last longer?

Do you know how robots keep improving with these fancy new electronics and parts?

That's cool, but it means older robots become pretty much useless.

Kind of a waste.

Well, some smart folks at the Singapore University of Technology and Design might have a fix for this, at least for soft robots. They came up with this neat 3D printing trick using a special gel they cooked up.

Pablo Valdivia y Alvarado, who led the research, was like "Yeah, we've been geeking out over soft robotics for years now, especially trying to figure out how to print them with different materials."

The big problem they noticed was that when soft robots get damaged or need new features, people usually just toss them - kind of like how we dump our old phones.

Looking around at other research, they realized nobody was thinking about making robots last longer. So they were like, "Let's fix that!"

Their method is pretty slick - they use this gel that they can 3D print right onto the robot's surface. The cool part is the gel just stays where you put it - no need for any container.

Then they can print new parts or features onto the areas covered by the gel. Once everything's set, they just wash the gel away with water, and boom - you've got your upgraded robot.

The best part?

This stuff works on all kinds of surfaces and materials. They tested it out on this robot that looks like a ray (you know, like the fish), adding touch sensors, whiskers, and these little hooks. When the whiskers tore up some of the robot's skin, they just patched that right up too.

Valdivia y Alvarado and the crew are already working on more ways to make robots more sustainable.

Pretty rad how a bit of fancy gel could help us waste less tech, huh?

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(But Not That Kind)

there's this new AI robot named Eliza that's basically trying to be your new bestie. Not in a weird way though - they're pretty clear about that!

The whole thing started with ElizaOS, which was just software, but now they're going all in and putting that AI into a physical robot.

And they're not messing around - this thing costs as much as a house at $420,000.

The robot's pretty impressive on paper.

We're talking about a 5'10" humanoid that can run an 8-minute mile (show off!), mix drinks, and even cut cigars with precision. It's got this fancy silicone face that makes expressions and moves naturally, plus it can talk to you like a real person.

The team behind it, Eliza Wakes Up, teamed up with this robotics company called Old World Labs to make it happen. They're calling it the biggest thing since Sophia the Robot (remember her?).

Here's what's interesting though - they had to come out and specifically say "no funny business" after some people got the wrong idea when ElizaOS got mixed up with... uh, let's say "adult toys." They've even built in hardware and software safeguards to keep things strictly PG.

What's it actually good for?

Well, it can handle your schedule, manage your social media, do research, process documents - basically be your personal assistant. But the big selling point is that it's supposed to understand emotions and build real relationships with people.

If you've got that spare $420K burning a hole in your pocket, you can pre-order one now. They're planning to start deliveries in mid-2025.

Just remember - this is strictly for platonic companionship, folks!

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