Dancing bees inspire alternative communication system for robots

We’ve heard about robots that communicate with one another via wireless networks, in order to collaborate on tasks. Sometimes, however, such networks aren’t an option. A new bee-inspired technique gets the bots to “dance” instead.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Dancing bees inspire alternative communication system for robots

Study suggests moth-inspired wallpaper could one day soundproof homes

Two years ago, scientists at the University of Bristol discovered that certain types of moths evade bats via sound-absorbing scales on their body. New research now suggests that wallpaper inspired by those scales could be used to block out unwanted noi… Continue reading Study suggests moth-inspired wallpaper could one day soundproof homes

Study suggests moth-inspired wallpaper could one day soundproof homes

Two years ago, scientists at the University of Bristol discovered that certain types of moths evade bats via sound-absorbing scales on their body. New research now suggests that wallpaper inspired by those scales could be used to block out unwanted noi… Continue reading Study suggests moth-inspired wallpaper could one day soundproof homes

Scientists cover robotic finger with living skin made from human cells

We’ve been hearing a lot about synthetic skins designed for robotic hands, which would give the devices more human-like qualities. Well, scientists in Japan have gone a step further, by covering a robotic finger in a self-healing skin made from live hu… Continue reading Scientists cover robotic finger with living skin made from human cells

Robotics contest will build a biomimetic robot based on winning entry

More and more, we’re finding that by copying nature, we can develop technologies that are capable of performing previously impossible functions. A new contest encourages that kind of thinking, by inviting ideas for nature-inspired robots … and the winn… Continue reading Robotics contest will build a biomimetic robot based on winning entry

Amphibious drone uses remora-inspired disc to hitch underwater rides

While we have heard of a few aerial drones that are also able to operate underwater, a new one takes that concept considerably further. Using a fish-inspired suction disc, it can hitch rides underwater – possibly even on submarines – to save battery po… Continue reading Amphibious drone uses remora-inspired disc to hitch underwater rides

Bone-inspired materials offer light weight and tunable stiffness

Scientists regularly turn to nature for inspiration in their pursuit of next-generation materials, and a team of engineers studying the porous microstructures of bone and wood has come up with a clever example of biomimicry with wide-ranging potential…. Continue reading Bone-inspired materials offer light weight and tunable stiffness

Robotic rat may one day search for survivors at disaster sites

While scientists have already created tight-space-exploring robots based on snakes and cockroaches, rats are also highly adept at squeezing through narrow openings and traversing uneven terrain. They now have a robotic equivalent of their own, in the f… Continue reading Robotic rat may one day search for survivors at disaster sites

Squid skin inspires versatile new “tunable” insulating material

A team of engineers led by Alon Gorodetsky at the University of California, Irvine, has come up with a new infrared-reflecting, metalized polymer film inspired by the color-changing skin of the squid. The tunable insulating properties of the composite … Continue reading Squid skin inspires versatile new “tunable” insulating material