To operate autonomously in a various unfamiliar settings and successfully complete missions, mobile robots should be able to adapt to changes in their surroundings. Visual teach and repeat (VT&R) systems are a promising class of approaches for training robots to...
Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory have recently designed an integrated circuit (IC) that integrates silicon quantum dots with conventional readout electronics. This chip, introduced in a paper published...
The color of smoke coming out from chimneys can vary greatly based on its source and how it is produced. For instance, small coal or biomass stoves typically release dense, black smoke, while power generation plants produce lighter-colored plumes of smoke.
Edge AI devices, systems that combine artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing techniques, are becoming an essential part of the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. These devices include smart speakers, smart phones, robots, self-driven cars,...
In recent years, computer-generated animations of animals and humans have become increasingly detailed and realistic. Nonetheless, producing convincing animations of a character's face as it's talking remains a key challenge, as it typically entails the successful...
Van der Waals (vdW) dielectrics, materials with dielectric properties and affected by van der Waals forces, are commonly integrated within electronic devices, as they can help to preserve the properties of 2D semiconducting materials. So far, however, fabricating...
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are power cells that can transform the chemical energy produced during the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. While these cells could be highly promising energy solutions, most of...
In recent years, engineers worldwide have been working to create alternative and sustainable energy solutions, such as solar cells. Solar cells made of perovskites, a class of semiconductors with a characteristic structure and advantageous properties, are among the...
Robots could be invaluable allies for older adults and people with physical disabilities, as they could assist them in their day-to-day life and reduce their reliance on human carers. A type of robotic systems that could be particularly helpful are assisted feeding or...
Over the past few decades, computer scientists have been trying to train robots to tackle a variety of tasks, including house chores and manufacturing processes. One of the most renowned strategies used to train robots on manual tasks is imitation learning.