EP.2 ROBO-DOG KEEPS PROPERTIES SAFE FROM INTRUDERS
A robot that assembles IKEA furniture, wireless charging drone and much more.
Robot dog takes bite out of crime 🐶
A new robot designed for the security and property management industries has the ability to follow people like a curious dog. Equipped with an overhead camera, the robot is able to detect and track unidentified individuals on the property. When an intruder is detected, the robot dog is dispatched to seek out and follow the individual, providing an extra layer of protection against unwanted intrusions.
This innovative technology is being hailed as a game-changer for the security industry, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to guard against potential threats. It's not just a deterrent for burglars, but it can also provide peace of mind for homeowners and property managers, knowing that their property is being actively monitored and protected.
However, some may be wary of the robot's tracking capabilities, as it has the potential to raise privacy concerns. It remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed as the technology continues to evolve and become more widespread. Despite these concerns, the robot dog is already being hailed as a promising solution for enhancing security and protection in a variety of settings.
Robot assembles an IKEA chair - oh the irony 🪑
Researchers at a leading robotics company have developed a revolutionary new robot that is able to assemble furniture with ease. The robot is linked to an operator who teaches it how to put together the furniture correctly.
One of the most impressive aspects of this technology is its ability to mimic a variety of human-like activities, such as pressing the furniture with its arms or leaning against it for support. This allows the robot to tackle even the most challenging tasks, such as assembling a chair, with ease.
Imagine the possibilities if such an operator could be linked to a fleet of robots, using a single teaching scheme to simultaneously assemble dozens of pieces of furniture. It's a game-changing development that has the potential to revolutionize the way we manufacture and assemble furniture in the future. Ironically, it seems that even IKEA furniture may one day be assembled by robots, which could lead to fewer arguments between humans during the assembly process.
Drone charges in the power bubble 🔮
Flying drones can now be safely and quickly recharged while still in the air, thanks to a revolutionary solution. But the question on many people's minds is: why would a drone need to be charged mid-flight instead of on the ground?
The key advantage of this technology is the significantly shorter charging time needed. In outdoor environments, there are few practical solutions for charging a battery with a high current or voltage, as factors such as rain, dust, and snow can interfere with the charging process. As a result, most solutions that involve directly plugging in the battery have a low power range.
This innovative "power bubble" system looks like something straight out of an MMORPG game, but it's actually a game-changer for the drone industry. With the ability to charge drones mid-flight, operators will be able to extend the range and duration of their missions. It's an exciting development that has the potential to revolutionize the way drones are used in a variety of industries.
The most flexible gripper for a robot⁉️
Engineers at Bridgestone's Japanese division have developed a groundbreaking universal gripper capable of handling a wide range of products with ease. This innovative device is able to pick up completely differentiated parts, as well as carton fillings, and even push the cartons onto a conveyor belt.
One of the biggest challenges of robotization in warehouses is the need to handle a large variety of products, often numbering in the tens of thousands of SKUs (stock-keeping units). However, with the use of an adaptable soft gripper and AI-supported vision recognition, Bridgestone's lab is on the path to solving this high-mix problem. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way warehouses are run and make the process of handling and sorting products more efficient and cost-effective.
Robotics term of the week
Singularities in a 6-Axis robot
A singularity is a point where a 6-axis robot's movements become unpredictable or undefined. This can happen when the robot's arm is positioned in a way that its joints are at their mechanical limits or when the end effector is aligned with one of the axes of rotation. This can make the robot challenging to control.
Six-axis industrial robot arms typically have three types of singularities: wrist, elbow, and shoulder singularities. A wrist singularity occurs when the axes of joints 4 and 6 coincide. In an elbow singularity, the wrist center is aligned with the axes of joints 2 and 3. Finally, a shoulder singularity occurs when the wrist center lies in the plane passing through the axis of joint 1 and parallel to or passes through the axis of joint 2.
A great example illustrating each singularity using the Mecademic robot.