Collaboration between researchers at the University of Southampton, researchers at the University College London, and Cobham Technical Services resulted in development of a novel kind of radar system called the twin inverted pulse radar (TWIRP) that can detect hidden surveillance equipment and explosives. Inspiration for the device scientists found in the way dolphin hunts the… »
A group of researchers at the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, who previously developed a small robotic jellyfish Robojelly, developed its larger version and named it Cyro – a name derived from “cyanea” and “robot”. The cyanea part of the name originates from cyanea capillata (Lion’s mane jellyfish) – the largest known species of jellyfish… »
Researchers at the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have collaborated with other research groups to develop an infrared color night-vision imaging technology able to record high-definition (HD) color videos even in darkness. The technology could be used in broadcast cameras used for nighttime recording, as well as to on-board vehicle… »
Researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State) have developed a technique that uses an electronic interface to remotely control living cockroaches. Although the system is not as invasive as the one used in “Borg insects” we wrote about earlier, there are questions raised about the ethics of such approach. The technology could be used… »
Inspired by batoid fishes, such as stingrays and manta rays, researchers from University of Virginia (U.Va.) and their colleagues from 3 other universities are developing an autonomous underwater vehicle that emulates the seemingly effortless but powerful swimming motions of rays. The vehicle has potential commercial and military applications, and could be used for undersea exploration… »
Nearly two years after it has been revealed to the public during a ceremony in St. Louis, Boeing recently revealed that their high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Phantom Eye managed to complete its first take off and landing. Although its performance is still far from the goals set by Boeing, it does… »
Most of us had the opportunity to play with maple seed and observe it spiraling down after we throw it. Several groups of engineers around the world have been inspired by maple seed and applied biomimicry to construct small flying machines. Lockheed Martin came up with Samarai which was exhibited at the Association for Unmanned… »
A group of researchers from the University of Oxford is developing small aerial vehicles with flapping wings inspired by those found on insects. The researchers envision that their insect-size vehicles will be suitable for many different purposes ranging from helping in emergency situations considered too dangerous for people to enter, to covert military surveillance missions…. »
