A transformer robot that turns into a helicopter has been developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Distributed Robotics.
The robot uses separate motors to run the wheels and the rotors rather than a complex system. Although the first prototype is fragile, future designs will have simpler and more robust folding mechanisms, according to the researchers, including an extendable boom with a tail rotor, similar to those used by helicopters, to provide more stability in flight.
Showing posts with label Robots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robots. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Surveillance robot knows when to hide
A surveillance robot that knows when to hide has been developed by Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Laboratories.
The robot avoids visible detection by sentries of known locations, potential detection by sentries whose positions are unknown, areas in which the robot has no means of escape, and areas that are well lit.
It builds a computer model of its surroundings and incorporates information on lines of sight. A laser scanner covertly maps its environment in 3D, and acoustic sensors distinguish nearby footsteps and their direction.
"Lockheed Martin's approach does include a sort of basic theory of mind, in the sense that the robot makes assumptions about how to act covertly in the presence of humans," says Alan Wagner of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, who works on artificial intelligence and robot deception.
But the level at which the robot's software operates is probably limited to task-specific instructions such as, "if you hear a noise, scurry to the nearest dark corner", he says. That's not sophisticated enough to hide from humans in varied environments.
"Significant AI will be needed to develop a robot which can act covertly in a general setting," Wagner says. "The robot will need to consider its own shape and size, to have the ability to navigate potential paths, [to be aware of] each person's individual line of view, the impact that its movement will have on the environment, and so on."
The robot avoids visible detection by sentries of known locations, potential detection by sentries whose positions are unknown, areas in which the robot has no means of escape, and areas that are well lit.
It builds a computer model of its surroundings and incorporates information on lines of sight. A laser scanner covertly maps its environment in 3D, and acoustic sensors distinguish nearby footsteps and their direction.
"Lockheed Martin's approach does include a sort of basic theory of mind, in the sense that the robot makes assumptions about how to act covertly in the presence of humans," says Alan Wagner of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, who works on artificial intelligence and robot deception.
But the level at which the robot's software operates is probably limited to task-specific instructions such as, "if you hear a noise, scurry to the nearest dark corner", he says. That's not sophisticated enough to hide from humans in varied environments.
"Significant AI will be needed to develop a robot which can act covertly in a general setting," Wagner says. "The robot will need to consider its own shape and size, to have the ability to navigate potential paths, [to be aware of] each person's individual line of view, the impact that its movement will have on the environment, and so on."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Detroit to get its RoboCop statue — no kidding
According to Reuters: ”From sci-fi cult film, to Twitter phenomenon to Detroit landmark-in-the-making. Plans for a statue honoring RoboCop, the half-man, half-machine crimefighter of the 1987 movie, are moving ahead after a group of artists and entrepreneurs in Detroit, Michigan raised more than $60,000 via Facebook and an online fund-raising site.”
And here’s a quote from a February 21, 2011 interview exclusive from io9 (the article is worth a read) — “With materials like this to work with, this statue is going to be as close to a perfect depiction of RoboCop as is possible by non-augmented arthropods.”
IMDB | In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg with submerged memories haunting him. Impervious to bullets and bombs, and equipped with high-tech weaponry, Robocop quickly makes a name for himself by cleaning up the streets of violence-ravaged Detroit. Tagline: “Part man. Part machine. All cop. The future of law enforcement. Justice gets an upgrade.”
It may have started as a joke, but now they’re completely serious about this: check out ”Detroit Needs RoboCop,” the website. Go RoboCop. Half Peter Weller, half cyborg bad-guy-killing-machine, all hero.
And here’s a quote from a February 21, 2011 interview exclusive from io9 (the article is worth a read) — “With materials like this to work with, this statue is going to be as close to a perfect depiction of RoboCop as is possible by non-augmented arthropods.”
IMDB | In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg with submerged memories haunting him. Impervious to bullets and bombs, and equipped with high-tech weaponry, Robocop quickly makes a name for himself by cleaning up the streets of violence-ravaged Detroit. Tagline: “Part man. Part machine. All cop. The future of law enforcement. Justice gets an upgrade.”
It may have started as a joke, but now they’re completely serious about this: check out ”Detroit Needs RoboCop,” the website. Go RoboCop. Half Peter Weller, half cyborg bad-guy-killing-machine, all hero.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
iCub The Robot Child
The humanoid iCub robot, which explores the world like a real child to model the human mind -- has demonstrated that it can change roles in a game....
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Summer is Over
Well as if you didn't already know it summer is over! It didn't really start but looking out the window tonite while watching the 9.00pm Big Bro catch up it was dark, almost black outside. The long stretch is over. I took a long break from my blog over the summer due to a wonderful month long holiday in Greece but before that and since work pressure took the fun out of posting to a blog as my eyes were "Beeling" from working on the computer all day. Pressure had eased so now I'm back, so for all of you interested in Robots....Look what they do now!
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