For robot building enthusiasts, newcomers and grad students. This is one of a very few encyclopedic tell-all’s that every robot builder must have. MIT PhDs Jones and Flynn, who make their living designing and building commercially successful robots, have packed this book with tons of useful basics from wide-ranging topics. They’ve included useful resources to help you understand the design, construction and operation of the autonomous robots you’ll build with this book. Lots of tables, illustrations & color photos. Continue reading
Category Archives: Robotics_Research
HONDA, ATR and Shimazu, control the robot ASIMO WITH THOUGHT
The Honda Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of ![HONDA_ROBOT_1[1]](http://honda-p3.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HONDA_ROBOT_11.jpg "HONDA_ROBOT_1[1]")
Honda R & D CO. LTD.., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation, have jointly developed the first world an interface to control the movements of a robot with the brain (Brain Machine Interface) technology that uses an electroencephalograph (EEG) and infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), along with the newly developed information retrieval technology that enables only control a robot with human thought. It requires no physical movement, such as pressing buttons. This technology will be further developed for many applications in the future, through integration with intelligent technologies and / or robotic technologies.
![HONDA_ROBOT_001[1]](http://honda-p3.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HONDA_ROBOT_0011.jpg "HONDA_ROBOT_001[1]")
During the process of human thought, there is a slight electric current and the change of blood flow in the brain. The most important factor in the development of technology BMI (Brain Machine Interface) is the accuracy of the measurement and analysis of these changes. The new technology uses the BMI EEG, which measures changes in electrical potential of the scalp, and NIRS, which measures changes in cerebral blood flow, with a new development of information extraction technology that allows the statistical treatment of the complex information in these two types of sensors. As a result, it was possible to distinguish brain activity with high accuracy without any physical movement, when and only with human thought.
![HONDA_ROBOT_003[1]](http://honda-p3.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HONDA_ROBOT_0031.jpg "HONDA_ROBOT_003[1]")
BMI technology announced by JP-HRI and ATR in 2006, used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan brain activity. The breadth of powerful magnetic fields generated by the fMRI scanner limited locations and conditions under which could use. Because the new measurement device, everything has changed, and can be transported and used in numerous locations.
![HONDA_ROBOT_004[1]](http://honda-p3.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HONDA_ROBOT_0041.jpg "HONDA_ROBOT_004[1]")
Asimo, Honda’s robot humanoid Brain
There are different kinds of robots, including humanoids which are for instance those who left us watching the movie “Robocop” or to deliver a more everyday example, the robot Asimo from Honda. As can be seen in the first graph of this article, the Asimo was changing as the technology of artificial intelligence was giving way to the opportunity to improve the conditions under which these machines could perform both basic functions like walking, lifting hands, moving his head, etc., up to complete much more complex operations such as jumping, walking, and say a few words.
The robot Asimo from Honda, which stands for A dvanced S tep in I nnovate Mo bility, has among its main features being built entirely in a way that can bend and do all the typical movements of human beings, through their embedding within overall system of a computer-brain which is controlled by remote control. This device also controls the charging party robot, so you can have more time for action without a massive waste of energy used for mobilization of the humanoid, thereby allowing an action which is much more controlled.
Asimo from Honda can walk at a speed of 3 km / h run twice, almost imitating the movements of a child who is just starting to take its first steps. The integrated system coordination Asimo similarly lets do simple tasks with their mechanical arms such as carrying trays to use small items like keys and even bend some things to organize them. To make a little reference to mobility, Asimo is also able to rotate, completing laps around its axis which is located in the ring.
A battery pack is charged to provide fuel for this likeable character, he’s an increasing feeling that occurs in public. The advantages that can provide the robot Asimo in the future are quite striking, for example, widespread service customer service in all types of organizations as being observed, the possibility of being used in rescue maneuvers, no doubt a valuable toy teaching in many kindergartens, as “virtual teacher” for new models of education and why not, the study of motion in bodies.
