Researchers at Princeton University have discovered that the human brain's ability to learn is significantly enhanced by its use of modular "cognitive blocks" that can be repurposed across various tasks. This finding emerged from experiments involving monkeys that were tasked with switching between visual categorization challenges, revealing that the prefrontal cortex can assemble these cognitive blocks in a manner akin to building with Legos, thereby facilitating the creation of new behaviors. The study, conducted recently, sheds light on the brain's remarkable flexibility, which accounts for the rapid learning capabilities of humans compared to artificial intelligence models that often struggle to retain previously acquired skills. These insights hold promise for advancing the development of more effective AI systems and could lead to innovative clinical treatments aimed at enhancing cognitive adaptability in individuals with impairments.
Scientists uncover the brain’s hidden learning blocks
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
Korean Team Develops Pneumatic Gripper for Eggs with 600% Stretchability Using Machine Learning
A recent study by a Korean research team has achieved a breakthrough in 3D printing technology, specifically in the development of a pneumatic gripper capable of grasping eggs. Utilizing only 0.5 milliliters of resin, the team created a model that exhibits a remarkable elongation rate of over 600% and a viscosity of approximately 2500 mPa·s. This advancem...
3D Printing Soft Robotics Material Science
Research Highlights Risks of Smart Systems Including AI, Robotics, and Bioweapons
Recent discussions have highlighted the risks associated with advanced technologies, including industrial robots, drones, and AI systems. The USAF is now tasked with determining how to effectively use and maintain these technologies in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, ANYbotics has developed robot dogs capable of navigating secured facilities while adhering t...
AI and Robotics
Light Origins Unveils Light-O1 Foundation Model to Enhance Robot Learning Capabilities
Light Origins has launched Light-O1, its first general-purpose embodied foundation model, which utilizes human actions extracted from internet videos to provide a reusable framework for robots to learn various tasks. The company trained six versions of the 4-billion-parameter model on multimodal tokens, achieving significant reductions in prediction error...
AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute
PAL Robotics Unveils TIAGo Pro Arm for Advanced Manipulation and AI Research
PAL Robotics has launched the TIAGo Pro Arm, a standalone robotic manipulation platform designed for researchers in robot learning and physical AI. This new system is being showcased at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh, running from September 27 to October 1. The arm features seven degrees of freedom and is built on ROS 2 and ros_control, incorporating Series Elas...
Noin Introduces GLOW Architecture for Instant Learning in Robotics
Noin has unveiled the GLOW architecture, a generative learning framework aimed at enhancing robot learning capabilities. This new technology allows robots to learn tasks instantly without the need for extensive data collection or predefined processes, addressing the challenges posed by dynamic real-world environments. GLOW's core innovation lies in its ab...
Robotics Generative Learning AI
IonQ to Install 256-Qubit Quantum Computer at Florida International University for Research
IonQ, a US quantum computing company, plans to install a 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami by late 2027. This installation will provide researchers and students direct access to IonQ's sixth-generation quantum hardware, marking the first deployment of the Superion 256 system in Florida. The significa...
Science
ITESO Team Develops RoboMeshA Portable Educational Platform for Robotics Learning
In Guadalajara, Mexico, a team from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, has developed RoboMeshA, a portable educational platform aimed at enhancing robotics and AI learning in high schools lacking advanced tools. This initiative, part of the EPICS in IEEE program, involves 15 engineering students and faculty advisors who designed a self-contained m...
Robotics Ai Type-ti
University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal and KUKA Systems AWS Launch FSW Research Platform
The University of Applied Sciences in Magdeburg-Stendal, in collaboration with KUKA Systems AWS, has introduced a new research cell dedicated to friction stir welding (FSW). This initiative aims to enhance the development and testing of innovative manufacturing processes, leveraging advanced robotics and digital technologies. The centerpiece of this resea...
Anthropic's Claude Discovers New Enzyme System in Phages After Analyzing 200,000 Sequences
Anthropic's AI system, Claude, has uncovered a novel enzyme system in bacteriophages after analyzing over 200,000 reverse transcriptases. This discovery, termed array-associated reverse transcriptase (ART), features a reverse transcriptase linked to a partner gene and a unique DNA repeat array, suggesting potential similarities to CRISPR systems, though i...
AI and Robotics
Poitras Center Launches Fellowships for 50 Young Scientists in Psychiatric Research
Patricia and James Poitras have initiated a fellowship program at MIT's McGovern Institute, providing 50 two-year fellowships for graduate students and postdocs focused on psychiatric disorders. This $10 million commitment aims to create a long-term talent pipeline in mental health research, awarding five fellowships annually over the next decade. This in...
Giving Awards, honors and fellowships Students
RobotToday Weekly September 14 – 18, 2026
Toyota weighs 400,000 factory robots, SoftBank buys Hyundai's Robotics and AI Institute, Agility unveils Digit 5, Figure's Helix 2.5 generalises to 30 homes, and August robotics funding hits $4.87 billion.
RobotToday Weekly
Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026: 58 Pittsburgh Startups Pitch to Investors
58 health, deep tech and robotics startups pitched at Innovation Works Venture Expo 2026 in Pittsburgh. Full company list, program and 2025 funding data.
Market and Business News
BioRobotics Laboratory, Korea University of Technology and Education
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean university research laboratory focusing on haptics, exoskeletons, rehabilitation robotics, and autonomous ground vehicles.
McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute
Canada
Hamilton, Ontario applied manufacturing research center at McMaster University; runs a 21,000 sq ft facility with seven research labs.
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
United States
The REC Foundation is a US nonprofit that runs VEX-based robotics and drone competitions reaching 1.1 million students across 70 countries.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) 工業技術研究院
Taiwan
Hsinchu County, Taiwan applied-technology research institute founded 1973; over 6,500 staff developing autonomous mobile robots and AI perception systems.
Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Korea, Republic of (South)
Daejeon, South Korea national aerospace research institute founded 1989; develops the NURI orbital launch vehicle, KOMPSAT satellites, and lunar probes.
MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)
United States
Moss Landing, California ocean research institute founded 1987 by David Packard; builds ROVs and long-range AUVs for deep-sea exploration.
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