Latest in Robotics news thread

[ScienceRocks]

IIT's HyQ quadruped robot gets better reflexes

IIT's HyQ quadruped robot gets better reflexes

Similar in size to Boston Dynamics' BigDog, the HyQ hydraulically-actuated quadruped robot can walk, trot, kick, and jump, but its reflexes need an upgrade before it can move from flat ground to more challenging terrain. To that end, researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology's (IIT) have developed an animal-like step reflex algorithm that quickly detects when the robot's feet run into obstacles, preventing trips and falls.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Crabster Robot to Walk Along the Ocean Floor, Investigate Shipwrecks

As six-legged robots go, other than its nifty red and yellow paint job, the Crabster robot has a pretty standard look. It isn’t the biggest hexapod, like the impressive two-ton Mantis, or a tiny hexapod with a weird gait, like Boston Dynamics’ RHex. What makes Crabster special isn’t so much what it is but where it will walk—the robot was designed to navigate the seafloor.

Ocean researchers already use both autonomous and remote-control undersea vehicles, but propulsion systems tend to kick up sediment, adversely affecting visibility, and lack the power to deal with strong currents.

Crabster Robot to Walk Along the Ocean Floor, Investigate Shipwrecks | Singularity Hub

 

[BlueGin]

Would you have surgery at 'hands' of a robot?

CNN) -Every day, we happily entrust more of our lives to automated machines at home and in our cities. But you could be forgiven for blanching at the prospect of a four-armed robot bearing over you, scalpel glinting.

But fear not, a human, and a highly-trained one at that, is at the controls of the da Vinci robotic surgical system.

"I think it's very important to explain robotic surgery," says David Rosa from da Vinci creators, Intuitive Surgical.

"The robot doesn't do anything on its own. Every movement, all of its controls are controlled by a surgeon who sits at a console."

The company's tele-operated robots have performed more than 1.5 million operations from abdominal general surgery and gynecology procedures to thoracic and lung operations.

Would you have surgery at 'hands' of a robot? | Technology - Home

 

[ScienceRocks]

Robots taking over to help medical research

It has been a long and stealthy takeover, but robots now dominate many leading bioscience laboratories, doing in just hours what once took days or weeks. Now the convergence of automation with nanotechnologies, biomedics and advanced algorithms promises to take robotization of medical research much further.

In May of this year, Ross King, professor of machine intelligence at the UK's University of Manchester, traveled east to talk to students at the University of Nottingham campus in Ningbo, China. His paper "Robot scientists: Automating biology and chemistry" was a vindication of theories he and colleagues first proposed almost a decade ago.

Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Robots taking over to help medical research

 

[ScienceRocks]

Electrically-charged hydrogel has applications for soft robotics and biomedical fields
Electrically-charged hydrogel has applications for soft robotics and biomedical fields

Soft robotics is a quickly emerging field that takes a lot of inspiration from marine creatures like squids and starfish. A light-controlled hydrogel was recently developed that could be used for control of these new robotic devices, but now researchers at North Carolina State University are taking the development of soft robotic devices to a new level with electrically-charged hydrogels.

The "ionoprinting" technique, as the team has dubbed it, uses a copper electrode to inject positively-charged copper ions into a hydrogel material (a highly absorbent polymer material that is nearly 99.9 percent water). The copper ions bond with negatively charged ions n the hydrogel's polymer network, creating a more robust and mechanically stiffer structure.

 

[BlueGin]

Japan launches talking humanoid robot into space

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan has launched the world's first talking humanoid robot "astronaut" toward the International Space Station.

Kirobo — derived from the Japanese words for "hope" and "robot" — was among five tons of supplies and machinery on a rocket launched Sunday from Tanegashima in southwestern Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said.

The childlike robot was designed to be a companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata and will communicate with another robot on Earth, according to developers. Wakata is expected to arrive at the space station in November.

Robot designer Tomotaka Takahashi, of the University of Tokyo, advertiser Dentsu and automaker Toyota Motor Corp. worked on the robot.

The challenge was making sure it could move and talk where there was no gravity.

