Folks blessed with a soft touch seem to have no problem getting to grips with delicate objects, but it can be a tough ask for robots. Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering ...

In another example of unsettling biomimicry, engineering researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney were inspired by an elephant’s trunk and designed what looks more like a robotic ...

In the horticultural world, some vines are especially grabby. As they grow, the woody tendrils can wrap around obstacles with ...

A gentle lifting gripper that could transform healthcare, mobility assistance and even unload heavy cargo. Read on!

Imagine a robot that grows like a vine, wrapping around objects or people to lift them safely. It can handle fragile or heavy ...

Engineers at MIT and Stanford University have developed a vine-like robotic gripper that wraps around objects before gently ...

Chameleon tongues, gecko feet and octopus tentacles are just a few of the animal body parts we’ve seen inspire soft robotic grippers, but nature still has plenty to offer researchers in this field. A ...

Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.

Although caring for the elderly was a primary consideration for the developers—and they demonstrate lifting a person in ...