A robotic system developed by Cornell researchers feeds a student participant during a lab demonstration. Credit: Cornell University Cornell researchers have developed a robotic feeding system that uses computer vision, machine learning and multimodal sensing to safely feed people with severe mobility limitations, including those with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. “Feeding […]
Machine learning & AI
New approach uses generative AI to imitate human motion
Central pattern generator (CPG) and reflex network coordinated by speed adjustment commands from a higher-level nerve center (a), and overall control framework (b). Credit: Tohoku University An international group of researchers has created a new approach to imitating human motion by combining central pattern generators (CPGs) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The method not only […]
Teaching robots to move by sketching trajectories
Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2309.03835 Getting robots to perform even a simple task requires a great deal of behind-the-scenes work. Part of the challenge is planning and executing movements, everything from turning wheels to lifting a robotic arm. To make this happen, roboticists collaborate with programmers to develop a set of trajectories—or pathways—that are clear […]
Random robots are more reliable: New AI algorithm for robots consistently outperforms state-of-the-art systems
Although the current study tested the AI algorithm only on simulated robots, the researchers have developed NoodleBot for future testing of the algorithm in the real world. Credit: Northwestern University Northwestern University engineers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm designed specifically for smart robotics. By helping robots rapidly and reliably learn complex skills, […]
Natural language boosts LLM performance in coding, planning and robotics
Three new frameworks from MIT CSAIL reveal how natural language can provide important context for language models that perform coding, AI planning, and robotics tasks. Credit: Alex Shipps/MIT CSAIL, with components from the researchers and Pixabay Large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly useful for programming and robotics tasks, but for more complicated reasoning problems, […]
An artificial mind, with a lifelike body: Amid a world of evolving AI, a Las Vegas man brings his creations to life
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain You wanna see her move? I think that’s the fun part. The room is thick with anticipation and fabricated skulls. She’s gonna wake up. Give her a second. Matt McMullen eyes his creation as her eyes flutter open in return, her gaze settling upon all the disembodied faces and mechanical mandibles […]
Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions
Guillaume Bellegarda, Milad Shafiee and Auke Ijspeert. Credit: EPFL/Jamani Caillet—CC-BY-SA 4.0 A four-legged robot trained with machine learning by EPFL researchers has learned to avoid falls by spontaneously switching between walking, trotting, and pronking—a milestone for roboticists as well as biologists interested in animal locomotion. With the help of a form of machine learning called […]
Researchers use ChatGPT for choreographies with flying robots
Prof. Angela Schoellig. Credit: Technical University Munich Prof. Angela Schoellig from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) uses ChatGPT to develop choreographies for swarms of drones to perform along to music. An additional safety filter prevents mid-air collisions. The researcher’s results demonstrate the first time that large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT can be […]
Researchers develop an automated benchmark for language-based task planners
Case Study of Procedural Generation Following the Command: “Put a chilled apple in the microwave.” Credit: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI) If instructed to “Place a cooled apple into the microwave,” how would a robot respond? Initially, the robot would need to locate an apple, pick it up, find the refrigerator, open its door, and […]
Study explores why human-inspired machines can be perceived as eerie
The uncanny valley: An artwork representing the recent study. Credit: Karl F. MacDorman. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and robots are becoming increasingly advanced, exhibiting capabilities that vaguely resemble those of humans. The growing similarities between AIs and humans could ultimately bring users to attribute human feelings, experiences, thoughts, and sensations to these systems, which some […]