Service Robots
September 2, 2010
Noelle Gives Birth, But Not Without a Fight
The latest service bot in town comes from Ohio's Wright State University and was designed for health care professionals to practice emergencies in the delivery room. Noelle complains, groans and grunts and seizes her way through childbirth, with a detachable belly cover that every woman wishes she had. The $40,000 simulator keeps track of medical statistics and lets the participants perform several different predicaments, including some with her robotic baby. Good times.
Via Dayton Daily News
August 27, 2010
Hydro-Quebec LineScout Inspects
While power line inspection robots are not a novel idea, we found this one hanging out in the Hydro-Quebec network in Canada. The LineScout is remote controlled with two joysticks and utilizes 360ยบ cameras to inspect power lines. In usage since 2006, it can maneuver around obstacles and spots exact locations by GPS. After identifying any power problems, the bot is sophisticated enough to make minor repairs.
Via cnet
August 25, 2010
Yurina Assists Bedridden
At the recent Next-Generation Robot Manufacturing Exhibition in Japan, Yurina, a home care robot, was put through its paces by first lifting patients of weights of up to 80kg and then converting itself into a wheelchair. The robotic vehicle can then be directed by voice, touch screen or controller.
Via Japan Logic (translated)
August 24, 2010
Robots Take Over Jobs
Focus magazine has shown an interesting infographic regarding robotic takeover in jobs. They predict 1.2 million of them in operation by 2013 and half by 2025, destined to replace humans in the workplace. If you study the data, you will notice that for every 1,000 workers in Japan there are 34 robots now, with predictions for more to come in the areas of auto working, food service and manufacturing.
Via Focus
August 19, 2010
Yaskawa-kun Soft Serves Ice Cream
One of the latest service bots to become employed in Japan is Yaskawa-kun, a product of the electronic and robotics company of the same name. It will be dishing up ice cream at theme park Tokyo Summerland until August 22. After placing an order, the human can watch the bot as it prepares his/her selection. It is a good thing that this is a temporary position. The robot runs so slowly that if the long lines doesn't kill the project, the melting ice cream will.
Via Robonable (translated)
August 17, 2010
NZ Bots Can Prune Winery Vines
New Zealand may soon have new helpers in its wineries. Canterbury University's Dr. Richard Green is working on a robot that can prune vines using 3D cameras to gauge distance. The target date for a working model is two years. The bot can be adapted for other industries but for now they see it as saving $20 million a year in that country.
Via PC World
August 16, 2010
Robot to Search Great Pyramid
In 1992, a robot was sent into one of the Great Pyramid of Khufu's shafts to explore its contents. Upnaut 2 found limestone doors with brass handles. National Geographic sent in a drilling bot sometime later and discovered a second door. Now Leeds University's Dr. Robert Richardson has planned a third excursion that will probably take about 5 years to complete. By the end the drillbot, equipped with camera, may discover lost secrets in the Queen's chamber.
Via Independent
August 4, 2010
Cimcorp Adopts RMT Robotics
Although it is located in Canada, the Finland-based Cimcorp Oy is now the proud owner of RMT Robotics. While both companies manufacture material handling systems with gantry technology, Cimcorp believes the merger will better serve warehouse, distribution and food and beverage markets. RMT will remain in Toronto under its present name.
(Thanks, Kathryn)
Via Cimcorp
August 3, 2010
Go to Work With Anybots QB
Join the telepresence robot set with Anybots' QB. The bot is controlled via your PC and features a 5 megapixel camera, speaker, microphone, WiFi connectivity and a whopping 3.5 mph speed. Be one of the first to pre-order one for $15,000 and become part of the official 100 Club. Membership entitles you to a signed, numbered QB, access to the launch party and Anybots updates.
Via Anybots
August 2, 2010
Service Bots Taking Over Tokyo
Helpful service bots were featured at a recent expo in Tokyo. Participants included Chapit, a robot that can answer questions and crack jokes, the Personal Mobility Robot that has four cams and a sensor to help humans move around and DiGRO, an advanced helpbot that can draw pictures for kids that it finds on the Internet. Japan's latest estimate is that by 2050, 40% of its population will be over 65 so expect those service bots to be frequent companions.
Via Reuters India
July 27, 2010
Pancake Tossing Bot Uses Reinforced Learning
Mmmm, pancakes. An Italian Institute of Technology team paired a Barrett WAM robotic arm and a simulated pancake in an effort to teach it to toss. While the video shows it to be almost an exercise in futility, it finally gets the hang of it. To further prove reinforced learning, team leader Sylvain Calinon also taught it to iron.
Via Sylvain Calinon
July 26, 2010
Softbots Ape Caterpillars
The scientific explanation may be a bit dry and complicated, but the gist of the story is that Virginia Tech is developing "softbots," robots that move similarly to Manduca sexta caterpillars. They "gut slide" to move forward as it turns out that their legs are not doing the walking. Future applications may include search-and-rescue or even internal travel in a human.
Via Current Biology
July 20, 2010
DLR Robonots to Repair Satellites
DLR's German Aerospace Center has developed a telepresence robot to repair satellites in space. About the size of a human, Justin has extremely sensitive fingers and stereoscopic vision to accomplish this. The head of the project, Alin Albu-Schaffer, sees a future that teams the humans and robonauts together. Although there is no target date for launch, it gives some lucky controllers the chance to vicariously hang out in space.
Via DLR
July 14, 2010
EPFL Spy Cam Sticks to Surfaces
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne has developed a spy system for vehicles with cameras that can attach themselves to walls, trees, or other surfaces. Mirko Kovac demonstrated the system that can not only be used on various sizes of flyers, they can be placed on hoppers as well. Usage could include checking out catastrophic conditions and searching for damage victims.
Via EPFL (translated)
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