Category: Science & Technology News

The new soft robot inspired by the biology of earthworms is able to crawl thanks to soft actuators that elongate or squeeze, when air passes through them or is drawn out. Realized by researchers at Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa Italy.

Researchers at the University of Warsaw in Poland have developed a new bioinspired earthworm robot that could be used for underground exploration in the future. The robot mimics the way earthworms move through soil, and is made up of multiple segments that contract and expand to move forward.

Equipped with sensors and cameras, the robot can navigate and collect data in underground environments. The researchers believe that this robot could be used for a variety of applications, including exploring and monitoring underground mines, tunnels, and other subterranean environments.

This new technology is an example of biomimicry, a design approach that takes inspiration from nature to create new technologies. “Biomimicry can be a powerful tool for innovation, as nature has already solved many of the complex problems we face,” says ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI.

Scientists have developed a flexible electronic skin, or “e-skin,” that could give robots a sense of touch. The new technology was developed by a team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and is described in a recent paper published in the journal Science Robotics.

The e-skin is made up of a thin layer of sensors and transistors that can detect pressure, temperature, and other physical stimuli. It is designed to be lightweight and flexible, making it suitable for use on soft, flexible robots that can operate in tight spaces and interact with delicate objects.

“We’ve developed a skin that can feel like a human hand, with a similar range of pressure sensitivity and the ability to detect subtle temperature changes,” said Ali Javey, a professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study.

Commercial window washing is still handled primarily by humans on scarily high perches, but now — thanks to a handful of startups — robots are poised to disrupt the industry.

Robotic window washers have become a popular option for high-rise buildings in many cities around the world. These machines can clean windows quickly and safely, eliminating the need for human window washers to work at dangerous heights.

One company leading the way in this technology is RoboWash, based in New York City. Their robotic window washer, called the RoboCleaner, uses advanced sensors and algorithms to navigate the exterior of buildings and wash windows without leaving streaks.

According to RoboWash CEO, Sarah Chen, “The RoboCleaner has revolutionized the window washing industry. It’s safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective than traditional methods.”