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It's not easy to give a robot a sense of touch

  • Written by: Ajay Pandey, Senior Lecturer (Intelligent Bionics and Soft Robotics), Queensland University of Technology
It's not easy to give a robot a sense of touchThe sense of touch is generally measured by a sensor that can translate a pressure upon it into a small electrical signal.Shutterstock

We have robots that can walk, see, talk and hear, and manipulate objects in their robotic hands. There’s even a robot that can smell.

But what about a sense of touch? This is easier said than done and there...

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Report finds every $1 Australia spends on preschool will return $2, but this won't just magically happen

  • Written by: Jen Jackson, Education Policy Lead, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University
Report finds every $1 Australia spends on preschool will return $2, but this won't just magically happenFirst, a child must have access to a preschool in their local area, and a family willing and able to enrol them.from shutterstock.com

A report released last week showed quality preschool would deliver a two-for-one return on investment for Australia: that is, for every dollar governments invest in preschool, two dollars will be returned to the...

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Inequality is growing, but it is also changing as Australia's super rich evolve

  • Written by: Salvatore Ferraro, Lecturer, RMIT University
Inequality is growing, but it is also changing as Australia's super rich evolveAustralia's super rich are richer than ever, but not like they used to be.Shutterstock

This year’s Australian Conference of Economists takes place in Melbourne on July 14-16.

During the conference The Conversation will publish a selection of pieces written by the authors of papers to be delivered at the conference.

Since the surprise...

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They've cut deeming rates, but what are they?

  • Written by: Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
They've cut deeming rates, but what are they?Not cutting deeming rates when other rates are falling keeps people off the pension.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has cut deeming rate for large investments from 3.25% to 3%, and for smaller ones from 1.75% all the way down to 1%, backdated to the start of July.

But exactly is a deeming rate, and why does it matter so much to about one million...

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More Articles …

  1. Michelle Grattan on the government's plans for Indigenous recognition
  2. The river red gum is an icon of the driest continent
  3. The TGA's proposed breast implant ban exposes a litany of failures, and fails to protect women
  4. human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing crime
  5. Group punishment doesn't fix behaviour
  6. the Australians who pioneered self-sufficiency, generations before Nimbin
  7. Design and repair must work together to undo our legacy of waste
  8. Looking after loved ones with mental illness puts carers at risk themselves. They need more support
  9. we need those tax cuts now, all of them. The surplus can wait
  10. How Muslim women break stereotypes by mixing faith and modesty with fashion
  11. Arctic ice loss is worrying, but the giant stirring in the South could be even worse
  12. We create 20m tons of construction industry waste each year. Here's how to stop it going to landfill
  13. When does getting help on an assignment turn into cheating?
  14. When it comes to Indigenous recognition, Ken Wyatt will have to close multiple gaps
  15. welcome to the bizarro world of negative interest rates
  16. Ken Wyatt's big promises on Indigenous affairs
  17. Understanding dog personalities can help prevent attacks
  18. In the remote Cambodian jungles, we made sure rare Siamese crocodiles would have enough food
  19. why is the Sun orange when white stars are the hottest?
  20. Women, rural and disadvantaged Australians may be missing out on care in the NDIS
  21. writing the powerful female world of Wentworth
  22. How to improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples by making space for self-determination
  23. Ken Wyatt on constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians
  24. Deeming rates explained. What is deeming, how does it cut pensions, and why do we have it?
  25. the 'novelty song' that became a cultural touchstone
  26. Indonesia has sent Australia's recycling home – it's time to clean up our act
  27. Victoria’s mental health system fails the most vulnerable
  28. Most people think playing chess makes you 'smarter', but the evidence isn't clear on that
  29. Most adults have never heard of TikTok. That's by design
  30. The new Mabo? $190 million stolen wages settlement is unprecedented, but still limited
  31. The world has a hard time trusting China. But does it care?
  32. The 2019 flu shot isn't perfect – but it's still our best defence against influenza
  33. how the move to digital medical records is leaving us drowning in old paper files
  34. We organised a conference for 570 people without using plastic. Here's how it went
  35. 10 of the best examples of digital literature
  36. Earth's core has been leaking for billions of years
  37. The Morrison government proposes an Indigenous recognition referendum this term
  38. Iran's leader is losing his grasp on power. Does this mean diplomacy is doomed?
  39. Why developing nuclear weapons is an unrealistic option for Australia
  40. Begging ‘professionally’ doesn’t make their poverty and vulnerability any less legitimate
  41. Have you found 'the one'? How mindsets about destiny affect our romantic relationships
  42. interview with space archaeologist Alice Gorman
  43. Recent campus attacks show universities need to do more to protect international students
  44. more compulsory super would make Middle Australia poorer, not richer
  45. Opera is stuck in a racist, sexist past, while many in the audience have moved on
  46. Houses for a warmer future are currently restricted by Australia's building code
  47. Study identifies nine research priorities to better understand NZ's vast marine area
  48. Poll reveals lukewarm public support for religion freedom legislation
  49. Iran's nuclear program breaches limits for uranium enrichment: 4 key questions answered
  50. The muscle-wasting condition 'sarcopenia' is now a recognised disease. But we can all protect ourselves

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Why Choosing a Professional Florist Melbourne Makes Flower Delivery Impactful

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The Daily Magazine

How fast can you charge an EV at home? Charger speeds explained

Ask new EV owners what worried them before buying and charging time comes up early. A petrol tank fi...

Crossing Several European Borders? How to Keep Your Phone Working the Whole Trip

A multi-country trip through Europe can cross three borders in a day. Take the coach from Split to...

Behind the Scenes: How Medicines Stay Safe Before They Reach Your Pharmacy

You pick up a prescription, glance at the label and pop the box in your bag without a second thought...

How Local Organisations Can Get Their Story Told in the Media

The local junior footy club raises enough money to send a team interstate. A community garden double...

Understanding the Compassionate Flexibility Built Into Religious Fasting Traditions

You've probably been aware of religious fasting as part of the cultural landscape, whether through...

The Rise of Australian-Made Spirits and What It Means for Local Drinkers

Not so long ago, ordering a local gin at the pub would earn you a blank look. Bottle shop shelves we...

How NDIS Providers Can Free Up Space and Run a Tighter Operation

Walk into the office of almost any growing NDIS provider and you will probably find a corner that ha...

Small Acts, Big Impact: How Australians Can Give Back to Their Communities

There is a common belief that giving back requires either a lot of money or a lot of time. Big chequ...

The Lost Art of Saying Thank You and Why It Still Matters

Somewhere between the arrival of email and the rise of the reaction emoji, the humble thank you shra...