Scientists, students and corporations continue their work around the world in the field of robotics, persistently improving and redefining their capabilities, interfaces and roles in society. Unmanned vehicles fly above war zones, telerobotics give humans a broader virtual presence and humanoid robots gain more parity with humans, refining their movements and responses. Collected here are a handful of recent photographs of robotics in use around the world. [Previously on TBP: Robots] (36 photos total)

The goal was simple -- shoot to kill; we weren't working on an objective -- but actually surviving wasn't so easy. We all had to rely on each others' unique skills to get through. It turned out that Roland (the soldier) and his shielded turret provided much-needed cover for those low on health. As in Left 4 Dead, we could use any health packs we had to revive downed comrades, and, if we went down, could still shoot (albeit with limited range of movement) until help arrived or we bled out.