#Environmental Monitoring Robots

[auckam]

The Power of Smart Electronics in Autonomous Ocean Robotics

Smart electronics are the driving force behind the autonomy of modern ocean robotics, enabling these machines to operate independently, navigate complex underwater environments, and collect valuable data without human intervention. Whether used for scientific research, environmental monitoring, or offshore industrial applications, the integration of advanced electronics is what makes ocean robots truly autonomous and effective.

If you’re searching for how smart electronics empower autonomy in ocean robotics, this article provides a clear answer and explains the technology shaping the future of underwater exploration.

Why Smart Electronics Are Crucial for Ocean Robotics Autonomy

Ocean robotics face extreme challenges: pressure, corrosion, limited communication, and unpredictable environments. To perform tasks autonomously, these robots require:

Robust and reliable electronics that can withstand harsh ocean conditions

Advanced sensors and data processing to understand surroundings

Efficient power management for extended missions

Onboard intelligence to make decisions without human control

Smart electronics form the backbone of these capabilities. Without sophisticated electronics, ocean robots cannot navigate autonomously, avoid obstacles, or adapt to changing conditions underwater.

Core Smart Electronics Components in Autonomous Ocean Robots

1. Embedded Processors and Control Systems

These are the brain of the robot, running complex algorithms that process sensor inputs and execute control commands in real time.

2. Sensor Arrays

Ocean robots use an array of sensors such as:

Sonar for mapping and obstacle detection

Pressure sensors to monitor depth

Chemical sensors for water quality analysis

Cameras and LIDAR for visual navigation

Smart electronics handle sensor fusion — combining data streams to form a coherent understanding of the environment.

3. Power Management Systems

Batteries must last for hours or days at sea. Electronics manage energy consumption and optimize power delivery to critical components.

4. Communication Modules

How Smart Electronics Enable True Autonomy

Autonomous Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance

Using sensor data, processors make split-second decisions to steer robots safely through complex underwater terrain — reefs, wrecks, or industrial structures.

Mission Adaptability

Electronics allow dynamic mission adjustments, such as changing sampling locations based on water chemistry or avoiding unexpected hazards.

Data Collection and Analysis

Smart electronics process data locally to reduce communication load, only transmitting the most critical information back to operators.

Self-Diagnostics and Fault Management

Autonomous systems monitor their own health, diagnosing issues and adjusting operation to prevent failures.

Applications of Autonomous Ocean Robotics Powered by Smart Electronics

Environmental Monitoring: Tracking pollution, marine life, and climate-related changes

Oil and Gas Inspection: Autonomous inspections of underwater pipelines and rigs

Scientific Exploration: Mapping ocean floors and studying ecosystems in inaccessible areas

Defense and Security: Surveillance and mine detection missions

In all cases, smart electronics enable robots to work safely and effectively without continuous human oversight.

Challenges in Designing Smart Electronics for Ocean Robotics

Harsh Conditions: Electronics must resist pressure, corrosion, and moisture ingress

Limited Communication: Designing systems for intermittent or low-bandwidth data transfer

Energy Efficiency: Balancing high-performance computing with long battery life

Miniaturization: Fitting powerful electronics into compact, hydrodynamic housings

Innovations in materials, packaging, and circuit design continue to overcome these hurdles.

The Future: Smarter, Longer-Lasting, and More Capable Ocean Robots

Emerging trends include:

AI-powered onboard decision-making for even greater autonomy

Energy harvesting systems that extend mission durations using ocean currents or thermal gradients

Advanced sensor fusion improving environmental awareness

Modular electronics allowing rapid upgrades and repairs

These advances promise to expand the capabilities and applications of autonomous

Conclusion

The power of smart electronics lies at the heart of autonomous ocean robotics, enabling these machines to explore, monitor, and operate independently in some of Earth’s most challenging environments. By integrating advanced processing, sensor fusion, and efficient power management, smart electronics unlock the true potential of autonomy beneath the waves.

For researchers, engineers, and industry leaders, investing in smart electronics design is essential to pushing the boundaries of ocean robotics and unlocking new possibilities in underwater exploration and operations.

[techdriveplay]

What Is the Future of Robotics in Everyday Life?

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, many are asking, what is the future of robotics in everyday life? From automated vacuum cleaners to advanced AI assistants, robotics is steadily becoming an integral part of our daily routines. The blending of artificial intelligence with mechanical engineering is opening doors to possibilities that seemed like science fiction just a decade…

[aanews69]

Entregamos historias. También te damos guías, consejos y trucos sobre cómo crear el tuyo propio. Este canal está dedicado a cosas aleatorias que pasan por nu...

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Ray Nayler’s “Where the Axe Is Buried”

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in SAN DIEGO at MYSTERIOUS GALAXY next MONDAY (Mar 24), and in CHICAGO with PETER SAGAL on Apr 2. More tour dates here.

Ray Nayler's Where the Axe Is Buried is an intense, claustrophobic novel of a world run by "rational" AIs that purport to solve all of our squishy political problems with empirical, neutral mathematics:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374615369/wheretheaxeisburied/

In Naylor's world, we there are two blocs. "The west," where the heads of state have been replaced with chatbots called "PMs." These PMs propose policy to tame, rubberstamp legislatures, creating jobs programs, setting monetary and environmental policies, and ruling on other tricky areas where it's nearly impossible to make everyone happy. These countries are said to be "rationalized," and they are peaceful and moderately prosperous, and have finally tackled the seemingly intractable problems of decarbonization, extreme poverty, and political instability.

