2 years, 3 months ago
What is the primary goal of robotics, today?
give an update on the project and funding support
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M$1 Answer
If you're talking about federal funding, far and away the research funding is going towards robotics that can support the Department of Defense. The Boston Globe just had a great article on the research efforts going on in the metro Boston area, link is in resources below. Definitely watch the video for the "Big Dog" pack robot, I was seriously impressed by the response the robot has to being pushed over, or slipping on ice. In addition to this type of robot, one of the most widely used robots in war zones are bomb disposal robots. Similar models are used by law enforcement agencies in the US.
On a side note, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have also created a boom in research for prosthetic limbs for amputees. Some of these are really high tech, and can probably be considered "robotics" by some definitions.
On a side note, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have also created a boom in research for prosthetic limbs for amputees. Some of these are really high tech, and can probably be considered "robotics" by some definitions.
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M$
I'm more interested in the where robotics is going, not so much, as where it has been.
I'm interested in robotics and manufacturing.
The Heartland project seems to suggest that robots and human interaction to assist in increased speed and productivity is the goal. Robots that make decisions and interact with human assistence or assist in production.
Okay, robotics and manufacturing have been intertwined for decades. Many people are familiar with the robotic arms that are used in automobile manufacturing for assembly, welding, painting, etc. Those are fairly "simple" robots that perform a specific task and move in a certain path over and over again.
Today's manufacturing robotic systems are getting more complex, incorporating sensors and imaging systems to provided closed loop feedback. So, a part can enter a work cell, the imaging system detects the orientation of the part and locates an ID code, looks up the ID code in a database, performs an action based on what type of part it is, then moving the part to a different location depending on its purpose.
Some of the challenges here are 3D vision, and being able to translate image data into instructions for the robotic equipment, all while keeping costs down.
http://www.cognex.com/ApplicationsIndustries/TypesOfApplications/default.aspx?id=78
I'm interested in robots that can move from manufacturing cell to cell and interact directly with operators or other robots.