A New Robotic Gripper Based on Measuring Tape is Sizing Up Fruit and Veggie Picking
April 9, 2025
This robotic gripper has two fingers made from measuring tape. It can pick up fragile objects, including fruits and veggies. It can also use a screwdriver, screw in a lightbulb and open a jar of spices. Full Story
These Electronics-free Robots Can Walk Right Off the 3D-Printer
March 25, 2025
Imagine a robot that can walk, without electronics, and only with the addition of a cartridge of compressed gas, right off the 3D-printer. It can also be printed in one go, from one material. That is exactly what roboticists have achieved in robots developed by the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the University of California San Diego. They describe their work in an advanced online publication in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems. Full Story
Computer Vision and Robotics Pioneer Xiaolong Wang Awarded Prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships
February 18, 2025
Jacobs School electrical engineering professor Xiaolong Wang has been selected to receive a prestigious 2025 Sloan Research Fellowships. Wang is affiliated with the Center for Visual Computing and the Contextual Robotics Institute at UC San Diego. Full Story
Researchers tap robots for the dirty, dull and dangerous
December 16, 2024
Jacobs School of Engineering researchers are nearly halfway through a three-year project to explore ways to integrate robotics into the construction industry and improve 3D reconstruction and mapping. Supported by KIAT (the Korea Institute for Advanced Technology), KETI (the Korea Electronics Technology Institute) and smart construction technology company ITOne, the grant funding adds up to $786,500 and runs through August 31, 2027. Full Story
Contributing to the Expansion of Robotics Research at IROS 2024
October 14, 2024
From better algorithms for self-driving vehicles, to better solutions for robotics surgery, and better ways for robots to manipulate objects, researchers at the University of California San Diego are presenting their work at the IROS 2024conference Oct. 14 to 18 in Abu Dhabi. Full Story
What Is Embodied Intelligence and What Can It Do
September 30, 2024
Artificial intelligence might be the focus of many conversations today, but it cannot touch or manipulate the physical world without a body. A group of robotics experts got together at the University of California San Diego to talk about the many ways intelligence could be embodied to interact with the real world. Full Story
Groundbreaking vine robots with magnetic skin could transform cancer treatment
August 5, 2024
A new class of robot with magnetic skin and movement that mimics creeping vine plants, could transform cancer diagnosis and treatment. The soft, slender, “magnetic vine robots” developed by researchers at the University of Leeds in collaboration with engineers at the University of California San Diego not only “grow” as they move, they can also squeeze through gaps almost 40 per cent thinner than their resting diameter. This enables them to navigate narrow, complex pathways deep inside the human body, such as the bronchial tree. Full Story
How Much Risk are Humans Willing to Take When Interacting With Robots?
July 11, 2024
How do people like to interact with robots when navigating a crowded environment? And what algorithms should roboticists use to program robots to interact with humans? These are the questions that a team of mechanical engineers and computer scientists at the University of California San Diego sought to answer in a study presented recently at the ICRA 2024 conference in Japan. Full Story
Learning Dance Moves Could Help Humanoid Robots Work Better With Humans
July 11, 2024
Engineers have trained a humanoid robot to perform a variety of expressive movements, from simple dance routines to gestures like waving, high-fiving and hugging, all while maintaining a steady gait on diverse terrains. This work marks a step towards building robots that perform more complex and human-like motions. Full Story
Microrobot-packed Pill Shows Promise for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice
June 26, 2024
Engineers have developed a pill that releases microscopic robots, or microrobots, into the colon to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The experimental treatment, given orally, has shown success in mice. It significantly reduced IBD symptoms and promoted the healing of damaged colon tissue without causing toxic side effects. Full Story
Meet CARMEN, a Robot That Helps People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
June 24, 2024
Meet CARMEN, short for Cognitively Assistive Robot for Motivation and Neurorehabilitation–a small, tabletop robot designed to help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) learn skills to improve memory, attention, and executive functioning at home. Full Story
Swimming Microrobots Deliver Cancer-fighting Drugs to Metastatic Lung Tumors in Mice
June 12, 2024
