Tech – Page 16 – NerdBeach

CUGV Robot Checks For Dangerous Substances

Robots are becoming more of a staple in the military, and this is a trend that is unlikely to slow in the near future (well, not at least until Skynet is active). The hazardous material sensing CUGV ("Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unmanned Ground Vehicle") detects:

ammonia, chlorine, carbon monoxide, oxygen levels, lower explosive limits, volatile organic compounds, gamma radiation rate and dose rate, temperature and humidity

The robot would enter a questionable area first, and it would let the people know when a protective suit is required in the area. The end result is that lives are saved, and the military can do their job more efficiently. In a way, the robot is acting as a modern day canary in a coal mines, with the exception that it lives to sniff (and upgrade) again.

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A Robot That Can Go Shopping For You

Greg Chaffins

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Robots are changing our lives, and one aspect of robotics that is interesting is in telepresence, where you are virtually there thanks to a physical robot that does the action for you remotely. Already we have surgeons that are virtually in the operating room, and it is the opinion of this author that telepresence robotics will have a very significant impact on our daily lives in the future.

Along those lines, we have a robot from Japan that is a virtual presence shopper. Basically it is a robot that can go shopping for you while you control it via cellphone. The robot fights the crowds, digs through the merchandise, pays for it, and brings it home while you stay comfortable at home (or wherever else you happen to be).

The robot is a modified TMSUK-4 humanoid robot that is tied to cellular communications. The concept of telepresence with a communication device is here referred to as 3D communication, and it is an equally apt label to use. You could also refer to the device as a telerobotic shopper.

In the demonstration, an aged lady sent the TMSUK-4 robot and her young granddaughter to a department store in Kitakyushu, Japan. The lady used her NTT DoCoMo video capable cellphone to control the robot and shop through the merchandise. Navigating to the hat section, the robot picked the hats and the granddaughter acted as the hat model. The lady was then able to select a new hat from the physical store without leaving home.

One aspect of telerobotics that could really drive its acceptance is in its ability to allow the user to manage their time very effectively. The virtual presence in a lot of the cases requires no travel time, allowing the user to instantly be at the location. This allows the user to potentially visit many places in a short time (such as a skilled surgeon doing several operations via telerobotics).

Obviously in the case of individual telerobotic ownership, such as the case illustrated above, this would not always be the case, but even then you could do other things while your robotic Doppelganger was en route.

Of course, having a telerobotic device to go the gym for you would not be a good use of the technology, despite the acknowledged short term lack of pain for the user.

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Seascout is a Robotic Ocean Rescuer

Greg Chaffins

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Being lost at sea would be a much more survivable, if not pleasant, experience with this robot at your disposal. The Seascout, by Andre Design, is a robotic swimmer designed to brave hazardous conditions and come to the rescue.

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The ocean rescuer robot is guided by a GPS tracking device worn by the distressed party. Once activated, it swims out to the victims and literally scoops them up. From there it carries them back to shore, all the while giving them a ride in style with internal lighting, a (hopefully tinted) sunroof, and a radio system. The rescued parties may not be in any condition to use the radio, but thanks to a unique design (did we mention the scooping?) that is not required for the rescue to take place. As far as we can tell, the Seascout is currently in prototyping.

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Mr. Asahi is a Robotic Bartender

Greg Chaffins

asahi_070408 Selfridges Department Store in London, England has a new bartender, and it goes by the name "Mr. Asahi". Asahi is a robot that is designed to serve a patron in under two minutes. Asahi has programmed replies to the customer in order to make it seem a bit hospitable (as any good bartender would), and he comes in fresh from six months of "training".

Mr Asahi is no lightweight, coming in at 250 pounds and that is without his legs. But since Asahi spends all of his time behind the bar serving his customers he really doesn't have a need for them. But we would probably like a few tips, metal coins only please.

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