November 9th, 2008
This distinction goes to a future autonomous version of the 700-tons Caterpillar mining truck. In a recent article, Discovery News reports that Caterpillar engineers and computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University have teamed up to develop this autonomous truck. Japan-based Komatsu already has already delivered autonomous mining trucks to its customers, but these are smaller than the Caterpillar ones. Both companies are transforming their trucks into ‘robots’ for three reasons. Improvements in safety, efficiency and productivity will reduce costs and increase availability. But read more…
The world’s heaviest robot
Roland Piquepaille
Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:28:24 GMT
Posted in japan | No Comments »
October 28th, 2008
Chore Robot [Link from Gizmodo]
A collaboration between Tokyo University and Toyota. Robots are getting closer to being placed in a home environment. Cost expected in the future – 1 million yen.
Posted in home, interaction | No Comments »
September 19th, 2008
Posted in sensors | No Comments »
July 17th, 2008
Filed under: Electronic Component Integrated Circuit
The CAT9552 drives up to 16 LEDs in either programmable flashing or "on/off" modes.
16-channel I2C LED Blinker from Catalyst Semiconductor Provides Simple Solution for Flashing and On/Off LED Applications
info@motioncontrol.net (Editor)
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:56:00 GMT
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
July 9th, 2008
Chetan Kapoor is a roboticist at The University of Texas and CEO of Agile Planet. We spoke about how his firm’s control software might change the world in the years ahead, what is driving robotics growth, and why business should take note.
Three Questions for Chetan Kapoor - Agile Planet
Jonas Lamis
Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:18:22 GMT
Posted in robotics | No Comments »
July 4th, 2008
The engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a robot that can actually learn. It is quite an accomplishment considering most robots nowadays need to be programmed in order to do every single thing. The UMass creation, called the UMass Mobile Manipulator can actually move around tools on a table to see how they move and eventually figure out how they work. The creators realized that robots that learn will be an integral part of the future if they are indeed going to help humans in their daily lives, since everyone’s environment is different.
The robot uses a regular webcam (aided by intricate checks that analyze the object) to “see” what is near it and what the shape of the objects is. Then it uses its arms to first feel and move around the objects. It then begins to pick them up and experiment with them and their parts in different ways to see how they move. The whole process is very reminiscent of a human learning something for the first time.
It is incredible that the robot was created and can actually learn because that is an integral part of intelligence and it is really a big step towards the future. The technology in the UMass Mobile Manipulator will certainly be looked at and improved in the future into uses that benefit humanity.
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A robot that learns
Robotic Intel
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:15:00 GMT
Posted in learning | No Comments »
June 8th, 2008
A new South Korean startup, D2E Robotics, plans on releasing a two-legged hobbiest robot in October. In what appears to be a move to compete with other companies, such as Kyosho, Kondo, and Hitec, the robot, dubbed D2V-ZN, will have simple voice recognition and a vision system.
Though, strangely enough, the company like to compare their robot to the vinerable RoboSapien from WowWee, saying:
"Unlike RoboSapien, our customers will be able to install new moves on their own. In other words, their imagination will be their only limit," [CEO] Chung said.
The 12" tall robot will initially have a retail price of about $700 USD, but the company expects the price to drop to about $300 if the robot becomes popular.
"D2V-ZN can identify its owner with an embedded camera and take some pre-set orders after recognizing voices. It will arguably be the smartest robot in the market,"
"Arguably" is right. I wonder if they’ve talked to Ugobe yet?
Korean Company Plans to Release Another Walking Robot in October
William Cox
Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:02:03 GMT
Posted in korea, legged | No Comments »
June 8th, 2008
Hanson Robotics , the creators of the Albert Einstein and Philip K. Dick robots are hoping to break into the home robot market. David Hanson, the companies founder, likes to create life-like robots that blur the line between man and machine.
"If you make it perfectly realistic, you trigger this body-snatcher fear in some people," he said. "Making realistic robots is going to polarize the market, if you will. You will have some people who love it and some people who will really be disturbed."
He’s now hoping to bring to market home entertainment robots that are about 2 ft tall, with cartoonish features. Hanson plans to have these robots to market in about a year and price them for around $3,000.
Hanson Robotics to Create Home Robots
William Cox
Tue, 12 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT
Posted in home, humaniod | No Comments »
June 8th, 2008
In a not-so-surprising move, iRobot Corp. has announced their new iRobot Create programmable robot. The platform allows you to use the robust Roomba-like chassis to create your own robotic creations. An optional Command Module plugs right into the cargo bay to allow you to program and controll the robot via the Create’s Open Interface. The command module is powered by an Atmega168.
Tom Atwood and Dan Lynch over at ROBOT Magazine have put together a great "first impressions" article on the iRobot Create, along with lots of pictures.
Another great feature of the Create Platform is that it’s based on the existing Roomba system and therefore can use the same chargers, virtual walls, and remotes.
The iRobot Create itself is only $130, including the Command Module raises the price to $180. Both are an incredible deal.
iRobot has already assembled a list of projects created with Create (strange English, I know), and has forums and documentation ready.
This is an exciting development in the robotics community and I’m sure will spark a lot of creativity. Now, time to go convince the fiancee that we can spend $180 dollars on more robots …
Hackers Rejoice! iRobot Releases iRobot Create Platform
William Cox
Mon, 08 Jan 2007 22:41:55 GMT
Posted in hobby, irobot | No Comments »
June 8th, 2008
The secretive French robotics company, Aldebaran Robotics , has released a sneek-peek of its secretive robotic project, Nao . There a a few videos of the robot partially revealing itself. We get a glimps of it’s hand waving, what appears to be its feet, and some facial recognition.
The 14 person company was founded in 2005 and claims to be France’s first robotics company. Their primary project, Project Nao, "aims to make available to the public, at an affordable price, a humanoid robot with mechanical, electronic, and cognitive features, based on those of the prototype".
The robot will supposedly run Linux, have WiFi capabilites and is designed "for entertainment." The current goal is to have Nao available for purchase at the end of 2007. Our buddy Lem, over at Robots-Dreams has written a great interview with Bruno Maisonnier, the founder of Aldebaran Robotics.
So, if anyone at Aldebaran is reading this, don’t forget to send your friends at GoRobotics.net a review version of the robot!
Aldebaran Robotics Release Sneek Peek at Robotic Humanoid Project
William Cox
Sun, 21 Jan 2007 22:37:12 GMT
Posted in Social, humaniod | No Comments »
