Lizard
This robot is designed after lizards, to use an extended tail to keep its descent steady. Most robots would suffer damage after falling, but the "leaping lizard" can position itself in midair to keep going when it hits the ground.
This technology could be effective in all-terrain vehicles. Unlike other bots, this tail would prevent it from being wrecked or flipped when meeting an obstacle like a cliff or steep hill. Rescue missions would be helped, as this robot could maneuver the ground quickly and efficiently, like the lizard it's modeled after. In the area of military, robots could be dropped into war zones, using the tails to control the descent and land safely.
This technology could be effective in all-terrain vehicles. Unlike other bots, this tail would prevent it from being wrecked or flipped when meeting an obstacle like a cliff or steep hill. Rescue missions would be helped, as this robot could maneuver the ground quickly and efficiently, like the lizard it's modeled after. In the area of military, robots could be dropped into war zones, using the tails to control the descent and land safely.
Leap Motion
This next video showed a robotic arm controlled through Leap Motion. The controller used a computer screen and hand movements to manipulate the robotic arm, making it grab balls and dropping them neatly into cups. The user was able to control the arm to the finest detail, moving along three different joints, and opening and closing the claw attachment.
This arm could be useful in many ways. If the technology could be applied to the entire body, people could control robots with only their bodies, with the robots mirroring the movements. This could make areas such as surgery easier and faster, with the surgeon carefully manipulating the robot with precise accuracy. This is also helpful when the robot is somewhere humans cannot be, like another planet. If a rover had this arm attachment, then scientists on Earth could interact with alien environments as if they were there. This technology has already been used in video games, to control characters on a screen, but this is interaction with real, physical objects.
This arm could be useful in many ways. If the technology could be applied to the entire body, people could control robots with only their bodies, with the robots mirroring the movements. This could make areas such as surgery easier and faster, with the surgeon carefully manipulating the robot with precise accuracy. This is also helpful when the robot is somewhere humans cannot be, like another planet. If a rover had this arm attachment, then scientists on Earth could interact with alien environments as if they were there. This technology has already been used in video games, to control characters on a screen, but this is interaction with real, physical objects.
AI
Scientists at Missouri University of Science have developed a "brain" for robots. It's a feedback system in which other robots can "ask" it questions when its stuck in a situation. This allows most robots to run independently, without any human supervision.
This robotic brain contains an Artificial Intelligence unit in place of humans to direct robots. If powerful enough A single Brain could control and direct a large fleet of mobile robots. On certain expeditions, this AI could command a group off robots to accomplish their respective missions, and helping them when they get stuck, all without human supervision.
This robotic brain contains an Artificial Intelligence unit in place of humans to direct robots. If powerful enough A single Brain could control and direct a large fleet of mobile robots. On certain expeditions, this AI could command a group off robots to accomplish their respective missions, and helping them when they get stuck, all without human supervision.
Budgee
At RoboBusiness 2013, Five Elements Robotics introduced their prototype of Budgee, a simple, two-wheeled robot. It's meant as a "personal assistant" of sorts, to follow you around and carry your things. However, it doesn't require any fancy navigational systems, as it just follows a small electronic beacon that you can slip into your pocket. Not only can it hold up to 50 lbs, but it also can fold up once empty to a portable package just under 2 lbs. Of course, it also has the necessary bump and cliff sensors to detect possible hazards and obstacles in its environment.
Budgee will be a great help for people with bad backs, or people of carrying things themselves. Who doesn't want a personal butler? Although it could only be feasible in public places with even terrain, Budgee can transport goods as a hands-free shopping cart.
Budgee will be a great help for people with bad backs, or people of carrying things themselves. Who doesn't want a personal butler? Although it could only be feasible in public places with even terrain, Budgee can transport goods as a hands-free shopping cart.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
A robot developed by Japanese scientist can "win" at rock, paper, scissors all the time. Instead of luck, the robot uses a fast recognition software to immediately identify what the opponent throws, and counteract act it with motors almost instantaneously. So, to the normal unaided human eye, it appears as the robot is predicting the correct move every time.
Although this robot has absolutely no practical use, it could be used as a carnival attraction or toy. The design though, coupled with the insanely fast geared motor speed, could be effective in other aspects, like military weaponry.
Although this robot has absolutely no practical use, it could be used as a carnival attraction or toy. The design though, coupled with the insanely fast geared motor speed, could be effective in other aspects, like military weaponry.
HydroBot 7
IntelliBot Robotics has developed a floor cleaning robot. Like a Roomba, it mops floors automatically on a set path. The difference is that the HydroBot 7 is on a much larger scale. Standing at about three feet tall, it is designed to navigate the hallways of larger buildings, like hospitals or schools.
The HydroBot 7 is a great economical investment, as the robot requires very little human help and can run up to eight hours on its own. In a busy place like a hospital, which needs to stay as clean as possible, this robot will be at least one less employee clogging the already hectic hallways.
The HydroBot 7 is a great economical investment, as the robot requires very little human help and can run up to eight hours on its own. In a busy place like a hospital, which needs to stay as clean as possible, this robot will be at least one less employee clogging the already hectic hallways.
Jinn
Two Swiss roboticists have developed Jinn, a humanoid robot that can walk around and perform simple tasks. The main selling point is that Jinn is made completely out of parts printed from a 3-D printer, and can be easily controlled with any smartphone. Jinn is about one meter tall, and can lift and carry about 10 lbs. of anything.
Jinn has no practical use, except for a toy that anybody can download, print, and build for their own amusement. But I believe that Jinn is one step closer to designing even more human-like robots. Despite the obvious size difference, Jinn can act and move like a regular person, while a voice and facial patterns are displayed on a screen. Jinn shows just how far robots have come, now that anybody can easily interact with one in today's world.
Jinn has no practical use, except for a toy that anybody can download, print, and build for their own amusement. But I believe that Jinn is one step closer to designing even more human-like robots. Despite the obvious size difference, Jinn can act and move like a regular person, while a voice and facial patterns are displayed on a screen. Jinn shows just how far robots have come, now that anybody can easily interact with one in today's world.