The document summarizes Audrey Watters' 2012 presentation at the CALI conference titled "Three Laws of Robotics". It discusses Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics and how they relate to ethics and automation in education. Specific topics covered include intelligent tutoring, adaptive learning, robot essay graders, programming robots versus programming humans, and the uncanny valley. The document references many works of science fiction and examples of educational technology to illustrate issues around the role of robots and AI in education.
This document provides an overview of robotics including:
1) A definition of robotics as the science of designing and building robots and the study of robots.
2) A brief history of robots from Karel Capek coining the term "robot" in the 1920s to the creation of the first commercial robot, Unimate, in the 1950s.
3) Descriptions of the main components of robots including manipulators, end effectors, actuators, sensors, controllers, and processors.
Robotics is the branch of science dealing with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots can take the place of humans in dangerous environments and resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and cognition. The word "robot" was introduced by Czech writer Karel Capek in 1920 and the term "robotics" was coined by Isaac Asimov in the 1940s. Asimov also proposed his three laws of robotics which govern a robot's behavior regarding humans. Robots are used for tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, impossible for humans, or require high precision. They have a variety of applications including space exploration, medical care, manufacturing, and assistance for disabled persons.
Manlike machines have fascinated humans since ancient times. The modern robots start to take shape with the industrial revolution. In the 20th century robots were mostly industrial machines you would see in factories, like car factories.
Today, robots can have sensors, vision, they can hear and understand. They can connect to the cloud for more information. However, we are still in the early stages of robotics and robots will need to go a long way to become useful as a ubiquitous general purpose devices.
The document provides an introduction to robotics presented by Arjun Chopra. It discusses how the development of machines to perform repetitive tasks reduced the need for human labor and accelerated technological advances. It then summarizes that electronics were a major development leading to the creation of autonomous robots by William Grey in 1948. The document also categorizes types of robots by locomotion and application and discusses advantages and disadvantages of robots as well as their influence and future.
The term "robot" derives from the Czech word for forced labor or servitude. It was first used in a 1920 play by Karel Capek to describe artificial workers. The document then provides definitions of a robot as a machine that can be programmed to perform human tasks, and of robotics as the study of robot design, construction, and use.
Danish Khan, a student at Usman Institute of Technology, submitted a report on robotics to Syed Faisal Ali. The report discusses the history of robots originating from the 1920 play R.U.R. and the Czech word for forced labor. It defines robotics as the study and application of mechanical devices that perform human tasks automatically or remotely. Robots are needed for their speed, ability to work in hazardous conditions, perform repetitive tasks accurately. They have applications in space exploration, handling radioactive waste, and automobile assembly lines. While robots can replace some factory jobs, they require power, maintenance and funding to develop.
The document summarizes Audrey Watters' 2012 presentation at the CALI conference titled "Three Laws of Robotics". It discusses Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics and how they relate to ethics and automation in education. Specific topics covered include intelligent tutoring, adaptive learning, robot essay graders, programming robots versus programming humans, and the uncanny valley. The document references many works of science fiction and examples of educational technology to illustrate issues around the role of robots and AI in education.
This document provides an overview of robotics including:
1) A definition of robotics as the science of designing and building robots and the study of robots.
2) A brief history of robots from Karel Capek coining the term "robot" in the 1920s to the creation of the first commercial robot, Unimate, in the 1950s.
3) Descriptions of the main components of robots including manipulators, end effectors, actuators, sensors, controllers, and processors.
Robotics is the branch of science dealing with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots can take the place of humans in dangerous environments and resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and cognition. The word "robot" was introduced by Czech writer Karel Capek in 1920 and the term "robotics" was coined by Isaac Asimov in the 1940s. Asimov also proposed his three laws of robotics which govern a robot's behavior regarding humans. Robots are used for tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, impossible for humans, or require high precision. They have a variety of applications including space exploration, medical care, manufacturing, and assistance for disabled persons.
Manlike machines have fascinated humans since ancient times. The modern robots start to take shape with the industrial revolution. In the 20th century robots were mostly industrial machines you would see in factories, like car factories.
