May 4, 2013

This Crafty Robotic Hand is Remarkably Adaptable and Affordable

The video below demonstrates the handiwork of DARPA-funded dexterous robotic hand hardware. The adaptable, adaptable, low-cost robots that can use a wide range of human tools to assist in dangerous defense missions.

bigthinkeditor

The hand in this video was developed by iRobot of Bedford, Mass., with support from Harvard University and Yale University.

Apologies for the porn soundtrack. We obviously didn’t choose it. But you might what to hit mute and watch here:

A pixelated image of a person in a white hoodie walking in the woods, with the person's face obscured by pixelation. The background features reddish handwritten text overlay.

Neuropsych

25 years since Columbine: We’re closer to decoding mass-shooter psychology

Public mass shooters almost always have worldviews shaped by the "3 Rs": rage, resentment, and revenge.

An edited image of elmo peeking out from a trash can, positioned among scattered multiple cartoon-like chat bubbles expressing humorous thoughts.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: “Is there anything wrong with trauma dumping?”

When does "oversharing" become an issue?

Bald man in casual attire sitting on a stool with a strategic diagram background in yellow.

Leadership

Adam Grant on how to identify and develop high-potential leaders

The ability to toggle between abstract and concrete thinking is a key differentiator of high-potential leaders.

A split image with a close-up of a blue eye on the left, and a classical painting of a woman resting her head on her arm on a sofa on the right.

Business

Want true success? Be more philosophical about “good” and “bad” failure.

Bob Dylan gave us the paradoxical gem "there's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all." He had a point.

Starts With A Bang

The idea that matter is mostly empty space is mostly wrong

Practically all of the matter we see and interact with is made of atoms, which are mostly empty space. Then why is reality so... solid?

Up Next

Surprising Science

Injectable Nanotech Manages Diabetes for Days at a Time

A new solution of particles at the nano scale has been developed by a consortium of American universities that, in mice, has proven effective at controlling type 1 diabetes for days on end.