A new class of soft, electrically activated devices is capable of mimicking the expansion and contraction of natural muscles. These devices, which can be constructed from a wide range of low-cost materials, are able to self-sense their movements and self-heal from electrical damage, representing a major advance in soft robotics.
Soft, self-healing devices mimic biological muscles
Virtual assistants have become increasingly sophisticated — and more human-like — since the days when Clippy asked if you needed help with your document. These assistants are intended to make programs and apps easier to use, but research suggests that human-like virtual assistants may actually deter some people from seeking help on tasks that are supposed to measure achievement.
'Will I look dumb?' Human-like virtual assistants can deter help-seeking
They’re big, they’re shiny, they’re charmingly round-ish, but are they actually useful?
LG will unveil at CES 2018 three robots designed for commercial use at hotels, airports and supermarkets. The new lineup, dubbed CLOi (pronounced KLOH-ee), includes the Serving Robot, Porter Robot, and Shopping Cart Robot.
LG’s CLOi Robots Launching in Airports, Hotels, Supermarkets
UC Berkeley has developed a technique that enables robots to complete tasks like a baby would – by playing with objects and then imagining how to get the task done. This could help self-driving cars, for example, anticipate future events on the road and produce more intelligent robotic assistants in homes.
Robots are Learning to Pick up Objects Like Babies
Robotics experts have made a robot exoskeleton that can rapidly change its shape upon sensing chemical or thermal changes in its environment. And, they claim, these microscale machines — equipped with electronic, photonic and chemical payloads — could become a powerful platform for robotics at the size scale of biological microorganisms.
Physicists build muscle for shape-changing, cell-sized robots
Aptiv and Lyft have teamed up to give CES 2018 attendees self-driving taxi rides to 20 pre-programmed destinations throughout Las Vegas. A fleet of eight Aptiv BMW 5 Series sedans will shuttle passengers around Jan. 9-12.
Self-Driving Taxis Giving Rides During CES 2018
If you have a 900 series Roomba, you might be able to test out some fancy new tricks
iRobot Launches Beta Program to Test Smarter Home Features for Roombas
iRobot’s top-tier Roomba robot vacuums will soon be able to sweep your home for weak WiFi signals, logging spotty areas and helping users improve their WiFi.
Roombas Will Help Clean up Your Home’s Weak WiFi
Finanzmarkt: Das Bubble-Risiko
