Artificial intelligence

Big medical dataAt the intersection of medicine and computer science, researchers look for clinically useful correlations amid mountains of information.

The robotic equivalent of a Swiss army knifeReconfigurable robot a step toward something that can become almost anything.

UC Berkeley joins edXUC Berkeley joins Harvard and MIT not-for-profit online-learning collaborative; edX broadens free course offerings into public health, computer science and solid-state chemistry; opens registration

Is that smile real or fake?A computerized system developed at MIT can tell the difference between smiles of joy and smiles of frustration.

Daniela Rus named CSAIL directorEECS professor to become new leader of MIT’s largest interdepartmental laboratory.

Unlocking the key to human intelligence

Shah returns to CSAILComputer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory welcomes one of its latest additions (and alumnus): Assistant Professor Julie Shah.

‘Smart cars’ that are actually, well, smartMechanical engineers work to develop intelligent onboard transportation systems that can prevent car crashes.

Cookies, anyone?Graduate student Mario Bollini of Professor Daniela Rus' Distributed Robotics Lab is currently programming the PR2 robot to bake chocolate chip cookies.

Honing household helpersMIT computer scientists work toward improving robots’ ability to plan and perform complex actions, domestically and elsewhere.

Speeding swarms of sensor robotsA new algorithm ensures that robotic environmental sensors will be able to focus on areas of interest without giving other areas short shrift.

Flying like the birdsMultidisciplinary university research initiative, led by a CSAIL researcher, is developing a bird-sized UAV.

iRobot to the rescueCSAIL spinoff sends robotic aid to Japan

A hop, skip and a jump on the moon — and beyondTeam envisions robotic spacecraft that can explore hard-to-reach areas on the moon and other planetary bodies by hopping.

Shape-shifting robotsSelf-folding sheets of a plastic-like material point the way to robots that can assume any conceivable 3-D structure.

3 Questions: Nicholas Roy on deploying drones in U.S. skiesMIT robotics expert discusses the logistical hurdles of regulating unmanned aircraft for civilian use.

Rick Cory named Boeing Engineering Student of the Year

A plane that lands like a birdAn innovative control system allows a foam glider to touch down on a perch or a wire like a pet parakeet.

Robotic therapy helps stroke patients regain functionMIT robots can deliver high-intensity interactive physical therapy.

In Profile: Missy CummingsFormer U.S. Naval fighter pilot aims to improve how humans and computers interact.

Explained: Linear and nonlinear systemsMuch scientific research across a range of disciplines tries to find linear approximations of nonlinear behaviors. But what does that mean?

Flight of fancyUsing an autonomous mini-helicopter, an MIT team stunned the Association for Unmanned Vehicles International by solving one of its notoriously tough challenges on the first try.

From nature, robotsMechanical engineer Sangbae Kim looks to animals to inspire his robot designs

Fish and chipsNew robots mimic fish's swimming and could explore areas where traditional underwater autonomous vehicles can't currently go.

Quanta Computer extends collaboration with CSAIL$25 million agreement to fund research on cloud computing, mobile technologies

Robotic therapy holds promise for cerebral palsyDevices can help children with brain injuries learn to grasp and manipulate objects

Barbara Liskov wins Turing AwardACM cites 'foundational innovations' in programming language design