Snake Robots Aid Earthquake Rescue Efforts

Following the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela in June 2026, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute deployed advanced snake robots to assist international search-and-rescue teams in the heavily affected city of La Guaira. Designed to slither through narrow gaps in collapsed buildings, the robots are equipped with front-mounted cameras that allow rescuers to inspect areas inaccessible or too dangerous for humans. Working alongside the Venezuelan and Colombian Red Cross, Mexico's Topos rescue team, and volunteers from around the world, the CMU team aimed to improve the speed and safety of survivor searches.

Although the robots did not locate any survivors during the three-day mission, they played an important role by confirming that certain collapsed structures contained no trapped victims, allowing rescue teams to focus their efforts elsewhere and providing closure to waiting families. The deployment also highlighted both the promise and the practical challenges of using robotics in disaster response, including difficult terrain, equipment repairs, logistics, and communication barriers. The experience reinforced the potential of bio-inspired robotic systems as valuable tools that complement, rather than replace, human first responders during large-scale humanitarian emergencies.

More information:

https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2026/july/snake-robots-support-earthquake-search-and-rescue-in-venezuela

Brain Implant Helps Paralysed Man Regain Independence

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking double neural bypass brain–computer interface that enabled a patient, who was paralysed from the chest down after a 2020 diving accident, to regain the ability to feed himself, drink from a cup, and perform everyday tasks independently. The system uses implanted brain electrodes to detect his intention to move, transmitting those signals directly to his arm and hand muscles while simultaneously sending sensory information back to the brain, allowing him to feel touch again. After 35 weeks of therapy, his arm strength improved dramatically, and he was able to handle delicate objects such as eggshells with remarkable precision.

Beyond restoring movement, the researchers found evidence that the technology may promote long-term healing of the nervous system rather than simply bypassing the spinal injury. By combining brain stimulation with sensory feedback and a technique called cortical mirroring, the patient regained sensation in areas that had been numb since his accident, with improvements persisting for more than two years after treatment. Although the results currently come from a single patient and larger clinical trials are still needed, the study represents a major advance in neuroprosthetics and offers new hope for millions of people living with paralysis.

More information:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jul/16/neural-bypass-brain-implant-paralysed-man-feed-himself-drink-from-cup

Cyprus Leads Europe's Virtual Worlds Skills Academy

Cyprus has taken on a leading role in advancing Europe's digital future through the Virtual Worlds Academy of Skills (ViWAS), a major European initiative coordinated by Prof. Fotis Liarokapis, Research Director at the CYENS CoE. Bringing together universities, research organisations, businesses, vocational education providers, and public-sector partners from across Europe, the academy aims to equip learners with the practical knowledge and skills required for emerging technologies such as extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence, digital twins, immersive design, cybersecurity, and digital creativity.

The initiative seeks to establish common European standards for virtual worlds education, making qualifications more interoperable while promoting flexible learning through practical training, short courses, and micro-credentials. Designed for a broad audience (including educators, healthcare professionals, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and lifelong learners) ViWAS emphasises inclusivity and accessibility, helping Europe address the growing demand for digital talent as immersive technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life and professional practice.

More information:

https://en.politis.com.cy/life/1020289/cyprus-coordinates-europes-new-virtual-worlds-academy-for-digital-skills

Bird-Inspired Robot Swims and Flies

Researchers from MIT and EPFL have developed a lightweight flapping-wing robot inspired by diving birds such as puffins, petrels, and kingfishers that can both swim underwater and transition directly into flight. By studying the biomechanics of these birds, the team designed a robot with flexible wings, a steerable tail, and a waterproof body that can efficiently move through two vastly different environments. Experiments in water tanks and Lake Geneva showed that the robot could reliably swim, leap out of the water, and continue flying without requiring propellers, folding mechanisms, or paddling feet.

The breakthrough could enable a new generation of aerial-aquatic robots for environmental monitoring and ocean exploration. Unlike conventional drones or underwater vehicles, the robot could rapidly fly to remote locations, dive underwater to collect measurements or samples, and return with the data at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The researchers are now working to improve the robot's maneuverability and its ability to operate in rough water and windy conditions, with future applications including marine ecosystem monitoring, coastal surveillance, and climate research.