Robot intelligent and emotional
The personal attitude toward these artificial creatures and the very purpose of these is the study of the program entitled Living with robots and interactive companions (LIREC in ALARA), which have just jointly launch several European technology research centers.
The project aims to create a new generation of interactive, emotionally intelligent beings capable of establishing a long relationship with humans, both in a virtual world (on a computer screen), as in the real world (robots). LIREC, worth 8.5 million euros, is also the first program to examine how we react when a robot with which we have everyday familiarity in our field takes the form of a living-person, animal or other look-in computer screen, thus putting the face and eyes to what until now saw as an object.
The investigations are based on next-generation robots recently established with some of them establishing a relationship like that stays with pets.
One is Pleo, a dinosaur that is already marketed, designed to emulate the appearance and behavior of a puppy from a week old Camarasaurus. Each Pleo learns from its experiences and environment through a sophisticated artificial intelligence, and develops an individual personality. When he runs his hand over, for example, behaves as you would a puppy, moving the neck and tail.
GlowBots, the enlightened
Another interactive companion are GlowBots, robots the size of a glass that have wheels and lights of different colors. Develop complex relationships between them and their owners. They move differently, and their lights configured various ways when touched by someone or enter into communication with their peers.
The study will also conduct experiments with iCat, a duck-shaped toy that plays chess and whose behavior varies depending on the evolution of the game, Kaspar, a humanoid child-sized, and the calls peoplebots, little robots with human appearance but take some behaviors of men.
According to Professor Peter McOwan, University of London, the project LIREC is interested in how people can develop a long term relationship with artificial creatures. There may not be a robot to help us wash the dishes in the immediate future, but we hope to explore how this technology can be developed, and want to begin to predict how they will be intelligent machines of tomorrow.
The robots create a record that they will learn to follow
Researchers in robotics from the University of California at Davis have developed a control system which allows the robots to collect evidence suggesting that their leader is about to turn, predict where it will go and then follow him. “This is a fundamental problem in robotics,” says Sanjay Joshi, associate professor mechanical and aeronautical engineering at UC davis. Indeed, whether walking down the street, while driving on the highway or in many other situations, the man often collected deliberate signals and unconscious clues in order to predict what the others and act accordingly. The robots, however, more difficult to coordinate so, for example when the leader of a group turns a corner and disappears from the field of vision of its congeners. Studies in behavioral psychology have shown that a person is about to turn unconsciously a brief nod in the direction it is preparing to borrow so that others can follow.
A system inspired by studies of behavioral psychology
Humans use different signals and to build a predictive model of where their peers are going. It is on this model that Sanjay Joshi and his team have developed an integrated control system for robots to take into account such behavioral cues in their decision making. The research team tested the system on a small robot called marketed Evolution Robotics Scorpion. The camera of the robot was able to identify his sidekick who was ahead. Its computer system could then combine this information with behavioral indices. Rather than having programmed the robot leader to send signals directly saying we should follow, the research team sent “behavioral cues” to the second robot via a wireless device.
Teaching robots to follow men
The index said that the leader was running but did not specify in what direction. To decide the direction it should take, the robot has developed its own prediction by combining the index with other parameters such as speed and direction of the leader. The researchers concluded that robots capable of incorporating behavioral information into their decision parameters acted more efficiently by following the leader that others. “Robots increasingly capable of integrating behavioral and follow them would be easier to integrate a human work. In a hospital robot could follow such a doctor in the hallways.” A paper describing this work is published in the August 2008 issue of IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.
The robots develop a sense of direction
The Flame robot was already able to move through a process similar to that of a human being. A team of University of the Basque country now wants to give the droids ability to move independently and adapt to their environment. His robot Tartalo, has a navigation system allowing it to move freely in confined spaces such as apartments, even if it has not been scheduled for housing in particular. This is indeed able to adapt to changes in space. A camera positioned at eye level allows him to perceive its environment. The computer is equipped has been programmed to recognize four different areas: bedroom, corridor, lobby and no door. When placed in a new environment, he made several Featured order to identify and memorize the location of each piece.
