Discover the Latest at Robotics Edition

If you're setting out to build an underwater robot that's speedy, maneuverable and versatile, why not just copy what already works in the natural world? That's exactly what Beatbot has done, with its bio-inspired Amphibious RoboTurtle.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Biomimicry, Swimming, Ocean, Autonomous

Sanctuary AI's Phoenix robot is certainly an impressive beast, with hydraulically actuated hands that are incredibly dextrous. Well, those hands have recently become even more useful, as each one is now capable of simultaneously holding and manipulating an object.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Sanctuary AI, Hand, Dexterity

This 125-kg (276-lb) robotic ball looks – and acts – like it could've broken free from the Batpod. It's a self-balancing sphere that can chase down criminals at up to 35 km/h (22 mph) on land or water, and strike with a range of non-lethal weapons.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: China, Police, Crime, Robot, Sphere, Amphibious

It was just two years ago that a tiny robotic manta ray became the world's fastest-swimming soft-bodied robot. Well, one of its descendants has now smashed that record – and it uses less energy than its predecessor, to boot.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: North Carolina State University, Soft Robotics, Swimming, Biomimicry

While autonomous flying robots have some intriguing potential applications, their usefulness is limited if they can't move across uneven terrain once they land. An experimental new bio-inspired bot can do so, however, by mimicking the gait of the raven.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: EPFL, Biomimicry, Flight, Birds

Although a number of wheeled robots can traverse uneven terrain, their body doesn't stay level as they do so, making them unsuitable for many tasks. That's where the KATR comes in, as it uses extendable legs to maintain an even cargo deck.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Kubota, Off-road

When most of us think of freshly poured concrete, we picture a material that should be left to dry as smooth as possible. A new wheeled robot drives right over the stuff, however, gouging its surface to make structures stronger yet also cheaper to build.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Concrete, Construction, Autonomous

When disaster strikes, drones and robots can be sent into danger zones to scout for survivors. The RoBoa from a student team at ETH Zurich is designed to snake its way through debris that would stop other solutions in their tracks.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Soft Robotics, ETH Zurich, Rescue, Monitoring, Mapping, Disasters, Biomimicry

Various groups are now growing baby corals for transplantation into the world's disappearing reefs, but they need a hand. A new robotic hand has been created to help, by carefully and efficiently transferring the li'l corals between tanks as they grow up.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Ecology, CSIRO, Coral, Soft Robotics

China's DEEP Robotics is about to add a new quadruped to its kennel called the Lynx. But rather than go for walkies on pads, the mid-sized pup rolls on four wheels and is built for all-terrain shenanigans – as you can see in the pre-launch promo.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Quadruped, Terrain, Off-road, Robots, Wheel, Agility