Collaborate Disseminate
Soft-bodied robots have numerous desirable qualities, such as the ability to squeeze through gaps, or survive being stepped on. And so far, they’ve typically been manually assembled on a one-off basis. That could be about to change, though, thanks to a… Continue reading Semi-soft “flexoskeleton” robots inspired by insects
Marine aquaculture pens have to be regularly checked for holes, plus the fish need to be inspected for disease or parasites. And although the job is typically performed by human divers, it turns out that a robotic sea turtle may be a better choice for … Continue reading Robotic sea turtle shows promise as fish farm inspector
Ice and airplane wings don’t mix particularly well, with the added weight making it hard for the aircraft to take off, or causing it potentially catastrophic problems once in the air. Scientists are continually looking at better ways to address this pr… Continue reading Mint leaves offer a new blueprint for frost-free surfaces
While it’s important to keep the wings of aircraft ice-free, the application of chemical deicers before takeoff can be problematic. German scientists are working on something that could help, in the form of an ice-repelling laser-based treatment for fl… Continue reading Scientists developing ice-repelling laser treatment for airplanes
While many insects that would otherwise become bat food rely on the sounds created by the nocturnal creatures to dodge their advances, deaf species of moth have no such luxury. These critters do have another trick up their sleeve, it turns out, with re… Continue reading Deaf moths use commercial-grade noise-cancelling to dodge hungry bats
One of the challenges in designing micro air vehicles (MAVs) lies in the fact that if their battery is large enough to provide much range, it’s too heavy for them to carry. Scientists have developed what could be an alternative, though, in the form of … Continue reading Light-powered wing flaps as long as the sun shines
Engineers from Johns Hopkins have looked to how snakes move around to inform the design of a nimble new robot. It is hoped that the development could lead to search and rescue bots able to tackle all kinds of obstacles with ease.Continue ReadingCategor… Continue reading Snake-inspired robot slithers and climbs over obstacles
We’ve already seen several dog-like quadruped robots, which move by walking with their four backward-bending legs. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are now getting in on the act, with their artificially-intelligent (and dog-headed) … Continue reading Astro robo-dog packs an AI-enabled "brain" in its 3D-printed head
Although jellyfish may not be the fastest animals in the ocean, they do swim in an energy-efficient manner – a manner that underwater robots might do well to copy. With that in mind, Chinese scientists have created a robotic jellyfish, that m… Continue reading Robotic jellyfish takes to the water without a tether
For several years now, we’ve been hearing about “microneedle patches” that deliver medication less painfully and more safely than hypodermic needles. A new take on the technology may allow them to work even better, by copying the structure of… Continue reading Venomous snake fangs inspire new microneedle drug-delivery system