Materials Scrap paper torn into 1” x 1” (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm) pieces (paper towels, construc tion paper, and toilet paper work well; a large bowl; a wooden frame 5” x 7” (13 cm x 18 cm) or 8” x 10” (20 cm x 25 cm); nylon or wire screen; staples; a plastic basin at least 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) in capacity, that is larger than the frame; cloth dishtowels (felt, blotting paper, or newspaper may subs...

L ike a miniature Segway with eyes, a robot built from 3D printed plastic does laps around a cubicle here at Brain Corporation, having learned in a matter of minutes to avoid bumping into walls as it roams. As eyeRover scoots away, Peter O'Connor, a staff scientist at the robotics software company, steps into its route. Using a remote control unit, he briefly takes control of the foot-tall robo...