Robots, drones help Japan’s builders out of labour crunch | Today

by Alex Kirkpatrick

30 March 2017

Developing active and flexible microrobots

Universiteit Leiden 13 May 2026

This class of robots opens up possibilities for biomedical applications.

How to teach the same skill to different robots

EPFL 11 May 2026

A new framework to teach a skill to robots with different mechanical designs, allowing them to carry out the same task without rewriting code for each.

Robot Talk Episode 155 – Making aerial robots smarter, with Melissa Greeff

Robot Talk 08 May 2026

In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Melissa Greeff from Queen's University about autonomous navigation and learning for drones.

New understanding of insect flight points way to stable flapping-wing robots

Cornell University 07 May 2026

The way bugs and birds flap their wings may look effortless, but the dynamics that keep them aloft are dizzyingly complex and difficult to quantify.

Robotically assembled building blocks could make construction more efficient and sustainable

MIT News 05 May 2026

Research suggests constructing a simple building from interlocking subunits should be mechanically feasible and have a much smaller carbon footprint.

Robot Talk Episode 154 – Visual navigation in insects and robots, with Andrew Philippides

Robot Talk 01 May 2026

In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Andrew Philippides from the University of Sussex about what we can learn from ants and bees to improve robot navigation.

Ultralightweight sonar plus AI lets tiny drones navigate like bats

The Conversation 29 Apr 2026

Researchers develop ultrasound-based perception system inspired by bat echolocation.

Gradient-based planning for world models at longer horizons

BAIR Blog 28 Apr 2026

What were the problems that motivated this project and what was the approach to address them?