My primary inspiration for the design was [1]. The source does not provide many details of the mechanical construction and dimensions so I had to experiment but it wasn’t hard. The drawing of my final design is below. The dimensions depend on the size of the servos used. I used standard size servos which yields robot about 12 cm long and 9 cm wide. It would be interesting to use smaller servos and make a tiny “spider” robot.
I choose to develop my own controller board instead of using a commercial one, such as BasicX. This was mainly because of my desire to get some experience with Atmel microcontrollers and also to cut down the price. Typical controller costs about 100 USD while the Atmel Tiny 2313 MCU costs about 4 dollars and with all the other parts the price of the board is still below 15 USD.
Basic theory
Don’t worry, I don’t like theory any more than you do, so this will be just brief description of the things you could find helpful.
The servos
Servo is used primarily in radio controlled models (airplanes, cars, ships etc.) but they are also very popular in robotics. The advantage is wide choice of sizes and strengths, low price and easy control with microcontrollers. There are tiny servos weighting some 5 grams but also huge ones with metal gears able to lift several kilograms on its lever.
Cheapest servo can be obtained for about $10 and for our purpose it will suffice. The prototype robot uses Hitec HS300 servos which are about 10 years old, have served their duty in various radio controlled airplanes and survived several crashes, yet they still work very well. From today’s market Hitec HS311 can be a good choice, but you can also use any of the less-known brands without problem.
Important servo parameters are:
Suppy voltage – 5 V (max 6V for some types), required current is about 1A
Strength – given in N . cm, for standard size servo typically 30 N . cm.
Speed - given in degrees per second, typically about 0,15 s for 60 degree travel
Standard size servo is 40x20x36 mm and weights about 50 grams. There is cable with 3 strands, usually red (+), black (ground) and yellow or orange (signal for the servo).
Position of the servo lever is controlled by input signal which should have frequency of 50 Hz and pulses with length between 1 and 2 ms. change of the pulse length changes the position of the servo lever. See the picture:
The mechanical calculations for the servos in this kind of robot can be found in [1]. For me it was sufficient to find out that the robot with 10 years old servos walks. How long the servos will survive is a different question, but it doesn’t seem to me that they would be overloaded when the robot is walking.
- Design of the robot
How to Design a Robot
Robots have long captured our imagination. They have taken on many forms over the years. However, working robots are normally designed not as a multitasking device that resembles a human being, but a device that is created to perform one or two specific tasks with a high degree of efficiency. If you are handy with electronics and want to try your hand at designing your own robot to handle some simple task, here are some ideas on how to do just that
Instructions
Basic Knowledge of Electronics
Step1:
Define the function or functions that the robot will perform. Knowing what the device is to accomplish is the first step in determining what elements must go into the design. For example, a robot that is expected to pick up objects will need to be designed with an arm mechanism. A robot that is expected to sweep or vacuum will require some type of wheels or locomotion mechanism to move across the floor.
Step 2:
Create a rough sketch of the robot’s exterior. The design does not have to be perfect at this point. A rough sketch will serve as the basis for the general look of the device that you can refine as you move deeper into the project.
Step 3;
Determine the internal components that will necessary to make the robot operational. This may include circuit boards, wiring, and various other components. Compile a list on a notepad of the necessary components and how they would relate to one another. Knowing what you need for the internal workings will make it easier to determine how big the body of the robot will have to be in order to include all necessary elements.
Step 4:
Address the layout of the interior components for the robot. The placement of components may be influenced by some of the exterior features. If the robot is equipped with red flashing eyes, then the circuitry and sockets for the small bulbs will need to be placed in line with the location of the eyes on the exterior of the device. Determining the placement of interior components can usually be done by creating cross section drawings of the components within an exposed area of the outer shell of the shell.
Step 5:
Enhance the exterior of the robot. Once the interior components are placed, you can begin to determine the color scheme and any esthetic elements that will work along with the functionality of the final design.
Step 6:
Develop the working blueprint for the robot. Using the sketches and the list of components, begin to create the blueprints for the creation of the shell, all exterior features such as arms or sensor lights, and also the exact layout and connectivity between the internal components. The blueprints will provide the basis for the purchase of necessary materials to build the robot based on your design
The Uncanny Design of Robot Heads
While theories of the “uncanny valley” are debatable (see Hanson’s “Upending the Uncanny Valley” , the quest for human-like androids and automatons continue to compel their designers. At Carnegie-Mellon University’s anthropomorphism.org, I found an interesting early study of robot head design that shows how these designers sometimes make choices about when to make robots anthropomorphic (human-like), and when to avoid such resemblance.
In “All Robots Are Not Created Equal,” by Carl F. DiSalvo (et. al, 2002), analyzes the human perception of the humanoid robot head in alarming detail, from the length between the top of the head and the browline, to the diameter of the eyeball, to the distance between pupils. The researchers want to know: how human should a robot head be, and is this contingent upon the context in which they are employed? Their study suggests that eyes, mouth, ears and nose — in that order — seem to be the most important traits for us to perceive the “humanness” in a machine. But the most interesting conclusion they draw, in my view, is that the more servile and industrial the robot, the less we want to perceive its resemblance to us. Thus, not all robots are created equal: “consumer” robots often are purposely more “robotic-looking” (mechanical) in design, since they often perform servitude and routine functions that would crush the spirit of any real human, while others — especially “fictional” — robots are often the most human-like of all, reflecting our projected fantasies for them as “characters.” Desalvo and crew propose that the following elements of robot design would create the ideal “human-like” robot:
1. wide head, wide eyes
2. features that dominate the face
3. complexity and detail in the eyes
4. four or more features
5. skin
6. humanistic form language
To what degree is our notion of the “double” located on the head, the face and its various features? Freud’s classic itinerary of uncanny traits include doll’s eyes and language, and I would suggest that the more the traits listed above appear in a doppelganger, the more uncanny that double might be. The role of the uncanny valley is at work here, and while it not directly addressed in DiSalvo’s article, it’s worth considering the degree to which the factor of increasing “likeness” in robot head design follows the x-axis of the classic uncanny valley:
Mori's 'Uncanny Valley' Schematic
It is useful to consider not only the “uncanny” in this chart, but the way that that assumptions about use value and instrumentality lie behind its structure. There is a politics of self/othering at work in this schema that is rarely discussed. One of the fundamental principles of the Uncanny as it is classically understood in aesthetics is that, symbolically, the “double” is a harbinger of death for the subject that perceives it. This is a complicated notion, but on one level what this means is that when the self perceives itself as disembodied and located in another entity — through its mirror image — we unconsciously recognize how “replaceable” we are and this is felt as uncanny. We do not only respond, typically, with fear: we also feel compelled to separate the Self from the Other as a form of protection against the threat that the Other presents. A power relationship transpires: the psyche construes a hierarchical separation that institutes the Self in a higher subject position than the Other, in order to retain its sense of mastery over identity. The Other is subjugated into a lower position. While it is “harmless” in fiction, this is also a dream that reproduces the politics of everyday life.
There is a generalized fear of robots and other forms of artificial intelligence “replacing” mankind; we see it everywhere in science fiction, but it is also a very real threat to the labor force. Robot design participates in a self/othering dynamic that domesticates these anxieties. Could the uncanny valley be a symptom of class conflict as much as some organic reaction formation? I think so.
Scientists design first robot using mould
Researchers have received a Leverhulme Trust grant to develop the amorphous non-silicon biological robot, plasmobot, using plasmodium, the vegetative stage of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum, a commonly occurring mould which lives in forests, gardens and most damp places in the UK. The Leverhulme Trust funded research project aims to design the first every fully biological (no silicon components) amorphous massively-parallel robot.