More information:

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-07-birdlike-robot-underwater-flight.html

Tiny Robot Boats Assemble Floating Structures

MIT researchers have developed FloatForm, a swarm of small autonomous robotic boats that can self-organise into floating structures such as bridges, platforms, or temporary workspaces. Inspired by the way fire ants link together to form rafts, each boat communicates only with its nearby neighbours rather than relying on a central controller. This decentralised approach allows the swarm to dynamically assemble, reconfigure, or repair structures even if individual robots fail or environmental conditions change. In laboratory demonstrations, groups of up to eight boats successfully formed a range of stable geometric configurations with a high success rate.

The researchers envision FloatForm as a flexible infrastructure solution for waterfront cities and disaster-response scenarios, where temporary floating structures can be deployed quickly without permanent construction. Potential applications include emergency bridges, floating markets, event stages, environmental monitoring platforms, and mobile sensor networks. By combining swarm intelligence with modular robotics, the system demonstrates how large-scale, adaptive infrastructure can emerge from the coordinated actions of many simple robots, opening new possibilities for resilient and responsive urban environments.

More information:

https://news.mit.edu/2026/tiny-robot-boats-build-floating-structures-0709

Cyborg Cockroach Swarms Go Underwater

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Waseda University have developed remote-controlled cyborg cockroaches that can now operate underwater by wearing miniature 3D-printed diving suits. The lightweight system generates oxygen through a chemical reaction and delivers it directly to the insects' breathing openings, allowing them to survive and move underwater for up to three hours without impairing their natural mobility. The technology builds on previous work that enabled researchers to steer swarms of cockroaches remotely using tiny electronic implants.

The amphibious cyborg insects are designed to support search-and-rescue missions in environments inaccessible to conventional robots, such as flooded buildings, collapsed tunnels, drains, and other confined spaces. Because the insects rely on their own muscles for movement, they require far less energy than similarly sized robots while remaining highly agile. The research team also envisions future applications in infrastructure inspection and, eventually, exploration of extreme environments, including planetary missions where lightweight, energy-efficient biohybrid systems could offer significant advantages.

More information:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2531894-remote-controlled-cockroach-swarm-can-now-breathe-underwater/

PaperTok Fights AI Slop

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed PaperTok, an AI-powered tool that helps scientists turn academic papers into engaging 45-second videos for platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Designed to combat misleading AI-generated science content ("AI slop"), the system keeps researchers in control by allowing them to review and refine AI-generated scripts before publication.

The developers argue that if scientists do not actively communicate their findings on popular social media platforms, inaccurate AI-generated summaries are likely to fill the gap. Early evaluations suggest that PaperTok can make research more accessible to non-specialist audiences while preserving scientific accuracy through researcher oversight. The team hopes it will encourage wider public engagement with credible scientific research.

More information:

https://www.geekwire.com/2026/short-form-science-university-of-washington-researchers-launch-papertok-to-combat-ai-slop/

Wearable Robotic Glove Restores Hand Function

Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna, working with collaborators from ETH Zurich, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Belgrade, have developed a wearable neurorobotic system designed to restore hand function in people with severe neurological impairments. The system combines a lightweight robotic hand exoskeleton with functional electrical stimulation (FES), which activates weakened muscles through carefully timed electrical impulses. By synchronizing robotic assistance with the user's own muscle activity, the device enables more natural and coordinated grasping and finger movements than conventional rehabilitation approaches.

The researchers evaluated the system in individuals with spinal cord injuries and stroke-related hand paralysis, demonstrating significant improvements in performing everyday tasks such as grasping and manipulating objects. Unlike existing rehabilitation devices that often rely solely on robotics or electrical stimulation, the hybrid approach leverages the strengths of both technologies, promoting functional recovery while encouraging active patient participation. The team believes the wearable system could support both clinical rehabilitation and home-based therapy, offering a practical solution for improving independence and quality of life for people with impaired hand function.

More information:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260619/Scientists-develop-wearable-robotic-system-to-restore-hand-function.aspx