SMART launches research group to advance AI, automation, and the future of work

Mens, Manus and Machina (M3S) will design technology, training programs, and institutions for successful human-machine collaboration.

Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology • mit
Aug. 23, 2023 ~8 min

New quantum magnet unleashes electronics potential

Researchers discover how to control the anomalous Hall effect and Berry curvature to create flexible quantum magnets for use in computers, robotics, and sensors.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center • mit
July 25, 2023 ~7 min


Magnetic robots walk, crawl, and swim

New soft-bodied robots that can be controlled by a simple magnetic field are well suited to work in confined spaces.

Jennifer Michalowski | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
July 7, 2023 ~6 min

Open-source platform simulates wildlife for soft robotics designers

SoftZoo is a soft robot co-design platform that can test optimal shapes and sizes for robotic performance in different environments.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
May 2, 2023 ~8 min

Wiggling toward bio-inspired machine intelligence

Inspired by jellyfish and octopuses, PhD candidate Juncal Arbelaiz investigates the theoretical underpinnings that will enable systems to more efficiently adapt to their environments.

Sandi Miller | Department of Mathematics • mit
Oct. 2, 2022 ~8 min

A flexible way to grab items with feeling

MIT engineers Edward Adelson and Sandra Liu duo develop a robotic gripper with rich sensory capabilities.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
April 15, 2022 ~7 min

A system for designing and training intelligent soft robots

“Evolution Gym” is a large-scale benchmark for co-optimizing the design and control of soft robots that takes inspiration from nature and evolutionary processes.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
Dec. 7, 2021 ~6 min

To swim like a tuna, robotic fish need to change how stiff their tails are in real time

Researchers used an old theory on vibrating plane wings to study how fish swim so well. They were able to double the swimming efficiency of their robotic fish over a range of speeds.

Daniel Quinn, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia • conversation
Oct. 1, 2021 ~8 min


Fish fins are teaching us the secret to flexible robots and new shape-changing materials

Fish fins are extremely flexible yet also strong. A special segmented fin design is the key to this useful combination of properties and could inspire new morphing materials.

Francois Barthelat, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Aug. 18, 2021 ~6 min

A robot that can help you untangle your hair

Robotic arm equipped with a hairbrush helps with brushing tasks and could be an asset in assistive-care settings.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
May 5, 2021 ~6 min

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