This project is at the forefront of research into unconventional computing. Professor Andy Adamatzky, who is leading the project, says their previous research has already proved the ability of the mould to have computational abilities.
Professor Adamatzky explains, “Most people's idea of a computer is a piece of hardware with software designed to carry out specific tasks. This mould, or plasmodium, is a naturally occurring substance with its own embedded intelligence. It propagates and searches for sources of nutrients and when it finds such sources it branches out in a series of veins of protoplasm. The plasmodium is capable of solving complex computational tasks, such as the shortest path between points and other logical calculations. Through previous experiments we have already demonstrated the ability of this mould to transport objects. By feeding it oat flakes, it grows tubes which oscillate and make it move in a certain direction carrying objects with it. We can also use light or chemical stimuli to make it grow in a certain direction.
“This new plasmodium robot, called plasmobot, will sense objects, span them in the shortest and best way possible, and transport tiny objects along pre-programmed directions. The robots will have parallel inputs and outputs, a network of sensors and the number crunching power of super computers. The plasmobot will be controlled by spatial gradients of light, electro-magnetic fields and the characteristics of the substrate on which it is placed. It will be a fully controllable and programmable amorphous intelligent robot with an embedded massively parallel computer.”
This research will lay the groundwork for further investigations into the ways in which this mould can be harnessed for its powerful computational abilities.
Professor Adamatzky says that there are long term potential benefits from harnessing this power, “We are at the very early stages of our understanding of how the potential of the plasmodium can be applied, but in years to come we may be able to use the ability of the mould for example to deliver a small quantity of a chemical substance to a target, using light to help to propel it, or the movement could be used to help assemble micro-components of machines. In the very distant future we may be able to harness the power of plasmodia within the human body, for example to enable drugs to be delivered to certain parts of the human body. It might also be possible for thousands of tiny computers made of plasmodia to live on our skin and carry out routine tasks freeing up our brain for other things. Many scientists see this as a potential development of amorphous computing, but it is purely theoretical at the moment.”
More information: Professor Adamatzky has recently edited and had published by Springer, 'Artificial Life Models in Hardware' aimed at students and researchers of robotics. The book focuses on the design and real-world implementation of artificial life robotic devices and covers a range of hopping, climbing, swimming robots, neural networks and slime mould and chemical brains.
Panasonic will debut in 2010 its robotics business
Panasonic has decided to enter the business of a robot robotic dispensing of medicines. The team will begin shipping worldwide in March 2010 in Japanese hospitals and, later, will be marketed in the U.S. and Europe. As explained yesterday, company spokesman Akira Kadota, "the humanoid robot is, rather, resembles a small wardrobe with several drawers.
The multinational, based in Osaka, said through a statement that the robot, which individually distribute medicines to patients, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that its aim is to reach $ 315 million (226 million euros) in annual sales of such machines in 2016.
Japan has one of the world's leading robotics industry and the government promotes the development of this sector as an engine of economic growth. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has drafted a formal plan for the robots to fully assimilate into Japanese society in 2025. This includes support for the creation of this market, which by 2015 will mean about 20,000 million.
Space Competition 2010 - News of robotics and robots
Space Competition 2010
Called the Space Contest 2010 by INTA (National Institute of Aerospace Technology). One method is Space Robotics: Building a robot with capabilities for tracking? Victims? and dodging obstacles on a stage espacial.Un summary of the bases: * Dates: School year 2009-2010. * Subject: Satellite navigation. * Target group: undergraduate students of ESO, Middle Level Training Cycles and Bachelor of any school in Spain. * Deadline: Entries must be submitted between 1 January and 28 February 2010. * Team: Work will be performed by teams of three or four students and a teacher or tutor. * Categories: There will be two categories: one for students of second year of secondary students and one for intermediate training cycles and high school. * Methods: Robotic space, research, experimentation, narrative-comics and animation.
ABB - TR 5002 Painting Robots with C5.3 control
ABB - TR 5002 Painting Robots with C5.3 control
ABB, Painting, robots, industrial, global, robots, IRB, TR, painting
Specification
Control:C5.3
Capacity:Hollow wrist suitable for 2 spray guns
Reach:
Price:£28,000 GBP for NON EX
£28,500 GBP for EX
Notes : These TR 5002 Painting robots by ABB are in fantastic condition having been fully stripped down checked and refurbished buy our experienced, ex-ABB staff. Currently in NON EX specification they can be easily modified to full EX specification and approved to all European standards if needed.
EX Robots have a pressurised air system that prevents the ingress of harmful and potentially explosive solvents into the robot arm. This means that they are suitable for Zone 1 or Zone 2 installations. NON EX robots that use water based paints do not require the EX specification but still offer all the benifits of a specialised painting robot.
Contact Global Robots Ltd
Return to our stock list of used industrial robots
©2004 Global Robots Ltd.
ABB - IRB4400 M94A S4 Robot
ABB - IRB4400 M94A S4 Robot
The ABB 4400 S4 robot is one of the most sought after on the used market. There are two main reasons for this, firstly they are not used in large numbers in the automotive industry and secondly they are ideal for many medium capacity/reach applications. The 4400 has a small footprint, excellent speed and flexibility with a great combination of reach and capacity. The S4 controller gives stability and simplicity while providing excellent path following and accuracy.
The 4400 can be used in many applications including pick and place, machine tending, grinding, welding, de-burring, trimming, and sealing. For complete specifications and advice on choosing a robot please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email.
Specification
Control:S4
Capacity:45kg
Reach:1.95m
Price:£10,000 GBP
Contact Global Robots Ltd
Return to our stock list of used industrial robots
©2006 Global Robots Ltd.
Toyota creates a robot that plays the violin
The automaker Toyota intends to market by 2010 several robots able to perform all kinds of practical tasks. Their latest development are two automata: one can play the violin and the other is designed to help people with mobility problems.
Toyota says that to achieve its goal to commercialize robots for everyday tasks you plan to put to work in this field to 200 engineers over the next three years. He also built a factory specifically for these devices, which will be ready next year.In a demonstration held today, the Japanese company has taught a robot that measures five feet and shaped like a humanoid. What sets him apart from other robots is that it is capable of playing music with a violin. It is not your first robot musician, as developed in the past and another who played the trumpet.
It also showed a robot designed to help people with mobility problems in short transport. Looks like a motorized wheelchair.
The humanoid robot Nao 53 cm high made by Aldebaran Robotics
The humanoid robot Nao 53 cm high made by Aldebaran Robotics, has been a hit with fans of robots participating in RoboCup, the annual challenge of humanoid robots that play a football game.Nao, developed by the French company is replacing the Sony Aibo dog as a standard platform for the contest last year and has helped boost the popularity of the event among a select group of enthusiasts.
But this robot still has a ways to go before reaching the public at large.
The robot is fully programmable and is packed with features. With the humanoid can be adapted to many tasks and comes with an AMD x86 geocoding in 500 Mhz CPU, 1GB of flash memory, 256MB of SDRAM, two speakers, vision processing capabilities, Wi -fi connectivity and Ethernet port.
The robot has 25 degrees of freedom, which means it can do more than nod, look left and right and give a series of steps. This machine makes it very attractive for researchers and robotics enthusiasts who want to have a blank slate-robot and program themselves, says Chris Kilner, software engineer Aldebaran Robotics, a company based in Paris.
It is also the reason that Aldebaran is working to create a website for exchange of different behaviors that programs written to manipulate the robot.
