FUTURE of ROBOT

INFO : CMU Spinoff Designs Robot for NASA Moon Digger Contest

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:04:00 -0700

The Astrobotics Digger is an early version of the company's longer-range plans for moon-rolling robots.

Artist's rendition of the Astrobotic lunar digger in operation on the moon's surface.

Astrobotic Technology Inc. has begun testing the robot it built to win a NASA competition to develop the most effective excavator for missions to the moon.

The winner of the NASA Regolith Excavation Challenge, which will take place Oct. 17 and 18 at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley will get $500,000 toward the development of the ‘bot that can dig and dump the largest volume of simulated lunar dirt during a 30-minute period.

Competitors must dig at least 330 pounds of dirt under moon-like conditions of limited power and bandwidth. Remote operators drive most of the entries, but have to deal with a four-second time delay designed to mimic the light-speed lag in radio communications between the Earth and the Moon.

Astrobotic’s entry, developed with help from the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, is two feet tall and three feet on each side, with a laser scanner from SICK, Inc. on the top to measure distance inside the 13-ft.-square competition space.

The company was formed by CMU roboticist William “Red” Whittaker and is focused on developing a robot to win the $20 million Google Lunar X Prize lunar/teams/astrobotic that will be awarded in May 2011 for the robot design that would best suit the requirement of a rolling, remote-operated TV studio that could send high-def pictures back from lunar missions.

A statement from the company said Astrobotic will continue to test its entry in the Excavation Challenge using the “Regolith Simulant Testbed” that is being supplied to competitors by the California Space Authority, which is co-hosting the contest. Regolith is the term for soil covering a planet, moon or asteroid.

More advanced digging and mobility functions will be added to the digging unit later.

Source By : www.roboticstrends.com

Technology of Asimo Robots - Controlled with the human mind

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 04:50:00 -0700

Spectacular artificial Honda robot, Asimo is the more advanced course.
The latest technology they are developing at this time allows people to control Asimo with only the thought of it!

Technology Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) were developed together with the Honda Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation. The research also consists of a helmet-Laden sensor that can calculate Users brain activity and a computer that can analyze the pattern of brain activity and sends the user to Asimo in the form of a signal.

ROBOT RESCUE

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:10:00 -0700

Yokohama Fire Department gets new rescue robot

The Yokohama fire department in Japan has enlisted a rescue robot to help recover victims from earthquake and other disaster zones. The robot is built around a large metal compartment equipped with two sets of tracks on either side.

It is unique in that it has an extendable tray that allows it to pull victims into its belly, where it can monitor vital signs throughout the rescue operation. The robot will be controlled by a remote operator and use infrared cameras to allow operations in conditions with poor visibility.

Original Post By ; Robot Forum

ROBOT Like Albert Einstein

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:56:00 -0700

A robot replica of Albert Einstein may not possess the great man's genius, but its emotional intelligence is second to none.

Scientists hope it will defy the perception that human-like robots are "creepy" and could be the first step to making robots emotionally sensitive, preventing a "Matrix"-style war between man and machine.

Einstein, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist noted for his theory of relativity, was chosen for the model because he appears "lovable and emotionally accessible", as well as being a universally esteemed scientist.

They say the robot, designed by Texas-based Hanson Robotics, can interact "naturally" with humans and could be used to teach autistic children how to perceive emotion.

David Hanson, the robot's designer, told UC San Diego News: "Some scientists believe strongly that very human-like robots are so inherently creepy that people can never get over it and interact with them normally.

"But these are some of the questions we're trying to address with the Einstein robot. Does software engage people more when you have a robot that's more aware of you?

"We're trying to get past the novelty of the technology to a certain extent so that people can socially engage with the robots and get lost in that social engagement.

"But it's very important that we develop empathetic machines, machines that have compassion, machines that understand what you're feeling.

"If these robots do become as intelligent as human beings, we want this infrastructure of compassion and empathy to be in place so the machines are prepared to use their intellectual powers for the good of civilisation. In a way, we're planting the seeds for the survival of humanity."

The robot uses facial recognition software that understands hundreds of human expressions such as sadness, anger, fear, happiness and confusion, as well as age and gender.

The flesh-like material that makes up the robot's face, Frubber, was designed and patented by Dr Hanson and is so detailed it even includes realistic skin pores.

