Boston Dynamics PETMAN humanoid robot walks faster than earlier prototype

Boston Dynamics PETMAN humanoid robot walks faster than earlier prototype: "Boston Dynamics have released a new video of their humanoid robot PETMAN which we met for the first time last October. The new humanoid prototype walks faster than the previous one reaching speeds of over 4 miles per hour. PETMAN is different than most other humanoid robots under development because it more closely matches the way humans walk; that is, this robot is a dynamic walker.

PETMAN can be seen in the video below walking at 4.4 mph which is 7.08 kph. This makes it faster than Toyota's running humanoid robot of last year with a top speed of 7 kph. Honda's much celebrated humanoid ASIMO is now a distant 3rd with a top speed of 6 kph. And PETMAN can keep its balance when an external force is applied, e.g., when pushed by a very rude engineer.




[source]

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Acroban: the childlike robot you want to punch (video)

Acroban: the childlike robot you want to punch (video): "

We see a lot of robots around here. But few can evoke emotion without resorting to a doe-eyed visage or plush, Dough-Boy bodice. That's what makes Acroban so interesting. Dispensing with the cheap parlor tricks, Acroban still comes across as child-like, playful, seemingly dependent upon your care and guidance. Cute, even though it's a quivering mass of aluminum, wire, and servos with a questionable taste in headwear. Doesn't mean you won't punch it in the pie hole now and again just to show it who's boss -- it is a murderous robot after all. See what we mean after the break.
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Acroban: the childlike robot you want to punch (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maido-kun humanoid robot to the moon in 2015

Maido-kun humanoid robot to the moon in 2015: "

In an ambitious new project unveiled on April 27, an Osaka-area business group has vowed to put a humanoid robot on the moon by 2015.

The business group, known as SOHLA (Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association), made headlines in January 2009 after their Maido-1 lightning observation microsatellite was launched into orbit. Their new project is to develop a bipedal humanoid robot — named “Maido-kun” — which can function in the harsh lunar environment. If all goes as planned, Maido-kun will be ready to travel to the moon in 2015.

SOHLA admits there are a number of obstacles to overcome — most notably the astronomical development costs (now estimated at 1 billion yen, or $10.5 million) — but they are optimistic about their pursuit and believe it can help stimulate the local economy by getting small and medium sized manufacturers involved in the development of space technology. At present, SOHLA consists of six local enterprises working in partnership with government-affiliated organizations such as the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In 2005, JAXA announced bold plans to send bipedal humanoid robots to the moon. However, after recognizing the numerous difficulties that the lunar landscape poses for two-legged humanoids, they decided it would be more feasible to send wheeled robots instead.

Wheels may be more practical than legs, but SOHLA board member Noriyuki Yoshida sees an advantage in robots that look like people. “Humanoid robots are glamorous, and they tend to get people fired up,” he says. “We hope to develop a charming robot to fulfill the dream of going to space.”

JAXA plans to send their first robot rover to the moon in or around 2015, and SOHLA hopes their Maido-kun humanoid will be able to hitch a ride on the same mission.

[Source: Yomiuri]

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RoboGames 2010: Mech Warfare

RoboGames 2010: Mech Warfare: "


Last year at RoboGames was the very first Mech Warfare competition. Like, ever. And it was pretty cool. But this year was exponentially more awesome. Mech Warfare pits walking robots armed with airsoft rifles against each other in a detailed cityscape. The robots are controlled remotely, but the catch is that you can’t directly see your robot. Instead, competitors rely on wireless cameras mounted on the bots themselves to see where they’re going, kinda like the old Mech Warrior computer game. I’d tell you more about how it all went, but I’m sure you’d rather just watch the video:



Next year, things are going to get even more epic. The arena will be increased in size, and a couple new match types will be introduced, including 2 on 2 matches and attack and defense, where the defending robots will be able to use things like autonomous turrets to help keep the attackers from capturing a target. The hardcore class will be back next year too, where instead of airsoft guns, the robots will be allowed to use things like missiles and flamethrowers. You can keep up to date with all the latest happenings in the Mech Warfare world at the official website, and also on the Trossen Robotics Forums.

One or two more pics, after the jump.







[ Mech Warfare ]

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New Boston Dynamics Vids Show Faster Bots, Not Much Else

New Boston Dynamics Vids Show Faster Bots, Not Much Else: "


Boston Dynamics has posted some updated videos of BigDog and PETMAN. As far as I can tell, there isn’t much new going on… BigDog still carries a bunch of stuff, climbs up muddy hills, doesn’t fall down on ice, looks like two guys running around under a tarp, and sounds like a swarm of killer bees. The one new sequence that I noticed shows BigDog running (the definition of running being an airborne gait phase) at 5 mph. At the end of the video, when the hydraulics are run externally and the engine is off, BigDog sounds a lot more reasonable. Unfortunately, it’s hard to beat the power density and instant rechargeability of petroleum-based fuels, so we might be stuck with the bees for a while longer.



PETMAN is moving a bit more briskly as well, reaching a walking speed of 4.4 mph. Although it’s dynamically balancing itself, it still looks to me like it’s perpetually on the verge of falling over, but I guess arguably that’s what dynamic balancing is all about. Remember that eventually Petman is supposed to be able to crawl, sweat, and do ‘calisthenics’ to test protective clothing. And when I say eventually, I mean by 2011, but that seems a little bit optimistic at this point. Artificial fingers crossed!

[ Boston Dynamics ]

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ROBO-ONE 11

Robo-one is one of the most popular and unique robot competition, and this 11th edition corroborates it. If you can follow year by year this unique challenge, you can see the evolution in the understanding of robot construction and behaviour. Since many people can’t assist to the event, I compiled a bunch of useful links about the competition:

Robot Watch 1
Robot Watch 2
Robot Watch 3
Robot-dreams 1
Robot-dreams 2
Robot-dreams 3
Robot-dreams 4
Robot-dreams 5

ANYBOTS

Anybots is a recently created company by Trevor Blackwell. The company recently announced Dexter, a dynamically balancing walking humanoid robot. Although the robot is in early stages of development, this humanoid robot was created with the intent to be of assistance in various household and industrial tasks. Check out the videos.