Why Robots Can't Pick Up an Egg ABB Robotics
Engineers have watched robots master welding seams and pallet stacking for decades. Success on those jobs rarely translates when the task involves something fragile and slightly different every time. An egg in a carton or on a counter represents the exact kind of object that exposes the limits. Too much force cracks the shell. Too little lets it slip. Slight variations in shape, weight distribution, or surface texture throw off systems built around fixed gripper designs or basic vision.

University of Texas Austin Jacket Harvest Drinking Water Air
Photo credit: Jacey Yarbrough | The University of Texas at Austin
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin built a jacket that collects moisture from the air and turns it into clean drinking water ready for use. Practical needs for reliable water in remote locations drove much of the project. Many hikers, agricultural workers, and emergency responders operate in areas where carrying enough bottled water or finding safe sources creates constant challenges.