soft robotics

MIT researchers have developed an ultra-thin swimming robot that moves using living muscle tissue rather than conventional motors. The biohybrid design points to new possibilities in soft robotics, from minimally invasive medical devices to environmental monitoring in tight aquatic spaces. Coverage in technology newsletters is highlighting it as another step toward machines that merge biological tissue with engineered systems.

Robotics company Dyna has unveiled Taku, a robot designed to take laundry all the way from the washing machine to the shelf, folding and putting away clothes on its own. The demonstration is drawing attention as a step toward household robots that can manage one of the most tedious domestic chores without human help.