Aldebaran has manufactured a little over 100 robots, since it launched in April. However, robots have been limited to research laboratories and universities. The next year, the company expects to expand its distribution to some early adopters. However, for general users, it is unlikely that you can get one before 2010, as the company tries to create a version that will appeal to consumers in general and larger-scale manufacturing.
Priced at $ 10,000 seems out of reach for most anyway
Space Competition 2010 - News of robotics and robots
Space Competition 2010
Called the Space Contest 2010 by INTA (National Institute of Aerospace Technology). One method is Space Robotics: Building a robot with capabilities for tracking? Victims? and dodging obstacles on a stage espacial.Un summary of the bases: * Dates: School year 2009-2010. * Subject: Satellite navigation. * Target group: undergraduate students of ESO, Middle Level Training Cycles and Bachelor of any school in Spain. * Deadline: Entries must be submitted between 1 January and 28 February 2010. * Team: Work will be performed by teams of three or four students and a teacher or tutor. * Categories: There will be two categories: one for students of second year of secondary students and one for intermediate training cycles and high school. * Methods: Robotic space, research, experimentation, narrative-comics and animation.
Honda's ASIMO robot controlled with the mind
The Research Institute of Honda has announced that it has just developed the latest version of ASIMO, the company famous robot that can dance, run or even guide people. This version is now equipped with so-called Brain Machine Interface (BMI ), which allows the robot to be directed with the mind. Works with a headset that gets measure brain activity and send signals to the machine. So, to move the robot only need to put the helmet and think about the movement we want to do. Now, the height of laziness. You can see some pictures and a video after the jump.
Honda launches new robot Asimo
Honda has presented its new model society of humanoid robot Asimo, which you see in the picture illustrating the story.
There are many advances that offers:
New features to function in social environments like an office, but can interact with people.
Speed of 6 km / h and 2.7 running on foot.
You can walk hand in hand with a person.
Know to carry objects using a cart.
Thus, Asimo can function in almost work as a receptionist or tour guide.
History of Honda Robots: ASIMO project to E0
Since the Czech writer Karel Capek in 1921 coined the term 'robot' in his play RUR (Rossum's Universal Robots), the evolution of the androids, their usefulness and the place would fill a medium-term future has led to inflamed discussions and has held thousands of pages in numerous books and essays on science fiction.
Almost all the works bet because robots would become part of our lives in a relatively short period of time and were almost done that in the early twenty-first century could be used to perform the toughest jobs and complicated but also for other more how to perform everyday shopping or walking the dog. Unfortunately, their estimates have run into the harsh reality: the evolution of robots is still very slow and costly.
If there is a company that has invested in the development and improvement of the technology needed to create androids has been Honda. Today we all know the ASIMO, a humanoid robot can run, climb stairs, recognize faces of their owners and even perform some simple task, but it should be remembered that this is the fruit of two decades of research that had their beginning in 1986.
It was in that year that Honda created the E0, a very rudimentary prototype biped 5 seconds needed to complete one step and that it lacked the human aspect of that is showing ASIMO, but that was the basis on which cemented further developments.
Searching on the net I just found a video containing images of this model. The lighting is very poor and poor image quality, but gives you an idea of what the E0:
The next generation of robots was formed by the models E1, E2 and E3, developed between 1987 and 1991. This is the aspect that had these three models:
The E1 was able to walk at 0.25 km / h, leading to discern a certain distinction of movement between both legs. Meanwhile, in E2 the Japanese manufacturer was one step further by creating the first model that simulated more or less realistic human walking, although he could only reach 1.2 km / h. This was achieved with the E3, aesthetic improvements that besides making it more pleasing to the eye, I could walk at 3 km / h, the same speed that we develop when we walk.
Honda introduced the second generation of the robot Asimo
Third-largest carmaker, known for his groundbreaking robotic technology, on Tuesday introduced the second generation of Asimo can also push a cart weighing up to 10 kilos, walking straight, sideways or backwards with it. With more joints and flexibility of movement, Asimo can also grip and carry a tray of drinks, and deposit it safely on the table. Demonstrating the latest tricks with video images, Honda introduced the robot than 130 cm tall addressing a mock visitor by name and showing the conference room, while maintaining a steady and natural distance from the guest.
"Welcome, Sato-san," Asimo said, bowing as mandated by the Japanese label.
Preprogrammed visitor's name, place of meeting and other data in an integrated circuit card bearing the visitor upon arrival, a worker can remotely send commands to Asimo, which will pick them up through a reader of the integrated circuit card. After seemingly simple tasks are a large number of advanced sensors, voice and image recognition and other technologies that Honda says it will apply to its automotive business to improve safety and other aspects.
The droid can also run twice as fast (6 kilometers per hour) that the prototype unveiled last December. Honda said it would begin using the new Asimo in research and development unit in Wako, near Tokyo, from spring 2006. Finally will be available for rent.
Robots to assist physicians in the U.S. experiment
The robots operate primarily as a sort of mobile video communications, allowing patients and doctors communicate with each other. However, eventually, will help health services to address millions of people taking their medicines and dinner to the sick, and even temperature, pulse and blood to them.
"This technology allows professionals to assist health services to persons residing in remote locations in far less time and reduce delays in medical care in health centers," said Loren Shook, CEO of Silverado Senior Living Company , which is set up to assist people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. At the clinic operating in the town of Silverado Calabasas, in the U.S. state of California is conducting the test of a robot made by InTouch Health Company, which is designed to allow real time communications, person to person, between doctors and patients, and even between patients and their families.
The mobile robot, called "Companion" (guest) has placed a video camera that films the patient's face while the doctor treating you or the nurse assigned to the patient appears on a television screen placed in the "head" of the robot. The device, controlled by a console located in another area of the hospital, using a program and a wireless Internet, banda ancha, to allow the patient and the physician or nurse to see and talk directly with one another.
When approaching his death, people affected by Alzheimer's disease in an advanced stage have lost almost a third of their brain, which significantly hamper their ability to understand many things, especially if they are new to them. However, patients in the clinic Silverado seem to have welcomed the robot. "When one gets older, it is much harder to adapt to change," Shook said, admitting that their initial concerns were that the robot might frighten some people.
"To our delight, some patients reported to the robot and started to laugh. Others called him and wanted to know his name," he explained. The device is being used by other experts at the headquarters of Silverado in San Juan Capistrano, California, to train workers in the clinics to provide help to patients with motor problems such as difficulty walking.
Scarce resources in the health sector.
"The goal is to extend the reach of health services. A shortage of nurses and cuts in government reimbursements are eroding and the system will still worse," said Yulun Wang, executive director of the company and founder of InTouch Computer Motion Inc., which makes robotic systems used in surgery procedures. The American Association of Retired Persons predicted that by 2010, the number of people in that category in the U.S. will be around 40 million and 70 million by 2030.
"Compared with 50 years ago, people can expect to live 15 years longer, but at the same time the costs of health care for the elderly continue to rise," said Wang, who believes that robots offer a solution that leverages the latest technology, linking it to the Internet to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the system. However, some key aspects such as how a doctor can attend to a patient through the robot, rather than in person-have yet to be determined accurately.
"We anticipate that the robot will pay what it costs far," said Shook, arguing that the use of the device will reduce the costs of travel and the need for doctors visits made to emergency services, as well as improved training of medical staff . Robot pushing a wheelchair technology is still in a stage of development, said Wang "First there will be only communication, but the second will be the ability of handling. Eventually, the robot must be able to manipulate objects such as a wheelchair, and even be used in private residences," he said.
The "Companion" have not yet received approval from the Food and Drug Administration of United States (FDA), but the company believes it eventually will and considers the risks that the Robots mistakes or malfunctions are rare. Executives stressed that the company that manufactured the "Companion" uses the same technology as that used robots to perform surgery, and recalled that they have worked impeccably.
