kg. It has characteristics that make it approachable and amiable. It is powered by electricity and has a rechargeable 4-hour battery.
On its chest, Apollo features a computerised panel that provides people with information about the work it is doing, how long it will take to complete the task, and what it will do next. It has a human-like visage and moves purposefully in the direction it moves in.
While its midsection is equipped with sensors that map a 360-degree view of its surroundings and determine if it should move, Apollo’s head is equipped with Perception cameras. The robot’s sensors also aid in maintaining its orientation as it moves. The main computer or brain of the creature is in the chest.
The actuators, or robot muscles, developed by Apptronik allow robots to move like humans by walking, grasping objects, and flexing their arms.
Jeff Cardnenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, told CNN in an interview, “Our goal is to build versatile robots to do all the things that we don’t want to do to help us here on earth and eventually one day explore the moon mass.”
The Apptronik team is working on the concept of simplifying 30 muscle groups so that the robot can function like humans. A human body contains 300 muscles.
Source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/robotics
Beijing Announces $1.4B Robotics Fund
(August 18, 2023)
A 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) robotics fund has been established in Beijing with the goal of developing the city’s robotics technology and making it a global powerhouse for the sector.
The fund will encourage invention, promote business innovations, and finance mergers and acquisitions in the regional robotics industry.
Additionally, it will offer financial aid to hasten the creation of a robotics supply chain, including funding for the purchase of essential parts like semiconductors and operating systems. The programme has already received a 2 billion yuan ($274 million) first investment from the Beijing government.
China has been working hard to grow its robots business, with an emphasis on automating different industries. By 2025, there should be 500 robots for every 10,000 workers. According to current data, China is seeing a considerable growth in the number of robot installations. According to the government’s 14th five-year plan, the operational income of the robotics sector should increase by more than 20% yearly.
Source:https://www.therobotreport.com/beijing-announces-1-4b-robotics-fund/
Aerobotix Integrates Robots that Inspect, Prepare, and Paint Combat Aircraft
(August 4, 2023)
Aerobotix builds and integrates robotic inspection, sanding, and painting systems for US military aircraft maintenance. It even painted the US Air Force aircraft filmed for the original Top Gun Maverick movie.
ARM Institute Announces 8 New Technology Projects
(August 25, 2023)
Eight cutting-edge technology initiatives have just been unveiled by the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, supported by roughly $1.56 million in financing from diverse industries.
A cumulative $3.26 million will be given to these projects overall. The projects are chosen in response to project calls created by the ARM Institute in collaboration with internal specialists, ARM Members, and Department of Defence partners.
The projects are designed to address important manufacturing-related issues.
Source:https://www.therobotreport.com/arm-institute-announces-8-new-technology-projects/
McCoy’s Deploys Badger Robots to Improve On-Shelf Availability
(August 9, 2023)
In-store robots are being used by Badger Technologies at McCoy’s Building Supply to boost productivity and boost customer service. Following a successful pilot, these multipurpose autonomous robots have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness, detecting out-of-stock and improperly priced items with over 95% accuracy. This resulted in a stunning 97% increase in price-tag accuracy and a reduction of out-of-stock products by up to 50%.
With 85 locations throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, McCoy’s Building Supply is a well-known privately held building supply business with its headquarters in San Marcos, Texas. The business’s dedication to offering top-notch service to both customers and staff is at the heart of the choice to use robots from Badger Technologies.
The robots help automate inventory management by providing up to 50,000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) per site with real-time data on product availability and pricing. They complete inventory shelf scans in just two hours each day, freeing employees from a laborious task that once required up to 50 hours each week. This results in a weekly 72% time savings for product and price inspections.
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in July 2023
Image Source: Eurek Alert
A Team of Robots on a Lunar Exploration Tour
Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) are developing a team of robots for lunar exploration missions. They are called ANYmal robots. They have measurement instruments, which will equip them to search for minerals and raw materials on the Moon. By training them to work together, the researchers ensure that even if one robot malfunctions, the others can continue their tasks seamlessly. Space agencies like ESA are increasingly interested in mining potential on the Moon, making these robot teams essential for future missions.