Scientists at the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology at UC San Diego wrote the facial recognition software that enables the head-and-shoulders model to interact with people.

Javier Movellan, who designed the software, said: "Developing a robot like this one teaches us how sensitive we are to biological movement and facial expressions, and when we get it right, it's really astonishing.

"Although we're thinking of Einstein as a tool for science right now, in the future I could see it being used in museums or as a way to teach people from other cultures how to interact with one another.

"We're also exploring the use of the robot for children with autism. It could be used as a way to teach them facial expression recognition."

For now, the cost of robots – 75,000 US dollars (£52,000) for one as sophisticated as Einstein – prohibit them being so widely used, but Mr Hanson hopes mass production could eventually drive the cost down to 200 dollars.

Dr Movellan added that the production of a robot with a "complete mind" could be just 10 years away.

Japanese Robot Humanoid - New Robot TEACHER can be Angry

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:49:00 -0700

School pupils are to be taught by the world's first robot teacher in one of the most radical uses so far of android technology.

The device, created by scientists after 15 years of research, is being trialled at a primary school in Tokyo.

Named Saya, she can speak different languages, carry out roll calls, set tasks and make facial expressions – including anger – thanks to 18 motors hidden behind her latex face.

The humanoid was originally developed to replace a variety of workers, including secretaries, in a bid to allow firms to cut costs while still retaining some kind of human interaction.

Her creator, science professor Hiroshi Kobayashi at the University of Tokyo, had been working on a robot for 15 years. She is the latest example of robots spreading to every aspect of life in Japan. They already guide traffic, attempt to lure university graduates to sign up to courses and one is even being developed to provide company to Alzheimer's sufferers.

The Japanese government has said that by 2015 it wants a robot in every home and is pouring $35 million (£23 million) into robotic intelligence to make it happen.

The push is because of Japan's ageing population – in seven years one in four Japanese will be over 65 – which means the workforce is declining, pushing up wage costs for businesses and making recruitment difficult.

Source : www.telegraph.co.uk

Japanese Robot Humanoid (Videos)

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:39:00 -0700

In other developments, Japanese scientists and engineers at Waseda University in Tokyo unveiled their latest humanoid robot named Twenty-One. This new and improved humanoid robot is equipped with manual dexterity capable of picking up a drinking straw, placing it into a tumbler and handing off the drink to it's human counter-part. Twenty-One looks like a robotic version of Steven Spielberg's kind-eyed character ET. Japan is truly taking one giant step forward for mankind.

The collaborative efforts of the University of Tokyo, Toyota, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Sega and Olympus under the auspices of IRT, (Robot Technology Research Technology Initiative) have formed a Home Assistant Robot Project. The robot is 61-inches in height by 25.6-inches wide with a depth of 31.31-inches. The new home assistant has not been officially named, but currently goes by the name AR, the initials of "Assistant Robot."

AR is equipped with a wide-angle stereo camera, a telephoto stereo camera and ultra-sensitive sensors. AR operates on a two-wheel drive base with balancing wheels. The battery life is estimated to run 30-minutes to 1-hour. Seeing is believing, but in short AR can sweep the floor, pick up a tray of dirty dishes, move them to the sink, load up the dishwasher, move chairs, put dirty clothes in the washer and more.

The humanoid robot Twenty-One developed by Waseda University in Tokyo is equipped with voice recognition and three soft cushioned fingers with an opposable thumb. Twenty-One is capable of picking up a drinking straw, putting it in a tumbler and serving the drink. The versatility of Twenty-One to run the gamut from fine motor skills to dead-weight support for disabled patients gentle movement from bed to wheel chair via voice recognition frees up family members and para-professional assistants.

Twenty-One has a remarkable resemblance to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, except it measures nearly 5-feet in height and has multiple built-in sensors, visual and voice recognition. Again, seeing is believing, catch Twenty-One the video below.

In other news, Japan's Digital Content Expo in late October 2008 allowed robot developers to show off robots performing a range of gymnastic and calisthenic feats including balancing on one foot, playing a game of limbo, moving from floor position to upright and more. A poorly translated version of the event is available by clicking on the original animated Japanese version at here . English speaking readers may simply log-on to Yahoo Babelfish or use Google translator to view the entire page.

