Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Robot Staggers, But Is Still Standing
Sarcos has been making its robots harder to knock over. I'm a little concerned; I thought I could overcome the inevitable robot uprising by simply shoving them over.
(SARCOS robot stands on his own two feet, even under duress)
The robot shown in the video was created by Sarcos (a US firm); the software to help it stay upright was developed in Japan by researcers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.
The ability to "rebalance" itself should give robots additional abilities to move with human beings in crowds, by helping the bot overcome the usual jostling in queues, elevators and sidewalks.
The software makes use of sensors located in the joints of the robot; as the center of mass of the robot is affected, the software calculates how much additional effort is required to stay upright. The force is exerted through the robot's feet into the ground; the ankles flex to maintain balance (just like yours do).
A really hard shove results in "staggering," which is another word for repeated stabilization efforts.
Robot enthusiasts might also remember that the cool BigDog robot is also able to resist a good swift kick in the hindquarters, rebalancing itself and moving forward smartly. You can see the researcher test the robot about thirty seconds into the video.
(BigDog robot remains standing even when kicked)
Update 09-Dec-2007: Several readers suggested Malfunctioning Eddie as a possible candidate for an sfnal match for this robot.
(Malfunctioning Eddie from Futurama)
Malfunctioning Eddie is also an excellent example of a real-life sales robot. Thanks to Eric Nodacker for sending in the picture. End update.
Via Flexible-jointed robot is no pushover.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 12/7/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...' - Philip K. Dick, 1955.
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.' - AG Stangland, 1929.
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...' - AE van Vogt, 1944.
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.' - William Morrison, 1941.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
Is Your Autonomous Tractor Safe?
'The field-minder finished turning the top-soil of a two-thousand-acre field.'
Smart TVs Are Listening!
'You had to live -- did live, from habit that became instinct -- in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard...'
Police Drones In China Would Like To Have A Word With You
''OVERRIDE,' the City Fathers said suddenly, without being asked anything at all.'
Oh Great (Part 2), Fence-Climbing Robots
Please, no stingers.
