Legged robots take a leap forward.

Legged robots take a leap forward.

Grasping objects with the aid of haptics.

A smart suction cup uses haptics to supplement vision for exploration of objects in a grasping task.

In Science Journals.

Highlights from the Science family of journals.

Restoration of motor function using magnetoelectric metamaterials.

Implantable magnetic materials can be used for wireless neural stimulation and restoration of motor function.

In Science Journals.

Highlights from the Science family of journals.

In Science Journals.

Highlights from the Science family of journals.

Tracking hand movements with a smart glove.

Dynamic hand movements could be detected in real time using machine learning and a smart textile glove.

Overcoming adversaries in multirobot navigation.

A path-planning algorithm allows safe navigation of robot teams in cluttered environments while in the presence of adversaries.

Robotics and AI in the Global South.

An increasing presence of robotics and artificial intelligence in the Global South calls for responsible implementation.

Autonomous boat navigation in the real world.

A passenger boat was capable of autonomous navigation on a narrow canal waterway and an open sea nearshore environment.

A powered prosthesis supports weight-bearing stand-to-sit transitions.

Above-knee amputees were capable of weight-bearing symmetry during stand-to-sit transitions when using a powered prosthesis.

Assistive robotics should seamlessly integrate humans and robots.

Better integration of assistive robots with humans and adoption of a user-centric approach in their development will improve performance.

Taking inspiration from nature is a no-brainer.

The hierarchical structure and function of the brain offer a source of inspiration for the development of intelligent robots.

Robotic assistive technologies get more personal.

Personalized and adaptive control systems can improve the efficacy of assistive technologies in rehabilitation.

Multi-factorial nerve guidance conduit engineering improves outcomes in inflammation, angiogenesis and large defect nerve repair.

Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are sub-optimal for long-distance injuries with inflammation and poor vascularization related to poor axonal repair. This study used a multi-factorial approach to create an optimized biomaterial NGC to address each of these issues. Through stepwise optimization, a collagen-chondroitin-6-sulfate (Coll-CS) biomaterial was functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) components; fibronectin, laminin 1 and laminin 2 (FibL1L2) in specific ratios. A snap-cooled freeze-drying process was then developed with optimal pore architecture and alignment to guide axonal bridging. Culture of adult rat dorsal root ganglia on NGCs demonstrated significant improvements in inflammation, neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the specific Fib:L1:L2 ratio of 1:4:1. In clinically relevant, large 15 mm rat sciatic nerve defects, FibL1L2-NGCs demonstrated significant improvements in axonal density and angiogenesis compared to unmodified NGCs with functional equivalence to autografts. Therefore, a multiparameter ECM-driven strategy can significantly improve axonal repair across large defects, without exogenous cells or growth factors.

An endochondral ossification approach to early stage bone repair: Use of tissue-engineered hypertrophic cartilage constructs as primordial templates for weight-bearing bone repair.

Mimicking endochondral ossification to engineer constructs offers a novel solution to overcoming the problems associated with poor vascularisation in bone repair. This can be achieved by harnessing the angiogenic potency of hypertrophic cartilage. In this study, we demonstrate that tissue-engineered hypertrophically primed cartilage constructs can be developed from collagen-based scaffolds cultured with mesenchymal stem cells. These constructs were subsequently implanted into femoral defects in rats. It was evident that the constructs could support enhanced early stage healing at 4 weeks of these weight-bearing femoral bone defects compared to untreated defects. This study demonstrates the value of combining knowledge of development biology and tissue engineering in a developmental engineering inspired approach to tissue repair.