Today, robots can have sensors, vision, they can hear and understand. They can connect to the cloud for more information. However, we are still in the early stages of robotics and robots will need to go a long way to become useful as a ubiquitous general purpose devices.
The document provides an introduction to robotics presented by Arjun Chopra. It discusses how the development of machines to perform repetitive tasks reduced the need for human labor and accelerated technological advances. It then summarizes that electronics were a major development leading to the creation of autonomous robots by William Grey in 1948. The document also categorizes types of robots by locomotion and application and discusses advantages and disadvantages of robots as well as their influence and future.
The term "robot" derives from the Czech word for forced labor or servitude. It was first used in a 1920 play by Karel Capek to describe artificial workers. The document then provides definitions of a robot as a machine that can be programmed to perform human tasks, and of robotics as the study of robot design, construction, and use.
Danish Khan, a student at Usman Institute of Technology, submitted a report on robotics to Syed Faisal Ali. The report discusses the history of robots originating from the 1920 play R.U.R. and the Czech word for forced labor. It defines robotics as the study and application of mechanical devices that perform human tasks automatically or remotely. Robots are needed for their speed, ability to work in hazardous conditions, perform repetitive tasks accurately. They have applications in space exploration, handling radioactive waste, and automobile assembly lines. While robots can replace some factory jobs, they require power, maintenance and funding to develop.
This document defines robotics as programmable, automatic industrial machines. It discusses the history of robots from the first use of the word "robot" in 1942 to describe automatons, to the first actual robot called Unimate being produced in 1956. The document also lists some key advantages and disadvantages of robots, such as improving production but also reducing job opportunities for humans. It suggests robots will play an increasing role in the future to bring more convenience to everyday life.
Robots have become a subject of great interest and are defined as man-made mechanical devices that can move by themselves. Robotics is the science of designing or building robots and their applications. The first commercial robot, Unimate, was created in 1956 and performed repetitive tasks like welding. There are several types of robots including mobile, industrial, autonomous, remote-controlled, and virtual robots. Robots are used in applications like space exploration, medical surgery, assembly lines, security, and home assistance. Advantages include performing dangerous tasks and working consistently, while disadvantages include potential job losses and maintenance costs. The future of robotics involves greater robot autonomy and new forms of human-robot collaboration.
Robots are mechanical or virtual agents that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance from remote control. They are usually electro-mechanical machines guided by computer programming. Robots help in daily life by performing functions that were previously done by human labor or animals. They are also used for entertainment purposes like playing ping pong. Approximately half of all robots are in Asia, with 32% in Europe and 16% in North America. Japan has the highest number of any country, containing 30% of the world's robots. Robotics is considered the future because robots are increasingly entering personal lives to make tasks easier, with a prediction that robots will transform domestic life in every home.
The document provides an overview of the history and development of robotics. It discusses how early automatons like Vaucanson's duck in the 18th century demonstrated life-like behavior through mechanical mechanisms. The Jacquard loom introduced the concept of a programmable machine. The term "robot" was coined in a 1921 play and helped shape public perceptions. Early innovators in robotics included George Devol, who filed the first robotics patent in 1954, and Joseph Engelberger, who founded the first robotics company Unimation in 1956 and installed the first industrial robot. The document outlines the development and different types of robots including manufacturing, service, field, and humanoid robots.
This document provides an overview of robots and robotics. It defines a robot as a re-programmable machine that can perform tasks automatically in place of humans, especially in hazardous environments. The document discusses the history and origins of the words "robot" and "robotics" and covers some of the key figures in the field like Karel Capek and Isaac Asimov. It also outlines Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. Examples are given of industrial robots like Unimate, the first industrial robot. The main components of robots - sensors, effectors, actuators, controllers, and arms - are identified. Different types of robots are described such as mobile, autonomous, virtual, and remote-controlled robots. Potential
The document traces the history and development of robots from early fictional depictions in the 1920s to modern advances. It discusses some of the first intelligent robots like Shakey in the 1960s, the first industrial robot Unimate in the 1950s-60s, and Honda's humanoid robot ASIMO in the 1980s-2000s. The key technologies driving more advanced modern robots are described as sensors, actuators, and artificial intelligence. The future of robots is discussed in terms of increasing autonomy through reinforcement learning and the challenges of human-robot interaction. Students are assigned short discussion topics on Shakey and developments in human-robot interaction.
