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The new robot that is employed by EPA is really speeding up things at the lab for testing the toxicity of chemicals. While a person can do 10-20 testing a year, the robot is able to test 10000 chemical in a week, says Robert Kavlock, the Director of the National Center for Computation and Toxicology at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the project […] Read More
The new surveillance robot that has been made by iROBOT for DARPA was presented the other day. The robot called “110 Firstlook” can observe its surroundings continuously with “persistent stare” and it is able to maneuver around in very tight and difficult conditions. The robot weighs less than 5 lbs and 10 inches, can stay operational even after falling 15 feet on to a concrete […] Read More
In order to find survivors of the earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan last week, rescue robots have been deployed at parts of Japan. One example is the snake robot that can crawl into very tight spaces in debris and provide information to rescuers. The robot have a camera at the front and can move at speeds of 2.7 inches per second with its hairlike […] Read More
In a new project that has just commenced, US Navy aims to build android firefighter robot. The concept of firefighter robots is actually not new however doing this task with a robot in human form involves more challenges. The ships are designed for only humans to move around, therefore a humanoid robot will perform much more efficiently in such environments. The project will last for […] Read More
In Japan the engineers developed an agricultural robot that could help farmers in picking fruits. The robot first determines the position, and then evaluates if the color of the strawberry is at least 80% red. After that it proceeds to pick up the fruit and places it into its storage. Currently the robot is being field tested by farmers and its developers say that there […] Read More
Panasonic has developed a robot that can wash your hair and massage your head as well. The robot has been presented at International Exhibition of Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition 2010. First the robot gather data by scanning the human head in three dimensions, makes required plan of washing, then calculates the amount of shampoo and washes and rubs the head as necessary. Reference: pcworld.com/article/206112/panasonics_robot_gives_a_16finger_automated_hair_washing.html Read More
The robots built by MIT could help clean the oil spill at the surface of the ocean. Using swarm robotics concepts, 5000 of the robots is estimated to be able to clean the entire spill area at the gulf in one month. The robot digests the oil and works nonstop without any human intervention. Attached to the robot is a thin nanowire mesh that absorbs […] Read More
Robovie-II, grocery shopping assistant has been put to service in Japan to help senior citizens with their supermarket purchases. The robot is able to carry the basket, follow the customer around and make recommendations as she buys from the shelves. The robot can access a database wirelessly which contains a list of items to purchase that customers prepare beforehand. See video below: Read More
This software used in this robot allows it to avoid obstacles in 3D. Although obstacle avoidance is nothing new, performing in 3D and with this complexity requires a lot more sophistication than a simple 2 dimensional obstacle avoiding robot. Besides this robot is able to move so quickly that can be a lot more beneficial in flexible environments, while still perform the tasks required from […] Read More
At the latest international Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition that took place in Tokyo, there were various robots on display that were able to prepare a variety of food in the kithcen. Suchi, Pancakes, Ramen Noodles were among the food that were prepared by robots. One of the system consists of an industrial robot arm with a silicone hand attached to it, while another was […] Read More