Robotics Trends

“ABE” Autonomous Submersible Lost at Sea Researchers believe 15-year-old Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE), one of the first successful submersible vehicles that was both unmanned and untethered to surface ships, and the first autonomous robot to make detailed maps of mid-ocean ridges, suffered a catastrophic implosion of one of the glass spheres used to keep ABE buoyant. A pioneering deep-sea exploration robot—one of the first successful submersible vehicles that was both unmanned and untethered to surface ships—was lost at sea Friday, March 5, on a research expedition off the coast of Chile. The 15-year-old Autonomous Benthic Explorer, affectionately nicknamed ABE, was launched late Thursday night and had reached the seafloor to begin its 222nd research dive when, in the early hours of Friday morning, all contact with the surface vessel abruptly ceased. All… View this post
Filed in: Academics and Research • Feature • Robotics Features
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Abe, Autonomous benthic explorer, Deep-sea exploration, About woods hole oceanographic institution

Robot Provides 3-D Images of Dangerous Locations Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri-Columbia partner to develop a remote-controlled robot that is equipped with an infrared camera and LIDAR technology capable of providing detailed images of room interiors even when peering through a window. Soldiers and first responders may soon have a better way to evaluate the interior of dangerous structures, thanks to a joint project between Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri-Columbia. As part of the project, which began in 2008, students at Missouri S&T have built a remote-controlled robot that is equipped with an infrared camera and LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology. Like radar, LIDAR sends out signals, in this case millions of laser points, to bounce off objects… View this post
Filed in: Academics and Research • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Mobile robot, Lidar, Robotics, Norbert maerz, University of missouri-columbia, Missouri university of science and technology, Ye duan

QinetiQ North America Developing Roving, Early-Warning WMD Detector QinetiQ North America partners with Brewer Science and Applied Systems Intelligence to develop a mobile chemical and biological sensor for the military and for homeland defense. QinetiQ North America (LSE: QQ) announced that it is working with Brewer Science and Applied Systems Intelligence on a program to develop an autonomous, self-deploying sensor that will serve as a roving, early-warning detector of biological warfare activity. The program is being funded by the U.S. Army Research Office. Work on the project will be performed primarily at the Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) at Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo., and the Waltham, Mass., office of QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group. All three companies involved in the project are members of JVIC. Dr. Ryan Giedd, the executive director of… View this post
Filed in: Security & Defense Robotics • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Mobile robot, Robotics, Brewer science, Qinetiq north america, Applied systems intelligence, Jordan valley innovation center

ABB Secures Agreement to Provide Robotic Automation to A123 Systems for Advanced Battery Application ABB Robotics to provide A123 Systems with 15 robots for the assembly and manufacturing of high-power lithium-ion battery modules and packs. ABB Robotics, a supplier of industrial robots, has reached an agreement with A123 Systems to provide robotic automation systems for the assembly and manufacturing of lithium-ion battery modules and packs.  A123 Systems, headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, develops, manufactures and supplies high-power lithium ion batteries designed to deliver a new combination of power, safety and life.  A123 Systems selected ABB to design and build the automation systems based on ABB’s overall company strength, ongoing involvement in advanced battery applications in the power industry, and widespread global presence.  Additional factors include ABB’s advanced Force Control assembly technology, laser welding expertise and leadership in robotic innovation and technology. … View this post
Filed in: Industrial Automation • Feature • Robotics Features
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Abb, Flexpicker, A123 systems, Irb 360 flexpicker

Boston Dynamics Wins DARPA Contract to Develop Legged Squad Support System Developer of Big Dog and other advanced robotics systems awarded a $30M DARPA contract to develop LS3, the first Legged Squad Support System, legged robots that can travel off-road on sand, rocks, mud, snow and other kinds of difficult terrain, while carrying loads. Boston Dynamics, developer of BigDog, PETMAN and other advanced dynamic robots, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop LS3, the first Legged Squad Support System. LS3 is a robot that will travel on rough terrain, going anywhere soldiers and Marines go on foot. Each LS3 will carry up to 400 lbs of gear and enough fuel for missions covering 20 miles and lasting 24 hours. LS3 will not need a driver, because… View this post
Filed in: Security & Defense Robotics • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Ls3, Legged squad support system, Bigdog, Darpa, Boston dynamics, Petman

