WTF Fun Fact 13724 – Robotic Locomotion

Apparently, the field of robotic locomotion is moving more slowly than expected.

For years, robotics engineers have been on a mission to develop robots that can walk or run as efficiently as animals. Despite investing millions of dollars and countless hours into research, today’s robots still fall short of the natural agility and endurance exhibited by many animals.

Dr. Max Donelan from Simon Fraser University notes some impressive examples from the animal kingdom: “Wildebeests undertake thousands of kilometers of migration over rough terrain, mountain goats scale sheer cliffs, and cockroaches swiftly adapt even after losing a limb.” In contrast, current robotic technologies are not yet capable of replicating such feats of endurance, agility, and robustness.

Insights from Comparative Research

A team of leading scientists and engineers from various institutions recently conducted a detailed study to understand why robots lag behind animals. Published in Science Robotics, their research compared the performance of robot subsystems—power, frame, actuation, sensing, and control—to their biological counterparts. The team included experts like Dr. Sam Burden from the University of Washington and Dr. Tom Libby from SRI International.

Interestingly, the study found that while individual engineered subsystems often outperform biological ones, animals excel in the integration and control of these components at the system level. This integration allows for the remarkable capabilities observed in nature, which robots have yet to achieve.

Dr. Kaushik Jayaram from the University of Colorado Boulder, another contributor to the study, highlighted this point. He explained that while engineered parts might individually exceed their natural equivalents, the holistic performance of animals in motion remains unmatched. This suggests that the real challenge lies not in improving individual robot components but in enhancing how they work together as a system.

The Path Forward in Robotic Locomotion

The researchers remain optimistic about the future of robotics, noting the rapid progress made in a relatively short time compared to the millions of years of natural evolution. Dr. Simon Sponberg from the Georgia Institute of Technology pointed out the advantage of directed engineering over natural evolution: “We can update and improve robot designs with precision, learning from each iteration and immediately applying these lessons across all machines.”

The study not only sheds light on the current limitations of robotic technologies but also charts a course for future developments. By focusing on better integration and control mechanisms, inspired by biological systems, engineers hope to close the gap between robotic and animal locomotion. This advancement could revolutionize how robots are used in challenging environments, from disaster recovery to navigating the urban landscape.

Dr. Donelan concluded with a forward-looking statement: “As we learn from biology to better integrate and control robotic systems, we can achieve the level of efficiency, agility, and robustness that mirrors the natural world.”

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Source: “Why can’t robots outrun animals?” — ScienceDaily

WTF Fun Fact 13622 – 3D Printed Robotic Hand

A significant leap in 3D printing has emerged from ETH Zurich and a U.S. startup. They’ve created a robotic hand that mimics human bones, ligaments, and tendons. Unlike traditional methods, this innovation uses slow-curing polymers. These materials offer improved elasticity and durability.

Led by Thomas Buchner and Robert Katzschmann, the project utilized thiolene polymers. These materials quickly return to their original form after bending. Hence, they are perfect for simulating a robotic hand’s elastic components. This choice represents a shift from fast-curing plastics, expanding the possibilities in robotics.

Soft Robotics for a Robotic Hand

Soft robotics, illustrated by this 3D-printed hand, brings several advantages. These robots are safer around humans and more capable of handling delicate items. Such advancements pave the way for new applications in medicine and manufacturing.

The project introduced a novel 3D laser scanning technique. It accurately detects surface irregularities layer by layer. This method is essential for using slow-curing polymers effectively in 3D printing.

ETH Zurich researchers collaborated with Inkbit, an MIT spin-off, for this venture. They are now exploring more complex structures and applications. Meanwhile, Inkbit plans to commercialize this new printing technology.

This breakthrough is more than a technical achievement. It marks a shift in robotic engineering, blending advanced materials with innovative printing techniques. Such developments could lead to safer, more efficient, and adaptable robotic systems.

Educational and Practical Benefits

The success in printing a lifelike robotic hand has implications for both education and industry. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, potentially revolutionizing robotics in various settings.

The ability to print intricate robotic structures in a single process opens doors to futuristic applications. Robots could become more common in households and industries, enhancing efficiency and convenience.

This milestone in robotic engineering demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration. As we enter a new chapter in robotics, the possibilities for applying this technology are vast and exciting.