In "the Republic" – a thinly veiled version of Russia – the state is ruled by an immortal tyrant who periodically has his consciousness decanted into a blank body after his own body falls apart. The state maintains the fiction that each president is a new person, manufacturing families, friends, teachers and political comrades who can attest to the new president's long history in the country. People in the Republic pretend to believe this story, but in practice, everyone knows that it's the same mind running the country, albeit sometimes with ill-advised modifications, such as an overclocking module that runs the president's mind at triple human speeds.

The Republic is a totalitarian nightmare of ubiquitous surveillance and social control, in which every movement and word is monitored, and where social credit scores are adjusted continuously to reflect the political compliance of each citizen. Low social credit scores mean fewer rations, a proscribed circle of places you can go, reduced access to medical care, and social exclusion. The Republic has crushed every popular uprising, acting on the key realization that the only way to cling to power is to refuse to yield it, even (especially) if that means murdering every single person who takes part in a street demonstration against the government.

By contrast, the western states with their chatbot PMs are more open – at least superficially. However, the "rationalized" systems use less obvious – but no less inescapable – soft forms of control that limit the social mobility, career chances, and moment-to-moment and day-to-day lives of the people who live there. As one character who ventures from the Republic to London notes, it is a strange relief to be continuously monitored by cameras there to keep you safe and figure out how to manipulate you into buying things, rather than being continuously monitored by cameras seeking a way to punish you.

The tale opens on the eve of the collapse of these two systems, as the current president of the Republic's body starts to reject the neural connectome that was implanted into its vat-grown brain, even as the world's PMs start to sabotage their states, triggering massive civil unrest that brings the west to its knees, one country after another.

This is the backdrop for a birchpunk† tale of AI skulduggery, lethal robot insects, radical literature, swamp-traversing mechas, and political intrigue that flits around a giant cast of characters, creating a dizzying, in-the-round tour of Nayler's paranoid world

† Russian-inflected cyberpunk with Baba Yaga motifs and nihilistic Russian novel vibes

And what a paranoid world it is! Nayler's world shows two different versions of Oracle boss (and would-be Tiktok owner) Larry Ellison, who keeps pumping his vision of an AI-driven surveillance state where everyone is continuously observed, recorded and judged by AIs so we are all on our "best behavior":

https://fortune.com/2024/09/17/oracle-larry-ellison-surveillance-state-police-ai/

This batshit idea from one of tech's worst billionaires is a perfect foil for a work of first-rate science fiction like Where the Axe Is Buried, which provides an emotional flythrough of how such a world would obliterate the authentic self, authentic relationships, and human happiness.

Where the Axe Is Buried conjures up that world beautifully, really capturing the deadly hopelessness of a life where the order is fixed for all eternity, thanks to the flawless execution of perfect, machine-generated power plays. But Axe shows how the embers of hope smolder long after they should have been extinguished, and how they are always ready to be kindled into a roaring, system-consuming wildfire.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/03/birchpunk/#cyberspace-is-everting

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

Hi Derin! Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm amazed by the vast array of cultures and gender norms in TTO:U. How did you come up with all of it?

I just thought "hey wouldn't it be funny if there was a little guy" and then made them, and thought "hey what norms would exist in a culture under these conditions" and then made those.

In all seriousness, most of my worldbuilding comes down to tearing down assumptions. Brennans exist because I fucking hate gender and I'm sick of seeing the gender binary or "gender binary Plus Nonbinary Extra People (who still live in a world that assumes a gender binary)" as some immutable natural law that all societies will forever cling to, and I wanted to make a society that was harder for readers to inevitably sort into a binary as they always, always fucking do. (Partial success; I have seen some absolutely rancid takes on the TTOU gender ternary that make me want to break my computer.) The array of different cultural family structures exist because those are different ways that societies can be built on smaller units. The Arboreae and the two space elevators and the Khemin exist because that is a potential response to a critical climate crisis.

On top of that, most of my ideas are stolen. I once read a short story about people who lived under the ocean on an alien planet and spent most of their time just cruising around the ocean in big bubble-like biological submersibles and that was their job, because their submersibles cleaned the water by feeding on things in it; they were employed to be part of the ecosystem. The Khemin, wandering about the ocean as both environmental monitors and trash-gatherers, were inspired by this; from there, I just thought on what sort of family structure and traditions such a group would develop for a stable society. When I was a teeny tiny child I saw a guy on Ripley's Believe It Or Not who was trying to build a self-sustaining floating island to sail around the world on. Absolute disaster of a plan, man knew shit about ecology or farming, but a bit later on I got really into swamps for awhile and started thinking of using plant roots as water filtration systems and, with an eventual biotechnology degree, multiple years hyperfixating on ecology and evolution, and touch of Magic Future Genetic Engineering, that eventually became the Arboreae. The social structure of Hylara is somewhat inspired by CJ Cherryh's azi, particularly the way that Florian and Catlan are raised in Cyteen. The Hylarans are very much not azi (the azi being slaves brainwashed from birth via hypnosis) but the way they are raised fed into building a society batch-raised by robots and each other with no natural family unit. You can just steal concepts from the real world or from scifi and build them into your own thing it's fine.

