For decades, scientists have been trying to figure out how to program a robot to firmly grip something delicate, such as a raw egg, and then a hard object, such as a coin. Researchers filled a balloon with coffee grinds to create the "universal gripper". It is able to pick up any hard, dry object. when the gripper comes in contact with an object, a vacuum sucks the air out of the balloon, compressing the coffee grounds around the object, allowing it to be picked up. Coffee was the chosen material for the filling because of its lightness ans ability to jam pack well.
This is a major breakthrough in robotics. No one had thought to use a balloon instead of fingers in a robot that would pass the raw egg/coin test. There are various applications for this new gripper. It could be use in factories that deal with delicate parts or in a better prosthetic limb. It could be used to dismantle bombs because of its soft touch. However, there are some limitations to this "universal gripper". It could not pick up something flat like a piece of paper or anything larger than the area of the balloon. It is also unable to lift anything above 30 newtons. This gripper is a great concept, but there are some bugs that the researchers will need to iron out before it could go mainstream.
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Measured Turns
1. The left wheel spun.
2.
i. It was a circle.
ii. The right wheel is at the center.
iii. The left wheel ran on the circumference.
iv. Yes, they are.
3.
i. 28.5 cm
ii. 89.5 cm in circumference.
iii. angle turned/360= distance traveled/89.5
4.
i. The circumference of the wheel is the linear measurement of the distance traveled in one rotation of the wheel. The circumference of the circle traced by the robot is the distance traveled by the robot as it turns. It is dependent on the width of the robot.
ii. the circumference of the wheel
iii. the circumference of the circle drawn by the robot
5. 90/360=x/89.5
22.375=28.5(x/360)
x= 442.07 degrees
6.
i. Yes, it turned about 90 degrees. Some factors that could have influenced the distance would be traction, the size of the wheels, and accuracy of the calculations.
ii. Yes, our calculations predicted a fairly accurate outcome.
iii. No. We need to conduct more tests with various wheels and measures of angles.
7.
i. 885.2 degrees
ii. 1327.7 degrees
iii. 1770.3 degrees
iv. 3540.7 degrees
8.
i.-iv. done
v. The first two were pretty close but the last two were slightly off. However, they still support the hypothesis.
9.
i. 6 cm
ii. It was very close to 90 degrees.
iii. Yes, it was a good estimate.
iv. 14 cm radius
10.
i. Since it is a gradual turn, the object has the possibility of running into obstacles directly in front of it. The length of the vehicle affects the turning radius.
ii. A car's turning radius would be about 15-25 feet.
iii. They have to use a swing turn.
11. (210/360)* pi *2*12.4= pi*4.5(x/360)
x= 1157 degrees.
12. (180/360)*pi*2*9= pi*2.5(x/360)
x = 1296 degrees
13.
i. (180/360)*pi*2*10.8= pi*d(760/360)
d = 5.1
Therefore, the wheels with the diameter of 4.6 will be the best.
ii. He could shorten the number of degrees on the wait block. He could also increase the distance between the wheels.
2.
i. It was a circle.
ii. The right wheel is at the center.
iii. The left wheel ran on the circumference.
iv. Yes, they are.
3.
i. 28.5 cm
ii. 89.5 cm in circumference.
iii. angle turned/360= distance traveled/89.5
4.
i. The circumference of the wheel is the linear measurement of the distance traveled in one rotation of the wheel. The circumference of the circle traced by the robot is the distance traveled by the robot as it turns. It is dependent on the width of the robot.
ii. the circumference of the wheel
iii. the circumference of the circle drawn by the robot
5. 90/360=x/89.5
22.375=28.5(x/360)
x= 442.07 degrees
6.
i. Yes, it turned about 90 degrees. Some factors that could have influenced the distance would be traction, the size of the wheels, and accuracy of the calculations.
ii. Yes, our calculations predicted a fairly accurate outcome.
iii. No. We need to conduct more tests with various wheels and measures of angles.
7.
i. 885.2 degrees
ii. 1327.7 degrees
iii. 1770.3 degrees
iv. 3540.7 degrees
8.
i.-iv. done
v. The first two were pretty close but the last two were slightly off. However, they still support the hypothesis.
9.
i. 6 cm
ii. It was very close to 90 degrees.
iii. Yes, it was a good estimate.
iv. 14 cm radius
10.
i. Since it is a gradual turn, the object has the possibility of running into obstacles directly in front of it. The length of the vehicle affects the turning radius.
ii. A car's turning radius would be about 15-25 feet.
iii. They have to use a swing turn.
