Pieter Werner

Researchers who created a soft robot that could navigate simple mazes without human or computer direction have now built on that work, creating a “brainless” soft robot that can navigate more complex and dynamic environments.

A new study suggests that the efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI) can be enhanced not just by deepening neural networks but by choosing the most influential paths to an outcome. This research, published in *Scientific Reports*, has been spearheaded by Bar-Ilan University in Israel, offering a novel approach to improving AI classification tasks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded Xenex Disinfection Services a De Novo authorization for its LightStrike+ device, a robot that employs high-intensity, broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) light for disinfection. This authorization ushers in a new category of medical device products, wherein the LightStrike+ robot stands as the inaugural and sole product of this kind, establishing a new standard for FDA regulatory procedures concerning UV robots designated for pathogen reduction on non-porous, frequently touched surfaces in healthcare settings.

Mujin, a company specializing in intelligent robotics for manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain, has secured $85 million in its latest Series C funding round. The investment effort was spearheaded by Japan’s SBI Investment Co., Ltd. Other contributors include Silicon Valley’s Pegasus Tech Ventures, 7 Industries of the Netherlands, corporate investor Accenture, and angel investor Dr. James Kuffner.

Hai Robotics, provider of autonomous case-handling robots (ACR) systems, has announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative—a voluntary corporate sustainability initiative.

The recent explosion of high-profile AI successes and investment announcements has captured the attention, and imagination, of the business world. In light of the latest AI media frenzy, new research from Omdia reveals that the data center market has a heightened awareness of practical applications for AI that promise to improve productivity and lower costs. The collective evidence so far says this will not just be another flash in the pan.

An innovative bimanual robot displays tactile sensitivity close to human-level dexterity using AI to inform its actions.

While many of us take the routine act of getting dressed each day for granted, a startling number of individuals rely on assistance for this fundamental task. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 92% of those residing in nursing facilities or receiving at-home care need help with dressing.

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have pioneered an innovative method that simplifies ‘contact-rich manipulation planning’ in robots, an intricate process involving numerous potential contact events when robots interact with objects.

The global demographic landscape is rapidly shifting. The World Health Organization projects that by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and over will reach a staggering 2.1 billion. This rise in an ageing population presents a unique challenge to the global labour market, particularly in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sector, where seasoned professionals hold a wealth of expertise. The imminent retirement of a significant portion of this talent, often referred to as ‘baby boomers’, poses an immediate threat to the sector’s skills reservoir.