Oregon State University — Robotics
Oregon State University is a USA research institution whose CoRIS Institute conducts robotics R&D across agriculture, underwater systems, and AI.
Oregon State University (OSU), located in Corvallis, Oregon, is a public research university founded in 1868. Its robotics research program is centered at the Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, established in 2017 within the College of Engineering. The institute's mission is to study the theory, design, development, and deployment of robots and intelligent systems in both physical and virtual environments.
CoRIS spans an interdisciplinary community of approximately 45 faculty and 180 graduate students. Research areas include agricultural robotics, underwater robotics, bio-inspired robotics, soft robotics, human-robot interaction, legged locomotion, drone systems, motion planning, robotic grasping, multiagent reinforcement learning, and social robotics. The institute also explores law and public policy dimensions of robot deployment.
In agriculture, OSU is a member of the AgAID Institute—one of 11 AI research institutes funded by the National Science Foundation—focused on using AI and robotics to address labor shortages, water scarcity, and severe-weather impacts on specialty crop production such as fresh-market fruits and vegetables. OSU robotics PhD students are developing tactile sensing and machine-learning systems for adaptive agricultural manipulation, computer vision for real-time seed analysis, and soft robotic end-effectors for unstructured crop environments.
Graduate engineering students conduct real-world robotics projects including assistive robots, marine robots, and forestry automation. CoRIS is housed in Graf Hall and collaborates with industry partners and federal agencies including the NSF and DARPA. OSU offers a dedicated undergraduate and graduate robotics degree program through the College of Engineering, making it one of the few universities in the United States with a standalone robotics major.
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Contact Oregon State University — Robotics
WEBSITE
https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/research/CoRISPHONE
+1 541-737-1000HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
1868
Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
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Primary Region
North America
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Funding Stage
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Funding Total
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China Achieves First AI-Guided Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease Using Intelligent Robotics
Recently, a medical team in China completed the world's first AI ultrasound robot-assisted interventional procedure for congenital heart disease. Conducted by the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, this surgery marks a significant milestone in the clinical application of intelligent technology in healthcare. This breakthrough is crucial as it signifies the integration of artificial intelligence into one of the most critical aspects of surgical procedures: interpreting images, assessing positions, and aiding doctors in formulating operational plans. Traditionally, cardiovascular interventions heavily relied on physician experience, particularly in complex cases where accurate understanding of heart structure changes is essential. Looking ahead, the focus may shift from merely achieving higher precision with robotic arms to whether robots can comprehend medical images, analyze patient conditions, and adapt strategies in real-time. The integration of AI models, medical imaging, and robotic control systems will be vital for advancing surgical capabilities, especially in areas lacking experienced specialists.
AI in Healthcare Surgical Robotics Medical Imaging Cardiovascular Surgery
Challenges in Implementing Predictive Maintenance for Robot Fleets
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Artificial Intelligence Computing Factories Internet asset management condition monitoring
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End Effectors / Grippers Grippers Human Robot Interaction / Haptics News Sensors / Sensing Systems
AI Framework PACMAN Enables Rapid Control of Fusion Plasma at Princeton Lab
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Princeton University have developed PACMAN, an AI software framework that controls fusion plasma faster than human operators can react. This innovation is crucial as fusion systems can experience instabilities in mere milliseconds, making human intervention impractical. The PACMAN framework allows for real-time decision-making while ensuring safety protocols are upheld, with human operators setting the system's objectives. This capability is vital for maintaining the stability of fusion reactions, which rely on precise adjustments to heating equipment and magnetic fields to keep plasma conditions optimal. The initial tests of PACMAN were conducted in five experiments, demonstrating its effectiveness in managing fusion plasma. As researchers continue to explore practical fusion energy solutions, the integration of multiple AI models within PACMAN represents a significant advancement in the field. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
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Exploring the Role of FPGAs in Enhancing Physical AI Security
In Episode 260 of The Robot Report Podcast, Eric Sivertson, vice president of security at Lattice Semiconductor, discusses the significance of FPGAs in physical AI security. He highlights how these field-programmable gate arrays are crucial for building safe and secure robots, emphasizing their role in enhancing trust in embedded systems. The conversation underscores the growing importance of security in robotics, particularly as the industry shifts towards more advanced AI applications. Sivertson's extensive experience in developing technologies for security and connectivity positions him to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within this sector. Listeners should pay attention to the evolving landscape of physical AI security and the potential for FPGAs to serve as foundational elements in safeguarding robotic systems. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Artificial Intelligence Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Humanoids Manufacturing Markets / Industries Microprocessors / SoC
iRobot Introduces the Roomba Duo, a Dual Robot Vacuum Concept
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IFA 2026 News Robot Smart Home Tech
Can Improved Hydraulic Systems Propel Humanoid Robots Towards Greater Versatility?
The humanoid robot industry faces a paradox: the pursuit of versatility necessitates specialized power solutions. Tesla's Optimus, Figure AI's tests at BMW, and Agility Robotics' Digit at Amazon showcase advancements but reveal structural weaknesses in execution. Issues like insufficient power, range anxiety, and adaptability to extreme environments remain unresolved. Experts, including Zhang Jianwei and Wang Jian, emphasize that the fundamental challenges lie in the physical properties of materials used in motors, which are limited by cost and efficiency. They argue that hydraulic systems, often deemed 'non-scientific' due to their complexity, could redefine actuator capabilities if the basic problems are solved. The economic paradox of traditional robotic actuators is highlighted by the high integration costs associated with systems like Boston Dynamics' Atlas. As the humanoid robot sector evolves, it inherits the complexities of traditional hydraulic systems, which require numerous sensors and intricate control networks. The real question is not whether hydraulics can provide power, but whether that power can be easily harnessed by robots. ClearZhu Power aims to address this challenge with its digital hydraulic technology.
Hydraulic Systems Humanoid Robots Robotics Technology Automation
U.S. Army Awards $464.8 Million Contract for 30-kW LOCUST Laser Systems
The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million contract for the production of LOCUST laser systems under the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program. This contract marks a significant milestone as it is the first production contract for a directed-energy weapon in U.S. history, indicating a shift from experimental systems to operational capabilities. The LOCUST X3, a 30-kilowatt laser weapon, is designed to counter Group 1–3 unmanned aircraft systems and can be integrated onto various platforms, including the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The contract aims to provide a scalable and cost-effective air defense solution against drones, which have become increasingly prevalent on modern battlefields. Looking ahead, AeroVironment is expanding its production capacity with a $30 million investment in its Albuquerque facility to support the ramp-up of LOCUST systems. The E-HEL program is expected to enhance the Army's defenses against drone threats, marking a significant step towards the routine use of laser weapons in military operations. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Military
Tsubaki KabelSchlepp Introduces Robotrax System for Protecting Industrial Robot Cables
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Articulated-robots Robot-uptime Automation Robot-arms Manufacturing Factory-robots
RMCS V1.0 Launches to Address Robot Mass Delivery Challenges in the Industry
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Robot Motion Control Intelligent Chips Robotics Development Automation Solutions
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The third report in the WRC 2026 series. Report 1 mapped all 248 exhibitors by category and Report 2 covered the 139 that build finished robots. This one covers the 137 that build what goes inside them.
WRC 2026 Robot Systems: 149 Companies That Build Robots
149 of the 248 classified WRC 2026 exhibitors build finished robots. 93 build humanoid or legged machines. The audited humanoid sales number is one unit.
ROBOTTODAY Weekly August 10 – 14, 2026
Your weekly robotics briefing: Unitree's IPO is swamped by retail demand, the US puts 100% tariffs on imported drones, LG and Nvidia commit to a 2027 humanoid, and Uber and Pony.ai bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe.
Inside Saga Robotics: UVC Light vs. Crop Disease
Saga Robotics CPO Damian Flynn on the Thorvald platform's UVC treatment system, its jump from UK strawberries to California wine grapes, and why he's “incredibly bullish” on applying automation and robotics into industries “most chaotic environment.”
Underactuated Robotics Russ Tedrake — RSF Specialist Shelf · Book S3 of 6
Legged robots fall over for control reasons, not mechanical ones. Tedrake's free MIT 6.832 notes explain why, and what a controller must do about it.
How Humanoid Robots Overcome The Reliability Challenge Why They Fail And How Global Leaders Are Engineering Real Stability
Humanoid robot reliability remains the biggest barrier to scale. Explore failure modes, actuator durability, MTBF challenges, and global engineering solutions.
