The advantages of automation are clear, so why is the US behind other developed countries for robot deployment? A controversial proponent of adopting automation is the idea that it will take away jobs from humans, leading to exponential unemployment. Source: Robotics Tomorrow

Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please send us your events for inclusion. ICRA 2022: 23 May–27 May 2022, PHILADELPHIA IEEE ARSO 2022: 28 May–30 May 2022, LONG BEACH, CALIF. RSS 2022: 21 June–1 July 2022, NEW YORK CITY ERF 2022: 28 June–30 June 2022, ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS RoboCup 2022: 11 July–17 July 2022, […]

Researchers have reported a nano-sized neuromorphic memory device that emulates neurons and synapses simultaneously in a unit cell, another step toward completing the goal of neuromorphic computing designed to rigorously mimic the human brain with semiconductor devices. Source: Science Daily – Robotics

This opens up new possibilities in robotic automation and even some cutting edge robotics applications. From injection molding to strawberries and even robotic surgeries, soft gripper technology is making it easier than ever before for robots to pick up anything. Source: Robotics Tomorrow

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a low-cost, low-power technology to help robots accurately map their way indoors, even in poor lighting and without recognizable landmarks or features. Source: Phys Org – Robotics

Engineers have developed a low cost, low power technology to help robots accurately map their way indoors, even in poor lighting and without recognizable landmarks or features. The technology uses WiFi signals, instead of light, to help the robot ‘see’ where it’s going. Source: Science Daily – Robotics