11. (210/360)* pi *2*12.4= pi*4.5(x/360)
x= 1157 degrees.
12. (180/360)*pi*2*9= pi*2.5(x/360)
x = 1296 degrees
13.
i. (180/360)*pi*2*10.8= pi*d(760/360)
d = 5.1
Therefore, the wheels with the diameter of 4.6 will be the best.
ii. He could shorten the number of degrees on the wait block. He could also increase the distance between the wheels.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Article Journal Post #10: RoboCars
Google has developed robot cars that can drive safer than the best human drivers. The cars are lightweight and fuel efficient. Google claims that the cars will save lives and reduce traffic jams. The cars have traveled over 140,000 miles. Even though the cars are driven by robots, a human driver can take control at the touch of a button. The cars use radar sensors, video cameras, and lasers to sense traffic and Google maps to keep them on the right roads. Google says that their main priority in making these cars is safety. However, this technology is about a decade away from hitting the mainstream.
This technology is amazing. These robot cars are reminiscent of the cars in the movie I, Robot. I have dreamed of cars being able to drive me to school in the morning when I am almost to sleepy to function. The cars would reduce pollution and congestion, making commuting time shorter. If everyone had a robot car, there would be a reduction in tailgating and traffic accidents. You would always know where you are going because of the built in GPS loaded with Google maps. However, these cars raise some interesting questions. If they get into an accident, who is responsible? Does the human driver need to be awake? The benefits of these cars would certainly outweigh the negatives, if there are any.
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This technology is amazing. These robot cars are reminiscent of the cars in the movie I, Robot. I have dreamed of cars being able to drive me to school in the morning when I am almost to sleepy to function. The cars would reduce pollution and congestion, making commuting time shorter. If everyone had a robot car, there would be a reduction in tailgating and traffic accidents. You would always know where you are going because of the built in GPS loaded with Google maps. However, these cars raise some interesting questions. If they get into an accident, who is responsible? Does the human driver need to be awake? The benefits of these cars would certainly outweigh the negatives, if there are any.
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Right Face
1. The robot turned too far to the right.
2. The Motor C spun.
3. Motor C spun forward While Motor B did not spin.
4. It turned right.
5. It went about one-third of a full turn, or about 120 degrees.
6. The robot pivots on the right wheel because that wheel is not moving.
7.
First Block: Run Motor C forward.
Second Block: Do not run Motor B.
Third Block: Have Motor C wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth Block: Stop Motor C.
Fifth Block. Stop Motor B.
8.
i. The robot turned right 90 degrees or swung left 270 degrees. You can tell by looking at the robot's position relative to the arrow.
ii. It turned 3/4 of a full turn.
iii. It turned 1/4 of a full turn.
9.
i. To turn the same amount with smaller wheels, the number of rotations will have to be greater. It will be more precise. With bigger wheels, the turning distance will be greater.
ii. Yes. The amount of traction that the robot can get on the ground will influence the effectiveness of the turn. If the surface is slippery, the tires will not be able to get traction and slide. Uneven ground could hinder its ability to move.
10.
i. Yes.
ii. First Block: Stop Motor C.
Second Block: Run Motor B backwards
Third Block: Wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth and Fifth Blocks: Stop both motors.
11. The first was changed to stop Motor C instead of forward. The second block was set tor run forward Motor B. The wait block was changed to B instead of C. The last two blocks remained the same.
12. Yes.
First Block Motor C moves backward.
Second Block: Stop Motor B.
Third Block: Wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth and Fifth Blocks: Stop both motors.
13. The point turn takes faster and takes less room to complete. One motor moves forward while the other moves backwards. A swing turn is a gradual turn. One motor runs while the other is stationary.
14.
i. A swing turn is more useful for turning a corner.
ii. A point turn is more useful for following a path or approaching an obstacle.
2. The Motor C spun.
3. Motor C spun forward While Motor B did not spin.
4. It turned right.
5. It went about one-third of a full turn, or about 120 degrees.
6. The robot pivots on the right wheel because that wheel is not moving.
7.
First Block: Run Motor C forward.
Second Block: Do not run Motor B.
Third Block: Have Motor C wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth Block: Stop Motor C.
Fifth Block. Stop Motor B.
8.
i. The robot turned right 90 degrees or swung left 270 degrees. You can tell by looking at the robot's position relative to the arrow.
ii. It turned 3/4 of a full turn.
iii. It turned 1/4 of a full turn.