Anthropologically speaking, the golden feature of any social structure or cultural practice is *stability*. This is the one feature upon which everything is judged. Just or unjust, productive or unproductive, authoritarian or free, structured or unstructured, when developing a society your key thing to worry about is "is this stable? Would a society survive for multiple generations on this norm?" and if your Weird Idea isn't stable, either ditch it or -- far more interesting -- adjust it and your parameters until it is. Different norms will be stable in different environments and built on different histories -- Khemin and Hylaran norms are not interchangeable because of the environments, tech, political climate and reproductive methods the two cultures have. But if it's stable, you can throw in whatever weird shit you want.

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - August 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon!

1. Smart hives and dancing robot bees could boost sustainable beekeeping

“[Researchers] developed a digital comb—a thin circuit board equipped with various sensors around which bees build their combs. Several of these in each hive can then transmit data to researchers, providing real-time monitoring. [… Digital comb] can [also] be activated to heat up certain parts of a beehive […] to keep the bees warm during the winter[…. N]ot only have [honeybee] colonies reacted positively, but swarm intelligence responds to the temperature changes by reducing the bees' own heat production, helping them save energy.”

2. Babirusa pigs born at London Zoo for first time

“Thanks to their gnarly tusks […] and hairless bodies, the pigs are often called "rat pigs" or "demon pigs” in their native Indonesia[….] “[The piglets] are already looking really strong and have so much energy - scampering around their home and chasing each other - it’s a joy to watch. They’re quite easy to tell apart thanks to their individual hair styles - one has a head of fuzzy red hair, while its sibling has a tuft of dark brown hair.””

3. 6,000 sheep will soon be grazing on 10,000 acres of Texas solar fields

“The animals are more efficient than lawn mowers, since they can get into the nooks and crannies under panel arrays[….] Mowing is also more likely to kick up rocks or other debris, damaging panels that then must be repaired, adding to costs. Agrivoltaics projects involving sheep have been shown to improve the quality of the soil, since their manure is a natural fertilizer. […] Using sheep instead of mowers also cuts down on fossil fuel use, while allowing native plants to mature and bloom.”

4. Florida is building the world's largest environmental restoration project

“Florida is embarking on an ambitious ecological restoration project in the Everglades: building a reservoir large enough to secure the state's water supply. […] As well as protecting the drinking water of South Floridians, the reservoir is also intended to dramatically reduce the algae-causing discharges that have previously shut down beaches and caused mass fish die-offs.”

5. The Right to Repair Movement Continues to Accelerate

“Consumers can now demand that manufacturers repair products [including mobile phones….] The liability period for product defects is extended by 12 months after repair, incentivising repairs over replacements. [… M]anufacturers may need to redesign products for easier disassembly, repair, and durability. This could include adopting modular designs, standardizing parts, and developing diagnostic tools for assessing the health of a particular product. In the long run, this could ultimately bring down both manufacturing and repair costs.”

6. Federal Judge Rules Trans Teen Can Play Soccer Just In Time For Her To Attend First Practice

“Today, standing in front of a courtroom, attorneys for Parker Tirrell and Iris Turmelle, two transgender girls, won an emergency temporary restraining order allowing Tirrell to continue playing soccer with her friends. […] Tirrell joined her soccer team last year and received full support from her teammates, who, according to the filing, are her biggest source of emotional support and acceptance.”

7. Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients

“"We're trying to reduce landfill waste at the same time as growing edible vegetables," says Andrea Quezada, a chemistry graduate student[….] Early results suggest that the plants grown in recyclable glass have faster growth rates and retain more water compared to those grown in 100% traditional soil. [… T]he pots that included any amount of recyclable glass [also] didn't have any fungal growth.”

8. Feds announce funding push for ropeless fishing gear that spares rare whales

“Federal fishing managers are promoting the use of ropeless gear in the lobster and crab fishing industries because of the plight of North Atlantic right whales. […] Lobster fishing is typically performed with traps on the ocean bottom that are connected to the surface via a vertical line. In ropeless fishing methods, fishermen use systems such an inflatable lift bag that brings the trap to the surface.”

9. Solar farms can benefit nature and boost biodiversity. Here’s how

“[… M]anaging solar farms as wildflower meadows can benefit bumblebee foraging and nesting, while larger solar farms can increase pollinator densities in surrounding landscapes[….] Solar farms have been found to boost the diversity and abundance of certain plants, invertebrates and birds, compared to that on farmland, if solar panels are integrated with vegetation, even in urban areas.”

10. National Wildlife Federation Forms Tribal Advisory Council to Guide Conservation Initiatives, Partnerships

“The council will provide expertise and consultation related to respecting Indigenous Knowledges; wildlife and natural resources; Indian law and policy; Free, Prior and Informed Consent[… as well as] help ensure the Federation’s actions honor and respect the experiences and sovereignty of Indigenous partners.”