By now we all know the image: bipedal mechanoids designed in our own likeness, used to aid the human race in all walks of life. Through stories, films, practical applications and our own imagination, robots are synonymous with the human psyche.
1) A robot is generally defined as a programmable machine that mimics human or animal actions and movements. To qualify as a robot, a machine must be able to receive external information and perform some physical task.
2) The word "robot" originated from the Czech word for forced labor or slavery. It was first used in a 1920s play to describe automated workers. Leonardo da Vinci drew early plans for a mechanical man in 1495.
3) Robots are commonly used in factories for repetitive tasks as they do not require breaks, pay, or accommodations. Certain dangerous jobs like bomb disposal are also well-suited to robots.
This document discusses human robot interaction (HRI) and provides examples of modern robots. It begins by defining HRI and outlining Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics, which aim to ensure safe interaction between humans and robots. Examples are then given of three robots: Valkyrie, a humanoid robot designed by NASA; Schaft, a robot that won a DARPA competition; and CHIMP, a tracked mobile robot. The document concludes by asking what future robots may look like.
This document discusses human robot interaction (HRI) and provides examples of modern robots. It begins by defining HRI and outlining Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics, which aim to ensure safe interaction between humans and robots. Examples are then given of three robots: Valkyrie, a humanoid robot designed by NASA; Schaft, a robot that won a DARPA competition; and CHIMP, a tracked mobile robot. The document concludes by asking what future robots may look like.
The document discusses an introduction to robotics course. It provides an overview of the course goals, syllabus, projects and challenges students will complete. Some key topics covered include the definition of a robot, generations of robotics from remote controlled to those with artificial intelligence, and applications in industries like shipping, mining, and healthcare. Students will gain hands-on experience building and programming robots with kits to complete tasks like mazes and competitions.
This document discusses the history and development of robotics. It begins with the origins of the word "robot" from Karel Čapek's play from 1920. It then discusses the development of robotics through history, including Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics in 1942 and Norbert Wiener's principles of cybernetics in 1948 which formed the basis for practical robotics. The first digitally operated robot, Unimate, was installed in 1961. The document outlines the main components of robots including sensors, effectors, power sources, electric motors, and manipulation capabilities. It discusses uses of robots in manufacturing and other applications. The advantages and disadvantages of robotics are also summarized.
The document discusses the history and development of robotics from early science fiction depictions to modern applications. It describes how robots have advanced from simple machines that could only move a few inches to highly sophisticated machines capable of complex tasks like surgery. The document also outlines the basic components and functions of robots including their structure, power sources, actuation, sensing, manipulation, and locomotion. A variety of modern robotics applications are presented like use in surgery, hazardous environments, companionship, and humanoid forms. Both advantages like precision and ability to perform dangerous jobs as well as disadvantages like cost and potential job disruption are reviewed.
Tom Roberts' Micromouse Design CP SLO Fall 2015Tom Roberts
The Roborodentia competition at Cal Poly has been held for over 20 years. It challenges students to completely build and code autonomous robots to complete various tasks. While very challenging, it provides invaluable hands-on learning experiences for the students. It helps them apply what they are learning in their majors and helps many decide to pursue careers in engineering and computer science. Though a competition, the students often work together to help each other complete their robots, and many lifelong friendships are formed through the event.
Robotics is the science and technology of robots, their design, manufacture, and application. The term "robot" was coined in a 1920 play and was first used in print in a 1941 science fiction story. Historically, robots have evolved from mechanical creations in ancient times to modern digitally operated programmable robots. A robot typically has actuators, sensors, and software to sense its environment and manipulate things. Robots are used widely in manufacturing, military applications, space exploration, medicine, and other fields. While robots currently don't pose threats, some fears exist about future highly intelligent robots that may develop their own goals. The future of robotics is predicted to include household robots and medical robots performing surgery.
