Researchers are building systems to enable humans to collaborate with robots and vehicles.
In the morning, you wake up and your robot starts the coffee maker and then sends the daily calendar to the car. The car then works on a plan that makes sure you keep to that schedule. This is the vision of MIT researchers who are developing systems to help people collaborate with robots and vehicles.
Continue reading… “MIT researchers envision a future of talking cars that can plan driver’s day”
The unmanned aircraft are the next big transformation in the aviation industry.
The phrase “this is your captain speaking” may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to a new generation of robotic, passenger aircraft that will take to the skies by themselves.
Continue reading… “Pilotless passenger planes ready for takeoff”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9FDkJZCMuE[/youtube]
A robot the size of a fly that is able to perform the agile maneuvers of the ubiquitous insects has been created bu scientists in the United States. This “robo-fly”, built from carbon fiber, weighs a fraction of a gram and has super-fast electronic “muscles” to power its wings.
Continue reading… “World’s smallest flying robot takes off”
Urban architecture could take on a much different form as scientists make huge strides in robotics, natural building materials, and new construction methods.
Cities are complex ecosystems and they are confronting tremendous pressures to seek optimum efficiency with minimal impact in a resource-constrained world. While architecture, urban planning, and sustainability attempt to address the massive resource requirements and outflow of cities, there are signs that a deeper current of biology is working its way into the urban framework.
Continue reading… “Drones, bacteria, and 3D printers will build the cities of the future”
COMAN
Mimicking the many distinct balancing adjustments standing humans make when unexpectedly shoved, or while encountering shifting terrain (such as on a boat or moving train) is a skill that most robots haven’t mastered. Nevertheless, one lab in Italy has created a humanoid robot that comes very close to matching our skill at avoiding taking a spill. (Video)
Continue reading… “COMAN – a robot that can’t be knocked over no matter how hard you shove it”
The arguments in favor of self-driving cars are many: computer-sorted traffic could yield higher maximum speeds and optimized drive times (sayonara “stop and go,” hello increased fuel efficiency!), the option to drive whether you’ve had too much to drink or not and driverless valet park anywhere you go (as well as make better use of parking space — no more sloppy two-for-one parking jobs). Imagine your vehicle driving itself off to a maintenance facility without your assistance, returning home on its own, or the option to be as distracted as you like while your vehicle’s escorting you around, from texting to watching a video to catching up on your notes for a morning work meeting. (Infographic)
Wave Glider SV3
Liquid Robotics has announced the Wave Glider SV3, what it calls the worldʼs first hybrid wave and solar propelled unmanned ocean robot. These super-smart robots have been revamped with Wi-Fi and cellular communications and are primed to compete in a series of industries, and might eventually create a couple new ones while they’re at it. (Pics)
Continue reading… “Wave Glider SV3 – world’s first wave and solar powered unmanned ocean robot”
Articles don’t read like robots wrote them.
Narrative Science has developed an algorithm that produces a computer-written news story about every 30 seconds, Wired reports. The articles run on the websites of respected publishers like Forbes, as well as other Internet media powers (many of which are keeping their identities private).
Continue reading… “Are algorithms better storytellers than human journalists?”
The use of drone strikes is a polarizing topic.
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the new online infographic, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind,” which shows a chilling visualization of all estimated deaths in Pakistan caused by U.S. drone strikes, including children and civilians, based on estimates from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and New America Foundation. Whether you agree with the numbers, or the politics, behind this particular project (put together by the data visualization firm Pitch Interactive), at least it’s sparking debate. And that’s got to be a good thing — there’s still so much we don’t know about this highly controversial issue.
Continue reading… “Are U.S. drone strikes creating more terrorists than they kill?”
BionicOpter
The BionicOpter was created by German automation company Festo. It was designed to mimic the look and flying dynamics of a dragonfly. The 1.5-foot-long ultra-light flying robot operates via remote control from a smartphone and can maneuver and hover in place just like a real dragonfly. Each of the robot’s four wings operate independently using servo motors, allowing each wing to be twisted by up to 90 degrees. (Video)
Continue reading… “BionicOpter – a hyper-realistic dragonfly drone”
A drone delivering a newspaper.
It looks like news delivery is another job being obviated by robots. In Auvergne, France, residents get their daily news the old-fashioned way: through newspapers. But the delivery of said newspapers, apparently, will soon be executed with the help of high tech — because it’ll be done with the help of drones.
Continue reading… “Drones to deliver newspapers in France”
A swarm of robots can carry out simple fetching and carrying tasks.
At the Sheffield Center for Robotics, jointly established by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, researchers have been working to program a group of 40 robots, and say the ability to control robot swarms could prove hugely beneficial in a range of contexts, from military to medical.
Continue reading… “Swarms of small robots could be the servants of the future”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.