SAE Automotive Podcast: Autonomous Driving Technology

Bringing and keeping robotaxis on the road requires a village.

High-Voltage Switch Innovation for Electric Power Systems

Pinggao Group focuses on the development and production of high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage electrical equipment. Different teams at the company use simulation to explore in depth the factors that affect the performance of high-voltage switches as well as to optimize switch designs and predict the operational status of equipment. Read on to learn more about the work.

A New Approach Enabling Intuitive Robotic Helpers for Household, Workplace, and Warehouse settings

For a robot, the real world is a lot to take in. Making sense of every data point in a scene can take a huge amount of computational effort and time. Using that information to then decide how to best help a human is an even thornier exercise. Now, MIT roboticists have a way to cut through the data noise, to help robots focus on the features in a scene that are most relevant for assisting humans. Read on to learn more.

Getting Robots to “Bee” have Without a Plan

Bees, ants, and termites don’t need blueprints. They may have queens, but none of these species breed architects or construction managers. Each insect worker, or drone, simply responds to cues like warmth or the presence or absence of building material. Now, researchers at Penn Engineering have developed mathematical rules that allow virtual swarms of tiny robots to do the same. Read on to learn more.

A Light-Powered Soft Robot That Can Carry Loads Through the Air Along Established Tracks

Researchers have created a light-powered soft robot that can carry loads through the air along established tracks, similar to cable cars or aerial trams. The soft robot operates autonomously, can climb slopes at angles of up to 80°, and can carry loads up to 12 times its weight. Read on to learn more.

Monitoring and Control of Each Nanosatellite within a Cluster of Nanosatellites

NASA has developed an innovative combination of a Magnetometer, low-powered ElectroMagnets, and Resonant Inductive Coupling (MEMRIC) to create and control relative positioning of nano satellites within a cluster. This is a game-changing approach to enable distributed nanosatellite (nanosat) clusters. Read on to learn more.

Ultrasound Waves Move Objects Hands-Free

University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers have discovered a new method to move objects using ultrasound waves, which opens the door for using contactless manipulation in industries in which devices wouldn’t need a built-in power source to move. Read on to learn more.

A Smart Sensor for Better Monitoring

A major challenge in self-powered wearable sensors for health care monitoring is distinguishing different signals when they occur at the same time. Researchers from Penn State and China’s Hebei University of Technology addressed this issue by uncovering a new property of a sensor material, enabling the team to develop a new type of flexible sensor that can accurately measure both temperature and physical strain simultaneously but separately to more precisely pinpoint various signals.

New Wearable Aims to Mimic Skin’s “Sensors”

When it comes to haptic feedback, most technologies are limited to simple vibrations. But our skin is loaded with tiny sensors that detect pressure, vibration, stretching and more. Now, Northwestern University engineers have unveiled a new technology that creates precise movements to mimic these complex sensations. Read on to learn more.

Combining 3D Embroidery Techniques with Machine Learning for Fabric-Based Touch Sensors

A new study from NC State University combines three-dimensional embroidery techniques with machine learning to create a fabric-based sensor that can control electronic devices through touch. Read on to learn more.

Meet ReSURF: An Ultrafast, Stretchable, Self-Healing, Recyclable Sensing Device

Clean, safe water is vital for human health and well-being. However, detecting contamination quickly and accurately remains a major challenge in many parts of the world. A groundbreaking new device developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore has the potential to significantly advance water quality monitoring and management. Read on to learn more.

Using Real-World Sensors and VR to Improve Building Maintenance

A new system that brings together real-world sensing and virtual reality would make it easier for building maintenance personnel to identify and fix issues in commercial buildings that are in operation. The system was developed by computer scientists at the University of California San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University. Read on to learn more.

Engineers Find New Ways to Connect Concrete Pieces for More Resilient Buildings

Researchers have developed five new ways to securely connect large concrete pieces. These connection methods are intended for a type of material called “precast concrete,” in which parts such as beams and columns are made in a factory and assembled later at a construction site. Read on to learn more.

New Membrane Technology to Extract Lithium from Water

To help meet surging demand and possible supply chain problems, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have developed an innovative membrane technology that efficiently extracts lithium from water. Read on to learn more.