IN this ppt I had covered some topics that are sufficient for a paper presentation....I had created this with the HD pic's that will attract the listeners well...... Wishing u all success and all he best
Robots have become a subject of great interest and are defined as man-made mechanical devices that can move by themselves. Robotics is the science of designing or building robots and their applications. The first commercial robot, Unimate, was created in 1956 and used in factories for tasks like welding. There are several types of robots including mobile, industrial, autonomous, remote-controlled, and virtual robots. Robots are used in exploration, medical science, assembly, surveillance and other applications. Advantages include performing dangerous tasks and working consistently, while disadvantages include potential job losses and maintenance costs. The future of robotics involves greater robot autonomy and new forms of human-robot collaboration.
This document summarizes information about robotics presented by Subrat Kumar Sahoo at Talcher Autonomous College. It discusses the origins and definitions of robots and robotics. Key points include:
- The term "robot" was coined in a 1920 play and comes from the Czech word for forced labor.
- Robots are mechanical devices that perform human tasks automatically or remotely. Robotics is the study and application of robot technology.
- Common types of robots include industrial robots for manufacturing, mobile robots, educational robots, and domestic robots.
- The main components of a robot are its manipulator, end effector, actuators, sensors, controller, processor, and software.
- Robots
This document provides an overview of robots, including their definition, etymology, and history. It discusses how robots were first conceptualized by da Vinci and later popularized in fiction. Robots are now commonly used for repetitive tasks in factories and for dangerous jobs like bomb disposal. The document outlines different types of robots and their uses, from helper robots to surgical robots. It concludes by outlining a scientist's vision for the evolution of robot intelligence over the coming decades.
This document defines robotics as programmable, automatic industrial machines. It discusses the history of robots from the first use of the word "robot" in 1942 to describe automatons, to the first actual robot called Unimate being produced in 1956. The document also lists some key advantages and disadvantages of robots, such as improving production but also reducing job opportunities for humans. It suggests robots will play an increasing role in the future to bring more convenience to everyday life.
Robots have become a subject of great interest and are defined as man-made mechanical devices that can move by themselves. Robotics is the science of designing or building robots and their applications. The first commercial robot, Unimate, was created in 1956 and performed repetitive tasks like welding. There are several types of robots including mobile, industrial, autonomous, remote-controlled, and virtual robots. Robots are used in applications like space exploration, medical surgery, assembly lines, security, and home assistance. Advantages include performing dangerous tasks and working consistently, while disadvantages include potential job losses and maintenance costs. The future of robotics involves greater robot autonomy and new forms of human-robot collaboration.
Robots are mechanical or virtual agents that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance from remote control. They are usually electro-mechanical machines guided by computer programming. Robots help in daily life by performing functions that were previously done by human labor or animals. They are also used for entertainment purposes like playing ping pong. Approximately half of all robots are in Asia, with 32% in Europe and 16% in North America. Japan has the highest number of any country, containing 30% of the world's robots. Robotics is considered the future because robots are increasingly entering personal lives to make tasks easier, with a prediction that robots will transform domestic life in every home.
The document provides an overview of the history and development of robotics. It discusses how early automatons like Vaucanson's duck in the 18th century demonstrated life-like behavior through mechanical mechanisms. The Jacquard loom introduced the concept of a programmable machine. The term "robot" was coined in a 1921 play and helped shape public perceptions. Early innovators in robotics included George Devol, who filed the first robotics patent in 1954, and Joseph Engelberger, who founded the first robotics company Unimation in 1956 and installed the first industrial robot. The document outlines the development and different types of robots including manufacturing, service, field, and humanoid robots.
This document provides an overview of robots and robotics. It defines a robot as a re-programmable machine that can perform tasks automatically in place of humans, especially in hazardous environments. The document discusses the history and origins of the words "robot" and "robotics" and covers some of the key figures in the field like Karel Capek and Isaac Asimov. It also outlines Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. Examples are given of industrial robots like Unimate, the first industrial robot. The main components of robots - sensors, effectors, actuators, controllers, and arms - are identified. Different types of robots are described such as mobile, autonomous, virtual, and remote-controlled robots. Potential
The document traces the history and development of robots from early fictional depictions in the 1920s to modern advances. It discusses some of the first intelligent robots like Shakey in the 1960s, the first industrial robot Unimate in the 1950s-60s, and Honda's humanoid robot ASIMO in the 1980s-2000s. The key technologies driving more advanced modern robots are described as sensors, actuators, and artificial intelligence. The future of robots is discussed in terms of increasing autonomy through reinforcement learning and the challenges of human-robot interaction. Students are assigned short discussion topics on Shakey and developments in human-robot interaction.
