Robotics for Mars Exploration

Mars it is the most Earth-like of the nine planets that make up the solar system. The great distance from Earth (400 million km from the Earth at the farthest point of its orbit) makes travels to Mars long and dangerous. Hence its exploration has been so far carried out only by robotics means. Thanks to its similarities to Earth (i.e. a solid planet with atmosphere), Mars allows the use of the most diverse robotics means:

-Penetrometers and Robotics Moles for underground exploration
-Rovers (tracked, wheeled or legged) and hoppers for surface exploration
-Aerobots (balloons, blimps, planes and hoppers) for aerial exploration Continue reading

Designed a robot that jumps like a grasshopper

The first robot capable of jumping like a grasshopper and rolling like a ball, can play a key role in future space explorations. The ‘Jollbot’ has been created by Rhodri Armor, a PhD student at the University of Bath. It is expected that his creation, which can jump over obstacles and roll like a ball on stable ground, can be used for space exploration work or study of land in the future.
One of the biggest challenges facing those robots designed for space exploration is being able to move on steep terrain. The robots with legs are usually very complex, expensive to build and control, and it is difficult to design them to be able to recover after falling. The wheels are a simpler solution, but limit the size of the obstacles that can be overcome. Continue reading

Japan: Advanced in Robotics

 Japanese researchers are working to realize a society where robots live with humans and perform simple tasks at home, like turning on the light, ordering the purchase or do the cleaning.

 Rapid technological development and the discovery of new building materials will allow, in just a few decades, there are robots able to understand, analyze and perform routine tasks, thus making it easier every day.
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Nao – Aldebaran Robotics – Robocop

Aldebaran Robotics Nao Robocup 02

After a period of two years of intensive development, Aldebaran Robotics team enters a new phase, which will be completed by the delivery of our first models. At this stage, our communication will intensify, as well as our investment in emerging community and returns will be more passionate than ever solicited. Nao is now in the final stages of design macaronis (mechanics and electronics). The latest prototype, Al-05b (red), was mounted early July 2007 at the tender launched by the Organizing Committee of the Robocop, to be presented in Atlanta. The result is conclusive: Nao is now the new official platform of the league standard of the Robocop as early as the 2008 edition to be held in China. Continue reading

A capsule medical robotics

Capsule Médicale Robotique #1The nano robotics laboratory at the University of Carnegie Mellon has developed a new type of robot that can be swallowed and controlled outside the body. The capsule has a small robotic arm adhesives that can be set on internal walls slippery and then come off without damaging the tissue. Using a remote control, doctors can tell the robot when out or retract his “legs” in order to fix or detach. Once ingested the capsule as any conventional pill, it can be used to take pictures of areas necessary, or make mini-films through a mini-camera, but it could also have other features, such as dissemination of a drug, tissue, or cauterization wound with a mini-laser, or other applications .. Continue reading

I-Sobot: robotics at your fingertips!

I-Sobot is the name of this tiny humanoid robot. I say very small because these dimensions are 16.5 centimeters high and 6.7 centimeters deep, 10 centimeters wide and 350 grams. With these I-17 engines Sobot is capable of reproducing 200 movements including dances, imitations of animals, acrobatics and galipettes complex and may deliver approximately 180 words. Other good news this humanoid that can be controlled through a remote control and a dozen voice commands also have a Wi-Fi connection to the I-SOBOT CAM Version which will drive the distance helped by a camera built into its head. Continue reading

The little robot at Aldebaran Robotics

The French company Aldebaran Robotics working since 2005 to develop a robot biped for the general public. The small humanoid named NAO is very promising since board functions mechanical, electronic and cognitive worthy of the best research prototypes! You can really see it as the little brother of the famous Honda’s ASIMO. Thanks to its integrated web cam is able to perform facial recognition. NAO is therefore able to identify a caller and respond to him through a speech synthesizer function. It also loads a wireless connection type Wi-Fi allowing a remote control robot (possibility to access the images captured by the web cam board). The robot is able to distribute content via its integrated speakers (MP3 playback by the network, reading mails…) It depose also understandable hands enabling him to take some objects. Nao top of its 57 cm (4Kg) is able to move and can operate autonomously for 1 to 3 hours depending on the number of times or you soliciter. This robot will be delivered by default with basic behaviors that will make a perfect companion for the whole family. But NAO is also a superb scalable platform that revere all passionate technology and programming. It will be possible to develop new behavior and to learn many interactions through URBI.URBI language is a Universal Interface for Interactive Systems (Universal Real-time Behavior Interface), which lets you control robots or interface games videos with a powerful scripting language. Continue reading

Advanced Robotics Research

Scientists at the Honda Research Institute have recently released a demo video of their latest state of the art humanoid robot: MiniAsimo. The culmination of years of research in robotics, nano-technology and chemoastrophysrobology, MiniAsimo contains the same functionality as the original Asimo model, while standing a mere 1.5 inches tall.