Motion Control

This microbot can walk on land, swim, and walk underwater.

Loosely connected disc-shaped “particles” can push and pull one another, moving together to transport objects.

These stickers wirelessly beam health readings to a receiver clipped onto clothing.

An upgraded mini robot can leap over obstacles with ease.

Electric motors and gas-alcohol engines could slash pollution levels and greenhouse gases from long-haul trucks.

A technology uses a combination of WiFi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real-time.

A synthetic skin enables robots to sense their own bodies and surroundings

Researchers have developed a self-contained wheel unit that combines a wheel and an electric motor.

The technology can be used in commercial motors, robotic systems, and hybrid and electric vehicles.

The algorithm speeds up the planning process that robots use to adjust their grip on objects.

The skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality by instantaneously adapting to a wearer's movements.

Researchers have created a motion-powered, fireproof sensor that can track the movements of firefighters, steelworkers, miners, and others who work in high-risk environments where they cannot always be seen....

A perception system for soft robots was developed that is inspired by the way humans process information about their own bodies in space and in relation to other objects and people. The system includes a...

A set of five tiny fundamental parts can be assembled into a wide variety of functional devices including a tiny “walking” motor that can move back and forth across a surface or...

3D printers that build small parts layer by layer from melted plastic can take up to an hour to produce a pocket-sized piece. This process is far too slow for the mass-production of...

A smartphone app was developed that allows a user to easily program any robot to perform a mundane activity such as picking up parts from one area and delivering them to another. The app, called VRa, uses...

A high-sensitivity and low-noise MEMS accelerometer was developed using multi-layer metal structures composed of multiple metal layers. The accelerometer achieves 1 μG level resolution that has...

Soft robots have a distinct advantage over rigid robots: they can adapt to complex environments, handle fragile objects, and interact safely with humans. Made from silicone, rubber, or other stretchable polymers,...

An automated system designs and 3D-prints complex robotic parts that are optimized according to an enormous number of specifications. The system fabricates actuators — devices that mechanically...

The Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) features a modular open systems architecture that enables the robot to be self-righting after a fall. The self-righting...

Berkeley Lab technology could reduce time needed to declare buildings affected by earthquakes safe and sound.

Conventional pistons are made of a rigid chamber and a piston inside that can slide along the chamber’s inner wall while at the same time maintaining a tight seal. As a result, the piston...

Wearing a sensor-packed glove while handling a variety of objects, researchers compiled a dataset that enables an AI system to recognize objects through touch alone. The information...

There is great potential in using both drones and ground-based robots for situations like disaster response, but generally these platforms either fly or creep along the ground. The flying...

NASA's Langley Research Center offers a novel lifting and precision positioning device with hybrid functional characteristics of both crane-type lifting devices and robotic manipulators. The design of the...

Researchers have developed a new and improved snake-inspired soft robot that is faster and more precise than its predecessor.

In discussing fatigue life, it is important to distinguish between disc springs and conical spring washers, as they differ by design and intended usage. Conical spring washers are...