Source: Science Daily
New Skin-like Sensors Can be Seamlessly Integrated Anywhere
Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has successfully devised an automated method to create soft sensors. These versatile measurement cells can be conveniently affixed to a wide range of objects, with potential applications in fields such as robotics and prosthetics.
Source: Tech Xplore
Recommended Reading: Why is Moonpreneur’s Robotics Program Important?
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in June 2023
Image Source: San Diego Biotech News
Four-legged Robot Traverses Tricky Terrains Thanks to Improved 3D Vision
Under the guidance of UC San Diego researchers, a groundbreaking model has been developed to enhance the visual perception of four-legged robots in three dimensions. This innovative advancement empowers the robot to independently navigate tricky terrains, effortlessly surmounting obstacles like stairs, rugged landscapes, and paths with gaps.
Source: San Diego Biotech News
Using Fake Raspberries to Train Robots How to Pick Real Ones
At CREATE Lab, EPFL in Switzerland, a team of three roboticists has successfully created, constructed, and evaluated a raspberry-picking robot. Their project, documented in the journal Communications Engineering, involved the innovative concept of cost reduction in the design of fruit-picking robots. Kai Junge, Catarina Pires, and Josie Hughes spearheaded the development and testing of their robot, which marks a significant advancement in the field.
Source: Tech Xplore
Recommended Reading: Learning Coding, Robotics, and Other Tech Hobbies for Kids
FireDrone: Heat-resistant Drones Can Scope Out And Map Burning Buildings And Wildfires
Researchers from Imperial College London and Empa have successfully developed a drone capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, enabling it to enter burning buildings. Named FireDrone, this prototype drone has the potential to be deployed in scenarios such as burning buildings or woodland, where it can assess hazards and gather vital data from high-risk areas. The gathered information can be transmitted to first responders, aiding them in making informed decisions for emergency response.
Source: Tech Explorist
City Buildings Could Blow Air Taxi Future Off Course
Prominent companies such as Boeing, Hyundai, Airbus, and Toyota are developing “flying taxis” or “air taxis”. With the formulation of new regulations in Europe and the US, a framework for air taxi operations is being established, paving the way for their deployment within the next decade. Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is also anticipated to follow suit by implementing similar measures in the foreseeable future.
Source: News Wise
Recommended Reading: Exploring the Relationship between Robotics and Mathematics in Children’s Learning
Mori3: A Polygon Shape-shifting Robot For Space Travel
Mori3, a robot created by researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, can transform into almost any 3D object. The design is modular, according to the authors, allowing astronauts to utilize it for a variety of needs during space travel.
Source: Science Times
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in May 2023
Image Source: Medium
Robotic Proxy Brings Remote Users to Life in Real-time
Researchers at Cornell University have created a robot named ReMotion, which acts as a physical representation of a remote user. This robot accurately replicates the user’s movements in real time, capturing and conveying essential body language that is typically lost in traditional virtual environments. By occupying physical space on behalf of the user, ReMotion enhances the immersive experience and facilitates more natural and authentic interactions in remote settings.
Source: Medium
Team Develops A Centipede Robot With Variable Body-axis Flexibility
Osaka University researchers have developed a walking robot that utilizes dynamic instability for navigation. By adjusting coupling flexibility, the robot can turn without relying on intricate computational control systems. This advancement could aid in the development of rescue robots capable of traversing uneven terrain.
Source: Life Technology
Empowering Dementia Patients: Meet the robot that locates your lost items!
Engineers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a new way to program robots to help people with dementia locate medicine, glasses, phones and other objects they need but have lost.
