Category Robotics Classification

Exoskeletons have remarkable potential. As with their science fiction counterparts, these machines can amplify their users’ strength, letting them lift heavier objects with less effort.

Robots can deliver food on a college campus and hit a hole in one on the golf course, but even the most sophisticated robot can't perform basic social interactions that are critical to everyday human life.

For people with motor impairments or physical disabilities, completing daily tasks and house chores can be incredibly challenging. Recent advancements in robotics, such as brain-controlled robotic limbs, have the potential to significantly improve their quality of life.

A robotic boat has been used for the first time to survey fish populations around oil platforms in the North Sea.

From pick-and-pack to palletization, Master's Gallery Foods relies on flexible robotics systems from Quest Industrial to streamline end-of-line packaging throughput at its six Wisconsin cheese maturation facilities.

The sheer expanse of the deep sea and the technological challenges of working in an extreme environment make these depths difficult to access and study. Scientists know more about the surface of the moon than the deep seafloor. MBARI is leveraging advancements in robotic technologies to address this disparity.

Over the past decade or so, many roboticists and computer scientists have been trying to develop robots that can complete tasks in spaces populated by humans; for instance, helping users to cook, clean and tidy up. To tackle household chores and other manual tasks, robots should be able to solve complex planning tasks that involve navigating environments and interacting with objects following specific sequences.

The camera control, which gives the robot the flexibility for an infinite variety of parts, and the EasyControl graphical user interface with its easy-to-understand input screens that allow users to automate without any robot knowledge.

Picking up a blueberry or grape without squishing it isn't hard, but try teaching it to a robot. The same goes for walking on ice, turning a key to unlock a door or cooking a favorite dish.

In this episode, Audrow Nash speaks to Tobias Holmes, Quality Assurance Manager at Blue River Technologies. Blue River uses computer vision and robotics in agriculture and was acquired by John Deere in 2017. Tobias speaks about herbicide resistance, spraying weeds, quality assurance and testing on hardware, and on encouraging kids to learn robotics.

 

Episode Links

• Download the episode
• Tobias’ LinkedIn
• Blue River Technology
• FIRST Robotics
• Crystal Ray High School (East Bay)

Podcast info

• Podcast website
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• RSS
• Full episodes on YouTube

Researchers from the Institute of Engineering and Technology at the Nicolaus Copernicus University have developed an algorithm that will allow mobile robots to escape blind alleys and avoid obstacles.

Currently, most robots are seen in industry where they support repetitive tasks, such as in the assembly lines of cars or in the production of microchips. However, in the near future the robot should find his way in less structured environments as well, to be able to work in healthcare or in hazardous environments, such as disaster areas. Researcher Wouter Houtman investigated the interaction of robots with their environment and developed algorithms to improve their movements in "the real world." He will defend his Ph.D. thesis at the department of Mechanical Engineering on Thursday 4th of November.

Boosting efficiency through digitalization - almost no branch of industry can evade it. Also operators of press shops are increasingly networking their production. But - it's not always necessary to replace the entire plant in order to stay up to date.

Scicomm.io is a science communication project which aims to empower people to share stories about their robotics and AI work. The project is a joint effort from Robohub and AIhub, both of which are educational platforms dedicated to connecting the robotics and AI communities to the rest of the world.

This project focuses on training the next generation of communicators in robotics and AI to build a strong connection with the outside world, by providing effective communication tools.

People working in the field are developing an enormous array of systems and technologies. However, due to a relative lack of high quality, impartial information in the mainstream media, the general public receive a lot hyped news which ends up causing fear and / or unrealistic expectations surrounding these technologies.

Scicomm.io has been created to facilitate the connection between the robotics and AI world and the rest of the world through teaching how to establish truthful, honest and hype-free communication. One that brings benefit to both sides.

Scicommm bytes

With our series of bite-sized videos you can quickly learn about science communication for robotics and AI. Find out why science communication is important, how to talk to the media, and about some of the different ways in which you can communicate your work. We have also produced guides with tips for turning your research into blog post and for avoiding hype when promoting your research.

Training

Training the next generation of science communicators is an important mission for scicomm.io (and indeed Robohub and AIhub). As part of scicomm.io, we run training courses to empower researchers to communicate about their work. When done well, stories about AI and robotics can help increase the visibility and impact of the work, lead to new connections, and even raise funds. However, most researchers don’t engage in science communication, due to a lack of skills, time, and reach that makes the effort worthwhile.

With our workshops we aim to overcome these barriers and make communicating robotics and AI ‘easy’. This is done through short training sessions with experts, and hands-on practical exercises to help students begin their science communication journey with confidence.

A virtual scicomm workshop in action.

During the workshops, participants will hear why science communication matters, learn the basic techniques of science communication, build a story around their own research, and find out how to connect with journalists and other communicators. We’ll also discuss different science communication media, how to use social media, how to prepare blog posts, videos and press releases, how to avoid hype, and how to communicate work to a general audience.

For more information about our workshops, contact the team by email.

Find out more about the scicomm.io project here.

Robot food delivery is no longer the stuff of science fiction. But you may not see it in your neighborhood anytime soon.