10 prosthetic limbs so cool they’re better than the real thing
We take our arms and legs for granted because they're always there. However, some are born without them or lose them in horrific accidents. Check out our favorite 10 prosthetic limbs that have unique, futuristic features and make our normal limbs look like a thing of the past.
Ability to twist like magic may make spider silk the robotic muscle of the future
Researchers from MIT have discovered a new property of spider silk that could make it the robotic muscle of the future. The team found that not only are silk fibers very resilient, but they can also twist and contract with great force when exposed to varying levels of humidity.
A robot called Stan aims to take the stress out of airport parking
Stan is an autonomous valet parking robot that not only saves drivers lots of time at an airport, but also helps parking lots to significantly increase capacity. A trial of the technology -- developed by Paris-based Stanley Robotics -- will take place this summer at Gatwick, one of the U.K.'s busiest airports.
Tiny microbots fold like origami to travel through the human body
Tiny robots modeled after bacteria could be used to deliver drugs to hard to reach areas of the human body. Scientists at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed elastic microbots that can change shape depending on their environment.
Lovot is a cute companion robot that wants to give you affection
It won't do the housework or cut the grass, but it might make you happy. We're talking about Lovot, a new companion robot out of Japan. It's been designed by Tokyo-based Groove X, whose CEO Kaname Hayashi worked extensively on SoftBank's Pepper robot before he left to set up his own company.
DT Live: Boring Company demo, plant-robot hybrids, and 2018 advances
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discussed the first partially organic robot, as well as some milestones for cars and robotics over the last year. We were also joined by Alana Mitchell of Skincare by Alana to talk about how technology is being used by her company to provide results.
High-tech dancing robot turns out to be a guy in a costume
A Russian TV audience was impressed recently by an adult-sized "robot" that could dance and talk. But when some viewers began pointing out that the android's actions were a little bit weird, and that it had no sensors, the truth finally emerged ... it was a fella in a robot suit.
Delivery robot goes up in flames while out and about in California
A small meal-delivery robot suddenly caught fire in Berkeley, California, on Friday. The robot's maker, Kiwi, said the incident was caused by a faulty battery. The blaze was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt, but the episode is still a troubling one for the fledgling robot delivery industry.
Postmates’ to roll out Minion-like autonomous delivery robots in 2019
On-demand delivery firm Postmates is about to employ a cute little robot to work alongside its human delivery personnel. Called Serve, the wheel-based bot can carry items weighing up to 50 pounds and has a range of 30 miles. It'll hit the streets first in Los Angeles, with more cities welcoming the robot next year.
Robot janitors will soon be scrubbing the floors at your local Walmart
Hundreds of robot janitors will soon be working at Walmart stores across the U.S. The company says the autonomous floor scrubbers will free its human staff from monotonous tasks, giving them more time to focus on customers. The rollout follows in-store testing of the technology over the last year.
Brain-reading tech lets paralyzed people control a tablet with their thoughts
The U.S.-based BrainGate consortium has developed technology that makes it possible for people with paralysis to use tablets and other mobile devices -- simply by thinking about cursor movements and clicks. Here's how it works, and what study participants were able to achieve.
Robot uprising a step closer with plan for factory where they build themselves
A factory where robots make robots is surely the stuff of nightmares for those living in fear of the dreaded uprising. But putting apocalyptic horrors aside for a moment, ABB's new facility could be one of the most advanced of its kind when it opens in 2020 with plans to make 100,000 robots a year.
Tokyo robotic warehouse needs almost no human workers
Uniqlo has unveiled its first robot-powered warehouse that requires 90 percent fewer human workers and can operate around the clock. The Japanese clothing giant plans to invest close to $1 billion dollars to convert all of its warehouses worldwide into high-tech shipping hubs.
Boston Dynamics is trying to make fetch happen with its new working robot dog
Boston Dynamics wants to see Spot in the workplace, but not as part of take-your-dog-to-work days. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the Massachusetts-based technology company believes its extraordinary robo-dog is now ready to start work, and a new video shows exactly why.
This is surely the coolest way yet to solve a Rubik’s Cube
If your attempts to complete the Rubik's Cube usually end with the thing flying out of the window or against a wall, then what you need is one that solves itself. A Japanese creator has just created such a cube, squeezing a tiny computer and motors inside the world's most frustrating toy.
Roll over, SpotMini — here comes the ALMA robo-dog
If two robo-dogs met on the street, would one attempt to sniff the mechanical components located at the rear of the other? We have no idea, but with Robotic Systems Lab's robo-dog recently showing off its improved skills, and SpotMini hitting the market in the coming months, we may soon find out.
Moxi the ‘friendly’ hospital robot wants to help nurses, not replace them
Moxi is a "friendly" hospital robot from Texas-based Diligent Robotics. The wheel-based bot aims to free nurses from routine tasks so they can spend more time with patients. Trials at several medical facilities begin this week, giving its creators their first glimpse of Moxi in a real-world environment.
