Microsoft's Sphere computer

Seattle PI informs us of a new multi-touch display from Microsoft that utilizes technology similar to the company's Surface computer but instead of a flat screen it has a spherical one. The video below shows a Microsoft engineer demonstrating the Sphere computer and also discussing the motivation behind its design. I don't see this being anything more than a gimmick mostly because the benefits of the Sphere computer as described in the video by Microsoft's representative don't add much value to this machine over traditional flat multi-touch displays. Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong. However, I suspect that the Sphere would be a nice medium for teaching geography and possibly other subjects in grade school. Overall, considering that this is strictly a research project, it is very cool.

The High Altitude Lego Extravaganza (H.A.L.E.)

It has been 10 years since the introduction of Lego Mindstorms, the programmable block structures created by Lego. To commemorate the occasion a division of the company along with Lego enthusiasts at the University of Nevada-Reno are holding H.A.L.E. H.A.L.E. is an event that will launch Mindstorm-based payloads into the Earth’s stratosphere. Teams around the world have been busy for months developing their own machines, which are set to be launched today (July 29, 2008.)

The payloads all have different functions, with some of them using some impressive robotic systems. There has been an immense amount of work put into the machines due to the extreme cold they will travel through. They will be directly exposed to the atmosphere as they hover below specially designed weather balloons. When the balloons are somewhere between 88,000 and 108,000 feet in the air they will burst and the robots will parachute back to Earth. During the journey down they will be taking data and pictures using various different sensors.

Some of the robots are pretty sophisticated, but all of them will be running on Energizer Lithium batteries due to their great durability and light weight. The data they retrieve certainly won’t be anything ground breaking, but the point of this event is to celebrate Mindstorms and it will certainly lead to some positive coverage of the products. Some of the payloads are also going to attempt breaking records, such as the free-fall record down to Earth compared to similar objects. Although the event is on an invite-only basis, there will be constant updates on the internet through which fans can keep up.

Autonomous robotic space explorers by 2020

By 2020 scientists hope to launch specialized space robots that will be able to fly around space and study areas of interest. These autonomous machines will be able to analyze their surroundings to determine what needs to be studied and how. The process will certainly be very sophisticated, but the calculations are expected to be done quickly according to Wolfgang Fink, senior researcher at the California Institute of Technology.

The project is expected to be a huge leap forward in the evolution of space robots. Currently, all of the machines and rovers on Mars and around space are controlled by humans sending them instructions. Virtually everything is a command which must be given. What this project hopes to do is turn over a lot of that decision-making to the robots. It would allow NASA to user their workforce more effectively, not to mention speed up the process of researching space. The robots would also reduce the necessity of humans in dangerous space missions that require on the spot reactions.

The goal of this project is to essentially create an artificial life form that can think for itself. What it could ultimately lead to is no more need for humans in space. The robots would be able to handle everything themselves and the information would just be sent back down to Earth. It may seem a bit far-fetched to some, but we must remember that every single day humanity is moving closer to the day when machine is as smart as man. With extensive backers including NASA, this project will certainly receive the resources it needs and perhaps one day this dream will become a reality.

The Hexbug crab

Innovation First has created the Hexbug crab, a microrobotic toy that simulates a crab. The product is the latest in a series of realistic-acting animal robots created by the company. Although it is marketed towards kids, the crab may also garner some interest from adults as a calming presence. At only $9.99, the crab doesn’t cost much and can be viewed as a pet of some sort (except there are no chores that go along with it.)

The crab robot, like its counterparts, can roam around a room and react with whatever it encounters. There is no need to control it or do anything. It has sensors on its feet that help it navigate around obstacles. The small robot also has sensors that detect light and sound. When it hears a loud clapping or banging sound it will run away, just like a real crab. The same goes for when bright lights are shined towards it. The visual and audio sensors make the crab Hexbug the most complex of the current series.

Early reviews show that the Hexbug is very realistic in its reactions and movements, which is something most robot (or animal) fans will appreciate. Crave suggests that it can also be used as a stress-reliever or perhaps a nice addition to the ambience of a room? It is available in a variety of colors including red, green, and orange. The robots are available online as well as in some stores, including Radioshack. Perhaps these little critters are the start of robotic pets… or maybe they are just a fun toy to play with.

