Control Engineering

A flexible, porous lattice structure is threaded with stretchable optical fibers containing more than a dozen mechanosensors and attached to an LED light. When the lattice structure is pressed, the sensors pinpoint changes in the photon flow. Courtesy: Cornell University

Robotics September 20, 2019

Optical lace developed to heighten robots’ sensors

Cornell University researchers are using optical lace to create a linked sensory network similar to a biological nervous system for robots to improve their actions.

By David Nutt

Robotics September 19, 2019

Robot cybersecurity threats: What to watch for

In order for a robot to be safe, it should be protected against cyberattacks and possible security breaches and there are several ways this can happen.

By Robotic Industries Association (RIA)

Using the 3D printing method developed by the MIT researchers, a structure such as this model airplane wing could have both light emitters and light detectors embedded in the material, so that it could continuously detect any micro-cracks as they begin to form. Courtesy: Felice Frankel, MIT

Robotics September 18, 2019

Engineers develop multimaterial fiber ink for 3-D-printed devices

A method developed by MIT researchers uses standard 3-D printers to produce functioning devices with the electronics already embedded inside and can sense their surroundings, store energy or perform other actions.

By David L. Chandler

NTU students receive the Optomec LENS MTS 500 HY CA system (Left to right): Aaron Sansosie, Adriane Tenequer, Lisa Willis, Chad Yazzie, Scott Halliday, Joshua Toddy and Les Notah. Courtesy: Navajo Technical University

Robotics September 17, 2019

Hybrid controlled atmosphere system delivered to technical university

Navajo Technical University (NTU) received a hybrid controlled atmosphere system from Optomec for education, research and workforce development in advanced metal additive manufacturing.

By Optomec

Robotics September 16, 2019

Research looking to give robots a second impression

Cornell University researchers, along with MIT, are studying how humans form and update impressions of robots with the goal of creating a computational model allowing robots to adjust their nonverbal behavior accordingly.

By Melanie Lefkowitz

Snake-like rotots have been around for more than a decade and were initially used for search-and-rescue operations in challenging terrains. Their use is being evaluated for a range of industrial operationds, including gaining access to confined spaces. Courtesy: Sarcos Robotics

Robotics September 13, 2019

Keep workers safe, costs low

Why Ameren Missouri is leveraging the power of robotics.

By Kristi Martindale

Hybrid unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are drones that combine the advantages of multi-copters and fixed-wing planes. These drones are equipped to vertically take off and land like multi-copters, yet also have the strong aerodynamic performance and energy-saving capabilities of traditional planes. As hybrid UAVs continue to evolve, however, controlling them remotely still remains a challenge. Courtesy: Jie Xu, MIT/ISSSource

Robotics August 28, 2019

AI-driven controller developed for hybrid drones

A team of researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have developed an AI-driven controller to control hybrid drones.

By Gregory Hale

Robotics August 27, 2019

Four ways industrial automation will evolve

Industrial automation has continued evolving as machines become more connected and smarter while reducing maintenance costs for companies.

By Robotic Industries Association (RIA)

Robotics August 23, 2019

Robots need to understand and think more

Robots, according to a paper from the University of Birmingham, will need to think in the right context as economies embrace automation, connectivity and digitization and as levels of human-robot interaction increase.

By Suzanne Gill

To test how well the algorithm might work in a warehouse, the researchers had a robot (white arm) monitor participants performing activities in a warehouse-like setting. Within three seconds of the end of each activity, the robot showed a score on its display (right). Courtesy: Parsa et al./IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters/University of Washington

Robotics August 23, 2019

Machine learning used to determine warehouse ergonomics for worker safety

Researchers at the University of Washington used machine learning to develop a system that monitors factory and warehouse workers and tell them, in real time, how risky their behaviors are.

By Sarah McQuate