Institute News
RIG hosts first German Robotics Conference
- 18 March 2025
MPI-IS scientists showcase their research on soft robotics and haptic intelligence
Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), founded with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), successfully hosted the first German Robotics Conference (GRC) at the Nuremberg Convention Center on March 13-15. This significant event brought together about 500 participants, including leading scientific minds based in Germany, prominent industry pioneers, and 15 current employees from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.
Katherine Kuchenbecker Florian Hartmann Birgül Akolpoglu Jonathan Fiene Moaaz Hudhud Mughrabi Yijie Gong Felix Grüninger
Magnetic microalgae on a mission to become robots
- 17 March 2025
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems developed a single-cell green microalgae coated with magnetic material. This miniature robot was put to the test: would the microalgae with its magnetic coating be able to swim through narrow spaces and, additionally, in a viscous fluid that mimics those found in the human body? Would the tiny robot be able to fight its way through these difficult conditions? The team's research has now been published in the journal Matter.
RIG internships high in demand at MPI-IS in Stuttgart
- 10 March 2025
As soon as it was announced, the internship program of the newly founded Robotics Institute Germany attracted more than 450 applications for internship positions at the Stuttgart site of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.
Neural network deciphers gravitational waves from merging neutron stars in a second
- 06 March 2025
Machine learning method could revolutionize multi-messenger astronomy
Binary neutron star mergers emit gravitational waves followed by light. To fully exploit these observations and avoid missing key signals, speed is crucial. In a study to be published in Nature on March 5, 2025, an interdisciplinary team of researchers presents a novel machine learning method that can analyze gravitational waves emitted by neutron star collisions almost instantaneously – even before the merger is fully observed. A neural network processes the data and enables a fast search for visible light and other electromagnetic signals emitted during the collisions. This new method could be instrumental in preparing the field for the next generation of observatories.
Artificial Muscles for Tremor Suppression
- 06 March 2025
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, the University of Tübingen and the University of Stuttgart under the Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart (BITS) collaboration developed a biorobotic arm that can mirror human tremors, such as those experienced by individuals that live with Parkinson's disease. Artificial muscles on either side of the forearm contract and relax to suppress the involuntary shaking of the wrist and hand. The researchers see their biorobotic arm not only as a platform for other scientists in the field to test new ideas in exoskeleton technology. The arm also serves as a test bed to see how well artificial muscles known as HASELs can one day become the building blocks of wearable devices. The vision is to one day develop a sleeve that tremor patients can comfortably wear to be able to better cope with everyday tasks such as holding a cup.
From research to startup: Polybot receives order for AI-based harvesting robotics
- 25 February 2025
The harvesting robot project Polybot is supported by the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (Deutsche Agentur für Sprunginnovation: SPRIND) with a seven-month validation grant of approximately 220,000 euros. This funding will help the team to prepare the transition from scientific research to founding a start-up company. The project, which has so far been supported by the Tübingen AI Center at the University of Tübingen, the ELLIS Institute Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, combines top-level research with practical application and strengthens Tübingen as an innovation location within the Cyber Valley.
A miniature swimming robot inspired by marine flatworms
- 20 February 2025
EPFL and MPI-IS engineers have developed a versatile swimming robot that nimbly navigates cluttered water surfaces. Inspired by marine flatworms, the innovative device offers new possibilities for environmental monitoring and ecological research.
Electrohydraulic Wearable Devices Create Unprecedented Haptic Sensations
- 07 January 2025
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems invented compact wearable devices that deliver rich, expressive, and pleasant tactile sensations that go far beyond the buzzing vibrations of today’s consumer devices. The team just published their findings in Advanced Science.
Natalia Sanchez-Tamayo Zachary Yoder Philipp Rothemund Giulia Ballardini Christoph Keplinger Katherine Kuchenbecker
Diversity and inclusion accelerate the pace of innovation in robotics
- 12 December 2024
Diverse and inclusive teams are not merely a moral imperative but also a catalyst for scientific excellence in robotics, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems point out in a study. The team now published an article in which they outline how a scientific community can benefit if its leadership fosters an environment of diversity and inclusion, and propose a leadership guide for roboticists to help reap these benefits.
Delivering medicines with microscopic flowers
- 10 December 2024
These small particles are reminiscent of paper flowers or desert roses. Physicians can use them to guide medicines to a precise destination within the body. Better yet, the particles can easily be tracked using ultrasound as they scatter sound waves.