An important aspect to be resolved is how to affect patients being treated from a distance and how much lower the quality of health services that the physician is not present to respond to a patient. Remote treatment also presents the question whether physicians are more likely to fail to perceive symptoms that could be important to detect a specific disorder and, being near the patient, could be seen more clearly.
The United States will send robot soldiers to Iraq
The Pentagon has a new weapon to confront the bloody war in Iraq, which left over 1,300 dead American soldiers, the first squadron of armed robots.
After several tests, the U.S. military ordered the displacement of 18 robotic vehicles operated remote control, equipped with machine guns, wheels off, and zoom cameras with night vision binoculars, allowing them to be used both day and night and under any weather conditions.
When you begin to be used in two or three months, will become the first robot of its kind to enter battle in a long list of technology projects that the U.S. armed forces are developing to wage the battles of tomorrow with mixed armies of soldiers and war machines.
"This is the beginning of a profound transformation in our armed forces," said proud La Nacion, Anthony Sebast, associate director of the Engineering Center Army Armament and Technology in New Jersey. "This is not to create robots to replace automata our soldiers, but of supplements to enhance the effectiveness and level of survival of our troops on the ground. "
Already known as Swords (acronym for Special Weapons Systems for Observation, Recognition and Detection), armed robots are in fact an adaptation of the Talon, the machines known to deactivate bombs that the Pentagon used since 2000 in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But in this case, instead of a mechanical arm, the Swords ( "swords" in English) are mounted M240 and M249 machine guns, four cameras and a pair of binoculars night, allowing them to be used in the dark.
"The idea came from the soldiers in Afghanistan and should inspect caves without knowing what they might find inside," said La Nacion Bob Quinn, manager of the company Foster-Miller, creator of the Talon, which worked with the army for designing this new robot armed.
In comparison with the human soldiers, these robots have much better aim, and firing from a stable platform and use an electronic watch. "This eliminates most of the errors that have shot the soldiers," said Sebast, adding that the robots are capable also of traversing obstacles such as rocks, sand, deep water and not to fire. For now, the Swords, operating with a lithium battery that provides a range of four hours, can operate at a maximum distance of 800 meters of the person who commands by remote control, but is expected soon to increase the radius of action .
Is also working to alleviate the control console, which weighs 15 kilos, and replace the screen and handles currently works with a sort of virtual reality equipment, with a joystick-style electronic games, provided blinkers on with viewers. As much of the technology was already developed, the price of Swords is very reasonable for this type of weapon: about $ 200,000. The company Foster-Miller, however, think further reduce its cost.
"We are taking a very big service to our men and women in uniform to provide greater protection," noted patriotic tone Quinn, adding that since the robots were presented last weekend, has received numerous e-mails of thanks relatives of soldiers in Iraq. "I told the Marines that this invention represents an invisible suit that will allow them to move to safer ground enemy," he said.
More lethal
Most likely in the near future Swords become even more deadly for the enemy. Another deadly arsenal of weapons has already been tested and is awaiting final approval from the Pentagon. "We know we can count on the Swords to mount them on launchers, rockets and firebombs, as well as the precision weapons used by snipers," said Sebast. Beyond advances mean that this new robot, its use presents new risks.
What ensures that one of these machines do not become "crazy" and start shooting indiscriminately? What if you fall into enemy hands? Sebast acknowledged that further work is in several security features to prevent the weapon that takes the robot can be fired by mistake.
For starters, if at any time the device loses communication with its operator, it turns off and remains in "safe" without firing.
"It is important to emphasize that the Swords will never running alone, always has to be a soldier at a distance to operate. It will become murderers," said the official automata Center Armaments Engineering and Technology army. But , falling into enemy hands, the risk that the rifle being used against us are still the same as any other weapon. "
The Swords are just one of many technological projects in which the Pentagon is working to robotic battlefield. Together with Applied Perception, is developing a robot ambulance, call now Robotic Extraction Vehicle, to rid the area of combat wounded soldiers.
Moreover, with Lockheed Martin Corp. is working on combat vehicles, high speed, while the Agency Advanced Research Projects of the Department of Defense (Darpa) has prototypes of bombers, tanks and mines unmanned intelligent move the battlefield.
The robots learn from insects
The investigation of animal behavior, most notably one of the most popular insects to humans, bees, provides data that serve to advance the design of robots and computers. In a feedback, a new computer vision system that automatically analyzes the movement of bees in a hive, accelerate research and expand knowledge about the world of insects.
The system of analysis of animal movement is part of a project called BioTracking, an effort led by robotics researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, led by Tucker Balch, an assistant professor of computing. "We believe that the language of behavior is common to animals and robots," said Balch. "This means that, potentially, could record videos of ants for a long period of time, learn what their 'agenda' and make it work on a robot."
Social insects like ants and bees are an example of the existence of a strong and successful large-scale behavior, which arises from the interaction of many simple individuals, Balch explained. This behavior can offer ideas on how to organize a cooperative colony of robots capable of performing complex operations.
To get faster to the understanding of such behavior, Balch's team developed a computer vision system that automates the analysis of the movement, an arduous and time-consuming computing. Researchers are using the system to analyze data on the sequential movements that encode information. In bees, for example, are used to locate distant sources of food. Balch research presented at the Second International Workshop on Mathematics and Algorithms of Social Insects 16 to December 17 at Georgia Tech
The system, which has an accuracy of 81.5 percent, it can automatically analyze the movement of bees and label them based on examples provided by human experts. This level of accuracy in labeling is high enough to allow researchers to build a system to accurately determine the behavior of a bee from its sequence, Balch explained.
Some bees were marked with bright colors and recorded videos of 15 minutes. The monitoring program of the vision system translates the movements of bees marked in sets of coordinates X, Y. Then a researcher selects some data segments that are used as examples of movements for the automatic analysis.
The robots learn from insects
The investigation of animal behavior, most notably one of the most popular insects to humans, bees, provides data that serve to advance the design of robots and computers. In a feedback, a new computer vision system that automatically analyzes the movement of bees in a hive, accelerate research and expand knowledge about the world of insects.
The system of analysis of animal movement is part of a project called BioTracking, an effort led by robotics researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, led by Tucker Balch, an assistant professor of computing. "We believe that the language of behavior is common to animals and robots," said Balch. "This means that, potentially, could record videos of ants for a long period of time, learn what their 'agenda' and make it work on a robot."
Social insects like ants and bees are an example of the existence of a strong and successful large-scale behavior, which arises from the interaction of many simple individuals, Balch explained. This behavior can offer ideas on how to organize a cooperative colony of robots capable of performing complex operations.
To get faster to the understanding of such behavior, Balch's team developed a computer vision system that automates the analysis of the movement, an arduous and time-consuming computing. Researchers are using the system to analyze data on the sequential movements that encode information. In bees, for example, are used to locate distant sources of food. Balch research presented at the Second International Workshop on Mathematics and Algorithms of Social Insects 16 to December 17 at Georgia Tech
The system, which has an accuracy of 81.5 percent, it can automatically analyze the movement of bees and label them based on examples provided by human experts. This level of accuracy in labeling is high enough to allow researchers to build a system to accurately determine the behavior of a bee from its sequence, Balch explained.
Some bees were marked with bright colors and recorded videos of 15 minutes. The monitoring program of the vision system translates the movements of bees marked in sets of coordinates X, Y. Then a researcher selects some data segments that are used as examples of movements for the automatic analysis.