Engineers have developed microscopic robots, known as microrobots, capable of swimming through the lungs to deliver cancer-fighting medication directly to metastatic tumors. This approach has shown promise in mice, where it inhibited the growth and spread of tumors that had metastasized to the lungs, thereby boosting survival rates compared to control treatments. Full Story
Franklin Antonio Hall Sparks Research Collaborations
May 13, 2024
From improving tools for robot-assisted surgery to studying how humans prefer to interact with robots, collaborations across different departments at the Jacobs School of Engineering are in the spotlight in this year’s accepted papers for the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Full Story
Soft Robots, Tough Problems
May 2, 2024
Robots that can assist physicians during surgery. Robots that can swim. Robots that can grip delicate objects. These were some of the demonstrations on display at Robosoft, the biggest conference in the field of soft robotics, this year. Full Story
UC San Diego Roboticists Shine at Human Robot Interaction 2024 Conference
March 26, 2024
University of California, San Diego robotics research– from supporting patient home care and stroke rehabilitation to facilitating mission critical teamwork among first responders– was on display during the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Full Story
Exploring the Diverse Applications of Robotics Beyond the Lab at UC San Diego
November 20, 2023
From the operating room to our homes and streets, robots are becoming increasingly integral to our daily activities. The UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute hosted its eighth annual forum with the theme “Robots in the Wild,” showcasing varied applications of robots in real-world scenarios. Full Story
Contextual Robotics Institute: Robots in the Wild
November 13, 2023
The UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute will hold its 8th annual Forum on November 14, 2023. Full Story
The next generation of robotics from UC San Diego in the spotlight at IROS 2023
October 6, 2023
From helping wounded soldiers in the field, to helping robots avoid obstacles in the field, and more, researchers from the UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute made a strong showing at IROS 2023. Full Story
These Robots Helped Understand How Insects Evolved Two Distinct Strategies of Flight
October 4, 2023
Robots built by engineers at the University of California San Diego helped achieve a major breakthrough in understanding how insect flight evolved, described in the Oct. 4, 2023 issue of the journal Nature. The study is a result of a six-year long collaboration between roboticists at UC San Diego and biophysicists at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Full Story
7 AI-Powered Technologies You Should Know About
August 22, 2023
Jacobs School researchers are leading five different AI projects highlighted in a recent feature story in UC San Diego: A social robot to help people with cognitive impairments; A mobile platform for managing chronic health conditions; Self-driving vehicles for delivery and micro-transit; A chatbot that gives movie recommendations; and Robots that can perform automated lifesaving surgeries. Full Story
This 3D Printed Gripper Does Not Need Electronics To Function
July 27, 2023
This soft robotic gripper is not only 3D printed in one print, it also doesn’t need any electronics to work. The device was developed by a team of roboticists at UC San Diego, in collaboration with researchers at the BASF corporation, who detailed their work in a recent issue of Science Robotics. Full Story
Robotic Hand Rotates Objects Using Touch, Not Vision
July 25, 2023
Inspired by the effortless way humans handle objects without seeing them, a team led by engineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a new approach that enables a robotic hand to rotate objects solely through touch, without relying on vision. Full Story
UC San Diego teams earn four of 18 Qualcomm Innovation Fellowships in North America for 2023
July 24, 2023
Four UC San Diego teams have been awarded prestigious Qualcomm Innovation Fellowships for North America in 2023. The teams are affiliated with UC San Diego's Center for Visual Computing; Center for Wearable Sensors; and Contextual Robotics Institute. Full Story
Bot inspired by baby turtles can swim under the sand
July 18, 2023
This robot can swim under the sand and dig itself out too, thanks to two front limbs that mimic the oversized flippers of turtle hatchlings. It’s the only robot that is able to travel in sand at a depth of 5 inches. It can also travel at a speed of 1.2 millimeters per second–roughly 4 meters, or 13 feet, per hour.​​ This may seem slow but is comparable to other subterranean animals like worms and clams. The robot is equipped with force sensors at the end of its limbs that allow it to detect obstacles while in motion. It can operate untethered and be controlled via WiFi. Full Story
Four-legged robot traverses tricky terrains thanks to improved 3D vision
June 13, 2023