By now we all know the image: bipedal mechanoids designed in our own likeness, used to aid the human race in all walks of life. Through stories, films, practical applications and our own imagination, robots are synonymous with the human psyche.
1) A robot is generally defined as a programmable machine that mimics human or animal actions and movements. To qualify as a robot, a machine must be able to receive external information and perform some physical task.
2) The word "robot" originated from the Czech word for forced labor or slavery. It was first used in a 1920s play to describe automated workers. Leonardo da Vinci drew early plans for a mechanical man in 1495.
3) Robots are commonly used in factories for repetitive tasks as they do not require breaks, pay, or accommodations. Certain dangerous jobs like bomb disposal are also well-suited to robots.
This document discusses human robot interaction (HRI) and provides examples of modern robots. It begins by defining HRI and outlining Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics, which aim to ensure safe interaction between humans and robots. Examples are then given of three robots: Valkyrie, a humanoid robot designed by NASA; Schaft, a robot that won a DARPA competition; and CHIMP, a tracked mobile robot. The document concludes by asking what future robots may look like.
This document discusses human robot interaction (HRI) and provides examples of modern robots. It begins by defining HRI and outlining Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics, which aim to ensure safe interaction between humans and robots. Examples are then given of three robots: Valkyrie, a humanoid robot designed by NASA; Schaft, a robot that won a DARPA competition; and CHIMP, a tracked mobile robot. The document concludes by asking what future robots may look like.
The document discusses an introduction to robotics course. It provides an overview of the course goals, syllabus, projects and challenges students will complete. Some key topics covered include the definition of a robot, generations of robotics from remote controlled to those with artificial intelligence, and applications in industries like shipping, mining, and healthcare. Students will gain hands-on experience building and programming robots with kits to complete tasks like mazes and competitions.
This document discusses the history and development of robotics. It begins with the origins of the word "robot" from Karel Čapek's play from 1920. It then discusses the development of robotics through history, including Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics in 1942 and Norbert Wiener's principles of cybernetics in 1948 which formed the basis for practical robotics. The first digitally operated robot, Unimate, was installed in 1961. The document outlines the main components of robots including sensors, effectors, power sources, electric motors, and manipulation capabilities. It discusses uses of robots in manufacturing and other applications. The advantages and disadvantages of robotics are also summarized.
The document discusses the history and development of robotics from early science fiction depictions to modern applications. It describes how robots have advanced from simple machines that could only move a few inches to highly sophisticated machines capable of complex tasks like surgery. The document also outlines the basic components and functions of robots including their structure, power sources, actuation, sensing, manipulation, and locomotion. A variety of modern robotics applications are presented like use in surgery, hazardous environments, companionship, and humanoid forms. Both advantages like precision and ability to perform dangerous jobs as well as disadvantages like cost and potential job disruption are reviewed.
Tom Roberts' Micromouse Design CP SLO Fall 2015Tom Roberts
The Roborodentia competition at Cal Poly has been held for over 20 years. It challenges students to completely build and code autonomous robots to complete various tasks. While very challenging, it provides invaluable hands-on learning experiences for the students. It helps them apply what they are learning in their majors and helps many decide to pursue careers in engineering and computer science. Though a competition, the students often work together to help each other complete their robots, and many lifelong friendships are formed through the event.
Robotics is the science and technology of robots, their design, manufacture, and application. The term "robot" was coined in a 1920 play and was first used in print in a 1941 science fiction story. Historically, robots have evolved from mechanical creations in ancient times to modern digitally operated programmable robots. A robot typically has actuators, sensors, and software to sense its environment and manipulate things. Robots are used widely in manufacturing, military applications, space exploration, medicine, and other fields. While robots currently don't pose threats, some fears exist about future highly intelligent robots that may develop their own goals. The future of robotics is predicted to include household robots and medical robots performing surgery.
