Tech Briefs

Motion Control/Automation

Access our comprehensive library of technical briefs on motion control and automation, from engineering experts at NASA and major government, university, and commercial laboratories.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Fully Automated High-Throughput Additive Manufacturing

The automation of additive manufacturing (AM) is limited and usually still requires human labor workflows, including the fundamental step of removing the finished object from the printer...

Briefs: Imaging

Robot Senses Hidden Objects

Researchers have developed a robot that uses radio waves, which can pass through walls, to sense occluded objects. The robot, called RF-Grasp, combines this powerful sensing with more traditional computer vision to...

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Filter Enhances Robot Vision on 6D Pose Estimation

Robots are good at making identical repetitive movements such as a simple task on an assembly line. But they lack the ability to perceive objects as they move through an environment. A recent...

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

“Flying Fish” Robot Propels Itself Out of Water and Glides Through the Air

A fish-inspired robot that can travel 26 meters through the air after takeoff could be used to collect water samples in hazardous and cluttered environments, such...

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Dog Training Methods Teach Robots to Learn New Tricks

With a training technique commonly used to teach dogs to sit and stay, computer scientists showed a robot how to teach itself several new tricks including stacking blocks. With the method,...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Printing Process Uses Light to Improve Precision and Speed

Most conventional 3D printing processes rely on replicating a digital design model that is sliced into layers with the layers printed and assembled upward like a cake. A new method...

Briefs: Wearables

Elastic Polymer is Both Stiff and Tough

Elastic polymers, known as elastomers, can be stretched and released repeatedly and are used in applications such as gloves and heart valves, where they need to last a long time without tearing. But...

Briefs: Imaging

Developing a Flexible Polymer with Robust Piezoelectric Effectiveness

A Penn State-led team of interdisciplinary researchers developed a polymer with robust piezoelectric effectiveness, resulting in 60 percent more efficient electricity...

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Bendable Robot Arm Guided by Augmented Reality

The highly customizable robotic arm can be twisted and turned in all directions.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Soft Sensing, Self-Healing Materials for Robotic Hands and Arms

These materials can detect when they are damaged, take the necessary steps to temporarily heal themselves, and then resume work.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Novel Biosensors Set to Revolutionize Brain-Controlled Robotics

A carbon-based biosensor could drive new innovations in brain-controlled robotics.

Briefs: Motion Control

Optimization Theory Leads the Way for Soft Robotics and Metamaterials Design

A new study challenges the conventional approach to designing soft robotics and metamaterials by utilizing the power of computer algorithms.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Injectable, Flexible Electrode Could Replace Rigid Nerve-Stimulating Implants

By electrically stimulating nerves, this therapy can reduce epileptic seizures and soothe chronic pain without the use of conventional drugs like opioids.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Soft Sensor Boosts Fingertip Sensitivity for Robots

A haptic thumb-shaped sensor uses machine learning to accurately estimate where objects come into contact with the sensor and how large the applied forces are.