Researchers led by UC San Diego have developed a new model that trains four-legged robots to see more clearly in 3D. The advance enabled a robot to autonomously cross challenging terrain with ease--including stairs, rocky ground and gap-filled paths--while clearing obstacles in its way. Full Story
Making Robots for Humans: Robotics Experts Present at ICRA 2023
June 1, 2023
From robotics surgery to better algorithms for robots working in teams with humans, researchers at the UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute are presenting 16 papers at the ICRA 2023 conference from May 29 to June 2 in London. Full Story
2022 Research Highlights
December 20, 2022
From tools to track the origin and spread of COVID-19, to making homes safer in earthquakes, to using smartphones as diagnostic tools, researchers at the Jacobs School of Engineering pioneered important work in 2022. A few highlights of our outstanding research this year are here. Full Story
A new era for robotics at UC San Diego
November 21, 2022
The Contextual Robotics Institute at UC San Diego hosted its 7th annual forum on Nov. 16, highlighting not only the robotics work underway across campus, but also efforts to capitalize on the broader San Diego region’s strengths and expertise. Full Story
IROS 2022: Bioinspired Robots, Better Algorithms for Self-driving Cars, and More
October 10, 2022
From robots inspired by animals and even amoeba, to better algorithms for self-driving cars and robotic surgery, researchers at the University of California San Diego will be presenting a wide range of papers at IROS 2022, which returns in a hybrid format Oct. 23 to 27, 2022. Full Story
New algorithms help four-legged robots run in the wild
October 4, 2022
A new system of algorithms developed by UC San Diego engineers enables four-legged robots to walk and run on challenging terrain while avoiding both static and moving obstacles. The work brings researchers a step closer to building robots that can perform search and rescue missions or collect information in places that are too dangerous or difficult for humans. Full Story
Franklin Antonio Hall opens its doors
September 29, 2022
The UC San Diego campus community turned out in big numbers last Friday to celebrate the opening of the sleek and soaring Franklin Antonio Hall. The 186,000 square foot building is not only innovative in its architecture, it’s also ground-breaking in how research teams are organized within the building. Full Story
Tiny swimming robots treat deadly pneumonia in mice
September 22, 2022
UC San Diego nanoengineers have developed microscopic robots, called microrobots, that can swim around in the lungs, deliver medication and be used to clear up life-threatening cases of bacterial pneumonia. In mice, the microrobots safely eliminated pneumonia-causing bacteria in the lungs and resulted in 100% survival. By contrast, untreated mice all died within three days after infection. Full Story
San Diego Union-Tribune previews opening of Franklin Antonio Hall
September 9, 2022
Just weeks before the grand opening on Sept. 23, the San Diego Union-Tribune published an extensive story about Franklin Antonio Hall, the latest building at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. The sleek and soaring structure is located across the street from to Atkinson Hall, near the campus’ Warren College neighborhood. Full Story
The physics of walking is simpler than we thought
September 5, 2022
The physics of walking for multi-legged animals and robots is simpler than previously thought. That is the finding described by a team of roboticists, physicists and biologists in the Sept. 5 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, in a paper titled “Walking is like slithering: a unifying, data-driven view of locomotion.” Full Story
UC San Diego engineers receive 2 out of 10 prestigious national young investigators awards
July 22, 2022
UC San Diego faculty members brought home two of the 10 Beckman Young Investigator awards bestowed nationwide this year by the Beckman Foundation. What’s more, both faculty members, Lisa Poulikakos and Tania Morimoto, are part of the UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. It’s the first time the award goes to two researchers from the same department at the same institution. Full Story
ICRA 2022 preview: from robots inspired by insects to helping robots navigate and interact
April 11, 2022
From algorithms that help robots better navigate and interact with the world and humans, to robots inspired by insects, researchers at the University of California San Diego are making significant contributions to the field of robotics at the 2022 International Conference on Robotics and Automation taking place from May 23 to 27, 2022 in Philadelphia. Full Story
Renowned controls researcher receives new award for transformational contributions to the field
March 14, 2022
Professor Miroslav Krstic at the University of California San Diego is the inaugural recipient of the A.V. “Bal” Balakrishnan Research Award for Scientific Excellence in Research in the Mathematics of Systems. Full Story
.JPG)
Cars, Start Your Engines!
