This short video is of a series of demonstrations of a highly capable robotic hand executing tasks that humans could never match in terms of pace. It dribbles so fast all you see is a blur. Rice isn’t too small, and watching the hand catch a phone is not just wild, it’s downright creepy. The lack of overcompensation in its responses to complex, three-dimensional motion data is off – we could never replicate it as lowly humans.
Showing posts with label robot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label robot. Show all posts
Exoskeletal robot suit to make astronauts super-strong
X1 was initially designed as a human assist device to allow persons with paraplegia to walk again. Strategically designed motors allow for high torque applications such as stair climbing, while multiple points of adjustment allow for a wide range of users. We are now exploring space applications for exoskeletons, such as amplifying astronaut strength, or even as exercise devices for long duration missions.
Read more over on TechLand
Meet Baxter: A Robot With Common Sense
Baxter robots are a new line of androids that can apply common sense behavior in manufacturing workplaces.
Developed by Boston-based Rethink Robotics, Baxter automatically adapts to changing environments through cameras, sensors and software that enable it to “‘see’ objects, ‘feel’ forces and ‘understand’ tasks,” according to the company’s website.
For this reason, Rethink claims that a Baxter robot can safely work alongside humans. It can also be trained like a person, with the robot capable of juggling multiple tasks, and learning a new one in less than 30 minutes (Check out the video above to see them in action).
Priced at $22,000 and with no integration required, a Baxter robot is “a fraction of the cost of a traditional industrial robot,” according to Rethink. “Baxter was specifically designed to be affordable for mid-size and small manufacturers, companies that have never been able to afford robots before.”
“We [can] offer new hope to the millions of American manufacturers who are looking for innovative ways to compete in our global economy.”
The android is ready to start work in less than one hour after it hits the factory floor, the company adds.
Baxter is a complete, self-contained system with application software that can be updated. Rethink says it plans to offer a software development kit in early 2013 for those who want to make use of the technology.
via Mashable
Robot & Frank
Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who are concerned he can no longer live alone. They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank's son chooses a different option: against the old man's wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places.
Cheetah Robot Gallops at 18 mph
Cheetah is a new robot being developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA's Maximum Mobility and Manipulation program. Last week Cheetah set a new land speed record for legged robots, galloping 18 mph on the treadmill. This version of the Cheetah is a lab prototype with offboard power and a boom that planarizes its motion. Testing on a free-running version of the Cheetah that will run 'unplugged' in the field starts later this year. For more information about Cheetah or the other robots we develop, visit http://www.BostonDynamics.com.
Pop-up Fabrication of the Harvard Monolithic Bee (Mobee)
The Harvard Monolithic Bee is a millimeter-scale flapping wing robotic insect produced using Printed Circuit MEMS (PC-MEMS) techniques. This video describes the manufacturing process, including pop-up book inspired assembly. This work was funded by the NSF, the Wyss Institute, and the ASEE. Music: D-Song by Bonobo
See "Monolithic fabrication of millimeter-scale machines" and "Popup-book MEMS":
https://micro.seas.harvard.edu/publications.html
A Swarm of Nano Quadrotors
Experiments performed with a team of nano quadrotors at the GRASP Lab, University of Pennsylvania. Vehicles developed by KMel Robotics.
Cyborg Insects Could Be First Responders in Rescue Situations
A group at the University of Michigan has a plan to unleash cyborg insects equipped with sensors as first responders in dangerous environments.
The bugs carry small devices on their backs that harvest the energy of wing movements, and use it to power cameras, microphones, sensors and communication equipment.
"Through energy scavenging, we could potential power cameras, microphones and other sensors and communication equipment that an insect could carry aboard a tiny backpack," says Professor Khalil Najafi, chair of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Michigan. "We could send these 'bugged' bugs into dangerous or enclosed environments where we would not want humans to go."
via ScienceDaily
Starfish-inspired 'soft' robot squeezes under obstacles
A "soft" robot inspired by squid and starfish can crawl, undulate, and squeeze under obstacles.
Built by a team at Harvard University, this robot has several advantages over those with treads, wheels and rigid parts - which have a limited repertoire of movements and may have trouble navigating difficult terrain.
The sea creature-inspired creation was manufactured with soft materials and its motion is driven by compressed air.
via BBC and PNAS
Robot guards to patrol South Korean prisons
A group of scientists has developed robot warders under a one billion won ($850,000) project organised by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
The robots — 1.5 metres (five feet) high and running on four wheels — will mostly be used at night.
They can connect prisoners with officers through a remote conversation function, according to a statement from the Asian Forum for Corrections (AFC), a South Korea-based group of researchers in criminality and prison policies.
It pioneered the project with the justice ministry’s cooperation.
The robots’ sensors will enable them to detect abnormalities such as suicidal behaviour and violence and report it to officers in charge, the statement said.
via PhysOrg
All-new ASIMO (Nov 2011)
Honda unveiled "All-new ASIMO", a new version of their humanoid robot. It can run at 9kph and hop on one or both legs, and more.