The human assistant robot is in the fine-tuning stage and holds great promise for the pending influx of baby-boomers in need of a little help while in a care facility or at home.

ER 2.0 : Robots surgery by Jessica Griggs

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:05:00 -0700

IF a soldier is severely wounded, they have a markedly better chance of survival if they are seen by a doctor within the hour. But what if the closest field hospital is more than an hour away, or the nearby unit doesn't have the necessary medical expertise?

Help could come in the form of a mobile operating theatre, according to a consortium led by non-profit lab SRI International, based in Menlo Park, California. The device, called Trauma Pod, is still in the early stages, but its developers claim it will ultimately be able to retrieve someone from the battlefield, diagnose them, and perform lifesaving procedures while transferring them to hospital.

Inside the prototype theatre are a team of robots, led by a robotic surgeon remotely controlled by an actual surgeon. The lead robot has three arms under the surgeon's control: one holds an endoscope to allow the surgeon to see inside the patient while the other two grip the surgical tools.

Ultimately, the robot surgeon will be able to perform "temporary fix" procedures to buy the patient a few more hours until they reach a hospital, says lead developer Pablo Garcia at SRI International. "The system will focus on damage control surgery, the minimum necessary to stabilise someone," he says. "It could provide airway control, relieve immediate life-threatening injuries such as a collapsed lung, or stop bleeding temporarily."

The robot will focus on damage control, to buy someone a few more hours until they reach a hospital

Garcia says the robot could also be instructed to independently perform some relatively simple tasks, such as placing stitches or tying knots, to allow the surgeon to concentrate on more complex procedures.

The surgical robot is assisted by 12 other robotic systems, so far also at the prototype stage. The bed itself, developed by Integrated Medical Systems in Signal Hill, California, monitors the patient's vital signs, can administer fluids and oxygen, and will eventually act as an anaesthesiologist, using a robotic arm to place an IV line to deliver drugs. The "scrub nurse", a voice-activated robot arm, passes fresh tools and supplies to the "surgeon" and disposes of used equipment, while the role of circulating nurse is performed by a tool-dispensing robot. Each machine communicates with the others and is closely monitored by software programmed with the correct series of steps for a range of emergency procedures, to ensure everything happens in the right order and prevent collisions. The human surgeon can control each robot and speak to the patient to provide reassurance.

The pod is also equipped with a three-dimensional X-ray scanner, and later versions should include an ultrasound device too.

The system can't operate completely independently of people on the ground, Garcia admits. Fellow soldiers may still be needed to pick up a severely injured or traumatised comrade and place them on the bed, for example.

The Trauma Pod is being developed with $12 million in funding from the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It recently completed the first phase of a feasibility trial, in which the robots inserted a plastic tube, or shunt, into a damaged blood vessel in a mannequin's leg and performed an operation to close a perforated bowel - two common injuries following a bullet wound (The International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, DOI: 10.1002/rcs.238).

For the trials, the team used the da Vinci surgical robot, which has been performing keyhole surgical procedures in hospitals since its introduction in 2001. Garcia says this robot will eventually be replaced by one specifically designed for damage-control surgery, which the team hopes to develop next.

Other significant challenges remain, including improving the pod's life support systems and demonstrating its ability to stabilise a patient's airway without being controlled by a human surgeon. Eventually the team hopes to shrink Trauma Pod and all its robots to a bunk-bed sized object suitable for carrying on the back of a vehicle, and encase it in a shell able to withstand the rigours of the battlefield.

If development continues as planned, Garcia believes Trauma Pod could be sent to battle zones or other dangerous areas, such as those struck by natural disasters, within 10 years. Also some of the individual systems, such as the life support modules, could find their way into hospital operating theatres much sooner, he says.

Equipping the military with a fleet of robotic battle surgeons will not come cheap, however. The da Vinci robot costs about $1.5 million, plus $150,000 a year in maintenance. This price should come down, Garcia says. "Robotics is really exploding in all different fields. There is no reason why a lot of the technologies won't get cheaper over the next few years."

Ara Darzi of the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery at Imperial College London says the project has the right vision, but will be challenging. "It will be interesting to see how the system fares in a more hostile environment than the sterile test pod the initial trials were conducted in," he says.

