ROBOTS

Robot food delivery is no longer the stuff of science fiction.

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan plans to develop a lightweight exoskeleton that could be a game changer for people with mobility disabilities.

A pair of U-M researchers received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop technology to help robots better traverse difficult terrain.

From welcoming guests at hotels to shooting free throws at halftime of basketball games, robots have taken over the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

An aerial view of the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan and Ford Motor Co. are opening a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to developing robots and roboticists. The Ford Motor Company Robotics Building is on U-M’s North Campus. The building’s fourth floor holds a robotics and mobility research lab for Ford -- the first on any university campus, as well as 100 Ford engineers and researchers. AdA workspace in the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. The atrium of the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Mobility industry veteran Luke Schneider has been named as the new chief executive officer of Ann Arbor-based Refraction AI. Schneider has had over 25 years of experience in the mobility and transportation industries, including executive positions Zipcar, wejo, Flexcar and Silvercar. As CEO, Texas-based Schneider will work on Refraction AI’s expansion plan while cementing the startup’s involvement with contactless delivery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Refraction AI has received a four-fold increase in delivery orders from its partnering Ann Arbor eateries and has begun to scaleup its fleet of autonomous vehicle robots. In June it began using its robots to help deliver groceries through a partnership with the Produce Station.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. This article is sponsored by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) are hosting robot building parties and girls and their parents are invited. Girl Scouts have a heavy focus on S.T.E.M. For more information visit gssem.org/robotpartyWatch the video to see how your child can learn more about S.T.E.M programming with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Refraction AI has partnered with the Produce Station in Ann Arbor to offer contactless grocery delivery with its autonomous robot. The REV-1 robot, which hit the streets of Ann Arbor in December 2019, has been delivering meals from partnering restaurants. Our expansion into grocery delivery was a no-brainer during this time when the need for contactless delivery is so strong, said Matthew Johnson-Roberson, co-founder and CEO of Refraction AI in a statement. According to the robotics startup, the REV-1 delivery robot is able to hold about six paper bags of groceries at a time. Related: WATCH: Ann Arbor food delivery robots busier than ever during COVID-19 pandemic

Chaos on the Border, Robots to the Rescue, To Kill a Mockingbird The chaos behind Donald Trump's policy of family separation at the border; then, robots come to the rescue after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster; and, "To Kill a Mockingbird" comes to Broadway

How robots "train" Boston Dynamic's robotic advances have been captured in a mash up set to "Push it to the limit."

Could doctors use robots to treat Ebola patients? Researchers at UC Berkeley are exploring how robots could be used to combat Ebola. For example, a robot could decontaminate a room or help a doctor diagnose the disease remotely. CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports.