EP.21 CONTROLLING ROBOTS WITH THOUGHTS

A moon-bot, a vine-like growing robot, controlling a robot with thoughts & much more ...

A robot for moon exploration 🌛

GITAI creates really smart robots for space that help build things on the moon and make exploring space easier. Their technology is all about making operations on the moon and doing tasks in space simpler.

The Japanese startup got an extra $15 million to keep working on moon robots, adding to the $30 million they raised a few months back. This money, a mix of a loan and investments, helps them push their space robot projects and expand in the U.S. Their CEO, Sho Nakanose, said it's crucial for their plans and growth, especially in the changing market.

They're building a cool lunar rover and a flexible robotic arm for space construction, doing tests in deserts and labs mimicking the moon's surface. GITAI aims to show off these creations on the moon by 2026 and on the International Space Station soon. Their robotic arm passed NASA tests and is set for launch in December. It's a big leap for GITAI's dreams of making space robotics a reality.

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Vine-like growing robot! 🍇

Introducing the groundbreaking innovation in robotics: the vine-like growing robot! Crafted by mechanical engineers from Stanford University, these bendy marvels redefine mobility in challenging terrains and inaccessible spaces.

Unlike conventional robots, these vine robots don't walk; they grow and navigate just like vines or plants, adapting to their environment with flexibility and precision. Their capabilities are nothing short of extraordinary. They excel in traversing bumpy, sticky, or sharp terrain, effortlessly squeezing into tight and confined spaces, and scaling vertical surfaces akin to skilled climbers.

The beauty lies in their versatility—they can be taught to execute both simple and complex tasks, providing a solution for scenarios such as locating individuals trapped in collapsed buildings. With their unique abilities, these robots stand poised to revolutionize search and rescue missions and redefine exploration in the most challenging environments.

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Meme of the week 🤖

It is so easy to insult a robot these days…

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Using brain signals to control a robot! 🧠

Imagine controlling robots with just your thoughts—well, that's becoming a reality! Stanford's new brain-robot system, NOIR (Neural Signal Operated Intelligent Robots), reads brain signals to make robots do things like iron clothes or play games.

This system lets you control robots using your thoughts. It uses brain signals to guide robots in doing everyday tasks, like cooking or cleaning.

It helps robots understand what you want to do and where you want to do it by reading your brain signals. This means you can make a robot do things like pour tea or play games just by thinking about it!

There are two main parts to NOIR. First, it decodes your thoughts from brain signals to tell the robot what to do. Second, it teaches robots skills, like picking up things or putting them down, so they can carry out their thoughts effectively.

It's super helpful for people who might need extra assistance in their daily lives. Plus, it's designed to be safe and usable for both kids and adults.

Source: https://noir-corl.github.io/

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Chinese humanoid just got an update 👀

We can see 12 humanoid robots dancing and having fun! 🕺🏻

A Chinese company named Fourier Intelligence is planning to make 100 humanoid robots called GR-1 by the end of 2023. These robots are designed to be strong enough to carry a lot of weight, almost as much as their own.

The GR-1 robot will be around 5 feet 5 inches tall, weigh 121 pounds, and walk at a speed of about 3 miles per hour. It will have joints controlled by electric motors.

This robot is being designed to be very strong, and capable of carrying loads almost equal to its weight, which could help patients who can't move on their own.

Even though they'll start with basic robots, they plan to send them to research labs where different teams will teach these robots new skills and abilities, hoping to make them more helpful in the future.

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Learn how to model and control wheel-legged robots 🛞🦿

In this course, participants delve into the intricate world of hybrid-legged and wheeled robots using Simulink® and Simscape™. By focusing on modeling and controlling these unique robots, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the complexities of their combined locomotion systems.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Modeling the dynamics of wheel-legged robots for design feasibility exploration.

• Developing closed-loop control systems to balance and reliably control motion.

• Integrating Simulink® and Simscape™ for comprehensive robot design and control.

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Upgrade inspection tasks with robots 🔍

This software from Energy Robotics manages robot fleets for industries like oil and gas, security, and power utilities. It equips different robots and drones for automated inspection, providing top-notch data and reports for informed decisions.

It's cost-effective, works with various robots, integrates smoothly, and processes data using advanced AI. With a simple interface, it creates routes with a click, controls sensors effortlessly, and generates automatic reports.

Plus, it offers secure user management and seamless integration with existing operations systems. Overall, it's a streamlined, adaptable, and powerful solution for efficient inspections and actionable insights across industries.

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