But Brendan Visser, a surgeon at Stanford University in California who helped develop the Trauma Pod, is impressed with how far the project has come. "Three separate robots dance over the top of the patient with their powerful arms moving very quickly, yet they don't crash and they're able to deliver very small items from one arm to another," he says. "It's like those drunk-driving tests where they make you close your eyes and touch your nose, but at very high speed with arms that would break your nose if they smashed into it."

Source : http://www.newscientist.com

Chicago Auto Show 2009

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sat, 7 Mar 2009 00:17:00 -0800

Chevrolet Sting - Ray Concept

Name: Chevrolet Sting-Ray Concept
Type of Apocalypse: Robot Apocalypse
Why: The Chevrolet Stingray concept debuted here at the Chicago Auto Show, and aside from being a seriously badass concept car its Transformers alter-ego Sideswipe would be great in something like a robot apocalypse. Of course such a threat could come internally or extra-terrestrially so it pays to be safe with a giant transforming robot car friendly to your cause. Even if it's just a regular old end-of-days, you've at least got a sweet ride in which to drive off into the nuclear sunrise.

Source by : http://jalopnik.com

A Redneck Robot ? - Chevy Spark 2011

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sat, 7 Mar 2009 00:02:00 -0800

A new Activision website for the Transformers movie sequel video game features shots of robot modes for the Chevy Spark (Beat) and Trax. Frankly, they both look like hicks. A larger, higher-quality shot below.

The Transformers forum fan-boys at TFW2005 found a new Activision website for the inspired-by-Transformers-2 video game. The front page of the new game site features a shot of the robot modes for the Chevy Spark and Trax. Frankly, they both look like hicks. Ghetto hicks, but yes, hicks. Seriously, look at the sleepy eye and bored, folded-over arms. I half expect the Chevy Spark (also known as Skids in the movie) to be sitting back in a rocking chair on a porch, hat on head, and a piece of straw in its mouth. Maybe a banjo sitting next to him. What say you?

Source by : http://jalopnik.com

The APPLICATION BLUETOOTH as the MANAGER of the SIMPLE ROBOT

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 06:59:00 -0800

The development of technology caused the trend to make the human activity to more was easy and practical. The control and the sending of the data without using the cable (wireless) was one of the real shapes from this trend. The control and the sending of the data with tidak uses the cable now the public used the media infra red, ultrasonic, radio waves, the laser, the network of the telephone selular (the mobile phone) and more.

Through technology wireless that continued to develop for several last years, the use of the cable as communication means increasingly was reduced by this was caused had the limitations in part long the cable, the cable fitting, the complicated cable installation, impractical and inflexible.

Bluetooth technology was one of the replacement medias of the cable and infrared link that connected devais that one and other used relations of short-distance radio. Bluetooth operated to ISM Band (Industrial,Scientific, and Medical) in 2.4GHz and was designed light as well as was easy to be brought. Bluetooth could be united with other equipment and was met standarisasi as well as protocol in order to make him mobile, strong, and did not depend on the certain company.

The superiority bluetooth including being powerful low, was easy to be used, transferred the maximum data 721Kbps, kept against noise because used frekuensihopping.

The use of the computer as the centre of the manager, mikrokontroler as the organiser of the work of the implement and the feedback recipient, as well as network communication serial was based on RS 232 were one of the alternatives that could diimplementasikan to fill this demand.

The Autonomous Robot

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 04:43:00 -0800

The robot was a mechanics implement that could carry out the physical task, good used the supervision and the control of humankind, or used the program that was defined.

Autonomous could be interpreted as something that was done by all of them individually.

So as to be able to be concluded the Otonom Robot was a mechanics implement that was made and programed in such a way as to be able to work personally in accordance with what was needed and usually already did not need the control from humankind.