Insect eyes will look at a man on Mars
An aircraft with the weight of a chocolate bar might someday move quickly on the surface of Mars with the agility of a dragonfly and the vision of a bee.
A group of Australian scientists says it has developed equipment for navigation and flight control based on research conducted in several types of insects. The resulting sensors are so small they can be placed in "microaeronaves" which only weigh about 75 grams.
The team of researchers from the National University of Australia beat NASA in a test flight of a prototype last week, and the U.S. space agency agreed to help finance future work.
The aim is to use technology in a mission in 2007 to explore the red planet for rocky structure of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system, with more than 3,000 kilometers long and eight kilometers deep.
"Despite their small brains, insects such as dragonflies are capable of rapid and precise aerial maneuvers that require stability and avoid collisions, said Tuesday Javaan Singh Chahl, Lab Vision Biorrobótica of the university. The enormous structures as Valles Marineris, more than 10 times the Canyon of Colorado in all its dimensions, can only be observed from inside. An aircraft should do. "
Scientists have developed a model electronic ocelli, each eye is a simple compound eye of insects, dragonflies, bees, grasshoppers.The ocelli measured the distribution of ultraviolet and green light to maintain flight level, a response to the problem of stable flight in the atmosphere of Mars ultraleve.
Scientists also programmed computers to avoid collisions, like bees to use the apparent speed of objects to determine distance.
A swarm of miniaeronaves
"The ocelli must weigh no more than a few hundred milligrams, and the sensor to avoid collisions could weigh about five grams," said Chahl. These small sensors allow many small aircraft as light as about 75 grams, to be transported the surface of Mars. "
The bees could also provide a solution to the navigation on Mars, where there is no magnetic field. The bees use a combination of polarized patterns in the sky, sites used as signals and the distance traveled to navigate.
Chahl said they expected to include a navigation sensor operation in its next test model, scheduled for 2003, with a final test of its miniature aircraft to be held next year. NASA's contribution will be $ 310,000. But the project already has funding from the Australian Defense Organization for Science and Technology (DSTO in English), who gave the initial funds in 1996, and the U.S. Agency for Defense and Advanced Research (in English DARPA), which began to contribute to mid-1999.
Chahl said propulsion mechanisms and platforms for microaeronaves were developed by NASA.
Flower Robotics: robots that evoke emotions Tatsuya Matsui
People let us be guided by our senses, that there is no doubt. Touched the cold metal and I found it far from our nature. Straight lines are alien to us, accustomed to the harmony of the curves. Empty eyes are a sign not of life, death or dementia. And if you ever intend robots win our hearts, be a more in our lives, must be according to our standards of humanity. Tatsuya Matsui knows this, and it works.
Surely you have a blender in your home, or a microwave oven. You use a blender to make juices and rich the microwave to heat the pizza you on the night before. Functions that, while not vital to your life, we will simplify it. But when the microwave stops heating the pizza you will not be welcomed. It is their role to do, what to buy that. It is a lifeless thing. In any case, thanks to your partner, if you prepare the pizza or the hot juice in the morning. Your partner is alive, do not buy into any business of home furnishings and it is not their role to make breakfast. We thank you because it makes you a favor.
If you ever try to make robots part of our life, be a more family will have to demonstrate not only that are more useful than a blender, but that they are one thing, something purchased, manufactured in series. Should issue life not just intelligence. But here the heterogeneous problem. The robots will never be living, at least not as we know it.
Fortunately (or not), it can create the illusion of life. Why ... How do you know that your partner is alive after all? Surely not opened to check for organs, blood and a beating heart. You just know he has it. Because walking is alive, because it breathes, emits heat, laugh, eat ... In short, it makes everything a person should live.
And here we fall into another problem in the design of robots. You can not imitate life. Attempts have been made have failed as a result so shocking. Something that looks like a human, but it is not ... is simply disturbing. Our intuition tells us that something is wrong and reject the idea. So, is it possible that a life without having something to look human? Well, of course, your cat does! And your cat does not speak, neither is going to work every morning. It is, quite simply, a cat. And, therefore, unless it is stiff and hard as wood, is alive. You know, period.
So, how we perceive life? According Tatsuya Matsui, something alive is something that generates and evoke emotions. Your microwave oven did not love you crazy, do not be sad, nor full of joy. Your cat and your partner together. Matsui believes that anything that generates excitement, you can (there is a possibility) be interpreted as something alive. Or at least that'll give you one chance that would otherwise not have. Typical Eastern philosophy, after all.
And here comes the most interesting, Matsui believes that the strongest feelings come from the weakness of others, his gentleness, beauty and need for protection. So, of course, he called his company Flower Robotics. Nothing more beautiful and delicate flower. Following this logic, it is not uncommon for one of its most beloved robots Posy is a robotita, white, pretty, bright and tender. And yes, I say, not robotita robot because its image evokes many things, so as not to treat it as an inanimate object. Posy is an attempt to "express the world view of a pure child of 3 years and completely change the atmosphere around it." Posy, can only prepare flowers and to extend the visit. But that is for him to fall over a nice and beautiful. And one knows it is a robot, can not have life. But that evokes. Tatsuya Matsui succeeded by providing its idea of our proposed model of innocence and weakness, the Platonic ideal of a real girl. It reflects our own feelings. And yes, life has ... in the sense illusory.
And why is it so important to the work of Tatsuya? Because you like it or not, maybe in a future not too distant future, robots will be part of our life, as today is the computer with which you read this article. Probably neither you nor I are alive to see it, who knows? But that will happen, will happen. Technological advances are not in doubt, we know that today is incredible potential robots. Not to mention 20 years from now. But in order to live among us, to join our family, they must earn our sympathy. But shall not be more sophisticated than a washing machine, and that's not all as we imagine the future of robotics, is it?
And the finishing touch of this article makes the same Matsui, saying: "We are designing an artificial object that can live as we do as a new partner. A robot that reminds us about human nature that we have forgotten"
Robots controlled by brain-based devices
The "brain-based devices" (Brain Based Devices, BBD) are not like conventional robots, which are designed according to engineering principles, but are, in fact, intelligent thinking machines. The BBD is designed based on biological principles and are programmed to adjust their behavior to the environment by self. The first BBD, called NOMAD (Neurally Organized Mobile Adaptive Device) was developed by Dr. Gerald Edelman, the founder and director of the Institute in the late'80s. To view a recent interview with Dr. Edelman about his latest book, Second Nature: Brain Science and Human Nature
The NOMAD learns from his experience using a simulated brain called Darwin, based on the principles of organization of the vertebrate brain, which were coded in a computer program.
As explained Dr. Edelman, the brain is a Darwin 'selection system', not a 'system of instruction. Robots are computers that carry out logical tasks unambiguous, while the human brain does not operate by logic but by the pattern recognition.
At the Institute, several generations of NOMAD and Darwin have evolved into a powerful new class of intelligent machines. NOMAD has audio sensors, a video sensor, ultrasonic distance sensors, a device that includes sensors for electrical conductivity, and two sets of 'whiskers' that can sense when the device makes contact with the objects in their environment.
It moves on wheels and can rotate in place. Although there are some low complexity controllers in the device, the main control is via a 'nervous system' in a simulated series of computers, with which the device communicates with a wireless connection. The nervous system integrates the various sensory inputs and responds with the control engine that performs the device.
NOMAD navigate around on wheels, she avoids the obstacles and hit them, approached them after the objects in the distance, grab objects with your bra, taste objects, and avoid objects that have learned to know evil.
The main focus of research at the Institute of BBD was to test theories about the functions of a nervous system embodied in a real world, although these results may also provide a basis for practical applications.