Engineering a Coating for Bacteria-Free Produce

Dr. Mustafa Akbulut, Professor of Chemical engineering, has teamed up with Horticultural Science Professor Luis Cisneros-Zevallos to engineer longer-lasting, bacteria-free produce. Read on to learn more about it.

Octopus-Inspired Tech Can Operate Underwater

Using mechanisms inspired by nature to create new technological innovations is a signature of one Virginia Tech research team. The group led by Associate Professor Michael Bartlett has created an octopus-inspired adhesive, inspired by the shape of octopus suckers, that can quickly grab and controllably release challenging underwater objects. Read on to learn more about it.

Building a New 3D Material with DNA

In two papers, one released in Nature Materials and a second in ACS Nano, researchers describe a new methodology for fabricating targeted 3D nanoscale structures via self-assembly that can find use in a variety of applications, and they provide a design algorithm for others to follow suit. And it’s all based on the most basic biomolecular building blocks: DNA. Read on to learn more.

An Autonomous, Programmable Computer in the Form of an Elastic Fiber

MIT researchers have developed an autonomous programmable computer in the form of an elastic fiber, which could monitor health conditions and physical activity, alerting the wearer to potential health risks in real-time. Read on to learn more.

New Material Significantly Enhances Green Hydrogen Production Efficiency

Researchers in Korea have successfully developed a new material that significantly enhances the efficiency of green hydrogen production while reducing costs. Read on to learn more about it.

Holey Carbon Allotropes

Researchers at NASA have developed new methods to manufacture carbon materials (e.g., nanotubes, graphene) with holes through the graphitic surface of the particles. The methods generate materials with increased accessible surface area, increased functional groups at damage sites, and improved through-surface molecular transport properties.

New on the Market

See what's new on the market, including COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4; Novotechnik's Vert-X 26 Series of non-contacting magnetic angle sensors; HMS Networks' N-Tron NT110-FX2, an unmanaged Ethernet switch with two fiber ports; Littelfuse's MMIX1T500N20X4 X4-Class Ultra-Junction Power MOSFET; and more.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including a new nanoscale optical device that works at room temperature to entangle the spin of photons (particles of light) and electrons to achieve quantum communication; a dust sensor for use in space environments; and more.

Solving AI’s Power Problem at the Chip Level

To address the staggering power and energy demands of AI, engineers have developed a revolutionary new thin-film material that promises to make AI devices significantly faster while dramatically cutting energy consumption. In this interview, Alamgir Karim, who is leading the research, discusses the new approach, its benefits, and how Nobel Prize-winning chemistry enabled this discovery.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Altech Corporation's C-TEC Series of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Tactical Radio Upgrades for US Navy Vessels, Jets and Drones

The U.S. Navy has awarded Data Link Solutions, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Collins Aerospace, a $248 million production contract to deliver hundreds of Multifunctional...

New Wireless Transceiver Offers Fiber Optic Speed Without Physical Cables

A new transceiver invented by electrical engineers at the University of California, Irvine boosts radio frequencies into 140-gigahertz territory, unlocking data...

Visualizing Radio Frequency Signals in Real Time

Viavi Solutions Inc. has integrated the "RF Viewer" augmented reality (AR) application into its OneAdvisor 800 Wireless test platform. Designed to address telecommunications, network...

How Sift's Unified Observability Platform Accelerates Drone Innovation

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology Podcast, we learn about a new tool that could help manufacturers optimize the way they design and create new drones. Austin Spiegel, CTO of Sift, is the guest to explain their "unified observability platform" and how drone manufacturers can leverage it to optimize their design, validation, manufacturing, and overall engineering processes from prototype to operations.

5Ws of the AEON Humanoid Robot

One of the 2026 CES Innovation Awards honorees in the robotics category is AEON — a humanoid robot developed to address labor shortages as industries adapt to ageing populations and shifting workforce demands.

A Stretchable OLED that Can Maintain Most of Its Luminescence

An international collaboration has developed a flexible and stretchable OLED that could put the technology on track for new applications.

Bringing Hybrid Power to the Rescue

NASA-funded hybrid power system makes drones more capable in disasters.

How Much Do You Know About Extrusion Tooling?

