Robotics
Wearable robotics to be the next big thing
IUVO, a spin-off company of The BioRobotics Institute (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) in the field of wearable technologies, has recently received a joint investment from Comau and Össur. The objective of IUVO is to create wearable, intelligent and active tools for a better quality of life. The first concrete examples are robotic exoskeletons capable of aiding and improving the quality of life for workers in industrial and service fields ...
Robot wears different outfits for different tasks
From butterflies that sprout wings to hermit crabs that switch their shells, many animals must adapt their exterior features in order to survive. While humans don’t undergo that kind of metamorphosis, we often try to create functional objects that are similarly adaptive — including our robots. Despite what you might have seen in “Transformers” movies, though, today’s robots are still pretty inflexible.
Mobile robotics: will forklifts ever be the same again?
Robotic technology will transform the forklift industry, causing a colossal transfer of value from human-provided driving services, towards spending on autonomous industrial material handling machines, thus fuelling an industry revenue boom far exceeding recent growth trends. By Dr Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, Research Director, IDTechEx
New concept in robotics for predictive maintenance
EMO 2017 saw Mitsubishi demonstrating innovative predictive maintenance possibilities for robots that can reduce operational costs, increase asset productivity and improve process efficiency. The cloud-based solution is based on the AI platform within IBM Watson, which enables the smart analysis of operational data to highlight maintenance requirements.
Origami-inspired robot is soft and flexible
A Case Western Reserve University researcher has turned the origami she enjoyed as a child into a patent-pending soft robot that may one day be used on an assembly line, in surgery or even outer space. Kiju Lee, the Nord Distinguished Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and her lab have moved from paper robots to 3D-printed models that bend, contract, extend and twist. This novel mechanism is called TWISTER (TWISted ...
How can you create a robotic dinosaur?
Look at that T-Rex that looks as if it is smiling, just about to say, 'Boo!'. However, if we were to strip away the skeletal pieces, underneath are modular parts from motion plastics specialist igus. The main body of the dinosaur is a robolink D articulated arm made with self-lubricating joints incorporating a gearbox with tribopolymer gear wheels and PRT tribopolymer round tables.
Global connectivity platform launched for drone industry
A new group of companies focused on the fast growing drone industry has been launched, bringing together a number of complementary businesses which provide connectivity for the first time ever to the global drone industry. Drone Major Group claims to be the first company in the world to provide a unique and integrated suite of products and services to the global drone industry at what is an important time in the development of standards and ...
Are drones just a catastrophe waiting to happen?
Provider of drone detection and mitigation products, DroneShield has noted a New York Post report on a collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a rogue drone over Staten Island in New York. The Army helicopter is understood to have conducted an emergency landing following the collision, and the authorities are investigating the incident.
Witness the Warrior Princess take flight in drone light show
Witness the Warrior Princess take flight in a dazzling drone light show above the LA skyline.
Multi-axis robotic controller designed for hexapods systems
Aerotech has introduced the new HEX RC, which is a 6-axis motion controller suitable for controlling robotic systems like hexapods. The HEX RC is 4U rack-mountable and compatible with the Automation 3200 (A3200) motion platform.