More info:
http://world.honda.com/news/2011/c111108All-new-ASIMO/index.html
http://www.plasticpals.com/?p=30620
High-tech spider for hazardous missions
Spiders are very agile, and some can even jump. They owe this capability to their hydraulically operated limbs. Researchers have now designed a mobile robot modeled on the same principle that moves spider legs. Created using a 3-D printing process, this lightweight can explore terrain that is beyond human reach.
via Fraunhofer
Zero-Energy Bio Refrigerator
In a valiant effort to rethink the ubiquitous refrigerator — which has seen few design changes since the invention of freon refrigerators in the 1930′s — Russian designer Yuriy Dmitriev has unveiled a fresh-looking, gel-filled appliance of the future. His Bio Robot Refrigerator utilizes a special gel-like substance that suspends and cools food once inserted. Dmitriev’s design is one of 25 finalists in the Electrolux Design Lab competition, which challenged entrants with the task of redesigning modern appliances for the future.
via Inhabitat
PETMAN
PETMAN, a two-legged, 180-pound machine nearly six feet tall. Boston Dynamics, which has created a slew of robots for the military over the years, is expected today to publicly unveil the first video of the nearly fully developed PETMAN, power-walking on a treadmill in the company’s labs.
PETMAN, an acronym for Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin, does not look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played the Terminator killing machine in the first of a series of movies. For one thing, PETMAN still lacks a head, and it can’t say “Hasta la vista, baby.’’
PETMAN is an anthropomorphic robot developed by Boston Dynamics for testing special clothing used by the US Army. PETMAN balances itself as it walks, squats and does simple calisthenics. PETMAN simulates human physiology by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating inside the clothing to provide realistic test conditions. PETMAN development is lead by Boston Dynamics, working in partnership with Measurement Technologies Northwest, Oak Ridge National Lab and MRIGlobal. The work is being done for the US Army PD-CCAT-TI. For more information about PETMAN visit us at www.BostonDynamics.com.
AlphaDog Proto
"The AlphaDog Proto is a lab prototype for the Legged Squad Support System, a robot being developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA and the US Marine Corps. When fully developed the system will carry 400 lbs of payload on 20-mile missions in rough terrain. Using GPS navigation and computer vision, AlphaDog can traverse just about any terrain. The first version of the complete robot will be completed in 2012. This video shows early results from the control development process. In this video the robot is powered remotely. AlphaDog is designed to be over 10x quieter than BigDog. "
via Dvice
Ready for the robot revolution?
Robots are about to invade our lives.
From performing household chores, to entertaining and educating our children, to looking after the elderly, roboticists say we will soon be welcoming their creations into our homes and workplaces.
Researchers believe we are on the cusp of a robot revolution that will mirror the explosive growth of the computer revolution from the 1980s onwards.
They are developing new laws for robot behaviour, and designing new ways for humans and robots to interact.
"I think robotics technology will change who we are, just as eyeglasses and fire changed who we were before," says Rodney Brookes, robotics entrepreneur and former director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
via BBC
Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee has developed amputees a bionic "to walk without the leg-dragging gait characteristic of conventional artificial legs". Unlike the average peg-leg, the Vanderbilt leg has motors in the knee and ankle to actively move like the real thing. Sensors and microprocessors predict what the user is about to do and the leg moves accordingly. The leg itself is also pretty light on power, running for up to three days (or 14 kilometers) on a single charge.
The Vanderbilt leg is seen above worn by Craig Hutto, left, and Professor Michael Goldfarb, who is leading the team at VU. The leg itself has been in development for always seven years now, and packs in quite a bit of tech.
From Vanderbilt:
The device uses the latest advances in computer, sensor, electric motor and battery technology to give it bionic capabilities: It is the first prosthetic with powered knee and ankle joints that operate in unison. It comes equipped with sensors that monitor its user's motion. It has microprocessors programmed to use this data to predict what the person is trying to do and operate the device in ways that facilitate these movements.
via Wired and the Vanderbilt Unversity
Scientists build robot octopus, one tentacle at a time
Cephalopods don’t have their neurons organized in the same way that we vertebrates do. An octopus has as many neurons as a cat, but instead of relying on a central brain, the octopus’ neurons are far more scattered. Some are centralized into what we might think of as a “brain”—in this case, a donut-shaped organ that actually wraps around the octopus’ esophagus. But the bulk of the neurons are distributed throughout the octopus’ body. When the octopus moves, the centralized and decentralized neurons work together, sharing information and the duties of processing and control.
Researchers like Hochner think that distributed processing system could make for better robots that can do more thinking on their own. Now, his work is paying off. In the video above, you can see the robotic arm produced by an interdisciplinary, team funded by the European Commission, of which Hochner is a part. The 17-inch arm can grasp objects and is the first step in a larger plan to build an entire robot octopus.
via BOINGBOING
Kinect-Hacked Shopping Cart Automatically Follows Wheelchair-Bound Shoppers Around
Luis de Matos has rigged hackers’ favorite device to make a shopping cart follow a wheelchair user around the store.
The wi-Go project, as it’s called, could significantly improve autonomy for disabled shoppers. The video below shows the difficulty of trying to simultaneously operate a cart and a wheelchair and then (beginning around 1:20) a much less stressful shopping trip, courtesy of the wi-Go.
via Kinect Hacks
The wi-Go project, as it’s called, could significantly improve autonomy for disabled shoppers. The video below shows the difficulty of trying to simultaneously operate a cart and a wheelchair and then (beginning around 1:20) a much less stressful shopping trip, courtesy of the wi-Go.
via Kinect Hacks
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