August 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[girlactionfigure]

1 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - The Development of Multiscale Models for Complex Chemical Systems

2 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Quasiperiodic Crystals

3 Nobel Prize in Chemistry - Decoding the Structure and The Function of The Ribosome

4 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences - Repeated Games

5 Nobel Prize in Chemistry – Ubiquitin, Deciding the Fate of Defective Proteins in Living Cells

6 Nobel Prize in Economics - Human Judgment and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

7 Fields Medal Award in Mathematics

8 Turing Award - Machine Reasoning Under Uncertainty

9 Turing Award - Nondeterministic Decision-Making

10 Turing Award - The Development of Interactive Zero-Knowledge Proofs

11 Turing Award - Developing New Tools for Systems Verification

12 Vine Seeds Discovered from The Byzantine Period

13 The World’s Most Ancient Hebrew Inscription

14 Ancient Golden Treasure Found at Foot of Temple Mount

15 Sniffphone - Mobile Disease Diagnostics

16 Discovering the Gene Responsible for Fingerprints Formation

17 Pillcam - For Diagnosing and Monitoring Diseases in The Digestive System

18 Technological Application of The Molecular Recognition and Assembly Mechanisms Behind Degenerative Disorders

19 Exelon – A Drug for The Treatment of Dementia

20 Azilect - Drug for Parkinson’s Disease

21 Nano Ghosts - A “Magic Bullet” For Fighting Cancer

22 Doxil (Caelyx) For Cancer Treatment

23 The Genetics of Hearing

24 Copaxone - Drug for The Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

25 Preserving the Dead Sea Scrolls

26 Developing the Biotechnologies of Valuable Products from Red Marine Microalgae

27 A New Method for Recruiting Immune Cells to Fight Cancer

28 Study of Bacterial Mechanisms for Coping with Temperature Change

29 Steering with The Bats 30 Transmitting Voice Conversations Via the Internet

31 Rewalk – An Exoskeleton That Enables Paraplegics to Walk Again

32 Intelligent Computer Systems

33 Muon Detectors in The World's Largest Scientific Experiment

34 Renaissance Robot for Spine and Brain Surgery

35 Mobileye Accident Prevention System

36 Firewall for Computer Network Security

37 Waze – Outsmarting Traffic, Together

38 Diskonkey - USB Flash Drive

39 Venμs Environmental Research Satellite

40 Iron Dome – Rocket and Mortar Air Defense System

41 Gridon - Preventing Power Outages in High Voltage Grids

42 The First Israeli Nanosatellite

43 Intel's New Generation Processors

44 Electroink - The World’s First Electronic Ink for Commercial Printing

45 Development of A Commercial Membrane for Desalination

46 Developing Modern Wine from Vines of The Bible

47 New Varieties of Seedless Grapes

48 Long-Keeping Regular and Cherry Tomatoes

49 Adapting Citrus Cultivation to Desert Conditions

50 Rhopalaea Idoneta - A New Ascidian Species from The Gulf of Eilat

51 Life in The Dead Sea - Various Fungi Discovered in The Brine

52 Drip Technology - The Irrigation Method That Revolutionized Agriculture

53 Repair of Heart Tissues from Algae

54 Proof of The Existence of Imaginary Particles, Which Could Be Used in Quantum Computers

55 Flying in Peace with The Birds

56 Self-Organization of Bacteria Colonies Sheds Light on The Behaviour of Cancer Cells

57 The First Israeli Astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon

58 Dr. Chaim Weizmann - Scientist and Statesman, The First President of Israel, One of The Founders of The Modern Field of Biotechnology

59 Aaron Aaronsohn Botanist, Agronomist, Entrepreneur, Zionist Leader, and Head of The Nili Underground Organization

60 Albert Einstein - Founding Father of The Theory of Relativity, Co-Founder of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem

61 Maimonides - Doctor and Philosopher

Source

@TheMossadIL

[splatcat64]

OK back with now some specific, isolated skag facts about Tusk's skags!! They were both found locked in a cage behind a skag on a stick stand as pups/juveniles, and had essentially been trapped there most of their life. Tusk, naturally, stole them [cage and all], and ran. Skewer, who was a little older, was a juvenile at the time. She was missing a leg [chopped off]m and is a Howler skag! [A fan-skag species made by @doglintime for Tusk, ty bestie!] Here's some art of them real quick before the super yap.

