Some tests with 3 proximity sensors

I’m testing Sleipner against a few rather easy enemies . This is with only 3 sensors pointed mostly towards the front. Read more at: vedder.se
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AlphaDog Proto

The AlphaDog Proto is a lab prototype for the Legged Squad Support System, a robot being developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA and the US Marine Corps. When fully developed the system will carry 400 lbs of payload on 20-mile missions in rough terrain. The first version of the complete robot will be ready in 2012. This video shows early results from the lab where we are developing the control systems and locomotion platform. This lab prototype is powered remotely. AlphaDog will draw power from an internal combustion engine, which we designed to be 10x quieter than BigDog. The field version of AlphaDog will have a sensor head packed with terrain sensors. Boston Dynamics leads a development team that includes AAI Corp, Bell Helicopter, CMU/NREC, FEV, JPL and Woodward HRT. For more information visit us at www.BostonDynamics.com.
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A Robot With Empathy?

A Robot With Empathy?

A recent article in Science Daily announced that there are now some new robots currently being developed that can empathize with a human. They can read a person’s emotional state and adjust their behavior accordingly.

The article says, “Using cameras and sensors, the very simple robots being built by the researchers – using mostly off-the-shelf parts – can detect different parameters, such as a person’s facial expressions, voice, and proximity to determine emotional state.” These robots are apparently also capable of learning from experience.

It’s amazing isn’t it? But my only worry is about those misunderstandings. You know the ones I mean, the misunderstandings that arise from a misinterpretation of the signals we’re getting from another person? Haven’t all of us experienced that kind of thing on a first date, for example?

Or look at the tangle we can all find ourselves getting into with words. Person A doesn’t express themselves with complete precision, Person B is probably only half listening anyway. And probably some of the words convey a different meaning to both of them.

Yes I know these new robots are not dealing with word interpretations, but facial expressions and sounds like a cry or a laugh. But surely the extension of these empathic robots to words is only just around the next corner.

The robots we already have are too intrusive and very over-helpful as it is. I’m thinking particularly of those robot programs that offer to take over for you when you’re typing a document or logging in to a secure website. Or the robots that automatically dump into the junk folder that email from your Great-Aunt Lucy that she finally got around to writing, and then not telling you about it.

I think after all, I was happier with the robot in Lost in Space. Whenever it couldn’t cope with a human reaction, it just said in a metallic voice, “I am not programmed in that area.”

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Toy Robots are No Longer the Usual Robots

Toy Robots are No Longer the Usual Robots

Remember back in the days when you all would think about robots as something that man made so as to mimic what people (or animals) could do? Well, right now, things have changed. Robots could actually function more human- or animal-like compared to the very first robots which made most people look at them in wonder and awe.

What makes toy robots special is the fact that it has been built so as to be able to have the capacity to think for itself. Although this ability to think is artificial, the fact that it can actually think for itself has made toy robots some gadget to be in awe of. Just imagine pieces of metal and plastic put together to create a toy robot which can move about and think for itself. Of course, the ability to actually ‘think’ has been programmed in the gadget.

Over at Gadget Epoint, people would be amazed if they would be actually able to see the Program-A-Bot. This toy robot is some gadget which has fascinated both grownups and kids alike. The Program-A-Bot can actually walk by itself. When there is a need to make a turn, this toy robot can do that as well. However, turning and walking are not the only things that the Program-A-Bot can do. See, this gadget can also dance and also has been programmed to create sounds.

All you need are just four AA batteries and two LR44 cell batteries. With these, you can make this toy robot do its special talents. Kids who have played with the Program-A-Bot have actually been delighted for hours on end. After all, this toy robot has sensors which allow it to know when it is time to make a turn or move in another direction. Now the Program-A-Bot is certainly something to own.

Amazing World Of Robot Kits

Amazing World Of Robot Kits

Fascinated with electronics, then you will be doubly fascinated with the robots. And if you are indeed, then get yourself the robot kits so that you can have an amazing learning experience at your home. With these kits not only you will be able to understand and implement the knowledge of electronics, but after completion of the task you can have the ultimate robotic companion.

But for the beginners, let us understand what is a robotic kit? Technically a robot kit is a special construction kit, which is used for building robots, especially autonomous mobile robots. In all, the kits are a great educational tool that keeps you involved and informed at the same time.

The robot kits are available for all the age groups and there can be many options while selecting it. Beginners can start with the entry level kits to venture in this field.

Remember it is always better to understand the complete process and technique involved before you start with a costly kit.This is just to avoid any accidents in the process. These kits typically consist of structural elements, mechanical elements, motors (or other actuators), sensors and a controller board that controls the inputs and outputs of the robot.

Some advanced kits are also available without electronics so as to provide you the opportunity to use your won designed electronics controllers and other circuits.

There are many manufacturers and designers of kits who provide a wide array of mechanical, programmable and various other multifunction kits. The general kits are a combination of mechanical and electronics process with a programmable chipset and can be used widely as great educational tool, whereas the high-end kits are similar.

The only difference being much complexity that can be a product of artificial intelligence, which is incorporated in the robots. These high-end robots take a great length of time to complete and can be taken as a group task, rather than an individual activity.

One of the popular kits is the qfix robot kits. The qfix kits are an excellent educational tool for purpose of teaching robotics. They are widely popular and are commonly used in schools, high schools and mechatronics training in companies. Apart from this hobby robot builders commonly use these kits.

Another popular kit is manufactured by the legendry Lego Mindstorms and consists of mechanical parts, an advanced controller, various sensors and actuators, and a software environment in order to program the constructed robot.

In the qfix kits the mechanical parts are made of aluminum and all elements are industry standard. The mechanical elements in these kits include bars and plates, holders for motors and sensors, axes and wheels.

Generally, Atmel controllers are used as electronics components.Mastering this activity can lead you to the competitions that are held at various levels for robot building. This can be the most rewarding experience for any participant to present and display his or her robot.

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