‘There’s Waldo’ robot will find Waldo long before you can
There’s Waldo is the brain child of Matt Reed, a creative technologist at the creative agency Redpepper. Reed and his colleagues built the bot out of a uArm Swift Pro that’s controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer. Facial recognition software helps spot the character in under 4.5 seconds.
Soft robotic hand gives scientists new grip on deep sea life
A team of roboticists and marine biologists from Harvard University have created a sampling device that’s soft and flexible for grabbing fragile organisms. What’s more, the device can be 3D printed on the fly so that researchers can make modifications to suit different organisms while out in the field.
Want an extra arm? A third thumb? Check out these awesome robotic appendages
Have you ever dreamed of augmenting your body with the aid of addition limbs? Ever wished you could have a pair of extra arms, a third leg, or a sixth finger on each hand? Check out this list of amazing robo-prosthetics which promise to take your multitasking to the next level.
It’s curtains for Kuri: Work ceased on robot companion project
Eighteen months after it made its debut at CES 2017, Mayfield Robotics announced this week that it’s ending development of Kuri, its robotic companion. The wheel-based bot was described as an “intelligent pet” and acted as an interactive and mobile videographer, capturing everyday moments around the home.
From picking to pollinating, agribots are pushing farming into the future
Agricultural scientists are turning to emerging technologies, such as robotics and AI, to help deal with the challenges associated with modern-day farming. Here are some of the tech being harvested today.
7 times Honda’s iconic Asimo robot blew us away (and 1 side-splitting fail)
Asimo is gone, but it won't be forgotten. Honda's talented bipedal bot dazzled and delighted us over the years, and was ahead of its time in many respects. So, as a tribute, we've compiled a collection of some memorable Asimo moments from 2000 when it made its very first appearance.
CanguRo robot is part transport, part best friend
CanguRo is a robot on wheels that cleverly transforms between an autonomous assistant and a self-driving mobility vehicle. The three-wheeler can follow you places, carry heavy loads, and also drive you about. And when the team provides it with speech capabilities, you'll be able to chat to it, too.
Asimo, Honda’s amazing biped, heads to robot retirement home
Honda is retiring its multitalented Asimo robot. But it's not all bad news as many of its talents will be incorporated into other technology produced by the Japanese company, such as mobility aids and autonomous vehicles. Asimo made its first appearance in 2000 but it was in development for 14 years before that.
Pepper the robot is now working at a bank in New York City
Pepper the friendly robot has been given a variety of customer-facing roles in its three-year existence, admittedly with varying degrees of success. Now HSBC is hiring it to perform tasks at its main branch in Manhattan, New York City. The bank says it's aim is to give customers a glimpse of "the branch of the future."
50,000 Las Vegas workers set to strike, demand protection from robots
Fifty-thousand workers are set to strike across Las Vegas. Among the Culinary Workers Union's demands are higher wages, better job security, and protections from automation. The workers, whose contracts are up on June 1, are employed by more than 30 of the city’s most well-known resorts.
VTOL drone can evacuate wounded soldiers and disaster victims, deliver cargo
Tactical Robotics' unmanned Cormorant VTOL drone can evacuate two wounded battlefield casualties or disaster site victims at the same time. The aircraft can land and take off from remote or hard to reach locations without a landing strip.
From BigDog to SpotMini: Tracing the evolution of Boston Dynamics robo-dogs
Launched in 1992, Boston Dynamics has introduced some of the most advanced robots around, especially when it comes to replicating the movement of animals -- the most well-known of which are its series of canine-inspired machines.
Boston Dynamics’ SpotMini robot is slated to go on sale in 2019
Boston Dynamics has unveiled another version of its dog-like SpotMini robot, which once again features a rather terrifying appendage. And now, we're a step closer to being able to see the action of this robot up close and personal.The SpotMini is slated to go on sale to the public in 2019.
Scared yet? Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot can now jog freely
With every new video, Boston Dynamics impresses us with its robotic creations. Fresh from performing several flawless backflips, its Atlas humanoid robot was recently untethered and allowed to go for a run in the woods. If you're fearful of a robot uprising, you'll now fear it a little more.
Sony sells thousands of Aibo robot dogs as it considers U.S. launch
Aibo the robot dog is selling well in its launch market, Japan. Sony released the new version of its robotic pet in January, adding lots of new features and more realistic movements compared to its predecessor. It costs around $1,800, though owners also have to pay around $23 a month for cloud-based extras.
Technology makes our lives easier, but is it at the cost of our humanity?
In a new book called Re-Engineer Humanity, Evan Selinger, professor of philosophy at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Brett Frischmann, professor of law at Villanova University, argue that technology is causing humans to behave like mere machines.
Pepper the robot’s latest gig is at the Smithsonian
Pepper's latest gig is at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. And there won't be just one or two of them helping out. The museum, research, and education complex is hiring 25 of the diminutive droids to assist at several of its locations, with visitors encouraged to interact with the friendly robot.