Category: Robots

Inside a lab at Boston University’s College of Engineering, a robot arm meticulously drops small, plastic objects into a box on the floor. These feather-light, cylindrical pieces, no bigger than an inch tall, are the results of an ongoing experiment in robot autonomy. Independently learning and adapting, the robot is on a mission to create the most efficient energy-absorbing shape ever conceived.

The process begins with the robot 3D printing a small plastic structure, recording its shape and size, and then placing it on a flat metal surface. The robot then crushes the structure with pressure equivalent to the weight of an adult Arabian horse standing on a quarter. It measures the energy absorbed by the structure, analyzes its deformation, and logs every detail into a vast database. The crushed object is then dropped into the box, and the robot prepares to print and test the next iteration.

Continue reading… “Revolutionizing Impact Absorption: Boston University’s Autonomous Robot Pushes the Limits”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made waves with a bold prediction about humanoid robots, announcing that the company expects to commence sales of its Optimus robots by the end of next year. Musk went further to assert that these robots could eventually surpass all other assets combined, marking a significant shift in Tesla’s strategic focus.

Musk’s announcement coincides with a surge of interest and investment in humanoid robots across various industries. Companies like Honda, Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, and Figure have been actively developing their own versions. However, Musk believes Tesla is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in commercializing such robots, citing the ongoing use of Optimus prototypes within Tesla factories.

Continue reading… “Elon Musk Sets Ambitious Timeline for Tesla’s Humanoid Robots: Optimus”

Amazon’s latest foray into warehouse automation heralds a new era of efficiency and innovation, with the introduction of humanoid robots and advanced robotic systems aimed at revolutionizing warehouse operations. This week marks the commencement of testing for Digit, a two-legged robot designed to tackle a myriad of tasks, starting with the movement of empty tote boxes within Amazon’s facilities.

In tandem with Digit, Amazon unveils Sequoia, a cutting-edge robotic system engineered to streamline order fulfillment processes. Deployed initially at a fulfillment center in Houston, Texas, Sequoia epitomizes Amazon’s relentless pursuit of operational excellence. However, as the tech giant doubles down on automation, concerns loom over the potential impact on its vast workforce, comprising nearly 1.5 million individuals.

Continue reading… “Amazon’s Robot Revolution: Enhancing Efficiency While Embracing Human Collaboration”

Boston Dynamics bid farewell to its iconic humanoid robot, HD Atlas, after 11 years of acrobatic feats and captivating performances. In its place emerges the all-electric successor, boasting enhanced strength and a broader range of motion.

The new Atlas surpasses its predecessor in capability, notably showcasing the ability to fully stand from a prone position, a feat previously unattainable by HD Atlas. However, the manner in which the robot rises from the ground has elicited mixed reactions, with some finding it unsettling. Instead of the conventional method of rolling over and leveraging its arms, the new Atlas employs a peculiar technique: bending its legs backward, rotating knee and hip joints nearly 180 degrees, before propelling itself upright as the remainder of its body unfolds. As it strides backward, its head swivels 180 degrees, adding to its eerie demeanor.

Continue reading… “Boston Dynamics Unveils New Electric Atlas Robot”

In kitchens worldwide, robots dutifully prepare meals with precision, mimicking the assembly line model familiar for the past 50 years. However, Ishika Singh, a Ph.D. student at the University of Southern California, envisions a robot that can do more than follow programmed steps. She aims to create a robot capable of entering a kitchen, navigating the fridge and cabinets, selecting ingredients, and crafting a delectable meal – a task that requires knowledge, common sense, flexibility, and resourcefulness beyond the capabilities of current robotic programming.

Singh points out the limitation of the classical planning pipeline used by roboticists, emphasizing the need for a robot to understand not only the specific kitchen it’s in but also the culture, individuals it’s feeding, and any unexpected variables. Traditional robotic programming, with its predefined actions and preconditions, struggles when confronted with unanticipated situations.

Continue reading… “Beyond the Assembly Line: The Quest for Robots with Culinary Creativity”

At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Ecovacs, known for its robot vacuums, introduced three remarkable products: the Winbot W2 Omni robot window cleaner, a wireless handheld stick vacuum for the Deebot X2 Omni, and a robot lawn mower.

David Qian, Vice Chairman of Ecovacs Group and CEO of Ecovacs Robotics, emphasized their commitment to redefine the smart home cleaning experience through innovation, offering homeowners more time for family and leisure activities.

Continue reading… “Ecovacs Unveils Innovative Cleaning Solutions at CES 2024”

Samsung has reintroduced its beloved Ballie robot at CES 2024, showcasing an updated version with an exciting new feature: projection capabilities. The round Ballie robot can now project content onto the floor, wall, or ceiling while it accompanies you around your home.

In a delightful video presentation, Ballie, once again appearing in its playful yellow color, demonstrated various creative projection tricks. These included playing a bird video to entertain a dog, displaying a video call on a wall, and providing a fitness video for someone working out. Samsung also highlighted that Ballie can automatically adjust its projection based on its distance from the wall and the lighting conditions, claiming to be the world’s first projector capable of detecting people’s posture and facial angle to optimize the projection angle.

