MIT Media Lab

In December, Media Lab spinoff @aurelia_labs plans to test the latest generation of TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments) on the International Space Station. It’s a step toward building what Media Lab alum @ArielEkblaw, Aurelia’s CEO, calls “science-fiction-worthy, big, grand structures” in space. cnn.com/science/self-a…

Media Lab alum Paris Smaragdis, now a professor in the Music and Theatre Arts program of @mit_shass, develops computer systems that can hear and interpret the world around them. The tools he builds have applications ranging from musical expression to environmental monitoring.

“I like to say that I do the same thing the computer vision folks do, but instead I do it for hearing,” he says.

news.mit.edu/2026/making-ma…

A number of Media Lab community members are presenting work at #uist2026, the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, November 2–5, 2026. This interdisciplinary conference brings together international researchers, designers, developers, and practitioners to present and discuss innovations in human-computer interfaces.
Explore the Media Lab’s contributions: media.mit.edu/events/media-l…

In a new study, MIT researchers and collaborators demonstrate a method to accurately track muscle movement using tiny magnetic beads implanted in the muscle. These measurements could make it easier for people with certain types of amputations to control their prosthetic limbs. Media Lab Prof. Hugh Herr is senior author of the paper, out today in @Nature Sensors; PhD student Chris Shallal and Media Lab alum Cameron Taylor are co-lead authors. @mcgovernmit @YangTanColl
news.mit.edu/2026/magnetic-…

The @space_enabled group at the MIT Media Lab is excited to host Zero Robotics, and is inviting high school students everywhere to join the 2027 High School Tournament!

Zero Robotics is a programming competition where students write code to control Astrobee, the free-flying robot that lives aboard the International Space Station. Teams of students work together to solve a game challenge using Astrobee and compete against teams from around the world.

The five-week program runs from Monday, January 11 to Friday, February 12, 2027, with the final event planned for Friday, February 19, 2027.

Zero Robotics is recruiting teams internationally! Grab at least three teammates and register by December 16, 2026: media.mit.edu/events/zero-ro…