WiFi remote controlled surveillance robot

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 2 Jan 2009 19:58:00 -0800

WiFi remote controlled surveillance robot

The Wow Wee Rovio Mobile Webcam is a WiFi remote controlled surveillance robot that can be controlled by any device with a web browser, even web enabled cell phones. Rovio can also patrol a pre-programmed path and check for intruders. Rovio provides telepresence, with audio and vidéo streaming, so you can check on your home or office from anywhere a web connection exists. When Rovio’s batteries become weak, he automatically returns to his docking station to recharge if it is in his field of view. Using a state of the art TrueTrack localization system, similar to GPS but for indoors, Rovio will be the most advanced mobile webcam on the market.

features:

• WiFi equipped mobile robot with webcam.
• Built-in LED headlight to help with navigation in dimly lit locations.
• IR sensors for obstacle avoidance.
• Microphone and Speaker for 2-way communication.
• Omni-directional wheels.
• Charging dock and self-docking function.
• Rovio even has an API for advanced users.
• TrueTrack System for autonomous waypoint navigation (Store waypoints that can be navigated to with one click).
• System Requirements: Windows XP/Vista, Wireless Access Point (Wireless Router), CD/DVD drive (Note: For Mac users, Ad hoc setup requires a WiFi Card).

USB Flash Drives World's most expensive Current

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:59:00 -0800

Flash drives have been outstanding in the world until this time, but if you can guess how termahal price for a flash drive? Incrudo 8GB USB Drive proved the most expensive with the current price of U.S. $ 837!

Why is this flash drive can be such expensive? The answer is because the material is the main titanium. In addition, the flash drive is resistant to eradication efforts and also resistant to water. And the most important in a ruby red.

The most important question is whether there who are interested to buy a flash drive this?

Coffee dirt from the most expensive that can be drunk

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:38:00 -0800

Ask the English, what's most expensive coffee in the world, the nation's tea drinker will answer the coffee taken from civet dung. This assumption may be the same as the traditional society of Indonesia.

Why the most expensive? In Britain the former coffee eaten civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and out again along the dirt is sold with the price of 50 Pounds Sterling or almost Rp 1 million. It is reported in the Daily Mail website Thursday (10 / 4).

Perhaps when it heard the origin of coffee, children advance copies will be trembling. However, the cafes Peter Jones, is that coffee is Champions. Sloane Square in the cafes that sell espresso, Americano and Latte coffee beans with the start of April.

Would like to know from where Jones get the raw materials that will make it popular cafés? He purchased 60 packets exclusive mix of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and mongoose from Indonesia. This coffee beans, including rare, because the harvested less than 200 kg per year.

Believed, mongoose (civet in the Java language) can choose the best coffee beans by their instinct. They choose the soft and seeds to eat, but only the outside that can be digested, while the rest are removed along with the dirt. Liquid sewage that is believed to enrich the taste of coffee that mongoose.

Now, customers can be felt Jones own coffee sensation that mongoose. While all the profits from the sale will be donated to cancer sufferer.

One customer Jones, Hannah Silver (23) says, "I'm actually a bit worried before trying, but I really like. The taste is very soft and the soil."

Razor Most Expensive in the World

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:28:00 -0800

Too ... but not really out there .. I think the people who buy maw is razor ...? There's packet of razor and have a lot of money? me I can try wow .. ..

Damascene Razor blade is made from 128 layers of iron coated platinum, ensuring the shaver you become a clean and tidy.

According to the manufacturer's razor, the iron is used to make iron sword (swords), which is known by the name of Damascus so that the sharpness of the blade can split a piece of silk with only dropping to the razor sharp in this. Hmmm. . . . such as the samurai only is it?

Now, talking about the price of the most exciting because for a razor sharp, you need to pay about U.S. $ 30,000 (equivalent to Rp. 290,000,000). And the means to make Damascene Razor blade as the most expensive in the world.

The Robot's clothes helped cured the Paralysis Patient

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:23:00 -0800

HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limbini)

Japan - Now there is new hope for people suffering from paralysis to walk again. A clothing robots will help them rise from paralysis.

Clothing robots that are given the name HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limbini) this will help the paralyzed walk again with the steps that will detect and moves made musculature them.

HAL introduced by Yoshiyuki Sanka, professor at Tsukuba University, Tokyo. Companies that produce clothing robot is equipped with a battery Cyberdyne Inc.

According to the plan, Cyberdyne will produce the bulk of about 500 units of clothing robots to help paralyzed patients in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

HAL has a weighting of 11 kilograms (24 pounds) and automatically moves musculature in the desired part of the user. Despite the impression weight, clothing robots claimed this will not droop when charged patients.

