Robotics Roundup: Latest News & Innovations

The Emerging World of Soft Robotics and Recent Advances

The field of soft robotics is a captivating area of technological development. It presents a distinctly different approach compared to traditional robotics, evoking imagery of technology inspired by marine life rather than human construction.

Inspiration from the Natural World

Cephalopods, such as octopi and squid, alongside other invertebrates, have served as significant sources of inspiration for this category. The advantages are readily apparent; these less rigid designs offer greater compliance and the ability to navigate confined spaces and adapt to varying forms.

We’ve observed numerous applications, including the delicate handling of fragile items like food products.

Enhancing Safety in Human-Robot Collaboration

As collaboration between humans and robots increases, ensuring worker safety becomes paramount. This concern has fueled projects like the one at MIT, focused on creating robots capable of transitioning between rigid and flexible structures.

The research utilizes a network of cables to enhance the rigidity of the soft structure, mirroring the function of human muscles – becoming more resistant to movement when engaged.

Deep-Sea Exploration with Bio-Inspired Robots

Recent research, published in the journal Nature by teams at the National University of Singapore and the University of Lincoln (U.K.), demonstrates the capabilities of ocean-inspired soft robots in extreme environments. Specifically, a ray-inspired design successfully withstood the immense pressure at nearly 11,000 meters below the surface of the South China Sea, within the Marina Trench.

Micro-Robotics and Self-Healing Capabilities

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed 2 cm long, fish-shaped robots propelled by bubbles generated from a reaction involving hydrogen peroxide in petri dishes. Remarkably, these robots exhibit self-healing properties; when divided into halves or thirds, magnetic forces reassemble the pieces.

This innovation holds promise for application in larger swimming robots, often constructed from delicate materials.

Investment and Market Trends

Skydio has secured $340 million in Series D funding, expanding its reach into new commercial applications. The company’s U.S. base is particularly attractive to investors, especially following DJI’s inclusion on the DoC’s “entity list” in December.

The addition to the entity list may be re-evaluated by the current administration, though it hasn’t yet impacted DJI’s sales, including the recent FPV model.

DJI's Entry into the FPV Drone Market

The new DJI FPV drone offers a first-person flight experience, previously dominated by racers and hobbyists. Considering DJI’s control of approximately 70% of the global drone market, this launch represents a significant development for the growing FPV category.

Automation in Construction: SkyMul and Rebar Tying

SkyMul is innovating within the construction sector, utilizing quadcopters to automate the laborious task of tying rebar. This exemplifies the increasing use of robotics in traditionally manual construction processes.

Resilient Micro-Drones Inspired by Bumblebees

Researchers at MIT have created micro-drones weighing just 0.6 grams, comparable to a large bumblebee. These “cassette tapes with wings” are designed to withstand mid-air collisions, mirroring the frequent crashes observed among flying bumblebees.

The drones are powered by soft actuators, utilizing carbon nanotube-coated rubber cylinders that elongate when electricity is applied, creating wing movement for flight.

A Nostalgic Connection to Early Drone Concepts

Following a previous article, a query arose regarding a children’s book featuring a boy transforming into an insect drone to solve mysteries. The answer is “Danny Dunn, Invisible Boy,” a 1970s title that foreshadowed the future of drone technology.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of Robotics

The ACLU continues to raise concerns regarding the potential misuse of robotics, particularly in the context of policing and the development of weaponized systems, following recent demonstrations by Boston Dynamics. These concerns encompass issues of AI bias and the broader implications of advanced robotics.

Open discussion about these ethical considerations is crucial, especially as technology evolves rapidly. It’s vital to address these issues proactively, while they remain largely hypothetical.

Having these ongoing conversations is a net positive for the advancement of robotics.

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