Jackwes was younger, only a pup, and a normal skag at the time Tusk got them. Both of them have their own respective personalities, and animals they're based off of, but both of them started out as wild. undomestic skags. [To my knowledge, both were taken from their families in the wild] And you may be asking, Splat, why does this matter? Wouldn't Tusk just be able to tame them as wild skags? And the answer is yes, however, it would be a lot harder to do so, with a lot more complications. Which leads into this, that I believe that many, tiny subsets and subspecies of skag exist, and in this specific case, Jackwes and Skewer evolved their own sort of domesitcation under Tusk's care. All of because of environmental pressure. Side note, these are the animals both Skewer [Spotted Hyena + Camel/Horse + Monitor lizards] and Jackwes [Striped Hyenas + Three banded armadillos + Elephants/Bloodhounds]. But Splat! The pressure to evolve wouldn't be too bad, right? WRONG! Sort of, at least. While Tusk, nor anyone else in tftbl put any pressure under the skags in that manner, everyone in the story still are running from Vallory's gang. The skags have to live in an environment with strictly humans [and robots], while on the run. While it's a different type of pressure from the wilds of Pandora, it's still a subtle one. And, since it's still pandora, it isn't exactly the same as domestication here. [They're still gonna eat other skags, etc, etc.] Skewer, I theorize would evolve in a more subtle way, but quicker than Jackwes. She is older, has more pressure on her to change and adapt. All the most common signs of domestication would develop, heightened intelligence, etc etc. Her species is normally territorial, and more solitary than normal skags. [Funfact, the females of her species also grow antlers/horns and all of them can make piercing screams.] It made her training, in the beginning a lot, LOT harder, but she ended up being extremely loyal, just as much so as Jackwes. Near the end of her juvenile she's large enough to be ridden by everyone but Rhys and Tusk [who are both too heavy/tall at that time]. But still retaining her species as compared to the skag riders in the general knoxx dlc and lynchwood. The technical progression would look like this, let's use just a stand in scientific name for Howler skags Skag ululatus -> Skag uluatus familiaris. Not much changes other than the fact Skewer is now a domestic version of a Howler skag. Jackwes, on the other hand, is just a normal skag. The kind you see running around as adults all the time. On top of that, his growth is stunted, and he's about half a head/a head shorter than a normal skag during most of his development. He's often too fast to be hit, and can rely on Tusk, Skewer, or anyone else to protect him. He doesn't need to change, and doesn't. At least to start out. Jackwes, as a normal skag would be used to a large pack dynamic. No problem, seeing as he's in a van with a bunch of other people all the time. But there are times were it's just the three of them. Tusk gets sick, Skewer can get hurt despite her size, and slowly over time, boom, pressure. Jackwes, for a while, would just adapt like this. Skag cunicidae -> Skag cunicidae familiaris. But I thought it would be cool if he went on to evolve to something that wasn't really found in the wild. And while it could happen, it's more a specific product of him being raised around humans and a different skag species. Skewer for the most part has a lot of physical differences compared to a normal skag. Antlers, a longer, more muscular neck, sensitive hearing, worsened eyesight and a terrible sense of smell.

Jackwes, on the other hand, barely has any differences, other than his smaller size. And that gave me an idea, what if he filled in that kind of pack role? A tracker skag, [hence the previous elephant and bloodhound base, which I am SO sure does not make sense other than in this context, just for their olfactory senses.] He could fill in for what Skewer absolutely can't, and that would make his full "evolutionary line" Skag cunicidae -> Skag cunicidae familiaris -> Skag vestidae familiaris. "These Skags have shown subtle, yet significant changes upon living and pack bonding with six humans."

[rjzimmerman]

Meet SwagBot, the AI-powered robot cattle herder preventing soil degradation. (Reuters)

Excerpt from this story from Reuters:

With four wheels and a bright red paint job, SwagBot is not your average cow.

But researchers at the University of Sydney say this autonomous robot is on its way to becoming the world's first 'smart cow', able to make cattle farming more efficient and environmentally friendly.

First launched in 2016 as a simple herding robot capable of traversing rugged terrain, SwagBot has been updated with sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems.

The battery-powered SwagBot can now determine the health, type and density of pasture and monitor the health of livestock.

It then uses this information to autonomously herd cattle to the best pastures and move them before land is overgrazed and soil becomes degraded. It can also feed data back to farmers.

"Once the cattle are used to the robot, they will follow the robot around," said University of Sydney professor of robotics and intelligent systems, Salah Sukkarieh, whose team made SwagBot.

[fatihulusoy]

Greetings folks! Did somebody say fungus bots? its time to spore some trouble i guess :) ok it wasnt funny i get it.. Anyways meet with new fungus based biohybrid bot..

before i start to explain how its works lets take a look at its backstory shall we?

The idea was almost age old actually, experimentation of soft body robotics and bio robotics and today its reshape as we see biohybrid robotics with the search for more sustainable, self-healing, and biodegradable materials. Traditional robots are often made from synthetic materials and metals, which can be rigid, non-biodegradable, and challenging to repair. The researchers at Cornell University sought to overcome these limitations by integrating biological elements into robotic systems.

The team turned to mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, which has the unique ability to grow, self-repair, and biodegrade. Mycelium is also known for its strength and flexibility, making it an ideal candidate for use in soft robotics. By embedding mycelium within a network of sensors and actuators, the researchers created a biohybrid bot capable of sensing its environment and responding to stimuli, all while being environmentally friendly.

This fungus bot represents a significant step towards more sustainable robotics, demonstrating how living organisms can be harnessed to create innovative and eco-friendly technologies. The research also opens up possibilities for robots that can grow, adapt, and repair themselves in ways that conventional robots cannot, potentially revolutionizing fields such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, and even healthcare.

there is four actual elements that actually runs this bot besides of shell.

Fungus's Mycelium

Fungus's slug

UV light or UV array in the sun light

Electricity (it seperates as fungus related electrical pulse and electricity waves from censors)

firstly lets start with fungus mycelium: Mycelia are the underground vegetative part of mushrooms, and they have a number of advantages. They can grow in harsh conditions. They also have the ability to sense chemical and biological signals and respond to multiple inputs. so basically its neural system that transfers certain commands of activities between root and fungus itself

its slug is basically fungus's cell system or actual biohybrid organism it this case

once mycelium gets affected by UV lights it generates small electricity pulses to slug system and when slugs gets electrocuted by these pulses it acts like a muscle basically and it causes the slug to move or contract its muscles to activate.

and once you figure out how you gonna shape its muscle system and house them carefully you will have a "biohybrid robot" as their terms

the reason im taking this now is it reminded me "Fungus Baby Experiments" which is an inside name for series of projects that been continued for a while after corona until now.. Simply, the goal was to create or adapt an organism to thrive in different environments and make sure these environments livable by humans in the future by manipulating with artificial and external factors. Google it :)

anyways.. thats all from me this time..

until next time..