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Source: “Printed robots with bones, ligaments, and tendons” — Science Daily

WTF Fun Fact 13484 – Robots That Feel

Robots that feel?! Ok, no. We don’t mean robots that have feelings. We mean robots that have a “sense” of touch. Or at the very least robots programmed not to crush things they pick up. That’s still progress!

The modern robotics field is continuously pushing the boundaries of technology and automation. As a part of this ongoing exploration, scientists from the Queen Mary University of London, alongside their international colleagues from China and USA, have developed an innovative, affordable sensor called the L3 F-TOUCH. This unique invention enhances a robot’s tactile abilities, granting it a human-like sense of touch.

Robots That Feel Thanks to the L3 F-TOUCH Sensor

A principal objective in robotics has been achieving human-level dexterity, specifically during manipulation and grasping tasks. The human hand’s ability to sense factors such as pressure, temperature, texture, and pain, in addition to distinguishing objects based on properties like shape, size, and weight, has set the standard.

Until now, many robot hands or graspers have fallen short, lacking these vital haptic capabilities. As you might imagine, this makes handling objects a complicated task. Robots’ fingers lack the “feel of touch,” resulting in objects slipping away or being unintentionally crushed if fragile. And that’s not something we want if we’re ever going to let them work with people, like the elderly.

Mechanics and Functionality

Leading the groundbreaking study, Professor Kaspar Althoefer of Queen Mary University of London and his team, introduces the L3 F-TOUCH. The name stands for Lightweight, Low-cost, and wireless communication. It’s a high-resolution fingertip sensor that directly measures an object’s geometry and the forces necessary to interact with it.

This sensor sets itself apart from others in its league that estimate interaction forces via camera-acquired tactile information. The L3 F-TOUCH takes a direct approach, achieving a higher measurement accuracy.

Professor Althoefer and his team plan to further enhance the sensor’s capabilities. They aim to add rotational forces such as twists, vital in tasks like screw fastening.

These advancements could extend the sense of touch to more dynamic and agile robots, improving their functionality in manipulation tasks and even in human-robot interaction settings, such as patient rehabilitation or physical support for the elderly.

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Source: “Researchers develop low-cost sensor to enhance robots’ sense of touch” — ScienceDaily

WTF Fun Fact 13405 – Robot Pizza Maker

A robot pizza delivery startup that raised nearly half a billion dollars has closed due to technological setbacks. The company, Zume, Inc., had been working on developing a mobile pizza-making machine for years.

There’s big money in future pizza

The failure is surprising, considering the substantial amount of investment capital it received. But this helps highlight the ongoing challenges faced by practical robotics ventures.

One of the key hurdles faced by the robot pizza startup was the difficulty of building a reliable mechanical pizzaiolo. The company struggled for years to prevent melting cheese from sliding off the pizzas while they were being baked in their moving trucks. But this posed too significant of an obstacle. The cheese won.

Does robot pizza have a future?

Interestingly, the robot pizza industry is larger than one might assume. There are several Silicon Valley companies working on automating the pizza-making process. For instance, Stellar Pizza, founded by former SpaceX engineers, is developing a robot capable of making dough, rolling it out, applying various toppings, and baking the pizza.

However, the ambitions of these companies are not focused on recreating the experience of a traditional Italian pizza fresh out of the oven. Instead, they aim to compete with established pizza chains like Domino’s, targeting a more mass-market audience.

Cheesy obstacles

The shutdown of Zume Inc. serves as a cautionary tale in the world of venture investing – and of pizza. Even with significant funding and promising technological ideas, execution and overcoming practical challenges remain critical. This robot pizza startup emphasizes the challenges of trying to merge robotics and culinary endeavors and the difficulties inherent in translating innovative concepts into viable and successful businesses.

Zume Inc. has reportedly engaged the services of Sherwood Partners, a restructuring firm, to facilitate the sale of its assets. The company’s decision to wind down its operations reflects the reality of its financial situation and the inability to sustain its business model in a competitive market.

In the meantime, we’ll just have to appreciate the world’s pizza-makers even more. At least they can keep the cheese in place!

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Source: “Robot Pizza Startup Shuts Down After Cheese Kept Sliding Off” — Futurism