Continue reading… “Samsung Unveils Enhanced Ballie Robot with Projection Capabilities at CES 2024”

In the realm of robotic innovation, humanoid robots have garnered much attention, but Fraunhofer’s evoBOT and O³dyn pallet jack demonstrate that speed, strength, and versatility are paramount in logistics and warehousing. While humanoids aspire to perform a wide array of tasks, these specialized robots are leading the charge in redefining efficiency and productivity in industrial settings.

evoBOT, a self-balancing two-wheeled marvel, defies expectations by achieving speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph) on its extendable legs, while also being capable of lifting up to 65 kg (143 lb) with its self-locking lifting arms. Its dexterity may not match that of a human hand, but its rotating circular grippers enable it to lift objects smoothly without inverting them. With the ability to carry up to 100 kg (220 lb) when loaded by another source, evoBOT is surprisingly agile, thanks to its compact and lightweight design, weighing approximately 40 kg (88 lb). Remarkably, it can tackle slopes with inclinations of up to 45 degrees, even on uneven terrain. In case of a fall, evoBOT effortlessly rights itself, showcasing its resilience. It can operate for up to 8 hours on a single battery charge, making it a reliable choice for demanding tasks. The video of its successful test at Munich Airport demonstrates both its utility and the charm in its operation.

Continue reading… “Efficiency and Agility Redefine Logistics: Fraunhofer’s Pioneering Robots”

The remarkable Hadrian X, a bricklaying robot, arrives at a construction site seemingly as an ordinary truck. However, it then extends a colossal 32-meter (105-foot) boom arm and commences the precise laying of up to 300 large masonry blocks every hour. This spectacle is truly impressive. We’ve been closely following this Australian innovation since its inception as an excavator-mounted prototype back in 2015. Even at that early stage, it could construct the brick framework for a full-sized home in just two days – a pace approximately 20 times faster than human bricklayers, as reported by Fastbrick Robotics, now known as FBR, the creator of the robot. In 2023, it has transitioned to commercial use. FBR has unveiled its first “next-gen” Hadrian-X system, and during a recent outdoor test build, it achieved a new speed record, maintaining a rate exceeding 300 masonry blocks per hour on a testing and calibration run.

When we extrapolate this impressive rate to the largest blocks the Hadrian X can handle – hefty 45-kilogram (99-pound) monsters measuring 600 x 400 x 300 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 11.8 in) – we find that this machine has the potential to lay approximately 70 square meters (753 square feet) of vertical wall each hour, roughly equivalent to a quarter of a tennis court. Furthermore, FBR anticipates that it can become even faster, with a rated top speed of 500 blocks per hour.

Upon arriving at a site, the Hadrian X is operated via a tablet, following a CAD plan to lay bricks with precision. Workers load masonry blocks into the back of the truck by the pallet load. Then, “dehacker” robots unpack and, if necessary, cut them to size using a circular saw. Subsequently, the blocks are dispatched one by one down the central shaft of the boom arm, each coated with a special construction adhesive, which replaces traditional mortar. Within 45 minutes, they are firmly in place and dry. Notably, the Hadrian X’s telescoping boom arm is sufficiently long to construct three-story structures from street level without requiring a ladder, and it operates around the clock, even in various weather conditions.

The initial test build, as seen in the video provided, reveals some minor inaccuracies in brick placement around the 1:08 mark. However, considering that this was the very first run for the next-gen robot in a testing and calibration capacity, it’s reasonable to assume that such issues will be swiftly addressed. FBR currently has two more robots under construction, with the first and second units set to travel to the USA for demonstrations and deployment in FBR’s Florida-based “Wall as a Service” business.

The Hadrian X represents a groundbreaking advancement in the construction industry, poised to revolutionize how we approach bricklaying and construction projects.

Shandong, China-based Qibot Robot Company has achieved a groundbreaking feat by creating the world’s fastest boxer bot. This single-handed robot stands over six feet (1.9 m) tall, boasting an impressive response delay time of just 12 milliseconds, making it a remarkable achievement in the robotics world, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

While robots have been designed to replace humans in mundane tasks, they are also proving to be effective alternatives in facing violence. With militaries worldwide increasingly utilizing drones to protect human lives in dangerous zones, robot wars have become a familiar concept for many.

Continue reading… “Qibot Robot Company Unveils World’s Fastest Boxer Bot”

The scorching summer heatwaves across the globe have led to record-breaking temperatures in various regions, emphasizing the urgency of climate change mitigation. While efforts to combat climate change hold promise, we must also adapt to the current extreme heat conditions. In this endeavor, a revolutionary robot named ANDI is stepping forward to assist us, particularly in understanding how our bodies respond to extreme heat and finding ways to live more comfortably and safely in hot climates.

ANDI, akin to department store mannequins, possesses an extraordinary ability to walk, breathe, and even sweat. Developed by Thermetrics and initially used by clothing companies to test athletic wear, researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) are now leveraging ANDI’s capabilities to investigate human body responses to extreme heat. Since it is unsafe to subject humans to dangerous heat situations for research purposes, ANDI serves as an invaluable tool in understanding heat-related health issues and potential remedies.

Continue reading… “ANDI: The Human-Body-Mimicking Robot Aiding Research on Extreme Heat Adaptation”

A groundbreaking research group within Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute is revolutionizing exploration with their cutting-edge robotic systems. The Autonomous Exploration Research Team has developed a suite of autonomous robots and planners that enable advanced exploration, rapid mapping, and accurate navigation through unknown environments—all without the need for human intervention.

Led by Ji Zhang, a systems scientist at the Robotics Institute, the team’s robotic systems boast incredible versatility. The robots can be deployed in various environments, ranging from department stores to disaster-stricken residential buildings, to explore and map in real-time. This autonomous approach eliminates the need for human presence on-site, making exploration more efficient and safe.

Continue reading… “Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Pioneers Autonomous Exploration Robots”