IN this ppt I had covered some topics that are sufficient for a paper presentation....I had created this with the HD pic's that will attract the listeners well...... Wishing u all success and all he best
Robots have become a subject of great interest and are defined as man-made mechanical devices that can move by themselves. Robotics is the science of designing or building robots and their applications. The first commercial robot, Unimate, was created in 1956 and used in factories for tasks like welding. There are several types of robots including mobile, industrial, autonomous, remote-controlled, and virtual robots. Robots are used in exploration, medical science, assembly, surveillance and other applications. Advantages include performing dangerous tasks and working consistently, while disadvantages include potential job losses and maintenance costs. The future of robotics involves greater robot autonomy and new forms of human-robot collaboration.
This document summarizes information about robotics presented by Subrat Kumar Sahoo at Talcher Autonomous College. It discusses the origins and definitions of robots and robotics. Key points include:
- The term "robot" was coined in a 1920 play and comes from the Czech word for forced labor.
- Robots are mechanical devices that perform human tasks automatically or remotely. Robotics is the study and application of robot technology.
- Common types of robots include industrial robots for manufacturing, mobile robots, educational robots, and domestic robots.
- The main components of a robot are its manipulator, end effector, actuators, sensors, controller, processor, and software.
- Robots
This document provides an overview of robots, including their definition, etymology, and history. It discusses how robots were first conceptualized by da Vinci and later popularized in fiction. Robots are now commonly used for repetitive tasks in factories and for dangerous jobs like bomb disposal. The document outlines different types of robots and their uses, from helper robots to surgical robots. It concludes by outlining a scientist's vision for the evolution of robot intelligence over the coming decades.
This document discusses various types and applications of robots. It describes industrial robots, military robots, aerospace robots, and healthcare robots. It provides details on articulated, SCARA, Delta, and Cartesian robots used for material handling, processing, assembly, inspection, and other industrial applications. The document also discusses military robots used for clearing minefields and deactivating bombs. Aerospace robots are discussed for space exploration. Healthcare robots include magnetic microbots for medical procedures. Examples of military robots include Dragon Runner, TALON, ACER, and Packbot. The document also summarizes humanoid robots, swarm robots, prosthetics, neural networks, and prediction robots.
Robots are re-programmable machines that can perform hazardous tasks like removing mines or working in space. The field of robotics involves designing and building robots. The word "robot" was coined in 1920 by Karel Capek in his play R.U.R., while the term "robotics" was coined by Isaac Asimov in the 1940s. George Devol invented the first digital and programmable robot called Unimate in 1954 to lift hot metal from die casting machines. Robots typically have sensors, effectors, actuators, controllers, processors and arms. Common types of robots include mobile, stationary, autonomous, and virtual robots.
The document provides a history of robots from ancient visions to modern achievements. It discusses early concepts and designs from Greek philosophers and inventors. The first modern robots were industrial machines in the 1960s that performed repetitive, dangerous tasks. Today's robots are more advanced and can have sensors to make decisions to complete complex tasks like packaging or military rescue operations. The document traces the progression of robot technology from simple machines to modern humanoid designs that mimic human abilities.
The document provides a history of robots from ancient visions to modern achievements. It discusses early robotic concepts and inventions from Greek and Roman engineers. The first modern robots were industrial machines introduced in the 1960s that could perform repetitive, dangerous tasks. Today's robots are more advanced and can have sensors, control systems, and effectors that allow them to operate autonomously and assist humans in tasks that are difficult, risky, or time-consuming such as packaging items on an assembly line. The military has also developed robots to help with dangerous disposal and rescue missions.
Space robotics is the development of robots capable of functioning in space environments to perform tasks like exploration, construction, and maintenance. There are four main types of space robots: planetary rovers, in-orbit operators, probes, and robots that assist astronauts. Designing space robots presents challenges like operating in zero gravity and vacuum conditions. Key areas of application include in-orbit assembly, maintenance, and resupply. Future directions include developing more autonomous robots and improving teleoperation technologies.
