Injectable Nanobots, SlothBot and 9 other ‘cool’ robots; here's what all they can do

Cornell University scientists have devised injectable nanobots for direct drug delivery to injuries or tumors. These solar-powered four-legged bots are being explored for alternative power options like magnetic fields or ultrasound.

Georgia Tech's SlothBot gathers environmental data in the Atlanta Botanical Garden, studying rare orchids in the Ecuadorian Rain Forest. Its slow, inconspicuous movement replaces interfering nets for quiet ecological research.

Originally for emergencies, Fedor, the Russian humanoid robot, repurposed to test rescue systems on a Soyuz 2.1a rocket. Despite an aborted ISS mission, plans are underway to improve its design for future use.

ISRO's Vyommitra, a bilingual half-humanoid, will join the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission by late 2022. It can provide cabin condition warnings, operate switches, and engage in social interactions with astronauts.

Xenobots, the "first living robots," are one-millimeter-sized programmable organisms made from frog stem cells. They hold promise for drug delivery within the body and eco-friendly cleanup.

Boston Dynamics' Atlas robots demonstrate impressive parkour skills, driving innovation for applications like rescue missions and hospital assistance.

China's four-legged robo-yak is created to carry heavy cargo and assist ground troops. Despite touted capabilities, a video indicates challenges with uneven terrain, prompting questions about its practicality.

The US Army's Vision 60 robot dog merges a quadruped robot with a sniper rifle, operated remotely with human-permission-only target engagement. Similar to Boston Dynamics' Spot, it shows potential for various military applications.

Boston Dynamics' Spot, commercially available, is utilized in various settings like oil rigs, nuclear sites, and medical facilities. While versatile for aiding in hazardous situations and creative projects, it is explicitly advised against home use.

The Autonomous Weeder employs high-powered lasers to eliminate 100,000 weeds per hour without soil disturbance. This farming robot provides a sustainable solution, reducing herbicide use and fostering healthier crops.

Developed at Oregon State University, Jon, the robot comedian, examines humor's role in human-robot interaction, focusing on understanding how robots like Jon can effectively use humor as social robots become more widespread.