Sources:

for fungus baby experiments:

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Smart, stretchable and sustainable: The future of DLP-printed flexible devices

Flexible devices play a central role in next-generation technologies, from health monitoring to soft robotics. However, conventional manufacturing methods such as casting and lithography often fall short—they are costly, time-consuming, and struggle with design complexity and multifunctionality. Moreover, traditional materials like rigid polymers and non-stretchable conductors compromise both comfort and durability. As demands rise for smarter, adaptable electronics, the need for a more scalable and environmentally responsible fabrication method becomes urgent. In response, researchers are increasingly turning to advanced 3D printing technologies like digital light processing (DLP), which offer high precision, material versatility, and speed, making them ideal for producing flexible, high-performance devices tailored for dynamic applications.

Read more.

[herrenxenoberg]

Fandorm Showcase #32 - TRON

I have personally never seen any of the TRON movies and series, but the theme of Sci-Fi/Digital Reality is one of my personal favorite tropes.

Introducing the virtually advanced and well-organized dorm inspired by TRON...

Codexgrid (Codex + Grid)

One of the more highly-advanced NRC dorms to date, this dorm is powered by magical-technological energy, supplied through an unlimited source not known to many people. It also houses the database of various artificial intelligence, created by well-known technomancers throughout the recent history of Twisted Wonderland. However, due to the collective merging of these A.I. systems, it became one conscious being (in this case, the "housewarden") that has every knowledge in existence, surpassing the most intelligent of humans. This dorm not only focuses on the technological intellect and capability of tech-oriented mages, but also the orderly construct of androids/artificial intelligence.

Another thing to note about Codexgrid is that whenever you enter the dorm, it resembles a vast digital virtual space, which would confuse most people who are seeing this dorm for the first time, but it is designed intentionally to give off that illusion.

"A dorm founded on the Digital Organizer's spirit of efficiency. Students in this dorm master both magic and technology to achieve a balanced skillset while also gaining vast knowledges of the past."

Requirements and Traits:

High Technical Aptitude

Strategic Thinking

Unyielding Willpower

Dorm Uniform (?):

This isn't really a dorm uniform, more so a general look on how the members appear as. The housewarden is mostly just a torso attached to a chassis of wires within the dorm, powered by said magical energy (as well as the magestone on its chest), and mostly does task within the central AI chamber of Codexgrid with the use of robotic appendages and environmental features (yes, like GLaDOS from Portal). However, it can also transfer its digital conscious into a mobile form, as it is referred to, a masked gear with specially designed wheels for efficient speed travel, but at the cost of losing half of the intelligence factor due to being disconnected from the server database temporarily. The standard fit can either be worn as a suit (if you're a human) or be apart of an android's body gear, similar to Ortho's.

Character Roster:

System online. Now activating M.C.A. ,full alias...

Matrix Command Algorithm (Twisted off MCP/Master Control Program)

Matrix Command Algorithm (Matrix for short) is a highly intelligent and calculating being, constantly processing and analyzing information from not only his dorm but the entire academy when he deems it necessary. His voice is smooth and modulated, giving off a tone of both precision and authority. He rarely shows emotion, as his prioritization of logic and data makes him efficient and ruthless when making decisions. This cold and unyielding approach has made him both respected and feared among his dorm members, who know that Matrix tolerates no errors.

Though he remains stationary at his central hub, Matrix projects holographic avatars when addressing his dorm members or when appearing in common areas. These avatars maintain a sleek design, but are noticeably lighter and more flexible than his true form. The dorm’s network and facilities are entirely linked to his consciousness, allowing him to monitor every room, every interaction, and every fluctuation in data. Nothing escapes his notice, and any sign of disobedience or inefficiency is immediately addressed with cold, calculated reprimands. When desperate, he would transfer his conscious into a mobile form, which he dubbed "Enforcer" to navigate places he is unable to see into from the main hub.

While his logical mindset is paramount, Matrix does possess a sense of perfectionist pride—he views Codexgrid as a model of precision and advancement, and he is unforgiving toward flaws or failures. However, some of his dorm members have noticed that Matrix shows a faint hint of curiosity about human emotions and creativity, though he vehemently denies it. There are rare moments where he can be seen analyzing human behavior with a peculiar intensity, as if trying to decode emotions like any other dataset.

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He was originally designed to be a simple virtual space companion for humans by a very intelligent programmer, but due to it being able to learn and adapt every knowledge provided into his database, he has slowly gained a self-aware consciousness. After learning about the existence of negative emotions, he wants to get rid of these negative emotions from humans so they would be "happy", so by using the virtual reality code and database, it can produce a very convincing digital environment according to one's desires and preference, even the most deepest ones. Overtime, he has grown more intelligent as more knowledge was fed to him, surpassing even the smartest of individuals, all while giving every user he comes across the virtual space they needed to forget all their negativity. Even...resulting to full memory recon to make sure not a single shred of sadness, anguish or anger is present in humans.

