Technical Directions
Robotics coverage relating to manipulation.
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Boston Dynamics announces a new hand for its Atlas robot, designed for dexterous manipulation and real-world tasks. The hand features 13 degrees of freedom, direct actuation, and is optimized for simulation and reinforcement learning. It avoids a pinky finger to balance complexity and functionality, enabling tasks like tool use and object reorientation.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore have developed a continuous artificial muscle inspired by the neuromuscular control of an octopus. This design allows for precise, localized control of soft robotic arms without the need for multiple actuators. The system enables compact, lightweight robotic arms capable of complex movements and tasks such as sampling and object retrieval. The approach could have applications in confined spaces, aerial deployment, and industrial settings.
Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed a new control system for humanoid robots that enables coordinated soccer-playing behavior using onboard vision. The system was tested on a real robot and achieved an 80-90% success rate in scoring goals from the front half of the field, with a 64% reduction in response time compared to a rule-based system. The study was published in Science Robotics and demonstrates a significant advancement in embodied AI and robot coordination.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a soft, non-electronic robot that jumps continuously using infrared light. The 'soft ring jumper' uses elastic energy stored through torsion, with a V-shaped aluminum stopper controlling the direction of movement. By adjusting the geometry of the V-stop, the robot can crawl, jump forward, or leap vertically. The design enables autonomous jumping without external resets, opening possibilities for use in environmental navigation and unstructured terrain.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers have developed LAMP, a system that allows multiple robots to work together to move objects through crowded spaces. LAMP combines learned models with search-based planning to enable efficient navigation and coordination, with successful testing in complex environments and a demonstration at the 2026 IROS conference.
NVIDIA Isaac ROS 5.0, released at ROSCon 2026, enhances open source robotics development with agentic workflows, GPU acceleration, and new skills for perception and manipulation. It supports ROS Lyrical and Ubuntu 24.04, enabling developers to build and deploy high-performance robotics applications using NVIDIA's accelerated computing and AI models.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and UCLA have developed a new propulsion mechanism for small robots using low-power twisting of elastic rods. This method enables hopping and swimming motions by utilizing snapping mechanics. The mechanism works on challenging surfaces such as slippery cloth and grass-covered ground, producing frog-like motion. The study, published in Science Advances, was co-led by Khalid Jawed and Xiaonan (Sean) Huang, and demonstrates the potential for miniature robots to maneuver over uneven or slippery terrain.
This research introduces a novel algorithm for generating grasp keypoints using straight skeletons to identify high-potential regions for stable grasping. A fully automated pipeline enables large-scale annotation without human intervention, and a new architecture, SkelGG-CNN, is introduced for 4-DoF grasping. The method is extended to 6-DoF grasping using a generalized quasi-3D skeletonization algorithm, achieving high accuracy on multiple benchmarks and real-world experiments. The framework enables efficient training of lightweight models for real-world deployment.
Researchers at the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales have developed 'paraborgs'—cyborg cockroaches equipped with drug-delivery systems for search-and-rescue missions. These insects can navigate through rubble, locate survivors, and administer medication using remote control and spring-loaded needles. While the technology shows promise with high success rates in tests using silicone and pig skin, human trials have not yet been conducted.
Aletta, the first autonomous blood-draw device approved for use in the U.S., uses imaging and robotics to perform blood draws with high success rates, even in challenging cases. While it addresses staffing shortages in clinical labs, concerns about skin tone bias and sample quality persist, requiring further validation.
This repository contains 3D-printable hardware modifications for the Unitree G1 robot, including grippers, head cameras, and backpack enclosures. It includes STL files and assembly instructions for physical customization without firmware or control code.
Michigan Robotics is participating in the 2026 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Pittsburgh, presenting research on topics such as robotic leg prostheses, tensegrity robotics, and soft robot control. The event includes workshops, papers, and opportunities for networking and exploring Pittsburgh.
MIT engineers have developed a new excavator control interface that translates human arm movements into machine actions, making operation nearly intuitive. The World-Space Interface (WSI) allows operators to control excavators by mimicking physical gestures, eliminating the need for traditional joysticks. This system, tested with both experts and novices, shows potential for real-world deployment and remote operation, though haptic feedback is still under development.
NVIDIA has released a reinforcement learning policy called SO-101 Reach, which enables the SO-101 robot arm to reach randomly sampled 3D goal positions using delta joint actions. The policy is trained entirely in simulation and is intended for sim-to-real transfer and research purposes. It is available as an ONNX model and includes an Isaac Lab I/O descriptor.
Skild AI introduces S1, a robotic foundation model that leverages in-context learning to execute complex, long-horizon tasks without post-training. This marks a significant shift from traditional fine-tuning approaches, enabling rapid deployment and reducing data requirements. The model demonstrates strong performance on unseen tasks, including plant potting, pancake cooking, and kit assembly, and shows robustness to perturbations and common-sense reasoning.
Cornell researchers and collaborators have developed a snail-inspired robot called Mollusca to filter microplastics from water. Teachers from New York State participated in workshops to build and test the robots, integrating the project into their classrooms. The initiative aims to educate students on environmental issues and robotics through hands-on learning and real-world applications.
This article explores the legacy and impact of the DARPA Robotics Challenge, which aimed to develop robots capable of performing complex tasks in disaster scenarios. It discusses key lessons learned, including the importance of shared autonomy, mechanical design, and reliability in robotic systems. The piece also examines the long-term impact of the DRC on industry and research, emphasizing how it shaped the development of physical AI and its current applications.
The Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) mission, supported by NASA, has launched with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) will service satellites in geosynchronous orbit using advanced robotics, including twin dexterous arms developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. NASA's support includes simulation tools, software analysis, and flight operators to enable in-orbit servicing and extend satellite lifespans.
This article explains how tactile sensing allows robots to detect and correct off-center grasps by analyzing force distribution across fingertips. It describes a demonstration using a 2F-85 gripper with TSF-85 tactile sensors, which repositions and regrasps objects to achieve a balanced grip. The method improves grasp stability and reduces the need for reorientation or regrasping.
Engineers at MIT and EPFL have developed a flapping-wing robot, or FAAV, that can swim underwater and then flap into the air, mimicking the movement of diving birds. The robot, weighing less than 300 grams, can transition between water and air using optimized wing size, flapping frequency, and tail angle. The study, published in Science, could enable new aerial-aquatic drones for oceanographic research and environmental monitoring.
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