Dragonfly robot unveiled

A group of scientists at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have created a small, remote-controlled robot with a camera attached. The aircraft weighs only .11 ounces and has a four-inch wingspan. Labeled the DelFly micro air vehicle, the machine flaps its wings to move around, making it look like a dragonfly.

It can fly for an estimated three minutes at a time and can reach a maximum speed of five meters per second. The purpose of the aircraft is to be able to take pictures from tight spaces where conventional cameras can’t be taken. The recently released model is actually the third of its kind created by the researchers at Delft University. In 2005 they created the first version of the robot, which weighed .81 ounces and was significantly bigger. They then created a .56 ounce version in 2006. The .56 ounce version is still better in some aspects including video quality and the ability to fly backwards.

The creators are going to continue working on the latest version into the future. Their current goals are to add the same video quality as the 2nd version as well as the ability to go backwards. They are also going to aim at adding a “hover” feature. There is also a possibility of some sort of image recognition software being installed, which would make the robot “smarter” by letting it recognize when it is about to crash. This way it would be able to avoid dangerous flying, something which a human controller can’t always realize.

WowWee white tiger robot unveiled

As the latest addition to its “Alive” series, WowWee has released a stuffed white tiger. Compared to many of WowWee’s creations, the tiger isn’t very advanced, but that is the point. Aimed at little children and robot fans alike, the company has created a very realistic, yet simple machine.

It isn’t programmable, but it is far from your run-at-the-mill stuffed animal. Once turned on, the creature is quite realistic and unlike most electronic stuffed animals. It reacts based upon the attention it is given and the way you interact with it. Responses vary depending on whether or not you are gentle with it. If you pet it too hard it may start to growl. If it is ignored it may fall asleep and when playing with it the tiger will purr and meow.

There are three settings for the animal, which are “off”, “try me”, and “normal.” When set to “try me”, the tiger will only do something when its ear is pressed. In “normal” mode it will stay on, walk around and interact until it is turned to one of the other modes.

The way that the cub is programmed really makes it seem like it has its own personality. Through the use of detail, WowWee has created a product that appeals to kids who want to play with it as well as robot enthusiasts who will appreciate the reactions and life-like movements of the animal. Even the fur and structure of the tiger makes it seem like it is real. The retail price is $59.99, which is certainly not much for robot collectors. WowWee also has panda, lion, and polar bear additions of the “Alive” series.

Robots with empathy

Imagine a world where machines can understand grief or happiness or anger. That world is not to far away as Feelix Growing is current working on creating the technology that would allow robots to interpret and read human expressions. Such technology could be the first step towards the integration of robots in the lives of everyday people.

What the software will allow the robot to do is essentially learn when a person is feeling a certain way. Using cameras and sensors, the robots will be able to detect several variables from the human including their facial expression, voice, and tone. It will then combine the factors to determine what mood the person is in. A simple comparison to how it works would be the way a small child picks up on things according to its surroundings.

The ability to detect emotions in humans will be a huge step for the robotics world. It will allow robots to better connect with humans and help them out in times of distress. It will also allow the machines to realize when they are not needed or vice-versa.

The project, which involves several countries and specialists, hopes to crack what is only the barrier to a robot-filled future. The software currently in progress will certainly only be a stepping stone and will need to be worked on for quite some time before it is advanced enough to recognize different emotions in different people. It is still no where near what we see in the sci-fi movies, but it’s a start and hopefully one that will blossom into what is only a dream for many today.

Chemical-sniffing robots to be used by army

The military is upgrading to a new robot that will replace the current bomb-spotting robots that are proving to be too fragile to use in current situations anymore. The new robot, called the CUGV (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unmanned Ground Vehicle), will be a lot more durable and will be able to perform more tasks including “sniff” for chemicals as well.

The reasoning behind the chemical detection is to help clean up hazardous sites in Iraq and Afghanistan that have been caused by the destruction. The CUGV is able to detect traces of ammonia, carbon monoxide, chlorine, gamma radiation, dangerous organic compounds, oxygen levels, and a few more measurements. It will certainly prove beneficial for the army, especially when they need to estimate the safety of a location.

