Robotics

Scientists create robotic water strider using cutting-edge actuator Summary: - Scientists at Washington State University have developed a miniature robotic version of a water strider. - The robotic insect uses a novel actuator, made of a shape memory alloy, to move across the water's surface. - The actuator is able to generate high force and large deformations, allowing the robot to mimic the movement of a water strider. - This biomimetic robot could potentially be used for environmental monitoring or water quality testing. Key Details: - The actuator used in the robotic water strider is made of a shape memory alloy, which can change shape in response to temperature changes. - The actuator is heated and cooled using electrical current, which causes it to deform and generate motion. - By c...

Figure's humanoid robots to begin working at BMW's manufacturing plant in South Carolina Key points: Figure has signed its first commercial deal to deploy its general-purpose humanoid robots at BMW's manufacturing plant in South Carolina. The robots will perform various tasks such as loading and unloading components, packaging, and other manual jobs. Founder and CEO of Figure, Brett Adcock, discussed the significance of this deal and the potential for humanoid robots to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Author's take: This commercial deal between Figure and BMW marks an important milestone for the company as its humanoid robots begin practical work in a real-world manufacturing environment. This partnership has the potential to demonstrate the capabilities and efficiency of robo...

Cargo Drone Orca Designed to Accommodate Standard Shipping Pallets Main Ideas: The Orca drone is designed to be compatible with the existing shipping infrastructure by accommodating standard-size shipping pallets. Details: The creators of the Orca drone have recognized the importance of compatibility with the existing shipping infrastructure to achieve widespread adoption of cargo drones. The drone is designed to accommodate payloads stacked on standard-size shipping pallets, making it easy to integrate into current logistics processes. The Orca drone is an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) hybrid aircraft capable of autonomous flight. Author's Take: The Orca drone's design, which allows it to easily accommodate standard shipping pallets, demonstrates a th...

Boeing's Troubles Deepen with New Safety Concerns Main Ideas: Boeing is facing new safety concerns after two crashes and a third incident involving loose bodywork on its planes. The crashes, one in 2018 and another in 2021, led to the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max jets. A recent Federal Aviation Administration investigation found potential safety issues with the production of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Boeing's reputation and trust in its planes continue to decline, with the company still recovering from the 737 Max crisis. Boeing is working to address the safety concerns and restore public confidence in its aircraft. Author's Take: Boeing's recent safety concerns, including the crashes and production issues, have further damaged the company's reputation and trust in its airplanes...

LimbX Dynamics reveals new humanoid robot capable of climbing stairs autonomously Main ideas: LimbX Dynamics, a Chinese robotics firm, has unveiled a new humanoid robot that can autonomously climb stairs. The robot utilizes bipedal locomotion and is equipped with advanced perception capabilities. The company aims to push the boundaries of humanoid robot capabilities and broaden their potential applications. This development showcases the progress being made in robotics and highlights the potential for robots to perform complex tasks independently. Author's take: LimbX Dynamics' new humanoid robot's ability to autonomously climb stairs demonstrates the company's advancements in robotic locomotion and perception. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, in...

US Securities and Exchange Commission's X Account Compromised The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is facing scrutiny after its X account was hacked, resulting in significant fluctuations in the bitcoin market. Details regarding the nature and extent of the compromise are yet to be disclosed by the SEC. Bitcoin experienced wild price swings as a result of the incident, causing concern among investors and raising questions about the security of digital assets. The SEC is now under pressure to provide an explanation and to address concerns over the security of its systems. Author's take: The hacking of the SEC's X account has underscored the vulnerabilities and potential risks associated with digital assets, leaving investors and regulators concerned about the security o...

LG introduces 77-inch transparent OLED television Key points: LG has unveiled a 77-inch transparent OLED television. The TV is almost completely wireless. It uses OLED technology and delivers 4K UHD resolution. The transparent display offers a unique viewing experience. The TV was showcased at CES 2024. Details: LG has introduced a 77-inch transparent OLED television that is almost completely wireless. The TV uses OLED technology, delivering 4K UHD resolution for an immersive viewing experience. The transparent display offers a unique aesthetic, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. LG showcased the television at CES 2024, demonstrating its commitment to innovation in the home entertainment space. Tags: LG, Television, TV, 4K UHD, OLED, Transparency, CES 2024 Author's Take: LG's ...

Stanford and Google DeepMind Develop Open-Source Housekeeping Robot Main Ideas/Facts: Stanford and Google DeepMind researchers have developed an open-source housekeeping robot. The robot has been trained to perform various kitchen tasks such as sautéing shrimp, rinsing out pans, putting away pots in a cabinet, and cleaning up spills. Researchers hope to expand the capabilities of the robot to perform more complex tasks in the future. The open-source nature of the robot allows other researchers and developers to build upon the existing technology and contribute to its development. Author's Take: The collaboration between Stanford and Google DeepMind has resulted in the development of an open-source housekeeping robot capable of performing various kitchen tasks. This is a significant step ...

Robotics: Multimodal System Helps Robots Execute Plans Main Points: A multimodal system has been developed to aid robots in developing and executing plans for various tasks. The system utilizes models trained on language, vision, and action data. The goal is to enable robots to perform household, construction, and manufacturing tasks. Researchers have developed a multimodal system that enhances robots' ability to develop and execute plans for a range of tasks. The system incorporates models trained on language, vision, and action data, allowing robots to understand and respond to human commands. By utilizing these multimodal models, robots can perform household, construction, and manufacturing tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy. Click here for the original article.

Building Trust in AI's Actions Main Ideas: With AI becoming increasingly integrated in the physical realm through sensors, actuators, and IoT devices, the question arises of how to build trust in its actions. Trust in AI is crucial as it will be making decisions and taking actions that directly impact the physical world. Building trust requires transparency and explainability of AI's decisions, along with a clear understanding of its limitations. Various methods, such as model interpretability, auditing, and testing, can help in building trust in AI's actions. Collaborative efforts involving stakeholders, regulators, and AI developers are needed to establish standards and guidelines for trustworthy AI. Author's Take: As AI becomes more pervasive in the physical realm, building trust in i...