Robotics
Widening the appeal of humanoid robots
Software from Belgian-based company Zora Bots is helping to bring humanoid robots out of the realms of science fiction and into reality. The software has been designed for the Aldebaran Nao and Pepper humanoid robots that have made significant ground in the development of new generation robotics over the last two years.
Rogue drones spawning a raft of counter technology
There have been several high profile incidents of UAVs, or drones, entering into areas where they shouldn’t be – leading to concerns that they could be employed by criminal or terrorist groups. Whether that threat is real or whether there is an element of scaremongering going on, there is no doubting the rapid rise in the number of commercial drones taking to the skies.
Next-gen robots will be used in small-scale production
Soon, industrial robots will be used at lower cost in small-scale production thanks to the operating system developed by the Dutch-German partnership SInBot. Doctoral research by Maarten Essers from the University of Twente shows that the results from preliminary tests are promising. Major companies in the manufacturing industry, such as car manufacturers, are using smart robots for mass production more and more often.
Robots are boxing clever
A new partnership has been announced between TM Robotics and Cornerstone Automation Systems that will see the two companies collaborate to produce an intelligent box opening device (IBOD) that combines the features of TM Robotics’ Toshiba Machine robots and CASI’s intelligent box opening software.
Software tool makes custom robotic design possible
Researchers at ETH Zurich, Disney Research Zurich, and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a software tool that empowers average users to design custom robotic creatures and their movements. The user starts by creating a basic skeleton for the desired robot, specifying how many extremities the figure will have and how many segments there will be in the backbone. This skeleton can be modified at will by extending or shortening its segme...
Swimming robots for subsea maintenance
An agreement signed by Kongsberg Martime and Statoil with Eelume, will accelerate technology, which will significantly reduce costs related to subsea inspection, maintenance and repair operations. NTNU and Sintef have conducted research on snake robotics for more than 10 years. Eelume is now developing a disruptive solution for underwater inspection and maintenance in the form of a swimming robot. The idea is to let these robots do inspection and...
Robot is a safer option for the inspection of powerlines
A robot invented by researchers in the University of Georgia College of Engineering could change the way power lines are inspected, providing a safer and most cost-effective alternative. Currently, line crews have to suit up in protective clothing, employ elaborate safety procedures and sometimes completely shut off the power before inspecting a power line. It can be difficult, time-consuming and often dangerous work.
Robot lifeguard helps migrants cross the Mediterranean Sea
A robot assistant lifeguard called EMILY is making waves by helping migrants cross the Mediterranean Sea safely. In the wake of unrest, over 500 refugees have drowned attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Turkey to Greece. Members from the Texas A&M TEES Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) and Roboticists Without Borders gathered at the Greek island of Lesvos to assist the local Coast Guard and lifeguard organisations to...
Transparent smart skin could be developed for robots
Scientists report in the journal ACS Nano a self-powered, transparent smart skin that is simpler and less costly than many other versions that have been developed. Endowing robots and prosthetics with a human-like sense of touch could dramatically advance these technologies. Toward this goal, scientists have come up with various smart skins to layer onto devices.
'Robird' developed to scare away birds at airports
University of Twente's Robird will make its first flights at an airport location in February. Weeze Airport in Germany, just across the Dutch border near Nijmegen, will serve as the test site for this life-like robotic falcon developed by Clear Flight Solutions, a spin-off company of the University of Twente. The Robird is designed to scare away birds at airports and waste processing plants.