The robot is expected to be sent to Afghanistan and Iraq this coming fall. The machines will not only let soldiers go into places where they need to be faster, but it may even reduce the need for protective suits in some instances, which means the soldiers will be able to retain their normal mobility. Some of the current chem suits that soldiers were are very bulky, not to mention uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity which is trapped inside of them. The CUGV’s will also be able to stay at dangerous sites longer than any human, since the chemicals won’t do any damage to them. Soldiers currently have time limits in those situations due to limited supplies of oxygen within the protective suits.

Large robotic workforce in Japan is near

Japan is one of the most technologically advanced places in the world and it may be the first to have over a million robots in the workforce as well. A recent study has estimated that by 2025 Japan will have over 3.5 million robots doing work. The prospect of such an occurrence may solve the government’s problems, as the country is currently in a worker shortage that is only getting worse (the workforce is expected to decrease by 16% by 2030.)

The prediction was made by the Machine Industry Memorial Foundation, says that the robots would help fill the void in the workforce by taking the simpler jobs. The foundation suggests that with the robots doing the simple, often tedious work, the human workers will have more time for productive work. The move could also benefit the country because it would save the government approximately 2.1 trillion yen in insurance payments by using robots that monitor the health of older people.

In Japan there is a high elderly population and like most places in the world it is only growing. With a birth rate of about 1.3 babies per woman, the country will have a severe shortage of caretakers in the coming years unless a plan like the aforementioned one is put into motion. It will still take a lot of research and development, but in the long run it might be what’s best for a country with a workforce shortage that isn’t willing to allow massive immigration.

BAE Systems to develop miniature robots for military

The military is looking to BAE Systems to lead a team of scientists in creating mini robots to improve the army’s situational awareness. The $38 million agreement will hopefully lead to machines that will improve the army’s ability to work in dangerous and foreign areas.

The team is looking to create an assortment of autonomous robots, which can serve to get information in areas which are too harmful for humans to go to. In the modern world information is everything and the military hopes that this project will lead to more knowledge on the battlefield, which can certainly mean lives saved.

The robots will be small and multifunctional. Some of the features will vary depending on what particular robot it is, but they will all be similar in purpose. Although not much more is known about the robots and how they will look and function, we do know that they will need to hide themselves in many cases. A rendition of a potential BAE robot for this project is a spider, which can be seen in the image to the left. It doesn’t look overly complex, but you can bet that these bots will have quite some sophisticated technology inside of them.

It will be interesting to see what the group of scientists comes up with. Currently the timeframe seems to be five years, with an option to extend it for another five. Due to the group’s extensive resources in both money and personnel, we can expect something revolutionary once they are done, whether it is in 5, 10, or 15 years.

An update on the Care-o-Bot

There was a post on this blog a couple of years ago about a line of robots that COGNIRON is sponsoring. The Care-o-bot was mentioned briefly in that piece, but recently a lot more information was released about the robot. The latest prototype of the robot is able to glide around and accomplish a variety of tasks.

It is able to pick up objects including bottles and drinks and move them to where they are needed. The robot is programmed to work in household environments, so it could be very useful. It has many sensors to help it know what to pick up and where to bring it (without running into things) as well as how to hold the item and how hard. The Care-o-Bot also has a mountable tray, which can help with carrying items.

At this point the most conceivable use of such a robot would be to serve drinks. It has all the functions needed for that including the ability to know where cups and drinks are in a kitchen. It can also be programmed to be voice-activated and/or moved by hand gestures. All the users have to do in advance is program the different objects it would be dealing with in the work. It sounds harder than it actually is though because the company creating it has added a very intelligent detection system that allows humans to simply place an object in the robots hand for it to recognize it. No need to type anything on a computer or mess with any settings. Simply place the object in the Care-o-Bot’s hands and it will do the rest. Pretty cool huh?

Tartalo robot thinks for itself

A research team from the University of the Basque Country is currently working on a robot that can perform tasks without have to be told concrete rules, as most modern-day robots are. The machine, called Tartalo, is able to move around and in a way “see” its surroundings. It moves around an area and when a doorway comes the robot asks for permission before entering it. It can also detect obstacles and avoids them as it moves. This is all done without any sort of control system on the users’ part.