Japan launches talking humanoid robot into space - Yahoo! Finance

 

[ScienceRocks]

Neuromorphic chips could help reverse-engineer the human brain


Neuromorphic chips could help reverse-engineer the human brain

Researchers at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich have designed a sophisticated computer system that is comparable in size, speed and energy consumption to the human brain. Based on the development of neuromorphic microchips that mimic the properties of biological neurons, the research is seen as an important step in understanding how the human brain processes information and opens the door to fast, extremely low-power electronic systems that can assimilate sensory input and perform user-defined tasks in real time

 

[ScienceRocks]

FAA clears drones for civilian use

Despite being constantly in the news, UAVs haven’t been seen much in the skies of the US except in military training areas or by law enforcement agencies. That’s beginning to change, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that is has issued operating permits for a pair of civilian unmanned aircraft to a company based in Alaska. The two unmanned aircraft are the AeroVironment Puma, which is a hand-launched, battery powered UAV that uses an electro-optical and infrared video camera for surveillance, and the other is the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle; a small, long-endurance craft based on a fish-spotting design.

Until now, the FAA has had a dim view toward issuing flying permits for civilian UAVs in the US. Except for a few for law enforcement and research purposes, the answer has been a flat “no.” According to the FAA, a ScanEagle and a Puma UAV have received restricted category type certificates that permit aerial surveillance. These permits are an extension of the authority the FAA used for acceptance of the two craft for military service

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FAA clears drones for civilian use

 

[ScienceRocks]

SkySweeper robot makes inspecting power lines easy and inexpensive (w/ Video)

Mechanical engineers at the University of California, San Diego invented a robot designed to scoot along utility lines, searching for damage and other problems that require repairs. Made of off-the-shelf electronics and plastic parts printed on an inexpensive 3D printer, the SkySweeper prototype could be scaled up for less than $1,000, making it significantly more economical than the two models of robots currently used to inspect power lines.

Read more at: SkySweeper robot makes inspecting power lines easy and inexpensive (w/ Video)

 

[ScienceRocks]

New Robot Could Fight Climate Change By Spotting Methane Leaks With Lasers

By Jeff Spross on August 6, 2013 at 10:27 am


New Robot Could Fight Climate Change By Spotting Methane Leaks With Lasers | ThinkProgress

Researchers at Orebo University in Sweden are working on a robot that can help fight climate change by spotting methane leaks in landfills. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, able to force 22 to 33 times more warming than carbon dioxide on a pound-for-pound comparison. And the impact of methane leaks from decaying garbage in landfills is under-appreciated: when correctly accounted for, landfills are the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, just behind electricity generation, transportation, and factories.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Ability to perceive minds of others emerges in robot
07 August 2013 by Celeste Biever
Magazine issue 2929. Subscribe and save
For similar stories, visit the Robots and The Human Brain Topic Guides

THE pearly white humanoid watches placidly as the woman moves a toy brick sitting on the table. Inside, iCub's imagination is running wild.

The robot is being tested for its ability to track the mental states of others. Known as theory of mind this gives humans many sophisticated traits, including empathy and deception Robots have demonstrated theory of mind before but iCub is different. Last week, at the Living Machines conference in London, researchers revealed that it is the first robot to acquire theory of mind without specific programming. "This all emerged," says Peter Dominey, leader of the research team.

Dominey is one of a band of roboticists who are showing that building with basic biological machinery – instead of ever-more complex algorithms – can endow robots with lifelike characteristics. "We can directly take advantage of the evolutionary lessons of nature," says biologist Joseph Ayers ...

Sign in to read: Ability to perceive minds of others emerges in robot - tech - 07 August 2013 - New Scientist

 

[ScienceRocks]

Building Eraser: Smart Robot Scans & Deconstructs Concrete

Whether the building is a bare-bones warehouse or five-star hotel, demolition is an equally messy business – but perhaps it does not have to be. What if demolition teams could precisely separate the component parts of the concrete forming the walls, floors and ceilings of a structure?

Building Eraser: Smart Robot Scans & Deconstructs Concrete | WebUrbanist

 

[ScienceRocks]

US researchers create robot that jumps

Researchers in the U.S. have put together a robot that can jump and climb.

That could make it particularly useful for military search missions or supply transport.

The RHex robot project at the University of Pennsylvania began about 15 years ago, when researchers at several universities began asking how robots could be able to traverse rugged terrain as well as animals do.

Legged robots, unlike wheeled ones, have the animal-like ability to overcome obstacles like stairs and ledges. But until the latest RHex, developed by engineering professor Daniel Koditschek and doctoral student Aaron Johnson, legged robots couldn't negotiate gaps in terrain any better than robots with wheels

Read more at: US researchers create robot that jumps

 

[ScienceRocks]

So much for drones being bad. LOL! RIDE THAT HORSEY!!!!