Spatial and episodic memory
The hippocampus is an area that the brain uses to store and retrieve memories. The BBD Darwin X incorporates aspects of the detailed anatomy of the hippocampus and the surrounding brain regions (cortical areas of vision, space and movement), areas known to be required for the acquisition and recall of spatial memory and episodic.
Darwin X finds its way successfully through a maze of work. After a period of exploration, find what is hidden, and remember the locations, so that goes to it from any place where boot.
These developments are applied in natural environments, a research area in which the Institute is particularly interested.
Motor control and movement sensitive
The Institute has constructed a BBD that incorporates a detailed model of the cerebellum, a brain area that is used for precise motor control. This BBD was given the task of navigating a path marked by traffic cones. At first the navigation was awkward, because it depends on the reflection of infrared proximity sensors that are actuated when BBD was within 30 centimeters away from a cone. Over time, when the circuit became cerebellum can predict the correct motor response based on visual cues of movement, the movement of the BBD became more sensitive. This tuning of motor control may have important applications for machine control, and to understand human movement.
BBD footballer
They have also created a platform that uses the BBD Segway transporter. This robot is designed especially for soccer. This BBD recognizes objects on the field (balls, teammates, bows, etc.) and uses a mechanical device specially designed to catch and kick a ball.
The team of scientists from the Institute participated in the Open Championships of the United States of RoboCop. In 2005, the BBD was unbeaten soccer player, competing against BBD designed Carnegie Mellon University
A new European project promotes the development of service robots
The EU has funded a U.S. $ 2.16 million project called Phriends ( "Physical Human-Robot Interaction: Dependability and Safety"). The technology being developed in this project will be used both for the development of industrial robots to help people (physical, sport, attendance, ...). Phriends is the goal of creating a new generation of robots that are safe and versatile for interacting with humans.The project coordinator Antonio Bicchi commented "we are still far from what we see in science fiction films, most robots today can only operate safely in various environments of humans. [...] The traditional approach of robotics is to design and build robots with a specific task in mind. Phriends developed robots will be safe because the security is guaranteed by its own physical structure and not by external sensors or algorithms that can fail. "
The founder of iRobot launches robotics startup
IRobot founder Rodney Brooks has decided to open a new company called Heartland Robotics, believes that robotics is beginning to take on importance in recent years. That this saying is particularly important in homes and the army. Rodney Brooks also commented: "Just as computers have revolutionized our lives in recent decades, I believe that robots can do it again in the next 25 years." The new company will seek to increase worker productivity through the use of robots.
09-September-2008: robotic bicycle parking in Tokyo
In Tokyo, a large number of users using the bike to move in the daily parking but this is sometimes a problem. To solve the problem of parking has been built underground robotic parking a bicycle that works with RFID (radio frequency identification).
You can leave a card through your bike in the parking system where a robotic platform is responsible of stations. Similarly, at the end of the day, may be withdrawn. The service costs about $ 19 per month and the time it takes to recover once the bike is parked for 10 seconds.
Robotics improve ethics in the battlefield
The hypothesis of my research is that intelligent robots could behave in a more ethical in the battlefield that humans at present," says Ronald Arkin, Computer Technology Institute of Georgia, which designs software for robots the battlefield, hired by the U.S. Army. "That's the theory I advocate."
Spy planes, mine detectors and sensors and robotic devices are used on a regular basis on the battlefield, but controls the man. What Arkin is talking about is real robots that function alone.
He and others claim that the technology necessary to produce autonomous robots with lethal capability is not very expensive and is proliferating, and that is only a matter of time before these robots are deployed in the battlefield. This means, adding that it is time that people start to talk about if this technology is something we want to use.
Noel Sharkey, of the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, wrote last year in the journal Innovative Technology for Computer Professionals, "This is not science fiction of Terminator-style, but the stark reality." He added that South Korea and Israel are deploying armed robot border guards. "We will not reach the point where we say that we should have done 20 years ago this debate," said Colin Allen, a philosopher at the University of Indiana in Bloomington and co-author of the new book Moral Machines: Teaching Robots the difference between good and evil.
Randy Zachery, who heads the Department of the Army Research Office, an agency which funds the work of Arkin says the Army expects that this "basic science" can show how the soldiers can use human and autonomous systems interact with them and can develop a software that enables autonomous systems to operate within the limits imposed by the fighter. "In a report for the Army last year, Arkin described some of the potential advantages of autonomous robotic fighters. To begin with, can be designed without the survival instinct and therefore no tendency to flee in fear. Can be manufactured so that it does not feel anger or rashness, Arkin added, and make them invulnerable to what he calls "the psychological problem of" fulfillment of expectations, "that causes people to absorb new information more easily if it is consistent with their preconceived ideas.
His report was based on a 2006 survey conducted by the health authorities of the Army, which revealed that less than half of soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq stated that non-combatants should be treated with dignity and respect and that 17 % ensure that all civilians should be treated as insurgents. Arkin provides a few ways that could be used for autonomous robots in operations against snipers, to clear buildings of suspected terrorists or other dangerous assignments. But first would have to program the rules and instructions on who to shoot, when is it acceptable to fire and how to distinguish the enemy from attacking civilians, the wounded or someone who is trying to surrender.
The simulations of battlefield Arkin are in computer screens. Robot pilots with information which could have a human pilot, such as maps showing the location of churches, apartment buildings, schools and other centers of civic life. It teaches them exactly where the enemy troops, war material and priority targets. And they are given the rules of engagement, guidelines that limit the circumstances in which they can initiate and carry out combat. In one simulation, a robot pilot over a small cemetery. The pilot discovers a tank at the entrance to the cemetery, a possible target. But there is also a group of civilians present, so the pilot decided to go ahead and soon find another armored, which is alone in a field. The pilot fired, the target is destroyed.
Some people who have studied this issue are concerned that the battlefield robots designed without emotions they lack compassion. Arkin, a Christian who acknowledges the help of God and Jesus in the prologue of his book of 1998 Robotics based on behavior, reasoning that since the rules of the Geneva Convention are based on human principles, if you join the mental architecture of a machine, would give them something akin to compassion. But adds that it would be difficult to design "perceptual algorithms" able to recognize, for example, if people are injured or waving a white flag. Arkin believes that provoking debate about technology is the most important part of their work.
Robot of the University of Bremen wins contest in Tenerife
Several European universities participated in a competition on the slopes of the highest peak in Spain, Teide, on Tenerife, Canary Islands. Lunar Robotics Challenge for the European Space Agency (ESA) for days together experts in robotics. Students had to construct a robot that meet certain requirements: ability to acquire samples of a similar lunar crater, not weigh more than 100 kg, consume no more than 2 kW and not have a capacity of more than 0.5 cubic meters. In addition, the robot must be operable from outside the crater, where there is no sight or in total darkness.
Eight universities were selected: Universität Bremen, Jacobs University, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Oulun Yliopisto, Univesitá Pisa Scuola Superiore Sant'a Anna, Surrey Space Center (University of Surrey) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
The robot winner, Cesar (Robot Exploration Craters and Return of Samples), University of Bremen was the only one capable of completing the mission successfully.
France was tested in the first robot anesthetist
France was tested in the first robotic anesthesiologist Reading the Science of Le Figaro, I met with an article of the journalist Jean-Michel Bader, in exclusive worldwide attended the daily work done by the first assistant anesthesiology, indefatigable, prototype automaton, commissioned by Doctors anesthesiologists to fly in his presence and under the permanent control, the fall back to sleep and to the conscience of the operators. As in the automatic pilot system of an airplane, the machine is a computer system, controls the depth of coma and fighting the pain during the operation. For the moment, in the surgical block of the hospital Foch (Suresnes) where Drs Liu Chazot and polish their prototypes, there are only two rooms of that there are twelve, equipped with the robot.