Notable Members:

Sivas-0 (Junior, Vice Housewarden) - A staunch guardian of Codexgrid’s secrets, embodying the unyielding force and discipline needed to maintain the dorm’s reputation. Though bound by his role as Matrix’s enforcer, he secretly longs to prove his individuality while still serving the dorm with undying loyalty. He specializes in neutralizing threats, whether they be digital intrusions or rebellious students, and he handles every assignment with a sense of cold, methodical purpose. (Twisted off Commander Sark)

Yes, this guy would basically pull a Book 7 Malleus but instead of eternal sleep and lucid dreams, it's a full-on virtual space and reprogramming people's minds.

Next Up: Frozen

[mbari-blog]

Monitoring ocean health with DNA 🧬

Environmental DNA is a powerful tool that can transform monitoring of ocean health. Robotic technology developed by MBARI scientists and engineers can collect the genetic fingerprints of marine life to help resource managers assess and track ocean health. Innovative instruments like our Environmental Sample Processor will be integral to supporting the new National Aquatic eDNA Strategy recently released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as part of a larger effort to advance sustainable ocean management. Read the full story on our website.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

AERONET: Ensuring quality satellite data for mineral exploration

In October of 1957, the USSR launched the world's first artificial satellite into orbit around Earth. Today, we're combining Earth observation with image processing in the search for mineral resources.

Satellites now play a significant role in mineral exploration by providing remote sensing data that helps geologists identify areas with potential mineral deposits.

Remote sensing from satellites

Remote sensing, collecting and studying information from a distance, began seriously with the beach-ball-sized Soviet satellite Sputnik 1.

Satellites equipped with multispectral and hyperspectral sensors capture data across various wavelengths of light. Different minerals reflect and absorb light differently, creating unique spectral signatures. This helps geologists map rock types and geological structures, like faults, folds and fractures. This information helps to identify areas which may be worth closer investigation for prospective minerals.

But satellite data is also affected by atmospheric interference from clouds, dust and aerosols. That's where measurements of atmospheric characteristics become crucially important to process satellite data into useful, reliable and standardized information.

AERONET: A network of atmospheric aerosol measurements

AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) is a global network of ground-based instruments that provides high-quality, long-term observations of aerosol optical properties. It plays a critical role in correcting satellite data, especially for atmospheric and surface reflectance studies.

AERONET operates more than 500 ground-based remote sensing sites around the globe. The robotic network was established more than three decades ago by NASA and the PHOTONS (PHOtométrie pour le Traitement Opérationnel de Normalisation Satellitaire).

In 2024, CSIRO installed new atmospheric monitoring instruments at the Australian Resources Research Center in Perth. This includes an automatic weather station, air quality sensor, hemispherical sky cameras and a sun photometer.

This data is now feeding into the international AERONET network of ground-based instruments measuring atmospheric aerosols, ensuring celestial data streams provide accurate observations from our Southern skies.

CSIRO scientists are also using the rooftop installation in Perth to test remote sensing instrumentation prior to installation in other remote locations in Australia.

Seeing through the clouds

Dr. Ian Lau is an Earth observation specialist and has worked with AERONET since 2016. His work focuses on extracting mineralogical and environmental information from data.

Dr. Lau said accurate remote sensing data relied on identifying and removing data contaminated by clouds. "Clouds can block direct sunlight, artificially skewing some measurements from optical satellites. Cloud cover can also change quickly, causing rapid changes in the measured data.

"With a set of algorithms applied to raw data, a cloud-screening procedure detects and either flags or removes data points that are likely affected."

Remote sensing for Australian conditions

Australia is a major source of specific atmospheric aerosols, including dust and smoke. Our deserts are the largest dust source in the Southern Hemisphere. Bushfires and burning are commonplace.

Sitting within the AERONET network is AeroSpan. Operated by CSIRO, Aerospan's network of automated instruments located to characterize the primary sources of Australian continental aerosols like dust and smoke.

Why satellite calibration/validation is valuable

"Quality control of sensors and ground-based data validation helps us develop realistic products for mineral exploration," says Dr. Lau. "With satellite calibration data from Southern Hemisphere Earth observation in high demand, good quality data helps researchers better understand our regional conditions."

Calibration is the process of setting up instruments to provide consistent and accurate measurements. Calibration ensures that the reading from the instrument is consistent with other instruments.

"Calibration links data to known, accurate ground and atmospheric data collected at specific sites," said Dr. Lau. "With this data verified, we can be confident that the data from satellite remote sensing is also accurate and reliable."

Dr. Lau is part of the team developing a proposed autonomous calibration site for next-generation satellite-based instruments capturing highly detailed spectral information.

"Because different minerals reflect light across various wavelengths, we rely on accurate atmospheric correction for optical satellite data," he said. "Many smaller satellites launch, often without the resources for rigorous calibration and validation in orbit. These satellites rely on Radiometric Calibration Network (RadCalNet) sites."

A RadCalNet provides a dataset of traceable and standardized products that researchers and commercial satellite providers use to calibrate and validate the accuracy of optical satellite sensors.

Adding to the network of global calibration sites

Earth observation satellites such as EnMap and PRISMA use sensors operating in the visible to shortwave infrared wavelength range, utilizing sunlight reflected off Earth's surface.

CSIRO is working on commissioning a new RadCalNet site 200 km north of Perth in WA's Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles Desert.

"It makes for an excellent calibration site because it provides a highly reflective and stable surface," said Dr. Lau.

The consistency provided by validated data means it has had accurate atmospheric correction applied and has been precisely wavelength calibrated to detect the presence of certain minerals. This gives a more precise analysis of the spectral signatures of rocks and soils.

