Contents | Science Robotics 6, 61

ONLINE COVER Takeoff and Landings. The ability for aerial robots to take off and land on a variety of irregular surfaces will broaden the range of environments where these robots could be deployed. Influenced by how birds take off, land, and grasp, Roderick et al. have developed a bird-inspired grasping system called Stereotyped Nature-inspired Aerial Grasper (SNAG). The researchers integrated SNAG into a quadcopter to demonstrate perching on tree branches of different sizes, orientations, and surface conditions. This month's cover is a photograph of SNAG on a quadcopter perched on a branch.

Credit: William Roderick

Science Robotics

Volume 6|
Issue 61|
15 Dec 2021

Credit: William Roderick

Editorial

Five years of Science Robotics

- Guang-Zhong Yang
- Steve H. Collins
- Paolo Dario
- Peer Fischer
- Ken Goldberg
- Cecilia Laschi
- Marcia K. McNutt
15 Dec 2021
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Looking back at the last 5 years of Science Robotics and looking forward to the next 5.

Abstract

Looking back at the last 5 years of Science Robotics and looking forward to the next 5.

Focus

Robot intelligence and applications are as varied as animal intelligence, so why not treat them the same way?

- Robin R. Murphy
15 Dec 2021
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Machinehood and The New Breed are reviewed.

Abstract

Machinehood and The New Breed are reviewed.

Designing an effective graphic abstract

- Alice Chen Kitterman
15 Dec 2021
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The application of visual and design principles to create graphic abstracts clarifies their visual literacy and message.

Abstract

The application of visual and design principles to create graphic abstracts clarifies their visual literacy and message.

Research Articles

Light-powered soft steam engines for self-adaptive oscillation and biomimetic swimming

- Zhiwei Li
- Nosang Vincent Myung
- Yadong Yin
01 Dec 2021
NO ACCESS

Light-powered soft steam engines enable self-adaptive photothermal oscillation and biomimetic neuston-like swimming.

Abstract

Oscillation plays a vital role in the survival of living organisms in changing environments, and its relevant research has inspired many biomimetic approaches to soft autonomous robotics. However, it remains challenging to create mechanical oscillation ...

From grasping to manipulation with gecko-inspired adhesives on a multifinger gripper

- Wilson Ruotolo
- Dane Brouwer
- Mark R. Cutkosky
15 Dec 2021
NO ACCESS

A multifingered robotic hand deploys gecko-inspired adhesives efficiently to enhance grasping and manipulation capabilities.

Abstract

Anthropomorphic robotic manipulators have high grasp mobility and task flexibility but struggle to match the practical strength of parallel jaw grippers. Gecko-inspired adhesives are a promising technology to span that gap in performance, but three key ...

Bird-inspired dynamic grasping and perching in arboreal environments

- W. R. T. Roderick
- M. R. Cutkosky
- D. Lentink
01 Dec 2021
NO ACCESS

Bird-inspired robotic leg and foot design enables dynamic grasping and perching in arboreal environments.

Abstract

Birds take off and land on a wide range of complex surfaces. In contrast, current robots are limited in their ability to dynamically grasp irregular objects. Leveraging recent findings on how birds take off, land, and grasp, we developed a biomimetic ...

Coherent, super-resolved radar beamforming using self-supervised learning

- Itai Orr
- Moshik Cohen
- Harel Damari
- Meir Halachmi
- Mark Raifel
- Zeev Zalevsky
15 Dec 2021
NO ACCESS

Self-supervised training of deep neural networks in unstructured environments enables enhanced angular resolution in radar systems.

Abstract

High-resolution automotive radar sensors are required to meet the high bar of autonomous vehicle needs and regulations. However, current radar systems are limited in their angular resolution, causing a technological gap. An industry and academic trend to ...