Awesome Mit

Researchers at MIT CSAIL have been working on improvements to its Mini Cheetah quadruped robot, among them a model-free learning that helps it figure out how to traverse varied terrain through trial and error. Along the way, the little guy managed to set a new speed record for its platform – 3.9 m/s (~8.7 mph).

Scientists from MIT CSAIL have developed Evolution Gym, a system that uses artificial intelligence to optimize the design and control logic of soft robots. Like strange digital animals, the simulated robots autonomously evolve to perform specific tasks like walking, jumping, climbing, or carrying objects.

Scientists from MIT CSAIL have developed an incredible technology which allows for personalization of objects by using special photochromic dyes. By exposing the pigments to ultraviolet light, designs be “reprogrammed” by removing portions of their cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes to expose new patterns. More here.

MIT’s food computers are small robotic gardens that let people control, gather and share data about the conditions of a plant’s growth. Such systems can be built anywhere in the world, greatly accelerating learning and experimentation to improve crop yields.

MIT continues to improve upon its fast-moving Cheetah robot. In addition to its speed, it can now leap or gallop on rugged terrain, recover its balance, and climb stairs even if they’re covered with obstacles. Plus, it does all of this without the aid of cameras or visual sensors.

Modern image recognition technology is getting really good at identifying objects. But engineers at MIT CSAIL show us how simply playing with their textures can confuse the AI into thinking an object is something completely different than what it actually is.

Engineers from the MIT Tangible Media Lab have improved upon their earlier tactile display system, adding the ability to control the perceived amounts of flexibility, elasticity, and viscosity. The result is a display that can feel like a variety of materials, from rubber to water.

While it doesn’t have the precision of other 3D printers, MIT Mediated Matter Group’s and Glass Lab’s molten glass printer is still amazing, producing optically-transparent glass shapes that would be very difficult to make by hand.