Identify and control his environment
This, by creating a topological map and transmit it to its owner – for display and voice recognition solution – appoint the pieces. When approaching a place, it is also able to calculate the width and length of it to identify it: a long narrow space is perceived as a corridor, another broader as the lounge. It is the same for the doors if it can not open one, it will take the initiative to knock several times against the panel to show its presence. Tartalo, which measures about 1.5 meters, is finally able to overcome the obstacles he encounters on his journey. Indeed, it is equipped with sensors that emit and detect ultrasounds, infrared lights and laser beams capable of estimating distance. His movements are still random: the robot wanders through the corridors of the university without any real purpose or destination.
Objectives of assistance to the person and for military
But what is interesting is not so much what he can do yet, but the possibility of carrying forward the tasks spontaneously and independently. Their goal is to render their droid can achieve by itself a number of applications becoming more important. And you can move on any surface in any location, from the moment he received the order. It could then be used in very different areas, assistance to seniors and disabled military applications. Several improvements, however, must still be made before any marketing or approximation of the robot with other projects. Indeed, if he knows differentiate a human from another inanimate, it is not yet able to identify faces, voices, or a particular object it should return to its owner.
Mobile Robots for Research
Trilobot mobile robot platform is used by educators and industry for a variety of tasks including research in artificial intelligence, navigation and security. Sensors include compass, tilt, light, temperature, ultrasonic ranging and bumpers. Programmed by the user’s laptop computer which communicates through the serial port using common programming languages such as C, Visual-Basic, Pascal and Prolog. High-speed radio modems are also available for communication to off-board computer systems.
The hand robot learns from humans
A robotic hand could revolutionize manufacturing and medicine. It developed from software using artificial intelligence will be able to learn the movements of a human hand and then reproduce. And to perform actions requiring dexterity beyond the reach of current robots. To achieve this, scientists have developed a glove connected to sensors that record the movements of a human hand. Movements filmed by eight cameras, high-resolution CCD infra-red illumination and can measure the precision of a gesture to the millimeter. Continue reading
Rodem, vehicle-person intelligent robotics
The team of researchers in robot technology Veda Center and the firm specializes Nippon Tmsuk have submitted a vehicle for intelligent handicapped-person, a concept that seeks to reverse a wheelchair and solves many problems. This device, which resembles a sort of futuristic scooter shortened, allowing a disabled person to climb over the back, by dragging on the seat height adjustable. The plate then his chest against a retaining plate, docks with a handlebar and can lead, via a joystick side, this means of locomotion power.
Robots who invent a language
The EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) will definitely not stop to talk to her, in robotics. A team of Swiss researchers consisting of robotics Dario Floreano, Sara Mitri, Stéphane Magnenat and Laurent Keller of the biologist, has developed a simulation composed of virtual robots that can understand what factors determine how communication arises in the evolution of social organizations. The virtual robots are used compounds of evolutionary algorithms, which enable them to respond and adapt to their environment. Communication is critical to the ecological success of social organizations. But the study of the evolution of communication is made extremely difficult for the absence of trace fossils of communication as it existed in the primitive social animals.
To perform their study, the researchers then used the simulation (the simulator is Enki, a 2D simulator in C + +). They studied the behavior of hundreds of colonies composed of 10 individuals. The development of these settlements has continued for 500 generations. Once the robot “virtual” presented interesting features, the program was transferred to real robots, this time.
Presentation of experiences
The robots are placed in an unfamiliar environment, provided a reserve of food and a pool of poison. Each robot is able to move and differentiate the poison food. Each robot has basically a simple program, encoding settings variables in a “genome”, a sort of database that can change over generations. The parameters in question encode for example the importance of altruism, or the spirit of competition. When the “reproduction”, the most powerful individuals will be selected, and will produce a new generation by passing each genome, which in theory combine the benefits of both parents.
According to Laurent Keller, “under certain conditions, a sophisticated communication has developed. We have seen colonies use lights to indicate they had found food and others reported the poison.” The use of primitive codes could well prove to be the root of language.