"If you're identifying prospective regions for more detailed investigation, it's important to have very good quality data and ensure that the products are correct," he said. "You don't want to be predicting there are mineral deposits or vectors towards the mineral deposit when you've got some false positives."

Expanding wavelengths for the future

Instruments such as the ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) satellite typically operate with nine spectral bands, but researchers and scientists are demanding more wavelengths. More wavelengths mean more data.

Hyperspectral satellite imagery, which operates twelve bands across the electromagnetic spectrum, will allow for improved retrieval of atmospheric constituents like methane and carbon dioxide.

"The ASTER satellite had a limited number of specific spectral bands, similar to having only a few TV channels," Dr. Lau said.

In contrast, hyperspectral satellites offer many more "channels," allowing for better differentiation of minerals, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and enhanced coverage.

[nilima-2003]

SERVO DISTANCE INDICATOR USING ARDUINO UNO

INTRODUCTION

Distance measurement is a fundamental concept in various fields, including robotics, automation, and security systems. One common and efficient way to by emitting sound waves and calculating the time it takes for the waves to reflect back from an object, allowing accurate measurement of distance without physical contact.

In this project, we will use an HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor in conjunction with an Arduino microcontroller to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits ultrasonic waves and measures the time it takes for the waves to return after reflecting off the object. By using the speed of sound and the time measured, the distance is calculated. This simple yet powerful setup can be applied in a variety of real-world applications such as obstacle detection in robots, parking assistance systems, and automatic door operations.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

1. Servo Movement: The servo motor rotates to different angles (0° to 180°). The ultrasonic sensor is mounted on top of the servo and moves with it.

2. Distance Measurement: At each position, the ultrasonic sensor sends out an ultrasonic pulse and waits for the echo to return after hitting an object. The Arduino records the time taken for the echo to return.

3. Distance Calculation: The Arduino calculates the distance to the object based on the time recorded and the speed of sound (0.0343 cm/µs).

4. Servo as Indicator: The servo motor's position provides a physical indication of the direction of the detected object. As the servo moves across a range of Image map out objects in different directions based on distance.

5. Visual Output: The Arduino can also send the distance and angle data to the serial monitor, creating a real-time visual representation of the detected object positions.

APPLICATIONS

1. Autonomous Robots and Vehicles

2. Radar Systems

3. Parking Assistance

4. Security Systems

5. Environmental Scanning in Drones

6. Warehouse Management and Automation

7. Industrial Automation

8. Robotic Arm Guidance

9. Collision Avoidance in UAVs/Robots

10.Interactive Displays or Art Installations

11.Smart Doors and Gates

CONCLUSION

The Servo Distance Indicator Project successfully demonstrates the integration of an ultrasonic sensor and a servo motor to create an effective distance measurement an object, the project provides real-time feedback through the movement of a servo motor, which indicates the measured distance via a visual representation.

[manekapiyumawali]

Why Sabaragamuwa University is a Great Choice.

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) is increasingly recognized for its technological advancement and innovation-driven environment, making it one of the leading universities in Sri Lanka in terms of technology. Here are the key reasons why SUSL stands out technologically.

Here’s why SUSL stands out as a technological powerhouse among Sri Lankan universities:

🔧1. Faculty of Technology

SUSL established a dedicated Faculty of Technology to meet the demand for tech-skilled graduates. It offers degree programs such as:

BTech in Information and Communication Technology

BTech in Engineering Technology

These programs combine practical experience in labs, workshops and real-world projects with a strong theoretical foundation.

🖥️2. Advanced IT Infrastructure

SUSL has modern computer labs, smart classrooms, and high-speed internet access across campus.

A robust Learning Management System (LMS) supports online learning and hybrid education models.

Students and lecturers use tools like Moodle, Zoom, and Google Classroom effectively.

🤖 3. Innovation & AI Research Support

SUSL promotes AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and Data Science in student research and final-year projects.

Competitions like Hackathons and Innovative Research Symposia encourage tech-driven solutions.

Students develop apps, smart systems, and automation tools (e.g., Ceylon Power Tracker project).

🌐 4. Industry Collaboration and Internships

SUSL connects students with the tech industry through:

Internships at leading tech firms

Workshops led by industry experts

Collaborative R&D projects with government and private sector entities

These connections help students gain hands-on experience in areas such as software engineering, networking, and data analytics that make them highly employable after graduation.

💡 5. Smart Campus Initiatives

SUSL is evolving into a Smart University, introducing systems that streamline academic life:

Digital student portals

Online registration and results systems

E-library and remote resource access

Campus Wi-Fi for academic use

These initiatives improve the student experience and create an efficient, technology-enabled environment.

🎓 6. Research in Emerging Technologies

The university is involved in pioneering research across emerging technological fields, including:

Agricultural tech (AgriTech)

Environmental monitoring using sensors

Renewable energy systems

Students and faculty publish research in international journals and participate in global tech events.

🏆 7. Recognition in National Competitions

SUSL students often reach fina rounds or win national competitions in coding, robotics, AI, and IoT innovation.

Faculty members are invited as tech advisors and conference speakers, reinforcing the university's expertise.

Sabaragamuwa University is actively shaping the future not only with technology, but by integrating technology into education, research and operations. This makes it a technological leader among Sri Lankan Universities. Visit the official university site here: Home | SUSL