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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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The Rise of Digital Marketplaces in the Australian Trade Sector

For decades, the Australian trade and construction sector operated almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations and local community networks. Small business owners typically relied on local newspa...

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How Immigration Lawyers Can Help

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How Industrial Drying Equipment Supports Efficient Processing

Many industrial processes require moisture to be removed from compressed air, products or process materials before they move to the next stage. Excess moisture can affect equipment performance, produc...

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Practical Ways a Whiteboard Can Improve Workplace Communication

Effective communication helps teams stay organised, share ideas and keep track of important information. While digital tools are now common in many workplaces, a whiteboard continues to provide a simp...

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Designing Eco-Friendly Custom Water Bottles for Your Next Event

The Evolution of Sustainable Event Merchandise Event planning has undergone a massive transformation over the last decade. Gone are the days when organizers could hand out cheap, single use plastic...

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Why Choosing a Professional Florist Melbourne Makes Flower Delivery Impactful

Flowers have a great power to speak when humans cannot express their feelings with right words. Flowers are the best gifts when you are celebrating a birthday or welcoming a newborn child into your fa...

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The Business Case for Choosing Australian Fabricators Over Imported Alternatives

For a long time, you might have defaulted to overseas suppliers when sourcing fabricated metal components for a project. The unit price was lower on paper, and the maths seemed straightforward. That...

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Australian organisations are relying on business continuity plans built for a far more predictable world

Tariff escalations, supply chain fragility, geopolitical events, and the ongoing threat of cyber disruption have reshaped the risk environment facing Australian organisations. The problem is that ma...

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How to Rent a Car for Uber in Melbourne: What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Starting out as an Uber driver in Melbourne is not as complicated as it sounds but getting the vehicle right is where most new drivers get stuck. Uber has strict requirements around vehicle age, condi...

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The Daily Magazine

How Wide Should Running Shoes Be? Signs Your Shoes Are Too Narrow

Running shoes should be wide enough for the forefoot and toes to sit naturally under load, but not...

Trail Running Shoes vs Hiking Shoes: Which Is Better for Australian Trails?

Australia does not offer one neat definition of a “trail.” A weekend walk might mean a hard-packed...

Architectural Window Shading: Solutions for Triangle Blinds, Raked Glazing, and High Ceilings

Mastering Light and Privacy with Specialized Window Coverings Modern architectural de...

From Suburban Streets to Modern Events: Why Australians Still Love the Ice Cream Truck

Did you know Australia consistently ranks among the world's highest ice cream-consuming countries? ...

Will These Bloody Kids Ever Move Out? The Resurrection of the Duplex Says No

Whilst Baby Boomers and Gen Xer’s typically finished school, got a job and moved out of home relativ...

Critical Structural Checks to Prioritise Before Renovating an Older Property

The Australian home renovation market is experiencing unprecedented growth. The total value of thi...

Why Regular Gutter Cleaning Northern Beaches Is Important

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Double Glazed Sliding Doors vs Standard Sliding Doors: Key Differences

Sliding doors are a popular choice in modern homes due to their space-saving design and ability to...

How to Plan a Bathroom Renovation Timeline (Without Surprises)

A bathroom renovation rarely feels “small” once work begins. Even modest updates involve multiple ...