From canine companions to cleaning machines, robots are seeing all kinds of new applications
A robotic seeing eye dog has recently been developed by Japan’s manufacturing company NSK. A recent article makes the point that although this seeing eye dog won’t get distracted by squirrels or tasty treats, it looks like this robot needs a bit more work before it can keep up with its furry counterparts.
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Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology discuss their research on a robot’s touch.
How can we make robots safe? How can we make them perform their tasks effectively? Although these are among the most critical questions today’s robot engineers must address, recently, researchers have felt the need to delve further into some of the issues pertaining to the use of medical robots. For example, what types of robot-human interaction are people comfortable with, how do we make robots communicate their intentions, and how will people perceive them?
Research bodies around the globe are making an effort to draft laws governing the development of robots as they become increasingly complex and ingrained in our societies.
In September of 2010, the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Robot Land is scheduled to open in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea
South Korea’s got robots covered; from classrooms to the Northern border, the nation’s using robots to support humans just about anywhere. But their robots aren’t all work and no play; Robot Land’s creators aim to foster ¨robot culture¨ bringing its visitors
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Europe develops robots to assist neurosurgeons
The ACTIVE project (Active Constraints Technologies for III-defined or Volatile Environments) is a 4 year European project which started in April of 2011. The ACTIVE project stemmed from a previous European project called ROBOCAST which resulted in the development of new types of robots to assist neurosurgeons.
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Check out the calendar to find an event near you!
if you’re in London December 1st-4th drop by the London Science museum’s Robotville festival to explore the cultural significance of robots and meet 20 of the most fascinating robots in Europe. Admission is free and robots will be accompanied by their creators who will be available to answer your questions about these incredible machines.
What makes machines more alive than dolls?
This episode of the radiolab podcast titled Furbidden Knowledge, features an interview with Freedom Baird a former graduate student at the MIT media lab. During the episode, Baird and hosts perform a so called ¨emotional turing test¨ on a group of 7 and 8 year olds. Presenting the children with a Barbie doll, a Furby and a real hamster, they take a look at how long the children are comfortable holding each one upside down.
4 robots have set sail to give us more information on our blue planet
It’s a well-known fact that we know more about outer space than we do about our oceans here on earth. With only about 10% of our oceans mapped out, we could use some help getting the facts on the waters that cover more than 70% of our planet.
On November 17, 2011, a couple pairs of robots called the Wave Gliders left San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club Continue reading
or at least a metal arm
RoboDynamics has created a new personalized domestic robot: Luna. The robot can help out with all sorts of domestic tasks that you can program for your specific needs. It can help you clean after a party and even walk your dog. Of course other forms of domestic robots exist. Most of us are familiar with the vacuuming robots, lawn mowing robots, and pool cleaning robots which tend to be designed for functionality. Hospitals and city streets have
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The University of Pennsylvania has a poop-scooping pal
Formally the name of the project responsible for developing this robot is Perception Of Offensive Products and Sensorized Control Of Object Pickup but the acronym POOP SCOOP puts things more bluntly.
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