Similar to At DARPA challenge, rescue robots show future of disaster relief (20)
The US and Swiss authorities launched investigations into corruption within FIFA, soccer's global governing body. FBI agents arrested seven high-ranking FIFA officials at a hotel in Zurich on charges of racketeering and corruption. Swiss officials also raided FIFA headquarters seizing documents to investigate allegations that the 2018 and 2022 World Cup host selections were rigged. The indictment detailed decades of bribery and kickbacks involving broadcasting and marketing rights for major soccer tournaments. FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not directly implicated but the corruption scandal has increased calls for him to resign or postpone the upcoming election where he plans to seek another term.
At DARPA challenge, rescue robots show future of disaster relief
1. At DARPA challenge, rescue robots show future of disaster
relief
In a narrow parking lot, Brett Kennedy and Sisir Karumanchi stand around what looks like a
suitcase. But then four limbs extend from its sides, bending and clicking into position. Two spread
out like legs and two rise up like arms as the robot goes through several poses, looking for all the
world like a Transformer doing yoga.
This is RoboSimian, a prototype rescue robot whose builders at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
hope can win the $2-million prize at the DARPA Robotics Challenge. The goal: to foster a new
generation of rescue robots that could help save lives when the next disaster hits.
Twenty-four teams from around the U.S. and the globe have sent their best and brightest bots to
compete in a grueling obstacle course -- a robot Olympics, if you will.
The challenge has been three years in the making. Now, a week before the contest in Pomona, the
JPL engineers think they are ready -- but they're putting the robot through its paces.
RoboSimian stands in front of a doorway leading to a zigzagging chipboard wall. Along the wall are a
valve that must be turned, a high shelf and a low shelf, each holding two power tools.
To get into the "room," the 275-pound robot sits back on its haunches and carefully wheels through
the doorway on its butt.
Inside the laboratory, Kyle Edelberg is staring at a computer screen showing a representation of
RoboSimian and what it sees. He can't walk outside and check on the robot; his senses are limited by
RoboSimian's.
The robot freezes when it reaches for a triangle-shaped pull. It's hard for the robot to see the thin
metal, and hard for the human to pick it out even if RoboSimian does see it.
This is how operating a rescue robot will feel in a disaster zone, Kennedy says. Robots will be sent to
perform reconnaissance or fix malfunctioning hardware in ravaged areas that are too dangerous for
2. humans. So being able to understand and work with the robot -- and practice with it -- is key.
Outside, RoboSimian reaches for a drill on the lower shelf. The bot pushes against the drill to gauge
its location, but pushes too far: The drill tips and falls over.
Most of the other robots in the challenge are humanoid -- they have a head, a torso, two arms and
two legs. But walking on two legs is a major balancing challenge -- a gust of wind or a swinging door
could knock the robots over.
"The thing that would almost guarantee our winning the program," Kennedy says, "would be if the
Santa Anas kick up."
::
Across town, engineers at UCLA are also working on their entry into the DARPA challenge. As
students pore over papers and fiddle with electronics, professor Dennis Hong shows off two models
of their humanoid robot, THOR-RD, one of which sports shocking pink hair.
"We're trying to literally save the world and save humanity," Hong says. But "we want to have some
fun."
Hong, who moved from Virginia Tech last year, bounces around the lab space, where the UCLA-
University of Pennsylvania team has built a smaller version of a course, much like the one at JPL, to
fit indoors.
Hong has worked on several different kinds of robots, some inspired by animals, including a snake
and an amoeba robot. He even worked with Kennedy several years ago on a predecessor to
RoboSimian named LEMUR.
But for this challenge, Hong has chosen to stick with a humanoid form. After all, he says, animal-
inspired robots can each do one thing well -- climb poles or perhaps squeeze into hard-to-reach
places. That's useful in specific circumstances during a disaster, but not all of them. Here, the robots
will be asked to do a wide variety of human tasks, so a bipedal approach makes sense.
"Robots need to be humanoid for disaster relief, because robots need to drive a car, need to climb
steps," Hong says, though he adds that he would be watching JPL's performance.
3. "If they fail, it means, oh, what I said was right," he says. "And if they indeed do well, it means
they've proven me wrong."