Source by : www.detikinet.com

Japan Robot Smart Smallest Exhibition in the World

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:10:00 -0800

Although no larger than a thumbs hand, the smart robot equipped with infra-red sensor can run with gagahnya. Not only running, the super-small robots, it could play football.

For the first time, small robots nan smart display is the manufacturer of toys Co. punto. The Robo Japan in 2008 at Yokohama.

Not only ordinary robots, said Japantimes, 3.4 cm-sized robot called Robo-Q device is claimed as artificial intelligence.

It is said that because the Robo-Q is able to detect the goods around with infra-red sensors that are embedded in it. Robo-Q also can play the game of football between each other using tools checker.

"This is a toy that can be enjoyed, parents and children," said Ginger Nagashima, manager punto Co.. the toy boys.

Robo-Q is available in 4 colors and will begin commercial sale in Japan in February of the future. According to the punto Co.., Robo-Q will be sold at 3,500 yen, or around Rp340.000. After Japan, Robo-Q will also approached the United States market and other Asian countries

Robo-Q is one of about 100 other innovative robots on display at the Robo Japan in 2008. More than 40 companies, the team of researchers and universities in Japan and innovation showcase their big works in the special The robots are in Yokohama.

Engine Robots Operated by Using Tin Toy - "ROBOT TOYS"

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:57:00 -0800

The Engine Robot Tin Toy is one in a series of battery operated Robots from Metal House of Japan. As it walks, the metal rods sticking up out it's shoulders move forward and back. and it's arms move up and down.

Right in the center of the torso is a large, clear plastic cover revealing the "motor and pistons" working inside. The chest lights up so you can see the plastic pistons quickly rocking up and down as the robot walks forward. The light on his head brightly burning.

Bright paint work and lithography providing a lustrous finish to this Robot Toy.

Quality stampings and precise fit and finish are to the standard expected from Japanese Tin Toy manufacturer Metal House. A valuable addition to any toy collection.

Approximately 12 inches tall.

FOR COLLECTORS, NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN DUE TO POSSIBLE SHARP METAL EDGES

Price : US$124.95

Handyman Hand Robot for the convenience of the future

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:44:00 -0800

Handyman Hand

For centuries, people have used the human body, and the hand in particular, as an inspiration and blueprint for engineering innovations.

But copying the human hand hasn't been easy. Its complex muscular and skeletal structure offers a unique, tricky balance: It is dexterous, stable and precise, but also fast moving, strong and flexible.

Despite the challenges, makers of robot hands have called on a host of innovations from a variety of disciplines to bring us closer to fully automated hands.

Considered to be the first working robot hand, the Handyman, developed in 1960 by General Electric's Ralph Mosher, was a two-fingered, heavily jointed claw that set up the foundation for later hands.

The design looks rudimentary now, but the five-pivot segment design in each finger was innovative in its attempt to replicate the human hand's flexible joint structure. A human hand is made up of a set of rigid links (bones and muscles) connected at joints. Each joint can have one degree of freedom (hinging or sliding) or two (rotating or cylindrical). We have four degrees of freedom in each finger, giving us enormous flexibility and the ability to make complex motions.

The Handyman's fingers had three degrees of freedom. But it was the attached mechanical forearm that provided most of the wrist action, as mechanical "tendons" pushed and pulled on the fingers. A technician had to manipulate the hand by placing his arm inside the apparatus like a puppet.

The Handyman's capabilities were limited: It could pinch and hold, but had no sensitivity to what it was holding, limiting it to clawing indiscriminately at things.

source by : www.wired.com

Gibson Robot Guitar - Powertune System Technology and Self Tuning Guitar

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:43:00 -0800

The guitar can tune itself (self-Tuning guitar) on the London public. A guitar instrument that can detect the error a wire guitar tone automatically and directly alter the strings to the Pitch the right tone. The tool was created to be able to save six kinds of guitar Tuning favorite guitarist.

This guitar in the call Gibson Robot Guitar. In the demo by Mike Peters, vocalist and guitarist from the music group The Alarm, big band from Wales in the 1980s with a famous rock song "Sixty-Eight Guns.

This guitar manufacturer, Gibson company based in Nashville, Tennessee, said that the technology used in the instrument will change the guitar world guitar technology since at this time. Technology self-Tuning Gibson guitar owned by the results of this research for 10 years and will begin to be sold in the form of guitar-Gibson Les Paul series starting Friday tomorrow.