CoroWare Expands Business in Asia With New Distributor Developer of CoroBot and Explorer robotic platforms expands into the Asia-Pacific region with partnership with Malaysian distributer. CoroWare Technologies, a subsidiary of CoroWare, Inc. (OTCBB:COWI), announced it has entered into a distribution agreement with Malaysia-based technology provider Megah Suria Sdn. Bhd. Beginning January 4, 2010, Megah Suria added CoroWare’s CoroBot and Explorer robots to their product portfolios. Megah Suria offers technically advanced and leading edge product portfolios featuring efficient and highly reliable equipment specially designed to solve problems faced by members of the research, development and education communities. With more than 30 years of experience, the company has built a wide range of vendor relationships affiliated with education and research. “Our partnership with CoroWare enables us to introduce innovative robotic platforms to the educational and research… View this post
Filed in: Design and Development • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Megah suria, Explorer, Coroware, Corobot

Lockheed Martin Selects Protonex To Enhance HULC Power Supply Technologies Protonex will develop fuel cell-based power solutions for Lockheed Martin’s HULC anthropomorphic, electro-hydraulic, robotic exoskeleton. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has selected Protonex Technology Corporation to develop power supply concepts that will enable the HULC robotic exoskeleton to support 72+-hour extended missions. Protonex will evaluate fuel cell-based power solutions that can be carried by the HULC, while at the same time powering the exoskeleton and the user’s mission equipment during extended dismounted operations. “Integrating state-of-the-art power technology on the HULC is a whole system approach to meeting the needs of dismounted Warfighters and Special Operations forces,” said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With proper power management systems, the HULC can be used to recharge critical… View this post
Filed in: Security & Defense Robotics • Feature • Robotics Features
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Lockheed martin, Fuel cell, Exoskeleton, Protonex, Hulc

Latest Version of GigE Vision Standard Released The latest version of GigE Vision, the widely adopted camera interface standard, with dozens of leading companies offering hundreds of GigE Vision compliant products in the market, has been released. The GigE Vision camera interface standard that has been used by the machine vision industry since 2006 has recently been updated and Version 1.2 is now available. The GigE Vision standard committee worked diligently to improve the standard and version 1.2 brings brand new features, such as control of non-streaming devices to the industry. The Automated Imaging Association (AIA), the trade group that represents the global machine vision and imaging industry, oversees the ongoing development and administration of the standard. GigE Vision is a camera interface standard developed using the Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol. GigE Vision… View this post
Filed in: Industrial Automation • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Machine vision, Gigabit ethernet communication protocol, Automated imaging association, Gige vision

Robot Programming Used to Measure Effectiveness of Virtual Learning Using robot programming as a measure for teaching effectiveness, four senior academics in the UK and Japan are looking into how virtual environments such as Second Life contribute to high quality teaching and learning. Discovering whether virtual environments play an effective role in the way that humans learn is the focus of a research project based at a UK university in partnership with two academies in Japan. Four senior academics in the UK and Japan are looking into how virtual environments such as Second Life can contribute to high quality teaching and learning. Stewart Martin, a principal lecturer and head of education, and Professor Paul van Schaik - both from Teesside University’s School of Social Sciences & Law - secured British Council funding along with Michael… View this post
Filed in: Academics and Research • Feature • Robotics Features
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Virtual learning, Teeside university, Second life

Boston Scientific Selects Kiva Warehouse Automation System for Distribution Centers Kiva continues to roll with a multi-year agreement to automate the distribution centers in the Netherlands and New England of medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific. Kiva Systems, a developer of robotic solutions that automate order fulfillment and warehouse operations, announced that Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) has chosen Kiva to automate two key distribution centers in the United States and Europe. The medical device manufacturer was seeking a warehouse automation solution that would help ensure maximum reliability while maintaining the rigorous product and inventory control that exists today. According to the multi-year agreement signed today, Boston Scientific will use the Kiva Mobile Robotic Fulfillment System to automate the storage and order fulfillment of Boston Scientific products at its Netherlands and New England distribution centers “Other material… View this post
Filed in: Industrial Automation • Latest News • RT News
Tagged: Robot, Robotics, Distribution center, Kiva systems, Mobile robotic order fulfillment system, Kiva, Boston scientific, Kiva warehouse automation system