Motion Control

Mech Suit Gives Humans 50X Strength

The all-terrain walking mech’s aim is to give humans the size and strength of giants. It does just that — times 50.

Viscosity Enables Complex Motions for Soft Robots

Untethered soft robots are poised to become even more agile and controlled.

Magazine Archives

2023 March February January 2022 December November October September August July June May April March February January 2021 ...

Electronic Skin Sensor Decodes Human Motion

This system can track the motion of the entire body with a small sensory network.

Motion Control Using Micro Controllers

Accomplishing motion control with digitally commanded electric motors is a responsive, precise, and energy-efficient approach suitable for a wide range of applications.

Tailless Jet Flies Free with Novel Control Technique

While conventional aircraft rely on protruding fins to enable steering, a tailless design makes the body as smooth and sleek as possible, making it safer to fly in dangerous areas...

Plasma Thrusters Used on Satellites Could be Much More Powerful

It was believed that Hall thrusters, an efficient kind of electric propulsion widely used in orbit, need to be large to produce a lot of thrust. Now, a new study from the...

Microelectronics Give Researchers a Remote Control for Biological Robots

First, they walked. Then, they saw the light. Now, miniature biological robots have gained a new trick: remote control. These hybrid “eBiobots” are the first to...

Using Ultrasound Waves to Move Objects

By placing a metamaterial pattern on the surface of an object, the researchers were able to use sound to steer it in a certain direction without physically touching it.

A Flapping-Wing Robot Able to Perch

A flapping-wing robot that can land autonomously on a horizontal perch using a claw-like mechanism.

10 VR/AR Technologies from CES 2023

See 10 AR/VR technologies from CES 2023.

A Drone to Protect Bats from Wind Turbines

A study has perhaps solved the wind-turbine issue of causing harm to bats.

5 Ws of a Self-Healing Robot

A team of researchers at Cornell Engineering has developed a soft robot that can detect when and where it was damaged — and then heal itself on the spot.

Reverse Vortex Ring

This mechanism improves rotordynamic stability in turbomachinery.

Inductive Non-Contact Position Sensor

Potential uses include MEMS accelerometers, vibration monitoring, and other precision motion control applications.

Incorporating Computer Vision and Uncertainty into AI for Robotic Prosthetics

The software can be integrated with existing hardware to aid people using robotic prosthetics or exoskeletons.

Computational Model Enables Robots to Learn New Concepts

The model allows robots to ask clarifying questions to soldiers.

Laser-Light-Based Accelerometer

The tiny device accurately measures acceleration in smaller navigation systems and other devices.

Lightweight Crane Technology for the Moon

A prototype version could be demonstrated on a large cargo lunar lander.

Products of Tomorrow

The products of tomorrow.

What Do You Know About Factory Automation?

How much do you know about factory automation?

A Low-Cost Robot Ready for Any Obstacle

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science and the University of California, Berkeley, have designed a robotic system that enables a low-cost and relatively small legged...

Computational System Streamlines the Design of Fluidic Devices

Combustion engines, propellors, and hydraulic pumps are examples of fluidic devices — instruments that utilize fluids to perform certain functions, such as generating power...

Hummingbird Flight Could Provide Insights for Biomimicry in Aerial Vehicles

Hummingbirds occupy a unique place in nature: They fly like insects but have the musculoskeletal system of birds. According to Bo Cheng, Associate Professor in...