Although the U.K. was among the first nations to adopt clear and comprehensive regulations governing airborne drones, safety and privacy concerns will likely lead to more developments.
Robots clean rivers and sort waste, monitor ecosystems, and inspect renewable-energy infrastructure. But even the greenest robot has an environmental footprint.
EPFL engineers have designed acoustic cavities that convert sound waves into thrust, propelling small robots and ultralight aerial vehicles without on-board actuators or electronics.