Air-powered robot needs no electronics to walk like a turtle

Soft robots are gaining a lot of attention in research circles, largely due to the safety benefits for humans who might need to work in their vicinity. Soft robots are gaining a lot of attention in research circles, and from an engineering lab at the U… Continue reading Air-powered robot needs no electronics to walk like a turtle

Dragonfly-inspired splint locks into place to support injured joints

Taking inspiration from some of the unique attributes of dragonfly wings, scientists at Germany’s Kiel University have developed a new type of splint for injured joints that offers support in all the right places. The device can withstand loads many ti… Continue reading Dragonfly-inspired splint locks into place to support injured joints

Dragonflies’ self-righting mechanism could find use in safer drones

If a drone were to inadvertently end up upside-down while flying, it would be good if the aircraft could automatically flip itself back over again, to avoid crashing. Such may someday be the case, thanks to a recent study on dragonfly flight.Continue R… Continue reading Dragonflies’ self-righting mechanism could find use in safer drones

Butterflies cup their wings to produce tiny jets and evade predators

By analyzing the way butterflies rapidly take flight in wind tunnel experiments, scientists have uncovered new detail around how the insects evade predators. The mechanics of their wings were found to help generate small pockets of air that can quickly… Continue reading Butterflies cup their wings to produce tiny jets and evade predators

Jellyfish-inspired robot moves like nature’s most efficient swimmer

When it comes to developing robots that can move efficiently through water, scientists regularly turn to creature’s like squid and jellyfish for inspiration, and a UK research team has just produced one that can swim with the best of them. The soft and… Continue reading Jellyfish-inspired robot moves like nature’s most efficient swimmer

Jellyfish-inspired robot moves like nature’s most efficient swimmer

When it comes to developing robots that can move efficiently through water, scientists regularly turn to creature’s like squid and jellyfish for inspiration, and a UK research team has just produced one that can swim with the best of them. The soft and… Continue reading Jellyfish-inspired robot moves like nature’s most efficient swimmer

Tiny schooling aquatic robots inspired by fish

We’ve already heard about small flying or wheeled robots that cooperate on tasks by working in collaborative “swarms.” Harvard University researchers have now gone a step further, by developing tiny underwater robots that school together like fish.Cont… Continue reading Tiny schooling aquatic robots inspired by fish

Antenna-inspired device detects disease-carrying mosquitos

If you’re trying to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitos, it’s important to know when and where the biting females of the targeted species are present. An experimental new device could help, by mimicking the insects’ hearing apparatus.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Antenna-inspired device detects disease-carrying mosquitos

“Smellicopter” drone uses live moth antenna to sniff out targets

No matter how good we humans have made something, chances are nature did it better millions of years ago. Rather than compete, it’s often better to tap into the natural version – and that’s exactly what scientists have done with the Smellicopter, a dro… Continue reading “Smellicopter” drone uses live moth antenna to sniff out targets