Although there have been many advances in machine vision, most relatively simple robots are still not able to maneuver around objects at high speeds because they are unable to quickly judge their distance from the objects. In order to tackle this problem researchers from Stanford University have developed a new algorithm that many said was …
December 2005 archive
Dec 08 2005
NASA’s Two New Space Robot Contests
As part of their Centennial Challenge program to “stimulate innovation and competition in solar system exploration,” NASA has announced two new contests for private developers of space robotic vehicles. The Planetary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Challenge involves building a craft that can fly autonomously and navigate using only optical navigation technologies. The Telerobotic Construction Challenge is …
Dec 07 2005
Intelligent Prosthetics: The Rheo Knee
Hugh Herr, director of MIT’s Biomechatronics Group, has created the Rheo Knee, an artificial knee with an integrated microprocessor that both learns the user’s walking style and is able to quickly react and adapt to changes in terrain. The microprocessor calculates the position of the knee and the load on the limb 1000 times per …
Dec 07 2005
ZMP Offers nuvo Sans Torso and Head
Engadget is reporting that Japanese robot manufacturer ZMP is offering a stripped down version of their popular nuvo humanoid robot. Offered with education in mind, the e-nuvo consists of the legs from a nuvo and comes bundled with instructional material for a 12-week robotics course covering coordinate systems of link structure, motor driver circuits, processors …
Dec 07 2005
KYOSHO’s KHR-1-based Manoi
Although it won’t be available commercially until mid-summer 2006, the Manoi made its debut at IREX last week. Manufactured by KYOSHO Corporation in conjunction with Kondo Kagaku Co., Ltd., the Manoi consists of a Tomotaka Takahashi-designed outer skin on top of a Kondo KHR-1 skeleton. The Manoi is very similar in appearance to the other …
Dec 06 2005
Plen, a Bluetooth Robot
The Plen is one of the few humanoid robots to come out of IREX that I had not previously heard of. Unfortunately I have not been able to dig up much information on it yet either. What I have learned is that is being developed by Systec Akazawa, a Japanese aircraft parts maker. It has …
Dec 04 2005
Fujitsu’s Linux-Powered HOAP-3
I must admit that I am having a hard time keeping up with all of the reports coming out of IREX. Even though I am falling behind, there are still a handful of robots in my backlog that I feel are worthy of mention, the first being the HOAP-3. Fujitsu has been developing the HOAP …
Dec 04 2005
Joe Engelberger’s IREX Comments
There are still a bunch of robots from IREX to cover, but Engadget’s got a story today about one (very important) person that was not completely enamored with the nuvos, Kondos, and HOAPs on display in Tokyo last week. The Father of Robotics himself, Joseph Engelberger, was at the show and not particularly enthused with …
Dec 04 2005
Neurons That Tune Out Background Noise
LiveScience.com is reporting that researchers from the University of Washington have discovered neurons in the brainstems of rats whose sole function is to identify new sounds while ignoring ongoing and predictable background noises. The scientists believe these specialized neurons are present in all vertebrates, including humans in whom they probably play a significant role in …
Dec 03 2005
The HAL-5 Bionic Suit
Although the acronym IREX stands for International Robot Exhibition, not everything on display in Tokyo this week is a robot in the traditional sense. Take the HAL-5 bionic suit for example. Developed by Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba in Japan over a period of more than ten years, the HAL-5, or hybrid assistive …