Other hospitals in different cities, including Berlin and Brussels, are involved in this multicentre research project. It all started in the 80s, when anesthesiologists realized that some operators, sometimes inadequate dose of anesthesia, were developing exact involvement and dialogue among surgeons performing it. That led to lawsuits in the USA. Conversely, a too deep anesthesia is associated statistically with a mortality of one year, when the doses of the products have been important. According to Professor Marc Fischler, who heads the department of anesthesiology at the hospital Foch, "there is to leave the black hole. " Ie that it was necessary to measure directly on the brain and not only with the classic clinical signs (blood pressure, heart rate) the real depth of anesthesia, a true "center of motion" of these specialists. A cerebral comfort at the end of the decade 80, signatures and Datex Ohmeda Diatak (Lifescan) to put monitors electroencephalogram (EEG) Front. Today, in the robot, a single electrode captures the complex waves produced by the brain (fast wake waves, slow waves of the invasion of sleep, suppression of the peaks of deep sleep). The device connected to the electrode estimated from frequencies present, a dimensionless number (named A, the spectral index) between 0 and 100, thanks to an algorithm. Zero is the absence of brain activity, the 100 is waking conscious. For surgery, general anesthesia or be carried between 40 and 60. The stronger the dose of anesthesia used, the patient "sleeps" more and more falling BIS. The BIS also serves as the alarm in case of a gas embolism obstructing the veins of the brain, descends over the BIS. It is the sign of cerebral well-being during the operation. Improve this tool, doctors at the hospital Foch made the point that automated computer sleeps and wakes up the patient without human intervention. The patient is placed on the front electrode, connected to the EEG monitor that sends data to a laptop which in turn commands two electric needles. One of these contains Proposol (a hypnotic short-term) and the other Remifentanil (a morphine fast). The journalist from Le Figaro, wrote this note, attended the induction of anesthesia given by the robot: as if in a submarine, the "Depth" of the dream descends from the sequence that was launched by the doctor with a computer mouse click. The course of the EEG on the screen reaches the desired interval, the velocity of blood and the dose of the drug were also announced. In parallel, muscle activity sensor spontaneous EMG) announced a "descent" as the electric syringe injected curare to paralyze the muscles. When the patient is completely relaxed, the anesthesiologist can make to the upper airway tube that is connected to the ventilator which would allow artificial respiration during the operation. "We are the owners of the machines, and they are our slaves," said Dr. Liu. There are currently no commercial robot, because it is a biomedical research project, but experts are persuaded that in five years robots will invade the blocks surgical anesthesia. Released from "those little tasks to push syringes," the anesthesiologist will be more available during the takeoff and landing, in the true monitoring of vital signs, the safety of the patient, installed it in the correct position, ie the realization of the real work of this medical specialty.
Ethical code for robots in South Korea
The ethical code of South Korea aims to be a code in the future, so be prepared but before the end of this year will take a few more still in operation in its entirety. Moreover, the government of South Korea is expected that all households have a robot by 2020, the cost will be about $ 1000.
England Announces robot toy with long hands and feet and who can read the expression of human face
The Science Museum of London announced days ago a toy robot who can read the expression of the human face. This toy, made of metal and with long hands and feet, has a cardiac pacemaker, an abdomen that can breathe and a sensor that can react to the action, sound and touch.
To be embraced, the toy seems confused with too much favor to be done with high spirits and soft hands and feet, bowed and loose with breathing and heartbeat weakened. If you move or force him to shout out loud, the toy becomes disturbed, fearful, closed-handed grip, breathing and heartbeat accelerated and with expressions of anger. It was reported that this robot toy has been designed by scientists at the University of East Bristol in England to study the interaction between the machine and sentimental humans. (Town Online)
31/07/2008
How are robots the American soldiers?
American soldiers have long experience in the field of robotic devices that can help save lives.
Artifacts ranging from air to land vehicles. Some pictures show the soldiers how to use a command identical to an Xbox 360. 20MINUTOS.ES. 08.06.2007 - 10.26 h
American soldiers experimenting with robotics as a way to protect against possible ambushes. Incorporate one of the robots is one of the tanks that are being undertaken to reduce the number of human casualties in the battle. This is reflected ZDNet in the gallery has, which exposed images of the robots being used. The program has a family of robots ranging from aircraft engines for land vehicles, all remotely controlled wirelessly.
The robots can help the soldiers in dangerous situations, such as checking the inside of buildings or detect explosives. Different variations of the popular iRobot have been used in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to the evolution of these robots, an image gallery ZDNet draws particular attention. This is the command to control a robot SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles and small land vehicle with remote control), a command identical to the Xbox 360 console from Microsoft:
If any doubt remained in the picture above, it offers a close-up of glasses of operations and command:
China uses an intelligent robot for the first time on an expedition to the North Pole
The robot, called "North Pole ARV, is the first autonomous vehicle Remote (ARV, for its initials in English) developed exclusively by Chinese scientists.
China used for the first time a robot intelligence in a scientific expedition to the North Pole, as the leader of the expedition, Zhang Haisheng, quoted today by the official news agency Xinhua.
The robot, called "North Pole ARV, is the first autonomous vehicle Remote (ARV, for its initials in English) developed exclusively by Chinese scientists and used to scan the ocean in three dimensions and in real time over the issue of third country Asia to the area.
Android, whose work is under the Arctic ice sheets is the result of the "863 plan" and was created by the Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA) with the China Academy of Sciences.
The associate professor of SIA Shuo Li explained that "North Pole ARV" can function autonomously, with predetermined programs or by remote control and can communicate with the surface through micro-optics.
The temperature in the Arctic depths, salinity, ice thickness and the formation of the fund are some of the data that scientists hope to get through the new machine.
"North Pole" ARV weighs 350 kg and can operate within a radius of three kilometers and up to one hundred meters deep.
Now a "beautiful" robot android china
Not yet baptized, measuring 168 centimeters, weighs 60 kilos and can work as a guide, receptionist and master of ceremonies.
Her face, built with glass fiber and plastic, simulating a beautiful female face and her eyes can move.
Li Chengrong, principal designer of the robot, said the robot is equipped with the most advanced system of voice and movement and that can interact with people. The researcher and his team have devoted years to develop and make 'a beautiful robot.
'Their predecessors' Pang Pang' and 'Fei Fei' eyes were cardboard. But is not only beautiful, but is equipped with technology to interact with people, "said Li, who is a researcher at the Institute of Automation of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
'The' robot can respond to people and say things like 'thanks, you too you are very handsome. " Although this is still a limited vocabulary in the future be able to speak with fluency.
As their destination is the Museum of Sichuan, where exercise guide and receptionist, is scheduled to speak with the accent and dialect of the area.
Li noted that the cost of the robot was 300,000 yuan (37,500 U.S. dollars). If there are 100 units per year price decline to 100,000 yuan.
The new robot will be marketed next year. The potential buyers include hotels and entertainment venues.
Li acknowledged that the artificial intelligence technology in China is still very limited.
Currently, the most advanced robot Asimo, produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Honda. Asimo, who can walk a mile on the hour and go up and down stairs, it costs $ 1 million.
Pity that there is no clear picture of this robot is female.
A robot to take care of the elderly
EFE Scientists from the Chinese Institute of Technology, Harbin, in northeast country to finalize the details soon to launch a robot designed to market to care for older people living alone, state media reported today china. The robot, which cost between 30,000 and 50,000 yuan (4.000-7.000 dollars) may bring food and medicine, sounding alarms in the event that the house has leaks of water or gas, or send text messages to family and Video friends and even sing songs or play chess.