9.
i. To turn the same amount with smaller wheels, the number of rotations will have to be greater. It will be more precise. With bigger wheels, the turning distance will be greater.
ii. Yes. The amount of traction that the robot can get on the ground will influence the effectiveness of the turn. If the surface is slippery, the tires will not be able to get traction and slide. Uneven ground could hinder its ability to move.
10.
i. Yes.
ii. First Block: Stop Motor C.
Second Block: Run Motor B backwards
Third Block: Wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth and Fifth Blocks: Stop both motors.
11. The first was changed to stop Motor C instead of forward. The second block was set tor run forward Motor B. The wait block was changed to B instead of C. The last two blocks remained the same.
12. Yes.
First Block Motor C moves backward.
Second Block: Stop Motor B.
Third Block: Wait for 720 degrees.
Fourth and Fifth Blocks: Stop both motors.
13. The point turn takes faster and takes less room to complete. One motor moves forward while the other moves backwards. A swing turn is a gradual turn. One motor runs while the other is stationary.
14.
i. A swing turn is more useful for turning a corner.
ii. A point turn is more useful for following a path or approaching an obstacle.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Article Journal Post #9: Punching Robots
Borut Povse, a Slovenian researcher, has developed a robot the that has the ability to punch people. The robot formerly worked on a coffee machine assembly line. Six men volunteered to be punching bags for the robot. They were punched in the arm about 18 times, and told to rate the punches on a scale of mild to unbearable. Most punches were rated mild to moderate. The purpose of Povse's experiment was to see how robots keep themselves from harming humans and to see how fast a robot can be moving when it senses that it is near a human and still avoid a collision.
I do not believe that robots should be programmed to punch people. If they have this ability, someone can steal the technology and use it to wreak havoc. This ability could also ruin people's perceptions of robots. Many people view technology and robots as evil, as seen in the book, I, Robot. If they believed that robots could go berserk and start punching people, they could lose all faith in the good of technology. Robots should also serve a useful purpose. Punching people is not a useful purpose.
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I do not believe that robots should be programmed to punch people. If they have this ability, someone can steal the technology and use it to wreak havoc. This ability could also ruin people's perceptions of robots. Many people view technology and robots as evil, as seen in the book, I, Robot. If they believed that robots could go berserk and start punching people, they could lose all faith in the good of technology. Robots should also serve a useful purpose. Punching people is not a useful purpose.
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Monday, October 11, 2010
Wheels and Distance
1. The diameter of the wheel is 5.8 cm.
2. The circumference is 5.8∏ cm.
3. It will go 2 rotations.
4. It will travel approximately 36.4 cm.
5.
Trial 1: 35 cm
Trial 2: 35.3 cm
Trial 3: 35.2 cm
6.
i. It did not go the same distance because the robot is not 100 % accurate all the time.
ii. 35.2 cm
iii. We averaged the distances to see how precise and accurate the measurements were and so that we could calculate average error.
7. 3.30% error
8.
i.Yes, it was close.
ii. Yes, since the actual distance was close to the predicted distance, it supports the hypothesis. We were able to estimate how far the robot would travel.
iii. No. Many more trials are needed to validate the hypothesis and make sure it is true in all cases.
9. The back wheels started behind the line and then went two rotations. To measure from the line to the back of the robot would be to leave out the length of the robot in the distance measurement, therefore producing false results.
10. 3.1 cm
11. 3.1∏ cm
12. 2 rotations
13. 19.48 cm
14.
Trial 1: 19.1 cm
Trial 2: 19.2 cm
Trial 3: 19.4 cm
15. 19.23 cm
16. 1.28 % error
17.
i. Yes, they were about right.
ii. No. We need to test more sizes of wheels and different robots to make sure that the hypothesis is true in all cases. We also need other scientists to validate our results. More that two sets of trials is needed to prove a hypothesis.
iii. It could be proven by testing multiple times and with different wheels. Other scientists need to validate our results.
18.
i. Our results support the hypothesis because while the results did not exactly match the predicted distance, they were very close.
ii. According to our results, I would say that the hypothesis is correct.
iii. We measured the diameter of the wheel and then found the circumference by multiplying by pi. To get the distance traveled, we multiplied the circumference by the number of rotations. Then we tested our predicted distance by running the robot and measuring the distance traveled three times. We then repeated the experiment for a different size wheel. Everything did validated Dr. Turner's hypothesis
19.
i. 18.2 cm per rotation.
ii. 10= 5.8∏(x)
x = .54 rotations(360 degrees)= 197.57 degrees
iii. 20= 5.8∏(x)
x = 1.1 rotations(360 degrees) = 395.14 degrees
iv. 30 = 5.8∏(x)
x = 1.65 rotations(360 degrees) = 592.72 degrees
v. To get x, multiply the circumference (18.2cm) by the number of rotations. Then multiply by 360 degrees.
vi. No, it would not work for any robot. The robot must have wheels and have the same specifications.
