Today in Robotics — Monday, August 31, 2026
Today leans into the psychology of robots we like — new brain research on why awkward humanoids unsettle us, and separate tests suggesting animal and anime faces win hearts. Elsewhere, worms teach us about navigation, drones stretch their range and cameras, and there's a duck worth meeting.
- 01 When expressive humanoid robots are awkward, people become wary – new brain study
A multi-institution brain study probes why clumsy expressiveness in humanoids triggers wariness, offering hard data for designers chasing trustworthy machines.
Read at source ↗ - 02 Early bird pricing for RoboBusiness 2026 ends August 31
If a RoboBusiness 2026 pass is on your calendar, today's the last day to save $200 before early bird pricing expires.
Read at source ↗ - 03 Worms navigate narrow paths faster than wide ones. These findings could inform robot design
Counterintuitively, worms move faster through narrow paths than open ones, a finding that could reshape how we design robots for confined spaces.
Read at source ↗ - 04 Animal-like and anime faces boost social robots' emotional appeal, tests suggest
New research suggests animal-like and anime-style faces and voices maximize emotional appeal, giving social robotics a concrete design direction.
Read at source ↗ - 05 Corvus Robotics obtains funding, names new CEO
Inventory-data specialist Corvus Robotics pairs fresh funding with a new CEO as it expands its warehouse hardware and software offerings.
Read at source ↗ - 06 Adorable waddling robot can pick up stuff and learn new tricks
This waddling duck is less toy than teaching platform — a hackable, trainable machine that makes learning robotics genuinely fun.
Read at source ↗ - 07 DJI’s upcoming Osmo 360 II camera films historic rocket launch
DJI quietly debuted its Osmo 360 II by capturing 8K/60fps panoramic footage of a historic reusable rocket mission.
Read at source ↗ - 08 Dual batteries give A2Z’s new delivery drone an edge
A2Z's dual-battery delivery drone targets the longer, more ambitious urban flights commercial operators increasingly demand.
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