Self-Tuning All this dibandrol worth U.S. $ 2,900, or approximately Rp. 26.9 million in the UK. For the initial stage, each Gibson guitar shop in the world will only be given a ration fruits only 10 stocks. Versions of this will be available in the colors of Blue Silverburst Les Paul model.versi others have been following the beginning of January 2008.
Inventor of this technology, Chris Adams from Tronical GmbH, inspired after himself frustrated because he must repeatedly perform manual Tuning in gitarnya, describes this idea as "Mercedes-his guitar." Auto-Tuning Tool buatannya this has also been used by the guitarist Billy Corgan (smashing Pumpkins) and Matt Bellamy (Muse).

Technology robotik made by Tronical GmbH, in cooperation with Gibson Guitar Corp.. This allows Gibson Les Paul model to make their own Tuning in 2 seconds. For the guitarist who only buy the technology, auto-Tuning it only as add-on, will be able to recognize their guitar Pitch. Then, will lead processors motor in each wire to loosen or tighten voltage wire guitar.

Tronical sell separate add-on technology as a "Powertune System" online gitarnya $ 900 without. According to Tronical, this tool can be installed in various types of electrical guitar without a disability leave.

Gibson and Tronical says the technology is useful for the beginner guitar players who are still difficulties tune guitar wire and the professionals who want the 6 types Tuning to different guitar. Tuning that can be stored in the memory equipment is activated for a time when needed. The tool is able to recognize and mennyimpant Tuning original guitarist belong only to recognize the voice with the guitar wire.

To activate one of the Tuning, guitarist only need to attract one of the Knob guitar, the type of play to suit the desired Tuning marked with a blue light, and then pressing it again Knob. An electronic signal will be sent to the wire guitar and delivered to the motor auto-Tuning. This system is driven by a Lithium-ion battery that can be rechargeable. Fans of Gibson guitars are Slash (Guns N 'Roses), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Lenny Kravitz, Eric Clapton, Paul Weller and Paul McCartney.

ROBOT SENSORS - Current and Voltage Sensors

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:13:00 -0800

Phidgets Precision Voltage Sensor

DESCRIPTION :

• Measures DC voltages from -30 to +30 Volts with a typical error of ±100mVolts
• Analog Interface
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 1.2"
• Voltage (in Volts) = [ (Sensor Value / 1000) X 60] – 30

If you need to sense voltage on your batteries, or solar panels, the Phidgets Precision Voltage Sensor is perfect for the job. Its wide range of voltage sensing (-30 to +30 Volts) makes this precision sensor very versatile. Includes 60cm sensor cable.

This sensor connects to an Analog Input on the PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 or the PhidgetTextLCD. It can also be used with any microcontroller offering ADC input.

Package Contents:
• Precision Voltage Sensor
• Connector Cable

ROBOT SENSORS - Sharp GP2D12 IR Range Sensor - 10cm to 80cm

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:03:00 -0800

THE EYES OF YOUR ROBOT

InfraRed Sensors

DESCRIPTION :

• Infrared rangefinder 10cm (~4") to 80cm (~30")
• Analog Interface
• Lead free, ROHS compliant

Read the distance of the object in front of your robot. The Sharp GP2D12 IR Range Sensor takes a continuous distance reading and reports the distance as an analog voltage with a distance range of 10cm (~4") to 80cm (~30").

The interface is 3-wire with power, ground and output. This sensor requires a JST 3-pin connector (RB-Lyn-164).

DuraMAX Trio Commercial " Robot "Pool Cleaner - AQUAPRODUCTS

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:53:00 -0800

DESCRIPTION :

• Made for Olympic size pools
• Filters up to 18,000 gallons of water per hour
• No Drive Belts
• Includes Air Sensor and Remote control
• Comes with UltraKart
• Adjustable Cleaning Cycle

This exciting generation of cleaners from Aqua Products sets a new standard of durability and is easier to use and maintain than ever.

The DuraMAX Trio commercial robot pool cleaner is perfect for municipalities, schools, waterparks and training facilities. It features three high-volume pumps, three drive motors, three filter bags, and a 48" cleaning path that cleans an Olympic size pool in a fraction of the time of other cleaners.

