Robotic breakthroughs

Robotic breakthroughs

From robots that detect radiation to bots that recover missing bodies, scientists around the world are pushing the technology behind robotics to amazing heights. See our list of incredible breakthroughs.

Robots find missing bodies

A team of underwater robots (or AUV) played a critical role recently in locating wreckage and missing bodies from an air disaster that occurred almost two years ago in the Atlantic Ocean. Bodies and debris were found off the coast of a South American country.

Radiation-detecting robots

Germany and the United States have plans to send radiation-hardened robots to Japan in hopes of controlling potential radiation leaks from the country's nuclear power plants that were damaged in the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Human-like robots

It's so real, it's scary. From a scolding teacher robot to an incredibly realistic man-bot (who is it built to look like?), scientists are creating mechanical devices that can eerily mimic human behavior and speak several languages. Remember this realistic bot?

ADAM robot scientist

Da Vinci robot

Robot birds

This company has created a sort of cyborg seagull called SmartBirds that fly and flap their wings using motor controls inside the torso (see them up close). They can take off and land without assistance.

Domo

The assistive robot Domo brings up visions of a chore-doing robotic housekeeper from a classic TV series -- except this one is real, sort of. It was developed by a private research university in part to assist the elderly with simple tasks.

ASIMO

Its maker touts ASIMO (what does it stand for?) as the "world's most advanced humanoid robot." Resembling an astronaut wearing a backpack, it celebrated a milestone birthday last year.

Crime-fighting robots

One sheriff in a Western state is seeking funding to purchase a hand-held robot that can be used in hostage situations or other dangerous law predicaments.

Throwable iRobot

The iRobot 110 FirstLook spy bot, unveiled this month, is designed to be dropped (how far?) in confined spaces to observe and investigate dangerous situations.

REETI robot

A desktop robot (what country created it?) called REETI allows users to program emotions and facial expressions.

Couple married by robot

This earthquake-damaged country held the first wedding to be conducted by a robot. I-Fairy united Tomohiro Shibata and Satoko Inoue last year with its tinny voice.

Tennis robots

Sure, a lot of robots can play chess (watch them play), but not all of them can hone their tennis skills. Scientists have created floating platforms that can bounce a ball in the air between them.

Robot chefs