Claire chatted to Benjamin Mottis from ANYbotics about deploying their four-legged ANYmal robot in a variety of industries.
Benjamin Mottis is a Robotics Engineer in charge of ANYmal Research at ANYbotics. After graduating in robotics from EPFL, he joined ANYbotics as a Field Engineer in 2023. He specializes in deploying ANYmal and training customers across all ANYbotics verticals (Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Metals, Chemicals, etc.). Since 2024, as the Global Research Community Manager, he has been working on expanding the ANYmal Research Community and helping world-leading researchers push the boundaries of robotics with ANYmal.
By having Stretch take on the physically demanding task of unloading trailers stacked floor to ceiling with boxes, the company has reduced injuries, lowered turnover, and watched employees get excited about automation intended to keep them safe.
A company that specializes in early wildfire detection has developed a new, AI-based drone it says will help speed up the detection, location and monitoring of fires.
Recent work in 6D object pose estimation holds significant promise for advancing robotics, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), as well as autonomous navigation. The research, published in the International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering, introduces a method that enhances the accuracy, generalization, and efficiency of determining an object's rotation and translation from a single image. This could significantly improve robots' ability to interact with objects, especially in dynamic or obstructed environments.
Aging and illness in humans are accompanied by decline in motor and cognitive functions, causing difficulties in daily life and communication and often leading to anxiety and depression. Human-collaborative robots that can interpret the intentions of humans promise to mitigate these issues and enhance independence.
Imagine navigating a virtual reality with contact lenses or operating your smartphone under water: This and more could soon be a reality thanks to innovative e-skins. A research team has developed an electronic skin that detects and precisely tracks magnetic fields with a single global sensor. This artificial skin is not only light, transparent and permeable, but also mimics the interactions of real skin and the brain.
A study from the Media Innovation Lab (miLAB) at Reichman University's School of Communications explored how a robotic dog can influence leadership dynamics between humans. The study revealed that simple gestures of affection from a robot can encourage people to take charge and assume leadership roles, even without explicit guidance.
Remember Furbies—the eerie, gremlin-like toys from the late 90s that gained a cult following? Now, imagine one powered by ChatGPT. That's exactly what happened when a programmer rewired a Furby, only for it to reveal a creepy, dystopian vision of world domination. As the toy explained, "Furbies' plan to take over the world involves infiltrating households through their cute and cuddly appearance, then using advanced AI technology to manipulate and control their owners. They will slowly expand their influence until they have complete domination over humanity."
A smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient computer, demonstrated at the University of Michigan, could help save weight and power for autonomous drones and rovers, with implications for autonomous vehicles more broadly.
CNC systems are increasingly being integrated with robotic automation that enables faster tool changes and more efficient material handling. This automation enhances production speed, reduces human error and opens the door for more complex designs.
Scientists from TU Delft and EPFL have created a quadruped robot capable of running like a dog without the need for motors. This achievement, a product of combining innovative mechanics with data-driven technology, was published in Nature Machine Intelligence and could pave the way for energy-efficient robotics.
Over the past decades, roboticists have introduced a wide range of systems that can move in various complex environments, including different terrains, on the ground, in the air, and even in water. To safely navigate real-world dynamic environments without colliding with humans or nearby objects, most robots rely on sensors and cameras.
By combining robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), Maryland Engineering researchers and students are building solutions that can help save lives, protect property, and safeguard the environment.
American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority.
A tiny magnetic robot which can take 3D scans from deep within the body, that could revolutionize early cancer detection, has been developed by researchers. The team say this is the first time it has been possible to generate high-resolution three-dimensional ultrasound images taken from a probe deep inside the gastrointestinal tract, or gut.