October 21, 2021
Engineering and data science students from UC San Diego will participate in the inaugural Indy Autonomous Challenge on Oct. 23. The competition, which offers a $1.5 million prize pool, is designed to inspire the next generation of STEM talent and challenges university students from around the world to develop autonomous vehicle software. Full Story
Students make it to finals of first autonomous EV GrandPrix race
September 30, 2021
A group of UC San Diego engineering and data science students was one of three teams to make it to the final round of the inaugural autonomous EV GrandPrix go-kart race hosted by Purdue University in Indianapolis on Sept. 17. Full Story
IROS 2021 preview: robotic mapping and manipulation
September 22, 2021
Researchers at the UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute will present three papers at the IROS 2021 conference, which takes place Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2021, both online and in person in Prague. Full Story
Researchers develop first steerable catheter for brain surgery
August 18, 2021
A team of engineers and physicians has developed a steerable catheter that for the first time will give neurosurgeons the ability to steer the device in any direction they want while navigating the brain’s arteries and blood vessels. The device was inspired by nature, specifically insect legs and flagella--tail-like structures that allow microscopic organisms such as bacteria to swim. Full Story
NSF Invests $20M in UC San Diego-headquartered Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institute
July 29, 2021
Robotics researchers at UC San Diego are a key part of new NSF AI Institute. AI-driven optimization will allow robots to better perceive their environment and interact with them in a robust manner. Full Story
Improved maps for self-driving vehicles win Research Expo 2021
May 25, 2021
From monitoring the structural integrity of airplane wings, to improving lithographic 3D printing processes, to creating better maps for self-driving cars, this year’s Research Expo symposium showcased the depth and breadth of work done by graduate engineering and computer science students at the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. Full Story
This system helps robots better navigate emergency rooms
May 10, 2021
Computer scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a more accurate navigation system that will allow robots to better negotiate busy clinical environments in general and emergency departments more specifically. The researchers have also developed a dataset of open source videos to help train robotic navigation systems in the future. Full Story
CAREER awards for three researchers at UC San Diego Contextual Robotics Institute
April 29, 2021
Three researchers at the Contextual Robotics Institute at UC San Diego have received CAREER awards from the National Science Foundation in 2021. Their work ranges from robot mapping, to invertebrate locomotion, to autonomous robotic surgery. Full Story
From self-driving cars, to drones, to healthcare robotics: UC San Diego at ICRA 2021 preview
April 26, 2021
A record number of papers from robotics faculty at the University of California San Diego were accepted to the 2021 International Conference on Robotics and Automation taking place in Xi’an.China, May 30 to June 5. Full Story
Robot, heal thyself
March 26, 2021
Living tissue can heal itself from many injuries, but giving similar abilities to artificial systems, such as robots, has been extremely challenging. Now, researchers at the University of California San Diego reporting in Nano Letters have developed small, swimming robots that can magnetically heal themselves on-the-fly after breaking into two or three pieces. The strategy could someday be used to make hardier devices for environmental or industrial clean up, the researchers say. Full Story
Human-centered mobility and transportation options for disadvantaged communities is the goal of new partnership
February 24, 2021
The University of California San Diego is teaming up with several community-based organizations and the San Diego Association of Governments to improve access to transportation for the county’s low-income and underserved neighborhoods. The team is adopting a human-centered design approach to their work to try and repair the harm done by car-oriented transportation policies of the past. Full Story
This robot doesn't need any electronics
February 17, 2021
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have created a four-legged soft robot that doesn’t need any electronics to work. The robot only needs a constant source of pressurized air for all its functions, including its controls and locomotion systems. The team, led by Michael T. Tolley, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, details its findings in the Feb. 17, 2021 issue of the journal Science Robotics. Full Story
IROS 2020: Autonomous mail delivery, robots practicing bartending, and more
November 5, 2020
From autonomous vehicles to robots practicing bartending and insect-like robots, engineers at the University of California San Diego are showcasing a broad range of pacers at IROS 2020, which is being held virtually from Oct. 25 to Nov. 25. Full Story