Making it self-reliant is exactly what Tartalo’s developers are focusing on as they realize the need for robots that can carry out tasks without being told everything in detail. Currently the robot simply wanders around, avoiding anything in its way and entering rooms (with permission of course.) It is quite a feat because the robot is essentially thinking and reacting without constant interruption by humans.

Although the ultimate purpose of the project is to create self-thinking robots, Tartalo can also be useful as it is. It can help navigate people through a building because it basically thinks and keeps reference points in its memory to remember where things are. Systems based on GPS are not plausible for indoor navigation, since databases would be necessary for every building that the system would be used in. Instead, a machine like Tartalo could do a much better job since it basically thinks and sees just like a human guide (except that it would be better at remembering reference points.)

Black-I Robotics gets U.S. military contract

Black-I Robotics, a company founded by a father who lost his son in Iraq, makes an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) called the LandShark. The machine has recently gotten the attention of the government and the company was just given an $800,000 contract. The LandShark can be very useful for the army, as it can be used for a plethora of needs including disarming bombs and carrying wounded soldiers from one place to another. It also has use domestically for training sessions and search and rescue missions.

The government order, issued by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) is for two versions of the robot. One of these will be tested out by the military and the other will be used for Homeland Security purposes. Black-I Robotics has said that the robotic machine is very customizable and can be changed to suit the needs of the buyer. There are several add-ons already available including various radios, arms, trailers, and gadgets.

The story of the LandShark is actually a very touching one. The creator, Brian Hart, decided to make such a robot after his son was killed in the Iraq war in 2005. Hart spoke out against the lack of armor and safety for the soldiers abroad and this was his way of grieving over his loss, while at the same time paving the way for a better future for American soldiers. Hart seems to have accomplished his goal as the army has picked up his invention and hopefully it will one day be able to save the lives of soldiers like John Hart.

The Mowba lawn mowing robot

From the creators that brought us the Roomba is coming another household-helping robot; this time one that mows the lawn. The rumor of such a robot has been spinning in the tech community for a long time and it was recently discovered that iRobot (the company that makes the Roomba) has designed and patented the Mowba.

The grass-cutting robot seems to be very similar to the Roomba in design according to the patent. The filing contains several different versions of the robot, over which the company is most likely debating at the moment. Differences in the models are everything from shape to the cutting system to whether it should be gasoline or electric powered.

Whatever the company chooses, it will be an amusing invention because according to the current information the robot will be able to avoid hard surfaces, water, and other obstacles. It will also be able to sense whether or not the grass is cut. There are also other options being discussed for the robot including a possible edge trimmer or an option to have the robot collect clippings and drop them off at a specific location. iRobot knows that it has competition in the market due to the recent release of the LawnBott LB1200, so we may see some extraordinary add-ons to the Mowba as they try to outdo their competition.

We won’t know for sure what comes with the robot until it is released (or at least officially announced.) No one knows why it hasn’t been released yet, but once it is it seems like we will be getting another quality product from iRobot.

Wearable computers: The Next Generation displays

Wearable computing has come a long way since Steve Mann pioneered this research field with his WearComp and WearCam systems. Whereas in the early days, output devices were mostly large head-up displays or sunglasses with lots of electronics hanging off them, new research at the University of Washington promises to improve upon these original designs by miniaturizing the display systems and fitting them into contact lenses. See photo below for the evolution of Steve Mann's wearable computing system (more photos and details about this project can be found here.)



According to an article published by The Guardian, assistant professor Babak Parviz is working hard on creating a small personal display using LEDs. The display will be the size of a contact lens much smaller than anything else that has been prototyped so far. It is reminiscent of a gadget that could be found in a James Bond movie.

Such tiny displays can definitely revolutionize portable and wearable computing exactly as Parviz argues,

"The display size is one of the main reasons that laptops, cellphones, PDAs, etc are not smaller today. If we move the display to a contact lens, we can significantly remove the physical constraints on mobile devices."

