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Category: robotics/AI

Robots trained with spatial dataset show improved object handling and awareness

When it comes to navigating their surroundings, machines have a natural disadvantage compared to humans. To help hone the visual perception abilities they need to understand the world, researchers have developed a novel training dataset for improving spatial awareness in robots.

In new research, experiments showed that robots trained with this dataset, called RoboSpatial, outperformed those trained with baseline models at the same robotic task, demonstrating a complex understanding of both spatial relationships and physical object manipulation.

For humans, shapes how we interact with the environment, from recognizing different people to maintaining an awareness of our body’s movements and position. Despite previous attempts to imbue robots with these skills, efforts have fallen short as most are trained on data that lacks sophisticated spatial understanding.

Novel 3D nanofabrication techniques enable miniaturized robots

In the 1980s when micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) were first created, computer engineers were excited by the idea that these new devices that combine electrical and mechanical components at the microscale could be used to build miniature robots.

The idea of shrinking robotic mechanisms to such tiny sizes was particularly exciting given the potential to achieve exceptional performance in metrics such as speed and precision by leveraging a robot’s smaller size and mass. But making robots at smaller scales is easier said than done due to limitations in microscale 3D manufacturing.

Nearly 50 years later, Ph.D. students Steven Man and Sukjun Kim, working with Mechanical Engineering Professor Sarah Bergbreiter, have developed a 3D to build tiny Delta robots called microDeltas. Delta robots at larger scales (typically two to four feet in height) are used for picking, placing, and sorting tasks in manufacturing, packaging, and electronics assembly. The much smaller microDeltas have the potential for real-world applications in micromanipulation, micro assembly, minimally invasive surgeries, and wearable haptic devices.

RCE flaw in ImunifyAV puts millions of Linux-hosted sites at risk

The ImunifyAV malware scanner for Linux servers, used by tens of millions of websites, is vulnerable to a remote code execution vulnerability that could be exploited to compromise the hosting environment.

The issue affects versions of the AI-bolit malware scanning component prior to 32.7.4.0. The component is present in the Imunify360 suite, the paid ImunifyAV+, and in ImunifyAV, the free version of the malware scanner.

According to security firm Patchstack, the vulnerability has been known since late October, when ImunifyAV’s vendor, CloudLinux, released fixes. Currently, the flaw has not been assigned an identifier.

Sutskever’s List

“If you really learn all of these, you’ll know 90% of what matters today.” – Ilya Sutskever.

AI is transforming the world faster than we could have imagined. But how did we get here? AI guru Ilya Sutskever made the bold claim that most of what you need to know about modern AI is captured in 30 seminal research papers on deep learning.

What did Ilya see? Read through Sutskever’s List and you’ll uncover the breakthroughs, ideas, and mental models that shaped his vision and much more, all clearly explained and interpreted by veteran author and teacher Richard Heimann.

Elements in Research Methods in Education

Join us, Dr Sal Consoli (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Samantha Curle (University of Bath) for a dynamic 60-minute webinar celebrating the inaugural volume in the series Elements in Research Methods in Education series.

We will interview the author of How to Use Generative AI in Educational Research — Dr Jasper Roe, to explore why he chose this specific topic, the writing process behind this book, and how he hopes it will influence educational researchers and practitioners.

Then we’ll open the floor to attendees interested in contributing to the series. We will provide a unique opportunity to ask questions about the commissioning process, editorial expectations, and how to develop a successful proposal.

Novel smart fabrics give robots a delicate grip

Robots aren’t always the most delicate of machines when handling fragile objects. They don’t have the lightness of touch of humans. But that could be about to change thanks to a new development in smart materials.

Researchers have developed a method for weaving flexible fibers that can be controlled by magnetic fields. Not only can this be used for robot hands to pick up objects like soft fruits, and worms, but it can also be used in a range of other applications. These include gloves that provide a realistic touch in and breathable fabrics.

Terrence Deacon — Philosophy of Transhumanism & Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence and transhumanism.

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Humanity’s future is now framed by artificial intelligence (AI) and increasing interventions in the human body to cure and to enhance, i.e., transhumanism. Considering the stakes and the dangers, a philosophical perspective is imperative.

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Terrence William Deacon is an American neuroanthropologist. He taught at Harvard for eight years, relocated to Boston University in 1992, and is currently Professor of Anthropology and member of the Cognitive Science Faculty at the University of California, Berkeley.

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