20. An advantage to controlling the distance in centimeters would be that we can easily see how far a centimeter is. It is much harder to visualize distance in terms of rotations.
21. The wheels are attached to the motors. If the motor turns once, the wheel will turn once.
22.
i. 14.45 cm
ii. No. The robot is not very accurate, as our previous experiments show. It will be close, but not exact.
23. The robot will travel four times as far as it would with the old wheels.
24.
i. 4.2∏(2) = 26.4 cm
26.4 = 3∏ (x)
x= 2.80(360) = 1008.41 degrees
ii. The hub only wheels have no traction.
iii. Since the wheels have no traction, the robot will not move correctly and probably not go the desired distance.
25. You must tell the team the new diameter and the desired distance. If you do not communicate this information, the robot will not run the required distance.
26.
i.d∏ (1 rotation) = 7.85
2.5 cm in diameter
ii. 2.5∏(2 rotations)= x
x = 15.7 cm
27.
i. 2040/360 = 5.667 rotations
d∏ (5.667 rotations) =65 cm
d = 3.7 cm
ii. 1020/360 = 2.8333 rotations
d∏ (2.8333 rotations) = 65 cm
d = 7.3 cm
28. 9600/360 = 26.667 rotations
2.7∏ (26.667 rotations) = x
x = 226.2 cm
3 in (2.54cm/ 1 in) = 7.62 cm in diameter
7.62∏(x) = 226.2 cm
x = 9.45 rotations(360 degrees) = 3420 degrees
iv. 30 = 5.8∏(x)
x = 1.65 rotations(360 degrees) = 592.72 degrees
v. To get x, multiply the circumference (18.2cm) by the number of rotations. Then multiply by 360 degrees.
vi. No, it would not work for any robot. The robot must have wheels and have the same specifications.
20. An advantage to controlling the distance in centimeters would be that we can easily see how far a centimeter is. It is much harder to visualize distance in terms of rotations.
21. The wheels are attached to the motors. If the motor turns once, the wheel will turn once.
22.
i. 14.45 cm
ii. No. The robot is not very accurate, as our previous experiments show. It will be close, but not exact.
23. The robot will travel four times as far as it would with the old wheels.
24.
i. 4.2∏(2) = 26.4 cm
26.4 = 3∏ (x)
x= 2.80(360) = 1008.41 degrees
ii. The hub only wheels have no traction.
iii. Since the wheels have no traction, the robot will not move correctly and probably not go the desired distance.
25. You must tell the team the new diameter and the desired distance. If you do not communicate this information, the robot will not run the required distance.
26.
i.d∏ (1 rotation) = 7.85
2.5 cm in diameter
ii. 2.5∏(2 rotations)= x
x = 15.7 cm
27.
i. 2040/360 = 5.667 rotations
d∏ (5.667 rotations) =65 cm
d = 3.7 cm
ii. 1020/360 = 2.8333 rotations
d∏ (2.8333 rotations) = 65 cm
d = 7.3 cm
28. 9600/360 = 26.667 rotations
2.7∏ (26.667 rotations) = x
x = 226.2 cm
3 in (2.54cm/ 1 in) = 7.62 cm in diameter
7.62∏(x) = 226.2 cm
x = 9.45 rotations(360 degrees) = 3420 degrees
Friday, October 8, 2010
Article Journal Post #8: Fujitsu Teddy Bear
Technology-driven Japan is faced with the problems of caring for an aging population. Decades of research has gone into designing a robot that can care for the elderly. However, it might be disconcerting to some people for a robot to tell them what to do. As a result, a Japanese company has developed a teddy bear robot designed to care for the elderly population. The teddy bear has a variety of facial expressions and gently suggests rather than demanding. A webcam on its nose allows the teddy bear to see who it is interacting with and their current state.
This teddy bear could be a major breakthrough in patient care. No one wants to feel that they are being bossed around by an enormous metal contraption. it is much easier to follow suggestions given by a teddy bear. The teddy bear guise for the robot also hides the fact that it is a robot. Many people are still scared of robots, even in today's technology based society. I think this teddy bear could really work. The bear is really cute, so you almost want to do anything it tells you. I am much more willing to cooperate with someone if they suggest what I am to do rather than if they were forcing me to do it.