::
Gill Pratt, program manager of the DARPA Robotics Challenge, grips the handle of a white door
under a yellow warning sign that reads, "CAUTION: HIGH VOLTAGE. DO NOT ENTER THIS
ENCLOSURE."
He pushes on the door, embedded in a wall of faux brick and corrugated metal, to reveal the real
obstacle course, sitting in a field in front of the grandstand at the Fairplex in Pomona. Three more
identical courses are lined up beside it.
The course is a three-sided stage that's open to spectators filling the bleachers above. Along the
wall, the lanky engineer faces a familiar set of objects: a tall black pipe with an orange valve that
can be turned like a steering wheel and a staggered pair of shelves that await power tools. Near the
end of the room, a pile of concrete cinder blocks lies in front of the exit to the other side. The robots
can choose whether to clamber over the cinder blocks or wrestle their way through debris that will
be strewn next to it when the competition starts.
The robots will compete to beat the clock: finish up to eight tasks before an hour runs out. Four
robots will compete at a time, each in its own stage on the field, so that spectators can compare
their progress.
The idea for this DARPA challenge grew out of the disaster at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power
plant in Japan, after a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. At one point during the crisis,
employees at the nuclear power plant needed to open some valves to release steam to avert an
explosion, but could not get close enough, fast enough, because of the massive amounts of radiation.
If robots had been available to perform the tasks, they could have mitigated the disaster, the
thinking goes. But the technology doesn't yet exist. DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency, is an arm of the Defense Department that seeks to develop these kinds of emerging
technologies -- and they do so by putting on these high-risk, high-reward contests.
The robots have to drive a car to the door, but the hardest part of the ride is getting out of the
vehicle without falling, Pratt says. He goes through the motions of some of the assigned tasks: He
turns a valve, mimes drilling through a window where drywall will be placed and climbs over the
concrete blocks. But before he completes the course, he gestures at a hole in a wall: a mystery task
that none of the teams knows about yet.
Since the semifinals in late 2013, DARPA has made the challenge even harder: The robots can't
operate with power cords -- which means they have to have all their heavy batteries on board. And
they can't use safety belays to keep the robots from falling -- a problem for many of the two-legged
robots, which already have trouble with balance. (This is where the wheeled and four-limbed
contestants may have an advantage -- they're inherently stable.)
4. "In a real disaster, there are no ropes to hold you up," Pratt says.
As if the tasks weren't hard enough, Pratt's team will be shutting down the wireless communications
so that the teams will only get about one second's worth of information for every 30 seconds of
competition.
"If you've ever been on a really bad cellphone call ... it's like that, but 10 times worse," Pratt says.
There's a very good reason for doing this, he points out. In a disaster zone, the networks get
overloaded. Because of radiation shielding, communication goes down. So it's very hard to directly
control a robot when you can only send commands and receive vital information in broken bits and
pieces.
The RoboSimian team is setting up in a cavernous garage near the obstacle course. As other teams
unpack robots, lug in couches and start setting up mock obstacle courses, Kennedy's group seems
relaxed. He shrugs at the surrounding chaos, sipping a Pellegrino soda while RoboSimian stands
behind him.
A few members of the MIT team come over to greet Karumanchi, who used to work with them -- and
they hand him a team T-shirt emblazoned with a robot riding a dragon.
"They dared me to wear this with the JPL hat," he says, smiling. "I told them I'd wear it once we beat
them."
::
The two-day competition gives each team two chances to earn a high score. On the first day,
RoboSimian is one of the top performers, as is CHIMP, the other ape-like robot in the running. The
behemoth built by Carnegie Mellon University quickly becomes a fan favorite on the first day when it
does what no other fallen robot has done: It picks itself back up and keeps going, earning roars of
approval and the only perfect eight-point score.
On the second day, UCLA's THOR-RD robot, like many of the other bipedal robots, takes mincing
steps toward its target, but falls backward partway between the valve and the drill. It's out of the
running for the big prize.
After its second performance, RoboSimian also falls short, ending up in fifth place.
CHIMP's high score from the first day helps earn it third place and $500,000; second place and $1
million goes to Running Man from Team IHMC Robotics in Florida. Team KAIST from South Korea