How much do you know about extrusion tooling? Find out with this quiz.

SiPhog Technology: Enabling GPS‑Independent Flight for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, we sit down with the CEO of Anello Photonics Mario Paniccia to explore how their breakthrough SiPhog technology is transforming drone navigation. Listen now!

Lubricating Aerospace One Zulu Pod at a Time

On the heels of taking first place in the Aerospace & Defense category at the 2023 Create the Future Contest, Zulu Pods has grown in nearly every way imaginable and shows no signs of slowing down (nor a desire to!) at any point soon.

Advancing All-Solid-State Batteries

To create efficient pathways for lithium-ion transport within the solid electrolyte, the research team focused on "divalent anions" such as oxygen and sulfur. Divalent anions play a crucial role in altering the crystal structure by integrating into the basic framework of the electrolyte.

Tracking Falling Space Debris

The new tracking method generates more detailed information in near real-time than authorities have today about the reentry of space debris from falling satellites — information that will help to quickly locate and retrieve the charred and sometimes toxic remains.

Making Tungsten Carbide a More Viable Alternative

Marc Porosoff, Associate Professor, University of Rochester, Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering, and his collaborators recently achieved several key advancements to make tungsten carbide a more viable alternative to platinum in chemical reactions.

How Much Do You Know About Digital Logic?

It basically runs everything from laptops to smartphones, so it must be common knowledge. How much do you know about digital logic?

How a New DHS Office Is Redefining Counter Drone Deployment

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology Podcast, Jeffrey Starr, CMO of D‑Fend Solutions, breaks down what this new office means for advancing counter‑UAS capabilities in civilian airspace. We also explore DHS’s newly announced $115 million investment in counter‑drone systems to help secure America250 celebrations and FIFA World Cup 2026 venues.

Surgical & Assistive Robotics: Redefining Human Capability

Devices paired with adaptive machine learning are helping stroke and spinal cord injury patients regain movement.

Analyzer Delivers Real-Time Insights for U.S. Power Grid

Yilu Liu, lead researcher and UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Power Electronics, and her team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory partnered with the University of Tennessee to develop the Universal GridEdge Analyzer, a secure, affordable sensing device that delivers real-time insight into electric grid behavior.

Batteries that Can Withstand the Cold

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a battery design that continues operating through the coldest conditions.

Understanding the Pseudogap

Physicists have uncovered a link between magnetism and a mysterious phase of matter called the pseudogap, which appears in certain quantum materials just above the temperature at which they become superconducting.

How Much Do You Know About Agentic AI?

Agentic AI is the next level of artificial intelligence transforming enterprise workflows with intelligent agents that can make decisions without constant human oversight. Test your knowledge about agentic AI in this quiz.

Sesame Solar's Nanogrid Tech Promises Major Gains in Drone Endurance

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology Podcast, Sesame Solar Co-founder and CEO Lauren Flanagan explains how the company’s new mobile hydrogen‑powered nanogrids are redefining what’s possible for long‑range drone operations. Listen now!

Wearable Lets Users Control Machines and Robots While on the Move

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a next-generation wearable system that enables people to control machines using everyday gestures — even...

Resource-Sharing Boosts Robotic Resilience

If the goal of a robot is to perform a function, then minimizing the possibility of failure is a top priority when it comes to robotic design. But although systems with multiple units, or agents,...

What Robots Can Learn from Sea Stars

Sea stars are creatures whose movements involve the coordination of hundreds of tiny tube feet to navigate complex environments — despite the lack of a central brain. In other words, it’s as though...

Teaching a Robot to Hang a T-shirt Starts with Data

Building on her experience volunteering at retirement homes, Carnegie Mellon researcher Jasmine Li decided to focus her research on assistive robotics that help people with everyday tasks....

Meet ULIS: A Power Module with Unprecedented Efficiency, Power Density, and Manufacturability Cost

Global energy demands are surging, pushed by energy-intensive data centers powering artificial intelligence and increased manufacturing. How will the world meet these rising energy needs? Read on to find out about one way!

Staining Technique Could Advance Li-ion Batteries

The discovery could lead to increased manufacturing efficiency of battery electrodes and ultimately help improve the charging rate and lifetime of Li-ion batteries.