Source: Science Daily
A New Simulation Tool Helps Robots Handle Fluids
Researchers create a new simulation tool for robots to manipulate complex fluids in a step toward helping them more effortlessly assist with daily tasks. FluidLab, a new simulation tool from researchers at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), enhances robot learning for complex fluid manipulation tasks like making latte art, ice cream, and even manipulating air.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
DreamWaQer: A Quadrupedal Robot That Can Walk In The Dark
Korean engineering researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in quadrupedal robot technology. Their innovation enables the robot to navigate stairs, uneven terrains, and even challenging environments like tree roots without the reliance on visual or tactile sensors. This capability proves particularly valuable in disaster scenarios where visual confirmation is hindered by darkness or thick smoke. The robot maintains stability and avoids falling over, showcasing its robustness and adaptability in adverse conditions.
Source: Mirage News
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in April 2023
Image Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Boston Dynamics Robot Dog Learns to Paint
Spot, the robot dog created by Boston Dynamics, is set to transition from the factory floor to the art gallery as it takes center stage at the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Triennial in Melbourne, Australia. This prestigious arts festival will showcase three of these robotic canines, which will be trained by artist Agnieszka Pilat to autonomously engage in painting. Over a span of four months, the robot dogs will diligently work within the gallery, contributing to the creation of a remarkable and enduring artistic masterpiece.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Jellyfish-Bot: Jellyfish-inspired Robots May Play A Crucial Role in Cleaning Up Oceans
Roboticists have developed a jellyfish-inspired underwater robot with which they hope one day to collect waste from the bottom of the ocean. The almost noise-free prototype can trap objects underneath its body without physical contact, thereby enabling safe interactions in delicate environments such as coral reefs. Jellyfish-Bot could become an important tool for environmental remediation.
Source: Forbes
Ionic Skin Allows Robots to Feel
Researchers at Donghua University in China recently introduced a new ionic skin that could be used to emulate the function of fingertips in robots. This skin, introduced in a paper in Advanced Materials, could ultimately allow robots to sense the tactile properties of objects and recognize different textures or materials.
Source: IOT World Today
ChatGPT Gives Humanoid Robot Ability to Speak in Multiple Languages
Utilizing AI technology, Engineered Arts is imparting new language abilities to its humanoid robot, Ameca. Thanks to ChatGPT, Ameca can communicate fluently in multiple languages.
Source: IOT World Today
Researchers From MIT Developed A Robot Dog Capable of Playing Soccer
MIT researchers have created a cutting-edge robot dog, known as Dribblebot, which exhibits the ability to dribble a soccer ball across various terrains. This small quadrupedal robot employs reinforcement learning techniques to adapt its movements to different surfaces, including grass, sand, gravel, mud, and even snow. Furthermore, Dribblebot can recover the ball autonomously in the event of a stumble or fall.
Source: Yahoo News
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in March 2023
Image Source: NAAS
Autonomous Charging Robot for Drivers Unveiled
NaaS Technology, one of the largest and fastest-growing electric vehicle charging service providers in China, recently announced the launch of its first self-developed automatic charging robot with features including active vehicle locating, smart charging, and automatic payment settlement to meet the rising demand for mobile charging of electric vehicles.
Source: PR Newswire
NASA Crew Holds Virtual Robotics Competition From Space
A NASA crew aboard the International Space Station has concluded a virtual robotics competition, where students can remotely control and observe a flying robot as it moves around the station.
Source: IOT world today
Biodegradable Artificial Muscles: Going Green in the Field of Soft Robotics
The scientists collaborated to design a fully biodegradable, high-performance artificial muscle—based on gelatin, oil, and bioplastics. They show the potential of this biodegradable technology by using it to animate a robotic gripper, which could be especially useful in single-use deployments such as for waste collection.
