Motion Control/​Automation

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Explore the latest developments in motion control and automation. Discover innovative advances from NASA and major research labs in robotics, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, PID controller applications, motor drives and power transmissions.

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

Robotic “Cockroach” Explores Underwater Environments
Briefs: Motion Control
Robotic “Cockroach” Explores Underwater Environments
Modular Toolbox Builds Safe Robots
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Modular Toolbox Builds Safe Robots
Particle Robot Works as a Cluster of Simple Units
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Particle Robot Works as a Cluster of Simple Units
Robot Performs Complex Maneuvers
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Robot Performs Complex Maneuvers
Microrobot Powered by Soft Muscles
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Microrobot Powered by Soft Muscles
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Top Stories

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
Blog: Nanotechnology

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Blog: Automotive

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
Blog: Aerospace

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and...

CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home
Blog: IoMT

CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home

'SQUID': Ballistically-Launched, Foldable, Football-Shaped Drone
Videos: Motion Control

'SQUID': Ballistically-Launched, Foldable, Football-Shaped Drone

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Modeling Interactions in Energy-Based Medical Devices Using...

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

A Review of Ionizing Radiation Sterilization Modalities

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Maximize Productivity and Minimize Costs with New Aerospace...

Upcoming Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Testing and Inspecting 3D-Printed Parts

Tech Talks: Materials

Cassette-S4: Advanced Sealing for Extreme Off-Highway Conditions

Tech Talks: Automotive

An Advanced Solution for Hydrodynamic Film Challenges

Latest Briefs & News

Collaborative Automation: It's More Than Just the Cobot
Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Collaborative Automation: It's More Than Just the Cobot

The Role of Sensors in the Evolution of Robotics
Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control

The Role of Sensors in the Evolution of Robotics

Briefs : Wearables
Wireless Sensor “Stickers” Track Physiological Signals
Wireless Sensor “Stickers” Track Physiological Signals
These stickers wirelessly beam health readings to a receiver clipped onto clothing.
Wireless Sensor “Stickers” Track Physiological Signals
Briefs : Propulsion
Power System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks
Power System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks
Electric motors and gas-alcohol engines could slash pollution levels and greenhouse gases from long-haul trucks.
Power System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks
Briefs : Sensors/Data Acquisition
Helping Autonomous Vehicles See Around Corners
Helping Autonomous Vehicles See Around Corners
A system senses tiny changes in shadows on the ground to determine if there’s a moving object coming around the corner.
Helping Autonomous Vehicles See Around Corners
Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
If a satellite breaks in orbit, there's not much that can be done. A professor envisions a new idea for refueling and repair.
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
Blog : Materials
Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019
Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019

Tech Briefs in 2019 celebrated historic NASA anniversaries, new ways to power electronics, and innovative hacks of our “smartest” technologies.

Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019
INSIDER : Robotics, Automation & Control
Intelligent Microrobot Moves Without A Visible Force

Researchers developed a microrobot that measures a few micrometers across and resembles a paper bird made with origami. It flaps its wings or bends its neck and retracts its head via magnetism. The movements take place within milliseconds; programming of the nanomagnets only takes a few...

On-Demand Webinars : Robotics, Automation & Control
Collaborative Robot Applications in the Automotive Industry

Smaller, easier to program, quick to implement, and typically one-third the cost of industrial bots, collaborative robots are more than being noticed in the industry. Recently a global director of manufacturing engineering integration at a major automotive OEM was quoted as saying...

Briefs : Robotics, Automation & Control
WiFi-Based Technique Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement
WiFi-Based Technique Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement
A technology uses a combination of WiFi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real-time.
WiFi-Based Technique Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement
Briefs : Sensors/Data Acquisition
Biologically Inspired Artificial Skin Improves Sensory Ability of Robots
Biologically Inspired Artificial Skin Improves Sensory Ability of Robots
A synthetic skin enables robots to sense their own bodies and surroundings
Biologically Inspired Artificial Skin Improves Sensory Ability of Robots
Briefs : Automotive
Self-Contained Wheel Unit
Self-Contained Wheel Unit
Researchers have developed a self-contained wheel unit that combines a wheel and an electric motor.
Self-Contained Wheel Unit
Briefs : Manufacturing & Prototyping
Precision Low-Speed Motor Controller
Precision Low-Speed Motor Controller
The technology can be used in commercial motors, robotic systems, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
Precision Low-Speed Motor Controller
Application Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Docking System Enables Safe Rendezvous in Space
Docking System Enables Safe Rendezvous in Space
The ESA has commissioned its industry partners to design a new docking system called the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM).
Docking System Enables Safe Rendezvous in Space
Briefs : Robotics, Automation & Control
Algorithm Gives Robots a Faster Grasp
Algorithm Gives Robots a Faster Grasp
The algorithm speeds up the planning process that robots use to adjust their grip on objects.
Algorithm Gives Robots a Faster Grasp
Briefs : Electronics & Computers
Artificial Skin Provides Haptic Feedback
Artificial Skin Provides Haptic Feedback
The skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality by instantaneously adapting to a wearer's movements.
Artificial Skin Provides Haptic Feedback
Products : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
New Products: December 2019 Motion Design
New Products: December 2019 Motion Design
Actuators, Encoders, Gripping Tools, and More
New Products: December 2019 Motion Design
Application Briefs : Materials
Valve Position Sensor Protects Switch Boxes from Salt Environment
Valve Position Sensor Protects Switch Boxes from Salt Environment
Salty air the Dutch city of Harlingen causes exposed metal parts to corrode.
Valve Position Sensor Protects Switch Boxes from Salt Environment
Facility Focus : Communications
Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center
Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center
Glenn's research facilities have contributed to decades of technology advances.
Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center
INSIDER : Motion Control
Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing
Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory took inspiration from flying insects to create a miniaturized gyroscope, a special sensor used in navigation...

Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing

TRENDING STORIES

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Blog: Transportation

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?
Blog: Materials

Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?

Development and Analysis of Solid-State Batteries with the COMSOL® Platform
Technology Leaders: Energy

Development and Analysis of Solid-State Batteries with the COMSOL® Platform

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

A Standalone AC Battery Begins with a Cathode, an Anode, and a 'Biode'
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

A Standalone AC Battery Begins with a Cathode, an Anode, and a 'Biode'