Robot Controlled by Rat Brain

Calling Dr. Frankenstein! A robotic rat controlled by a bit of real rat brain has be made by British scientists at the University of Reading, led by Professor Kevin Warwick. The robot is linked wirelessly to 300,000 neurons kept in a cabinet. When the ratbot receives signals, it turns left or right. They are now trying to teach it to get used to its surroundings to prove that memories are retained in nerve connections.

Warwick previously experimented with a silicon chip transponder that was implanted in his forearm in 1998. He then managed to operate computers, doors, lights, and heaters without moving. He even wrote a book on the subject, "I, Cyborg."

Via New Scientist Tech at "I, Cyborg."

U. of Tokyo Develops e-skin

Takao Someya and his research team at the University of Tokyo have developed a type of rubber that can conduct electricity, They say that e-skin can feel heat and pressure, like its human counterpart. The technology can be applied as a skin for robots and can stretch 1.7 times its size, but its conductivity drops by about half. The e-skin is made by grinding carbon nanotubes with an ionic liquid and adding that to rubber.

Via Physorg

UAVs Make Test Run

In a collaboration between technology firm Qinetiq and Aberystwyth University, the first robot planes recently took test flights over UK farmland. The UAVs (autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles) stayed aloft about an hour on battery power and mapped nitrogen levels in soil to decide if they needed fertilizer. Jonathan Webber of Qinetiq says, "You don't need to put pilots in a vehicle where you are only collecting data, providing you can do it safely."

Hmm. With all the recent turmoil on the planet, why do we think they may be used for other applications?

Via BBC

Robotic Help for ASD Children

Researchers believe that SARs (socially assisted robotics) can connect with autistic children better than humans. They found that those who blow bubbles, make facial expressions, and toot horns seem to increase Autism Spectrum Disorder kids in both their speech and in getting along with humans.

One study paired an ASD child with a Bubblebot, which only worked when the child pushed a button. The result was that there was more interaction than when the bot blew randomly. We think that it is teriffic when bots are used in this manner rather than just helping out the military.

Via Discovery Channel

Limbo On, Hexabot!

Partially developed by students at Nanyang Polytechnic Institute, the 6-legged spiderbot can climb stairs, squeeze into narrow places and navigate on harsh terrain. The Hexabot will be able to avoid obstacles and help rescue trapped victims or sweep minefields. When it lifts three legs it can really hustle. The video also shows it doing the limbo, most helpful when taking an exotic island cruise.

Via EE Times

Forcefeeding the GutBot

A research group at Carnegie Mellon has been working on the Gutbot, a small camera pill that is swallowed. The scientist then controls it with a wireless remote to tell it when to stop. One of the most difficult aspects of the project was to find an adhesive that would, "stick repeatedly to tissues like intestines, esophagus, stomach, heart, and kidney surfaces," said Metin Sitti, professor and principal investigator of the NanoRobotics Lab at CMU.

The result was using an oil-like liquid found on beetles' foot hairs. The Gutbot was recently shown off on animals with successful results.

Via Technology Review

Tai-robot-kun to Hit the Water

If it looks like sushi, and swims like sushi, but doesn't taste like sushi, then it is probably the University of Kitakyushu's Tai-robot-kun. The sea bream (red snapper) robofish weighs 15.4 lbs. and is covered in silicone. It propels itself silently like its real-life counterpart, at least till something larger comes around and chomps down on it.

Via Pink Tentacle

Heart Robot Displays Emotion

The Heart Robot was developed in part by Holly Cave, shown here. This plastic bot reacts to sound, touch, and those around it. It was given its name because of its visible heart that beats at different speeds. This robotic puppet was on display last week at the Antenna Gallery at London's Science Museum. This is yet another example of how scientists believe that emotions will help bridge the gap between our botty friends and humans.

Via Space Daily

H.A.L.E. Mindstorms Have a Safe Landing

We are happy to report that all the Lego Mindstorms NXT that were launched at last week's H.A.L.E. have successfully returned to the planet. While up there, each of them took pictures and performed a variety of experiments. Check the site for more images to come and to find out what else the little robotic buggers are planning.

Via Gizmodo at Lego Mindstorms NXT

ESA Robotics Challenge to Create New Lunar Vehicle

Now that NASA is thinking moon again, the ESA (European Space Agency) has created a robotics challenge to design a better vehicle. Eight university teams were selected to create a robotic rover that must move from where it lands to a crater, go into it at an incline of up to 40º, retrieve something from the bottom, come back, and must do it all remotely. Each team must maintain a web blog during the challenge.

Via Space Daily

Bob Simon Meets Robonaut

If you caught "60 Minutes" this past Sunday, then you are already familiar with the Robonaut, a NASA robot that is designed for "EVA" tasks, those not meant specifically for robots. While he has been around for a couple of years, we got to watch him go through some of his paces as he tooled around and shook hands with reporter Bob Simon, then passed him a rock. Robonaut's arm has a 2º degree of freedom wrist, and a five finger, 12º of freedom hand. If you missed it, or its original airing in April, you can catch up on the CBS site.

Via CBS

Sixth Framework Creates Empathetic Robots

Feelix Growing is developing software that allows robots to express empathy. The bot features cameras and sensors and can identify a facial expression, a voice, and an emotional state. Coordinator Dr. Lola Canamero says that, "tactile feedback and emotional feedback through positive reinforcement, such as kind words, nice behavior or helping the robot do something if it is stuck."

The Sixth Framework Program has been going on for about 3 years with researchers from from 6 countries. They are hoping that adding this trait will make robots more accepted by those that use them.

Via ICT Results

H.A.L.E. to Celebrate 10 Years of Lego Mindstorms NXT

Nevada Space Grant, Energizer, the University of Nevada-Reno and National Instruments have teamed together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
Lego Mindstorms NXT. College professors, middle school students, and Mindstorms freaks in general are planning on launching several of the bots today to collect data and explore Earth's atmosphere. All concerned are hoping to set a world record with H.A.L.E. (High Altitude Lego Extravaganza.)

The robots will be inserted into 2 weather balloons, launched outside Reno, and will go as high as 100,000 feet up. After the balloons burst, the NXTs will parachute back down to the planet.

Via Mindstorms News at Lego Mindstorms NXT

Mars Lander Turns Itself Off

This past weekend, the Mars Lander Phoenix's robotic arm received instructions to do something, but realized that it could injure itself. While it recognized the problem and tried to correct it, it was unable to do so. It shut itself down! While the NASA team sent it new instructions, they are still waiting to see if that resolves the issue. The concept of it being able to do that is almost incredulous. Maybe it will sing "Daisy" a la Hal when it is really injured.

Via PC World