The apparatus of 1.6 meters in height, could be in stores within two or three years, according to the official stressed Xinhua Li Ruifeng, one of the project. The development of this project was commissioned by the Chinese Government to address the problem of rapid population aging china, one consequence of the one-child policy.
The country has 159 million people over 60 years, 12 percent of the total population and the limited success of nursing homes in the country makes it necessary, as estimated by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, some 10 million social workers and nurses to care for this population.
Students of the University of Chile in the world are preparing for China
The World Cup of Robotic Suzhou, China is a major international challenges
facing the group of students from theRobotics Lab of the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics from the University of Chile, led by academic Javier Ruiz del Solar.
Since 2003, teams that Robotic Soccer School have participated without
interruption in the tournament world of discipline, which represent a major
challenge to the undergraduate and graduate students who have been part of the
experience.
Have qualified to participate in the RoboCup world's 24 best teams in their
respective categories. In previous versions, teams of faculty have been among
the places 10th and 16th, but the next goal is to be among the first eight
positions in three categories. In the midst of an office full of folders, files
and books for research, Javier Ruiz del Solar, in an interview with Universia,
explains the scope of the trip, the unlimited contributions that can ensure the
development of a robot that is capable of analyzing their environment take
decisions, last year, among other advances.
"We participated in the
Robocup in 2003 and beyond the event of China's world, we have a research
project in mobile robotics, and the idea of these meetings is to validate the
results obtained, ie competencies that are instrumental used by researchers,
because it is the only way to compare the solutions developed by each team, not
that I am presenting an idea and the vein, rather prove it somehow, "says Ruiz
del Solar.
The professor added that the robotic soccer events are a kind of benchmark
(comparison of performance) with researchers around the world and basically has
been developed as a community and a sharing of information, therefore, during
the competition a conference where participants will set out the ideas. For
example, if a team that plays very well, others are implementing this idea for
the next world, and this makes the level go up every year. "
Having been elected, why the discipline of football, the expert explained that
"taken as a model because this sport is hard, it causes concern, because if the
robots to play golf would be far less popular, but also looked for a job as a
football robotic, which is a team effort, and if we manage to achieve a robot
means you can play football well perceive the environment, controlling your body
with great accuracy, has the ability to locate in an environment not closed,
share information with their 'fellow 'in a timely fashion. Therefore, if a robot
comes to playing football, it means that you can walk, run, jump, climb up and
down stairs. "
When asked how their feedback to those around them, the academic says that "in
general throughout the world called the attention, but I'm not sure I understand
it, believe it is a game which is like a hobby at a gathering of people who are
expert in video games. There are those who think they are remotely controlled,
but the truth is that the robots are autonomous. So far no one has been
indifferent. "
Overall objective to 2050: Beating a team of human
Javier Ruiz del Solar said that at the international level aimed at computers
that are part of the Robocup, which in the long run is that a team of humanoid
is able to defeat a group of humans. An ambitious goal, but not shy at all the
enthusiasm of the academics. "Even if it does not reach that goal, and the
attempt to achieve it, will contribute to unimagined scientific research."
Members and categories
U. Chile RoadRunners Team:
Paul Vallejos (Ph.D. Electrical Eng), Isao Parra (PhD Electrical Engineer),
Javier Testart (M.Sc. Electrical Eng), Ricardo Dodds (the 6th years Electrical
Eng), Rodrigo Asenjo (the 6th years Electrical Engineer), Felipe Larrain ( 4th
year Electrical Eng), Daniel Herrmann (4th year Electrical Eng), Carolina Vélez
(3rd years Electrical Engineer), Pablo Hevia (3rd years Electrical Engineer).
U. Chile HomeBreaker Team:
Mauricio Correa (Ph.D. Electrical Eng), Mauritius Mascaró (4th year Electrical
Engineer), Fernando Bernuy (4th year Electrical Eng), Juan Alejandro Vargas (4th
year Electrical Eng), Cristian Solis (4th year Electrical Engineer) Sebastian
Cubillos (4th year Electrical Eng), Simon Norambuena (4th year Electrical
Engineer), Andres Marinkovic (4th year Electrical Engineer), Javier Galaz (4th
year Electrical Eng).
U. Chile Kiltro Team:
Pablo Guerrero (PhD Electrical Engineer), Rodrigo Palma (Ph.D. Electrical Eng),
Matthew Sands (M.Sc. Electrical Eng), Roman Marchant (4th year Electrical
Engineer), Luis Alberto Herrera (2nd year Plan Common Eng), Daniel Dabed (2nd
year Plan Common Eng), Miguel Romero (4th year Computer Science), Sergio Angulo
(4th year Electrical Eng).
Ready to go on the market a helicopter robot technology china
Shenyang .- Chinese scientists announced they are ready to go on the market
a robotic helicopter that can fly china technology automatically without remote
control. The Shenyang Institute of Automation, under the China Academy of
Sciences, has developed two types of robot for the past four years, according to
an agency china information. The larger model of three meters in length, is about the size of a small car, weighs 120 kilograms and can carry a load of up to 40 kilograms. Also, you can
fly for four hours at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. The smallest
model weighs 40 kilograms and can carry a load of up to 15 kg., With a maximum
flight speed of 70 kilometers per hour.
Both robots have installed a camera that can collect aerial imagery and the
search for traces of certain objectives without delay. Researchers at the
Institute indicated that the robot can fly missions and coordinates assigned
based control programs when the gusts of wind blowing a force less than
six-speed (11 kilometers per hour).
"We have no marketing plan designed for the robot. But if there are orders, we
can start production on a small scale, with between 20 and 30," said one of the
project, who said that the Institute has no corporate for a large-scale
production. The development of robots has been funded by the central government and was
described as a key national research project in 2006 by its prospects for use in
information collection and transportation of cargo under difficult conditions
such as earthquakes or leakage of toxic gases . It can also be used to spray
insecticides over large tracts of land.
A flying robot to help China in its Antarctic expedition
A robot that can fly "like a mini-helicopter" and another that can be slipped on the ice to help Chinese scientists during the expedition to the Antarctic to be held in October, reported on Sunday, Xinhua news agency.
l air robot can fly for an hour and reaches speeds from 50 to 100 kilometers per hour and is equipped with a camera and an infrared radiometer for observing sea ice.
The second robot can slip between the cracks of the ice and snow slopes, said information.
"The use of robots can reduce the risk and cost of scientific research," said Qin Weijia, Polar Research Institute of China, according to the agency. "No matter how bad it is time, they can still work with normality. " The expedition of 200 men set seismic stations in Antarctica to measure tremors and tectonic movements on the continent, said the information.
Chinese scientists are developing a robot to take care of the elderly
Chinese scientists from the Institute of Technology Harbin, in north-eastern country, to finalize the details soon to launch a robot on the market designed to care for older people living alone, state media reported today china.
The robot, which cost between 30,000 and 50,000 yuan (4.000-7.000 dollars) may bring food and medicine, sounding alarms in the event that the house has leaks of water or gas, or send text messages to family and Video friends and even sing songs or play chess.
The apparatus of 1.6 meters in height, could be in stores within two or three years, according to the official stressed Xinhua Li Ruifeng, one of the project.
The development of this project was commissioned by the Chinese Government to address the problem of rapid population aging china, one consequence of the one-child policy. The country has 159 million people over 60 years, 12 percent of the total population and the limited success of nursing homes in the country makes it necessary, as estimated by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, some 10 million social workers and nurses to care for this population.