The Aquaproducts DuraMax Trio Commercial Robot Pool Cleaner features a four button Radio Remote Control, Super EZ-Brushes, and the Beach Boy air sensor to detect zero-depth water level and prevent the unit from exiting water. Also included is the UltraKart caddy for easily transporting the cleaner and its equipment.

OVERVIEW :

• Made for Olympic size pools
• Filters up to 18,000 gallons of water per hour
• No Drive Belts
• Includes Air Sensor and Remote control
• Comes with UltraKart
• Adjustable Cleaning Cycle

SPECIFICATIONS :

• Quantity of Water Filtered: 18,000 Gallons per Hour
• Cleaning Coverage: 17,584 Sq. ft./hour
• Electrical Cord Length: 150 ft.
• Electrical Plug: 110v / 60Hz
• Filtration - Micron Rating: Self Contained – Down To 2 Microns
• Wall/Floor Cleaning: 100% Floor
• Cleaning Cycle: 1 to 7 hours

DIMENSIONS :

• Unit Weight: 65 lbs.
• Shipping Dimensions: 21” x 52” x 20”
• Shipping Weight: 107 lbs.

Korea's competitiveness try asimo Japanese robots

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:01:00 -0800

Robot two legs Artificial Korea can Dance

Mahru and Ahra, twin robots made in South Korea

Seoul, on Monday - Populariti Asimo, the artificial robot Honda Motor, Je -pun that could walk with 2 foot and carried out the action was proper for humankind began to be able to be competed with. The manufacturers of the robot humanoid in Korea also created the robot who also had the capacity like Asimo.

The robot who was given by the Mahru name and Hubo walked with 2 foot. Both of them demonstrated his capacity to dance when being introduced isnin free (13/10/08). His head could move free although when going.

Unlike Asimo that without the face, Mahru in fact had the expressive face. He could move his lip, the eyebrow, and his eyeball. His body could also dismiss two fragrant-scent kinds different depended the emotional expression that was shown off by him.

"Mahru that can dance and walk with his feet as developed humanoid robots that can work with people," said You Bum-jae, head of the team of researchers at the Korea Institute fund of Science and Technology in a statement. Robots are claimed as the first humanoid robot that has the artificial intelligence-based network.

These robots have been programmed to follow the movement of human movement sensor system that is powerful. In addition, the robot is also equipped with the ability to avoid obstructions that discovering the running. He believes fast or slow robots will be sold as a commercial job human day-to-day.

Mahru and Hubo have been developed since 2005 and improved from year to year, with several versions out. Mahru even have a pair named Ahra to represent different types of sex.

The Competition Robot's Genius in IJE

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:40:00 -0800

Jakarta, (Antara News) - competed clever the robot will be spread out on Sunday in the "Contest Robot" in Indonesian Japan Expo (IJE) 2009.

According to the committee, Beny.F. Rohman in Jakarta, on Sunday, Robot Contest was one of the main agendas the IJE exhibition and took place in Hall C Jakarta International Expo.

The IJE Robocon agenda 2008 will with the theme of the "Api-Api Persahabatan"
be followed by 10 teams from inside the country and 2 teams from Japan that all of them came from the tertiary institution.

"During this year participants" in the "contest were determined was based on the invitation that was agreed to by the Japan International Cooperation Agency side (JICA)." The theme of the contest was taken from the KRI combination (the Contest of Robot Indonesia) that required the match system face to face, and KRCI (the Contest of Robot Cerdas Indonesia) that competisi the robot dimension small that functioned separately - to extinguish candle fire, he said.

The game method in this match, two robots autonomous (automatic) would face to face the match to contest positions of fire and extinguished him in time three minutes and rescued the baby's doll by appointing him and moved to the position "home" respectively.

The winner was also determined from whoever was fastest (in time extension three minutes) extinguished candles in the certain position.

The provisions of participants in the team of the robot must come from the Tertiary Institution that consisted of two active students and one guide. The team of participants will from Indonesia be determined by the Committee was based on the Invitation from JICA.

This Contest robot was held by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Polytechnic of Elektronika Negeri Surabaya, the PENS campus - ITS Sukoilo, Surabaya in 50 Indonesia-Japan years of friendship relations.