EP.17 PARKOUR ROBOTS

Robots that can parkour, worlds first humanoids factory, frog-inspired machines & much more...

Robot dogs can do parkour 🛹

In this study, researchers aimed to make a low-cost robot do impressive parkour moves, just like humans. Parkour is all about jumping, running, and balancing on obstacles, and it's quite challenging for robots.

Typically, robots need very precise and expensive equipment to do parkour in controlled environments. However, the team took a different approach. They used a simple robot with basic sensors and trained it to do parkour using a computer program (single neural network). Even though the robot's sensors were not perfect and its movements were not very accurate, the algorithm helped it perform high jumps, long jumps, handstands, and running on slanted surfaces.

The robot is able to perform a high jump on obstacles twice its height, and a long jump across gaps twice its length. This approach made the robot adaptable to different obstacle courses, just like how people learn parkour through practice.

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Disney created a robot that shows emotions 🤯

Disney has made a special robot that can show emotions and move in a cute way. This robot is small and looks like it's alive because of how it walks and moves its head and legs. To make this robot, Disney used a new system that combines what animators want with what the robot can do.

This means the robot can show feelings and walk well, which is important for Disney's characters. It can also learn new things quickly, and Disney can make more robots like this in less time. This is not just about one robot; it's a way for Disney to create more robots that can talk with people through their actions and expressions - to socialize.

This technology from Disney can help create robots that can communicate with people through emotions and actions, making them useful for various applications where human-robot interaction is important, such as entertainment, education, and more.

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Meme of the week 🤖

Robots in jail charged with… batteries. Ah, how ironic…

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A drone that charges in-flight 🚁

Global Energy Transmission (GET) has created a special system that can charge drones in the sky without them having to land. This system uses a frame with wires and can charge a drone for about 25 minutes in just six minutes. This means that drones can keep flying and doing their tasks without stopping.

The benefit of this technology is that it allows drones to work for a long time without needing to land and change their batteries. It can be set up in different places and is easy to move. This way, drones can fly far and keep an area safe without needing people to change their batteries.

The fact that it takes a lot less time to fully charge the battery in this case is vital. In conditions like rain, dust, or snow, there are no workable alternatives for charging a battery with a high current or voltage outside. As a result, the power range of all options that entail directly plugging in the battery is limited.

But we should also be careful and make sure this technology is used safely.

Last but not least: what about birds?! 🦆

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Machinery inspired by frogs 🐸

Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a trio of new robots inspired by amphibians that can swim, walk, and crawl. These robots use lightweight artificial muscles, similar to human muscles, which contract when electricity is applied.

This technology allows the robots to adapt to different environments and obstacles, making them ideal for search-and-rescue operations. The robots take inspiration from frogs, which transform from tadpoles that swim to creatures with legs that can crawl, jump, and swim.

In the future, these robots could navigate and work in challenging environments with the potential for autonomous navigation and shape-morphing capabilities.

I wonder what the frogs will say when they meet this robot in the pond...

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🚨 BREAKING NEWS

World's first humanoid robot factory 🤖

Agility Robotics is set to become the world's first humanoid robot manufacturing plant. They aim to produce over 10,000 units of their Digit humanoid robot annually, which will work alongside humans on the factory floor. The "RoboFab" plant is expected to open later this year, with customer deliveries beginning in 2024 and general market availability in 2025. Agility plans to start with "hundreds" of Digit robots in the first year and scale up from there.

Agility's COO, Aindrea Campbell, likens RoboFab to Henry Ford's historic car factory, envisioning a future where humanoid robots become as widespread as automobiles. Digit, standing at 175 cm and weighing 65 kg, is a bipedal robot capable of carrying loads up to 16 kg for up to 16 hours. Its unique leg design allows for quiet operation and efficient handling of objects, making it a versatile addition to various industries.

WOW! It’s happening! 🔥

Source: "World's first humanoid robot factory" will ship Digits in 2024