One very cool application for a display embedded in a contact lens is without a doubt augmented reality. Imagine if you could receive all available information about any object you are looking at. Receiving directions while lost in a new city that you are touring would be a snap. How about a quick comparison of the best prices available online for the book you are holding in your hand? There are many more useful applications for augmented reality in real life. If the researchers at the University of Washington or anywhere else manage to create this miniaturized displays, it could revolutionize the way we live. It could make cheating in final exams a bit too easy though!

The microLED-based, contact lens-sized display is still in the early stages of development and as you can tell from the article there are many major issues to be resolved including how to properly display an image that the eye can focus on and, of course, how to make the lens biocompatible. However, it is always great to know that some people are working on doing the impossible because this is often the only way to move forward in science and technology.

Finally, if you care, you can find a brief history of wearable computing (up to 1997) here.

Robotex 2008: Estonian student robotics competition

Robotex is a robotics competition that has taken place yearly since 2001 in Estonia. This year, the competition will take place at Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia on December 5th. The theme of the competition is that of a robot cleaning a room. The task involves navigating the environment and collecting soda cans and socks that are scattered throughout the room. Kids everywhere would love to have such a robot.

Prize money for this competitions are a massive 6000 Euro. The registration is free but you have to register by15 October 2008 or you might miss your chance to participate. The competition is open to students but also anyone with an interest in robotics and automation. Moreover, participants in the past were not only from Estonia but also Sweden and Finland so to a certain degree this is an international event.

These robotics competitions are excellent in terms of introducing kids to the wonderful world of robotics. Participation encourages kids to pursue a career in a discipline that is continuously growing considering the need for robotic servants and companions in quickly aging societies. In addition, robotics is a nice platform for teaching analytical skills that are going to be very useful for the kids throughout their lives even if they never pursue careers in robotics.

There are many robotics competitions similar to Robotex worldwide. The largest one is probably the annual RoboCup which attracts not only young students but also advanced graduate students in several challenging competitions including robot soccer and robot rescue. Robotex has been a success since the first event in 2001 and even though I cannot attend myself, if you happen to be in the neighborhood on December 5th, you should go check it out (and send us photos and video.)

PS: I love the Robotex slogan, "where brains and metal meet." Brilliant!

A robot that learns

The engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a robot that can actually learn. It is quite an accomplishment considering most robots nowadays need to be programmed in order to do every single thing. The UMass creation, called the UMass Mobile Manipulator can actually move around tools on a table to see how they move and eventually figure out how they work. The creators realized that robots that learn will be an integral part of the future if they are indeed going to help humans in their daily lives, since everyone’s environment is different.

The robot uses a regular webcam (aided by intricate checks that analyze the object) to “see” what is near it and what the shape of the objects is. Then it uses its arms to first feel and move around the objects. It then begins to pick them up and experiment with them and their parts in different ways to see how they move. The whole process is very reminiscent of a human learning something for the first time.

It is incredible that the robot was created and can actually learn because that is an integral part of intelligence and it is really a big step towards the future. The technology in the UMass Mobile Manipulator will certainly be looked at and improved in the future into uses that benefit humanity.

Tufts University to develop chemical robots

Tufts University has received federal funding in order to pursue a project that is aimed at creating chemical robots. The robots will be able to squeeze into very small spaces and will expand (up to 10x bigger) when in a more open environment. They will also be biodegradable for after they are no longer needed.

Such a creation would be very beneficial for public service programs, which have many jobs that are often very risky for humans. That is the reason why the government wants to see it happen and is why $3.3 million have been offered by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. In addition to the money, the government has been investing in such projects for years.

If Tufts or any institution is successful in creating the robots it could mean hundreds of lives and injuries reduced a year. The plan is to equip these robots with a plethora of functions so that they can do dangerous jobs without too much human intervention. Tasks the robots will be able to do include climb trees, follow cables and wires, and enter tight spaces. If everything works out the robots will also be very useful to the armed forces.

Not only will the machines be able to complete a wide array of tasks, but they will also be energy efficient and innocuous to the environment. It seems a bit out of this world doesn’t it? But, the scientists at Tufts believe it is possible and the government seems to have good reason to believe them, so maybe the future is just nearer than we all think.