I don't get many opportunities to share the projects (many projects) that I have going on, but here's a little clip of a past one. This is a mobility chassis concept for a 30lb fighting robot I was building for Robot Battles in Atlanta. Unfortunately, I needed some further refinement so I had to pump the brakes on it. Hopefully I'll be able to return to this design and get it to function the way I intended. Let me know what you think. :)

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Unitree Robotics Go2 - New Design!

Spinning Lidar?

Well I just came across Unitree Robotics' latest robot dog.   They've tweaked the design by adding what looks to be a spinning Lidar sensor to the front.  This offering also seems to have greater mobility and position control.  I haven't delved into all the specifics yet so I'll have to take some time to learn more about it, but for now, let's enjoy the video!  lol.

Let me know what you think about the updated design and how it might influence all the other robot dog manufactures..

Advancements in Quadruped Motion - DeepRobotics

Lite3 from DeepRobotics

  Let me just say this, I'm not so fond of the "face" on this new robot dog/quadruped.  It looks a bit too cartoonish for my taste as a mechanical designer, but I'm head over heels at this robot's ability to leap forward.  That looks to be a very useful maneuver as these types of robots become more common place and have to navigate in the real world.  It's crazy to see just how far quadruped robots have come since Sony released the first Aibo.   Check out the video from DeepRobotics and let me know what you think in the comments below.  Is it too cartoonish?  Does it remind you of a bot from Megaman?

Exciting Times In Prosthetics - 60 Mins

 I do believe that technology is inching closer and closer to the true melding of man and machine.  I  imagine a time where we will be able to intertwine the best of both worlds (for better or for worse).  My utmost hope is a prosthetic that truly returns sensation and function will be achieved in my life time.  Take a look at this encouraging video from 60 Minutes.  We're almost there!

Promat 2023 - Convention Floor and Remote Op Fork Trucks!

 Well I was not able to attend this years Promat 2023(a premiere manufacturing/supply-chain exhibition show), but I did stumble across some convention floor footage provided by Robot Advisors on YouTube.  It just so happens that in this video they stopped by a very familiar company's booth, Vanderlande.  It's great to see the product/solutions on display.  One big highlight from the video is from a company called Phantom Auto.  They provide a solution that allows fork truck drivers to remotely pilot material handling equipment.  The real benefit here is by using a remote control setup it opens the doors for those under represented in the workforce such as people with physical disabilities.  I'm excited to see more from this vendor.  Check out the video below. 

 

Well That Was Fast - The Evolution of the Robot Dog

 Just when people were getting the hang of making 3d printed robot dogs at home, here comes a new addition on the design, a spine.  Check out this video that runs through a simulation of a Quadruped with an active spine and then shows the real-world robot in action.  

 

ROBOCUP, We're Almost There! - ARTEMIS Humanoid Robot

It's been a long time since I thought about RoboCup.  For those of you not familiar, RoboCup is an organization with the goal of having humans to compete against robots in a game of soccer by 2050.  After looking at this newly released video of UCLA's ARTEMIS robot, I'd say we are getting there.  I've been a fan of the RoboCup events since the beginning and have had the opportunity to attend some.  It's amazing to see all the teams with their different approaches to building a robot to play soccer against humans.  There used to be only one or two major players in the humanoid bi-pedal robot space, but now we have a plethora.  I'm glad to see UCLA making strides in their development.  Leave and comment and check out the video below.