Ivan Hernandez Dalas - Mechatronics

Concern about drone defense is growing. Image was created using OpenAI’s ChatGPT. As unauthorized drone activity around critical infrastructure becomes increasingly common, trusted authorities and regulatory bodies are advising facility operators to update existing safety systems and explore specialized anti-drone security measures. Critical infrastructure like energy grids, oil and gas pipelines and transit stations have long stood as primary targets for physical and cybersecurity attacks, but as global socioeconomic tensions rise, the frequency and sophistication of attacks against critical sites are increasing. Amidst a 30% rise in cyber-attacks , many of which are designed to impact or disable physical Operational Technology (OT) systems, government agencies and trusted authorities around the world are publishing updated guidance intended to help operators address novel threats. One such example published by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in...

The Robot Report Podcast · Ghost Robotics: Innovating for Safety In Episode 232 of The Robot Report Podcast, Gavin Kenneally, co-founder and CEO of Ghost Robotics, discusses the journey of his company, from its inception to becoming a leader in legged robotics. Kevin Kenneally, CEO and cofounder, Ghost Robotics. | Credit: Ghost Robotics He highlights the unique challenges and advantages of legged robots compared with their wheeled counterparts, emphasizing their ability to navigate difficult terrains. In 2014, Kenneally and Avik De founded Ghost Robotics after successfully developing multiple direct-drive robots, like Minitaur. Gavin originally held the role of chief technology officer when Jiren Parikh joined the company as CEO. The company launched the Vision 60 in 2020, while the team grew to 10 employees. Ghost Robotics also deployed the first base security robot at Tyndall AFB. In the past year, the company has grown to 60+ employees, delivered enhancements to the V...

With digital twins for virtual commissioning, NORD promises quicker availability of systems, even those with complex drives. | Source: NORD Drivesystems NORD Drivesystems has announced that it now offers digital twins for system development. Based on a myNORD configuration, users can request individually created drive systems as simulation models. The company said this allows engineers to verify whether the drive concept is suitable for a system early in the planning phase. Virtual commissioning can significantly reduce project time, even for complex systems, it claimed. Since the publication of the functional mock-up interface (FMI) technical standard in 2010, it has become more and more common to work with simulation models in system planning. NORD Drivesystems also uses data-based simulations to develop its components and drive solutions. The system provider is now using this know-how to help its customers achieve greater efficiency and availability of its drive systems, ev...

Blue Jay was designed to pick, stow, and consolidate about 75% of all items stored at Amazon’s sites. | Source: Amazon Amazon.com Inc. this week said it is shutting down its Blue Jay robotics project after only six months. The Blue Jay project was  unveiled in October 2025 . At the time, Amazon described it as a  sortation  system capable of picking, stowing, and consolidating tasks simultaneously. The Seattle-based  company  said the technology would effectively collapse three assembly lines into one, creating greater efficiency in less space while supporting front-line employees. Amazon has reassigned many employees working on Blue Jay to other  fulfillment  initiatives,  according to   Business Insider . Amazon invests in multiple moonshots besides Blue Jay Amazon has invested in multiple “moonshot” projects over the years, and Blue Jay was one example of such a project. The company is getting faster at its innovation process, ...

Claire chatted to Agata Suwala from the Manufacturing Technology Centre about leveraging robotics to make manufacturing systems more sustainable. Agata Suwala is a Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre , where she leads cutting-edge work in automation and robotics. With over a decade of experience in R&D, Agata specialises in developing and implementing advanced manufacturing systems—particularly for the aerospace sector—transforming complex, skill-intensive processes through automation. Her recent focus is on enabling the transition to a circular economy by leveraging automation and robotics to create sustainable, scalable technologies. View Source

2025 LASA/CREATE/EPFL CC BY SA. By Celia Luterbacher With its opposable thumb, multiple joints and gripping skin, human hands are often considered to be the pinnacle of dexterity, and many robotic hands are designed in their image. But having been shaped by the slow process of evolution, human hands are far from optimized, with the biggest drawbacks including our single, asymmetrical thumbs and attachment to arms with limited mobility. “We can easily see the limitations of the human hand when attempting to reach objects underneath furniture or behind shelves, or performing simultaneous tasks like holding a bottle while picking up a chip can,” says Aude Billard, head of the Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory (LASA) in EPFL’s School of Engineering. “Likewise, accessing objects positioned behind the hand while keeping the grip stable can be extremely challenging, requiring awkward wrist contortions or body repositioning.” A team composed of Billard, LASA researcher Xiao Gao, ...