In Peru, drones used for agriculture, archeology

Drones are most often associated with assassinations in remote regions of Pakistan and Yemen but in Peru, unmanned aircraft are being used to monitor crops and study ancient ruins.

Forget Reapers and Predators—the drones used here are hand-held contraptions that look like they were assembled in a garage with gear from a hardware store.

They are equipped with a microcomputer, a GPS tracker, a compass, cameras and an altimeter, and can be easily programmed by using Google Maps to fly autonomously and return to base with vital data.

Read more at: In Peru, drones used for agriculture, archeology

 

[ScienceRocks]

Solar-Powered Unmanned Aircraft Flew 9 Consecutive Hours

An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) called the Puma AE was recently able to fly for 9 consecutive hours and 11 minutes, significantly longer than the rest of the aircrafts of this type.

According to Green Car Congress, the Puma AE is solar-powered, and it achieved this flight length using Aerovironment’s latest “long endurance” battery. This battery enables it to fly for 3 hours without solar power.

This plane is for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). It is a 13-pound aircraft that is water-resistant, can be assembled by hand in minutes, and requires no infrastructure (for example, no runways). It is currently in the research and development phase. A production version is planned for 2014. The Puma AE has even received a permit for flight in the Arctic.

Read more at Solar-Powered Unmanned Aircraft Flew 9 Consecutive Hours

 

[ScienceRocks]

Quadcopter piloted by a smartphone

The quadcopter, which was developed at TU Vienna, can negotiate its way through a room completely on its own. It does not need any human interference, and in contrast to other models, it is not assisted by any external computer. All the necessary computing power in on board; the image processing is done by a standard smartphone.

Quadcopters have become a popular toy for academic research. The small aircraft, powered by four electrical engines, are perfect for testing advanced feedback control systems, which make them fly steadily and safely. But beyond that, quadcopters are also used to test how machines can be made to perceive their environment and act autonomously.

Read more at: Quadcopter piloted by a smartphone

 

[ScienceRocks]

A personalised robot companion for older people

A highly customisable robot companion designed by EU-funded researchers to offer support to older people is currently being presented across Europe and could find its way into people's homes within two or three years, potentially greatly enhancing quality of life for older citizens and people with memory or mobility problems.

The robot, a mobile wheeled semi-humanoid figure equipped with cameras, sensors, audio and a touch screen interface, can remind users to take their medicine, suggest they have their favourite drink or prompt them to go for a walk or visit friends if they haven't been out for a while. As part of a larger smart-home environment that can include smart clothing to monitor vital signs, the system can monitor user's health and safety, and alert emergency services if something is amiss.

Read more at: A personalised robot companion for older people

 

[ScienceRocks]

Titan Aerospace readies solar-powered, long-endurance UAVs

(Phys.org) —A New Mexico company, Titan Aerospace, founded in 2012, is taking a serious step in launching unmanned aircraft that can function as satellites but at far less cost. Making news earlier this month at the Association of Unmanned Systems International (AUVSI) conference and exhibition in Washington, the company introduced its Solara 50 and Solara 60, behaving as long-endurance solar powered drones and described by the company as atmospheric satellites.

Read more at: Titan Aerospace readies solar-powered, long-endurance UAVs

 

[ScienceRocks]

'Iron Man' exoskeleton could give astronauts superhuman strength

'Iron Man' exoskeleton could give astronauts superhuman strength - NBC News.com

Astronauts could one day get a power surge from hi-tech robotic suits, like real-life versions of "Iron Man" hero Tony Stark.


That's not to suggest that spaceflyers will soon become superheroes; most of Iron Man's abilities will long remain in the realm of science fiction. But the X1 Robotic Exoskeleton, which NASA is co-developing with several partners, could give superhuman strength to people on long-duration space missions to an asteroid or Mars, or act as a "resistive device" for exercising, agency officials say.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Researchers granted patent for system that fuses human and computer intelligence

6 minutes ago by Stephanie Koons

In complex crisis situations involving military situation awareness, homeland security and other time-sensitive scenarios, teams of experts must often make difficult decisions within a narrow time frame. However, voluminous amounts of information and the complexity of distributed cognition can hamper the quality and timeliness of decision-making by human teams and lead to catastrophic consequences.