Source: Medium
MIT Designs Robots That Keep Flying Even With Damaged Wings
MIT researchers have created a new bee-inspired robotic design that can fly even after sustaining injuries to its wings. The small, rectangular flying robots fitted with wings on each corner are powered by Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs). These DEAs are effectively soft artificial muscles that use mechanical forces to rapidly flap the wings.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Samsung Invests in Autonomous Robot Startup
Autonomous South Korean robot services company Neubility has announced that Samsung Venture Investment has invested 3 billion won ($2.2 million) in the company. This brings the total cumulative investment to approximately 30 billion won ($22 million) and provides a bridgehead for global expansion into major overseas markets such as Europe, Japan, and the United States, while also establishing a production base in Southeast Asia.
Source: Korea Techdesk
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in February 2023
Image Source: Tech Funding News
Kiwibot Receives $10M in Funding to Scale Robotic Fleet
Kiwibot got a $10 million financing partnership with Kineo Finance, aimed at expanding the manufacturing and implementation of its robotic delivery service. This collaboration is Kineo’s initial investment in the delivery-as-a-service (DaaS) sector. Kiwibot’s fleet of eco-friendly delivery robots, equipped with GPS, a range of camera sensors, and artificial intelligence, efficiently chart routes, circumvent obstacles, and autonomously navigate to their designated destinations.
Source: IOT world today
Dubai Launches Food Delivery Robots Called ‘Talabots’
Dubai launched food delivery robots as part of a drive to promote smart, driverless transportation to achieve zero emissions targets. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the pilot launch of autonomous delivery robots.
Source: Gulf News
Japan to Roll Out Traffic Laws for Delivery Robots
Japan is set to introduce new traffic laws to allow self-driving delivery robots easier access to public roads across the country. The new laws are hoped to particularly aid elderly people living in remote areas by increasing their access to food, as well as meet ongoing labor shortages in the country by stepping in for currently short-staffed delivery drivers.
Source: IOT world today
Researchers Build Robots That Can Help Firefighters During Indoor Emergencies
Researchers at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid recently created an autonomous ground robot that could assist firefighters when they are tackling emergencies in indoor environments.
Source: Tech Xplore
A Lizard-inspired Robot to Explore The Surface of Mars
Researchers at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China, have recently developed a new four-legged robot inspired by lizards that could aid the exploration of the red planet’s surface. Their robot has a flexible body structure that can replicate a desert lizard’s movements and locomotion style.
Source: LinkedIn
Robotics News That You’ve Missed in January 2023
Image Source: ETH Zurich
A Precision Arm For Miniature Robots
Until now, microscopic robotic systems have had to make do without arms. Now, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an ultrasonically actuated glass needle that can be attached to a robotic arm. This lets them pump and mix minuscule amounts of liquid and trap particles.
Source: ETH Zurich
New Soft Robots Poised to be More Agile, Controlled
A team of researchers at Cornell University designed a new and simple system of fluid-driven actuators that enable soft robots to achieve more complex motions. The researchers accomplished this by taking advantage of the very thin viscosity that had previously stymied the movement of fluid-driven soft robots.
Source: Science Daily
A Fairy-like Robot Flies by The Power of Wind and Light
Researchers at Tampere University in Finland have developed a Dandelion seed-inspired flying robot that can stand in for some pollinators. The Flying Aero-robots based on the Light Responsive Materials Assembly, FAIRY robot, is a tiny lightweight robot that relies on wind to float in the air.
Source: Ground News
Now Robot Able to “Smell” Using a Biological Sensor
A new technological development by Tel Aviv University has made it possible for a robot to smell using a biological sensor. The sensor sends electrical signals as a response to the presence of a nearby odor, which the robot can detect and interpret.
Source: Neuroscience News
Introducing RaiBo, A Robotic Dog That Swiftly Traverses Sandy Beaches at An Impressive Speed of 3 Meters Per Second
RaiBo is the first capable of navigating uneven surfaces, running along sandy dunes at three meters per second. The team from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) used advanced neural networks to allow the dog to make judgments on the run.
Source: Yahoo News
Update: This article was last updated on 22nd September 2023 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
