EP.11 ONE ROBOT SAVES LIVES, ANOTHER RIDES A SKATEBOARD
Skateboarding robot, game-changer in mobile robotics, a robot that is saving human's lives and much more...
This robot can walk a slackline, hop, and even ride a skateboard. 🛹
Caltech's researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat by developing LEO, a bipedal robot that combines walking and flying capabilities to create a unique form of locomotion. LEO, short for LEgs ONboARD drOne, represents a remarkable achievement in robotics, as it exhibits exceptional nimbleness and the ability to perform complex movements. By incorporating multi-joint legs and propeller-based thrusters, the team at Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies has enabled this robot to achieve precise control over its balance and movement.
In a recent paper published in Science Robotics, the innovative design and capabilities of LEO were unveiled. Drawing inspiration from the behavior of birds that effortlessly navigate between walking and flying, the researchers sought to understand and learn from this natural phenomenon. The goal was to bridge the gap between these distinct modes of locomotion and unlock new possibilities.
This robot's hybrid locomotion approach, which blends elements of walking and flying, offers a unique advantage. Its lightweight legs provide crucial support, reducing the strain on the propellers. By synchronizing the control of the thrusters and leg joints, LEO achieves remarkable balance and stability. With a height of 2.5 feet, it features two legs equipped with three actuated joints, along with four propeller thrusters mounted at an angle on the robot's shoulders. This novel combination allows it to seamlessly transition between walking and flying modes, resembling the coordinated movements observed in nature.
Life-saving robot 🛟
Vicarious Surgical is revolutionizing the field of surgery through its groundbreaking robotic technology. With a focus on minimally invasive procedures, the company's surgical robot is enhancing precision and effectiveness in the operating room.
At the forefront of medical robotics, Vicarious Surgical has developed a state-of-the-art system that combines virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Surgeons can perform intricate procedures with remarkable accuracy by using miniaturized surgical tools controlled through a VR headset. This immersive approach translates the surgeon's movements into precise robotic actions, enabling real-time maneuvering within the patient's body.
The robotic system's AI algorithms and machine learning capabilities are pivotal in augmenting surgical expertise. Through analysis of extensive surgical data and leveraging the knowledge of expert surgeons, the system continuously learns and improves its performance. This results in valuable insights and assistance during surgery, ultimately enhancing surgical outcomes.
The Vicarious Surgical robot specializes in minimally invasive procedures, providing numerous benefits for patients. With smaller incisions, reduced tissue damage, and enhanced visualization, patients experience faster recovery times, less post-operative pain, and minimal scarring. Surgeons can navigate complex anatomical structures more easily and precisely, thanks to the robot's advanced visualization capabilities.
The swarm of cooperating robots 💡
Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have revolutionized the learning of complex multi-agent behaviors, showing remarkable performance in tasks like flocking, multi-agent path planning, and cooperative coverage. However, the practical deployment of GNN-based policies on physical multi-robot systems has been limited. This work presents a system design that enables the fully decentralized execution of GNN-based policies.
The framework facilitates the decentralized execution of GNN-based policies. It enables seamless coordination and communication among multiple robots, allowing for the real-world deployment of GNN-based policies. By leveraging the capabilities of ROS2, an environment is provided that supports decentralized execution, bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implementation.
In the case study, a scenario requiring tight coordination among robots was addressed. The decentralized multi-robot system with ad-hoc communication successfully achieved real-world deployment of GNN-based policies. This case study highlights the effectiveness of the framework and the potential of GNNs in achieving complex multi-agent behaviors.
The deployment of GNN-based policies on decentralized multi-robot systems has significant implications for various fields, including robotics and AI. It opens doors for enhanced multi-agent coordination and cooperative behaviors in real-world applications. Future directions include further optimizations and explorations to refine the framework, expand its capabilities, and unlock the full potential of GNNs in decentralized settings.
Wheel game-changer in robotics? 🛞
Hankook, a leading tire and technology company, is pushing the boundaries of mobility with its groundbreaking invention, the WheelBot. This cutting-edge omnidirectional tire has the capability to smoothly glide in any direction, potentially revolutionizing the way we park and maneuver vehicles. With WheelBot, drivers will no longer struggle with parallel parking, as the tire allows sideways movement into tight spaces without the need for extensive steering wheel rotations. Hankook Tire sees WheelBot as a significant step towards urbanizing their projects and shaping the future of mobility through advanced technology.
Unlike conventional tires limited by radius and main axis movement, WheelBot breaks free from these constraints. By combining robotics with extensive research and development, Hankook Tire has created a tire that can navigate effortlessly in any direction, whether on roads or inside buildings. The company envisions a future where WheelBot replaces traditional car tires, offering an enhanced grip that adapts to changing seasons and weather conditions.
Furthermore, Hankook Tire aims to unlock space limitations with WheelBot's unique wheeled platform. The tire's versatility allows it to drift in different directions, defying the constraints of existing wheel-type transportation systems. The company is also working on developing a transport pod, a compact individual space for daily commutes, which can be seamlessly integrated with WheelBot.
Recently unveiled at Design Innovation Day in Seoul, WheelBot showcased its semi-autonomous driving and remote control capabilities. Hankook Tire's commitment to innovation and the practical implementation of WheelBot highlights its determination to shape a future where mobility is effortless and adaptable to various urban environments.
Robotics Application Of The Week
Robotic Gluing 🧩
In today's rapidly evolving industrial landscape, robotic gluing has emerged as a game-changing process for efficient and precise adhesive application. This automated technique utilizes advanced robotic systems to streamline the gluing process across various industries, from automotive manufacturing to electronics assembly.
Precision and Consistency: Robotic gluing ensures accurate and consistent adhesive application, eliminating variations caused by human error.
Enhanced Efficiency: Robots excel at navigating complex geometries, enabling adhesive application in intricate patterns with greater speed and efficiency.
Adaptability: Robotic systems can accommodate a wide range of adhesives, making them suitable for diverse materials and surface conditions.
Robotic gluing offers unparalleled accuracy, consistency, and speed, minimizing human error and ensuring optimal bond strength. With the ability to navigate complex geometries and apply adhesives in intricate patterns, robots enhance production efficiency while reducing material waste. Additionally, these systems can adapt to different adhesives, accommodating a wide range of materials and surface conditions.