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Category: robotics/AI – Page 86

NSF invests nearly $32M to accelerate novel AI-driven approaches in protein design, strengthening the U.S. bioeconomy

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) announced an inaugural investment of nearly $32 million to five teams across the U.S. through the NSF Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design (NSF USPRD) initiative. This effort aims to accelerate the translation of artificial intelligence-based approaches to protein design and enable new applications of importance to the U.S. bioeconomy.

“NSF is pleased to bring together experts from both industry and academia to confront and overcome barriers to the widespread adoption of AI-enabled protein design,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP. “Each of the five awardees will focus on developing novel approaches to translate protein design techniques into practical, market-ready solutions. These efforts aim to unlock new uses for this technology in biomanufacturing, advanced materials, and other critical industries. Simply put, NSF USPRD represents a strategic investment in maintaining American leadership in biotechnology at a time of intense global competition.”

Researchers have made significant progress in predicting the 3D structures of proteins and are now leveraging this knowledge to design proteins with specific, desirable characteristics. These advances have been driven by macromolecular modeling, access to training data, applications of AI and machine learning, and high-throughput methods for protein characterization. The NSF USPRD investment seeks to build on this foundation by bringing together cross-disciplinary and cross-sector experts nationwide. The goal is to extend these advances to enzyme design and accelerate the translation of this work into widespread, real-world applications.

Robotic drummer gradually acquires human-like behaviors

Humanoid robots, robots with a human-like body structure, have so far been primarily tested on manual tasks that entail supporting humans in their daily activities, such as carrying objects, collecting samples in hazardous environments, supporting older adults or acting as physical therapy assistants. In contrast, their potential for completing expressive physical tasks rooted in creative disciplines, such as playing an instrument or participating in performance arts, remains largely unexplored.

Researchers at SUPSI, IDSIA and Politecnico di Milano recently introduced Robot Drummer, a new humanoid robot that can play the drums both accurately and expressively, supported by a reinforcement learning algorithm. This robot, presented in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server, was found to gradually acquire human-like behaviors, including movements that are often performed by drummers.

“The idea for Robot Drummer actually emerged from a spontaneous conversation over coffee with my co-author, Loris Roveda,” Asad Ali Shahid, first author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. “We were discussing how humanoid robots have become increasingly capable at a wide range of tasks, but rarely engage in creative and expressive domains. That raised a fascinating question: what if a humanoid robot could take on a creative role, like performing music? Drumming seemed like a perfect frontier, as it’s rhythmic, physical, and requires rapid coordination across limbs.”

Surfaces, not confinement, rule until the thinnest limits

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have upended assumptions about how water behaves when squeezed into atom-scale spaces. By applying spectroscopic tools together with the machine learning simulation technique to water confined in a space of only a few molecules thick, the team, led by Mischa Bonn, found that water’s structure remains strikingly “normal” until confined to below a nanometer, far thinner than previously believed.

The research, “Interfaces Govern the Structure of Angstrom-Scale Confined Water Solutions,” was published in Nature Communications.

Peering into the structure of a layer of water molecules that is only a few molecules thick is a formidable scientific challenge. The team fabricated a nanoscale capillary device by trapping water between a single layer of graphene and a calcium fluoride (CaF₂) substrate. They then wielded cutting-edge vibrational surface-specific spectroscopy—capable of detecting the microscopic structure of confined water, including the orientation and hydrogen-bonding of water molecules—to “see” the elusive few layers of water.

Quantum technologies—‘Standards currently offer a greater chance of success than regulation,’ says researcher

How can quantum technologies be developed responsibly? In the journal Science, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the University of Cambridge, Harvard University and Stanford University argue that international standards should be established before laws are enacted.

Prof. Urs Gasser explains why the authors propose a quality management system for , how standards create trust and where even competing countries such as China and the US can cooperate.

Quantum technologies could have an even more disruptive impact than artificial intelligence. This is why there are growing calls to steer technological development in a socially responsible direction at an early stage through legislation, unlike with AI. Why do you see things differently?

OpenAI to fix GPT-5 issues, double rate limits for paid users after outrage

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, overpromised on GPT-5, and real-life results are underwhelming, but it looks like a new update is rolling out that might address some of the concerns.

GPT-5 is a state-of-the-art model. In our tests, BleepingComputer found that GPT-5 does really well in coding. It was significantly faster than the other OpenAI models, including o3.

However, GPT-5 struggles to be ‘creative’ in writing, and it also often fails to switch to its new reasoning capabilities when users expect.

Tesla’s Monster Week: $29B + Robotaxi Boom

Tesla is poised for significant growth and expansion, driven by advancements in its Full Self-Driving technology, robotaxi initiatives, and strategic partnerships, which could lead to a major increase in its stock value ## ## Questions to inspire discussion.

Tesla’s FSD and Robotaxi Advancements.

🚗 Q: What major update is coming to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system? A: A new FSD model with 10x more parameters is expected to be ready for public release by the end of next month, offering a big leap forward in capabilities.

🛣️ Q: How much safer is Tesla’s FSD compared to human drivers? A: Tesla’s FSD is reported to be 10x safer than human drivers, with the new model expected to provide a magnitude increase in safety and features.

🚕 Q: How is Tesla’s Robotaxi service expanding? A: Tesla’s Robotaxi service is expanding rapidly, with the geofenced area in Austin quadrupled to 80 square miles in just 42 days, and ride-hailing launched in California.

Tesla’s Strategic Moves.

Continue reading “Tesla’s Monster Week: B + Robotaxi Boom” | >

Bat-Inspired AI-Powered Echolocation Technology Helps Drones Navigate in Darkness

In a remarkable leap forward for machine navigation, researchers funded by the U.S. Army have developed a synthetic echolocation system inspired by the natural sonar abilities of bats and dolphins.

This cutting-edge technology enables drones, autonomous vehicles, and robots to detect and identify objects in complete darkness, relying not on traditional visual sensors like cameras or LIDAR, but on ultrasonic pulses processed by artificial intelligence (AI). The result is a system that promises to transform how machines operate in low-visibility environments, offering new possibilities for military operations and civilian applications alike. From navigating smoke-filled battlefields to aiding search and rescue missions in disaster zones, this bioinspired innovation could reshape the future of autonomous systems.

The U.S. Army’s investment in this research, supported by the Army Research Office and the DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, reflects a growing need for machines that can function effectively where human senses or conventional technology falter. By drawing on the way bats and dolphins use sound to perceive their surroundings, this system provides a robust alternative to light-dependent sensors, which struggle in conditions such as darkness, fog, or dust. Its potential extends beyond defence, with researchers envisioning its use in fields as varied as medical imaging, industrial inspection, and underwater exploration. What makes this development particularly exciting is not just its versatility, but the clever way it was created—using simulated data to train AI, paving the way for a cost-effective and adaptable solution.

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