Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Robotic 'Digger Finger' Senses Buried Items

The technology uses tactile sensing to identify objects underground.

Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Hybrid Concept for Actuating Subsea Valves

A valve actuator has deep-sea applications.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Motion Tracking System for Autonomous Technology

The system could one day replace LiDAR and cameras in automated manufacturing, biomedical imaging, and autonomous driving.

Briefs: Motion Control

Swimming Living Robots Can Self-Train

Biobots based on muscle cells can swim at unprecedented velocities.

Briefs: Imaging

AI and Wearable Cameras Combined in Self-Walking Robotic Exoskeletons

Exoskeleton legs are capable of thinking and making control decisions on their own using artificial intelligence technology.

Products: Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Products: June 2021 Motion Design

Encoders, quick disconnects, automation systems, and more.

Briefs: Motion Control

Chemically Driven Wheels “Morph” Into Gears

A catalytic reaction causes a two-dimensional, chemically coated sheet to spontaneously morph into a three-dimensional gear.

Briefs: Materials

Nanosized Foldable Robots

The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Air-Powered Robot Needs No Electronics

The walking quadruped is controlled and powered by pressurized air.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Soft Tactile Sensor with Skin-Comparable Characteristics for Robots

The design could contribute to various applications in the robotics field such as smart prosthetics and human-robot interaction.

Briefs: Motion Control

High Bus Voltage Stepper Motor Systems

New high bus voltage stepper motor systems avoid the complexity and expense of servo motors.

Articles: Software

Simulation Applications Streamline the Development of Electric Vehicle Motors

See how simulation software is being used to is automate the test process for vehicle rotors.

Technology Leaders: Motion Control

Machine Control Power Quality and Surge Protection

You may not be able to see them, but power anomalies that originate within your automated control system are costing you expensive downtime.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Transport of Mechanical Energy, Even Through Damaged Pathways

This work could lead to much more robust devices that continue to operate in spite of damage.

Products: Test & Measurement

New Products: June 2021 Sensor Technology

High-precision medical sensors, battery-cell mappers, signal conditioners, and more.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Software Improves Accuracy of 3D-Printed Parts

The software could help reduce cost and waste for companies using additive manufacturing to mass-produce parts in factories.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

WiFi RSSI Sensor Tracker for the ISS

This software could also be used for indoor navigation assistance for the visually impaired.

NASA Spinoff: Aerospace

Astronaut Experience Inspires Single-Handed Drone Flight Controller

The interface enables one person to accomplish tasks that previously required two sets of hands.

Products: Connectivity

Product of the Month: June 2021 Tech Briefs

A new power supply from Bicker Elektronik has a backup battery that bridges power failures, brownouts, and flicker.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool

Applications include portable aerospace structures and terrestrial structures such as cleanrooms and field hospitals.

Briefs: Aerospace

LogFire

The software automatically checks mission operations logs.

Application Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Next-Generation MEMS IMUs — High Performance, Scalable

Editor Ed Brown explores what’s ahead for MEMS automobile navigation systems.

INSIDER: Motion Control

NASA Rover Seeks Moon Resources

As part of the Artemis program, NASA is planning to send its first mobile robot to the Moon in late 2023 in search of ice and other resources on and below the lunar surface. Data from the Volatiles...

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

Navigation System Guides Robot Through Busiest Hospital Areas

Computer scientists at UC San Diego developed a navigation system that will allow robots to better negotiate busy environments in a hospital

INSIDER: Robotics, Automation & Control

Mars Helicopter Begins New Phase

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has a new mission. Having proven that powered, controlled flight is possible on the Red Planet, the Ingenuity experiment will soon embark on a new operations...

INSIDER: Robotics, Automation & Control

Living, Swimming, Self-Training Robots

Using 3D bioprinting, researchers have created biobots at the centimeter size range that can swim and coast like fish with unprecedented velocity. Rather than working with stiff or tethered...