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This teddy bear could be a major breakthrough in patient care. No one wants to feel that they are being bossed around by an enormous metal contraption. it is much easier to follow suggestions given by a teddy bear. The teddy bear guise for the robot also hides the fact that it is a robot. Many people are still scared of robots, even in today's technology based society. I think this teddy bear could really work. The bear is really cute, so you almost want to do anything it tells you. I am much more willing to cooperate with someone if they suggest what I am to do rather than if they were forcing me to do it.
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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Full Speed Ahead Worksheet
1. The left wheel spun 720 degrees, but the right one did not, so the robot spun in a circle.
2. The left motor spun.
3. It spun forward.
4. Yes, the motor stopped spinning on its own because we set it to only go 720 degrees.
5. No. We want it to go straight forward.
6. The second motor command is needed because there are two motors. One command will only activate the one motor. To move both motors we need two commands.
7. The robot did not stop because we did not command it to stop. It kept going once it hit the end of the program because it wasn't commanded to stop then.
8. Downloading a program is transferring the program from the computer onto the NXT. Running a program means that the robot is actually following the commands and executing the commanded actions. You need to download it first. You should download it as often as you make changes to your program.
9. B. The sequence beam determines order.
10.
First Block: Motor C was to run forward.
Second Block: Motor B was to run forward.
Third Block: Motor C was to wait for a rotation of 720 degrees.
Fourth Block: Motor C was told to stop.
Fifth Block: Motor B was told to stop.
11.
i. The wait block told the motors how long to run before stopping.
ii. To make the robot go a shorter distance, I could have told the wait block to wait for a smaller degree rotation. To make it go a longer distance, I could have told the wait block to wait for a bigger degree rotation.
iii. To make the robot go twice the distance, all I would have to do to the original program would be to change the degrees in the wait block from 720 to 1440.
12. When changed the plug from Port B to Port A, the robot turned in a circle. Only the left motor spun.
13.The robot will go straight forward for 720 degrees and then stop. Both motors will run.
14. The robot will go straight forward for 720 degrees and then both motors will stop.
15. The program blocks are not different. The action blocks are the same, but must be programmed to run backwards instead of forwards.
16. The robot did not behave as expected. It went too far backwards.
17. The Rotation Sensor needs to be reset because the program interprets 720 degrees backwards as 720 degrees behind where it started.
18. We will need to use this in future programs when the programming becomes more complicated. We may need to change the reference point to where the robot currently is and not where it started.
2. The left motor spun.
3. It spun forward.
4. Yes, the motor stopped spinning on its own because we set it to only go 720 degrees.
5. No. We want it to go straight forward.
6. The second motor command is needed because there are two motors. One command will only activate the one motor. To move both motors we need two commands.
7. The robot did not stop because we did not command it to stop. It kept going once it hit the end of the program because it wasn't commanded to stop then.
8. Downloading a program is transferring the program from the computer onto the NXT. Running a program means that the robot is actually following the commands and executing the commanded actions. You need to download it first. You should download it as often as you make changes to your program.
9. B. The sequence beam determines order.
10.
First Block: Motor C was to run forward.
Second Block: Motor B was to run forward.
Third Block: Motor C was to wait for a rotation of 720 degrees.
Fourth Block: Motor C was told to stop.
Fifth Block: Motor B was told to stop.
11.
i. The wait block told the motors how long to run before stopping.
ii. To make the robot go a shorter distance, I could have told the wait block to wait for a smaller degree rotation. To make it go a longer distance, I could have told the wait block to wait for a bigger degree rotation.
iii. To make the robot go twice the distance, all I would have to do to the original program would be to change the degrees in the wait block from 720 to 1440.
12. When changed the plug from Port B to Port A, the robot turned in a circle. Only the left motor spun.
13.The robot will go straight forward for 720 degrees and then stop. Both motors will run.
14. The robot will go straight forward for 720 degrees and then both motors will stop.
15. The program blocks are not different. The action blocks are the same, but must be programmed to run backwards instead of forwards.
16. The robot did not behave as expected. It went too far backwards.
17. The Rotation Sensor needs to be reset because the program interprets 720 degrees backwards as 720 degrees behind where it started.
18. We will need to use this in future programs when the programming becomes more complicated. We may need to change the reference point to where the robot currently is and not where it started.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Article Journal Post #7: RoboCare
Panasonic has recently unveiled two new technologies to help health care workers assist the elderly and disabled. One is a robotic hair washer that has sixteen "fingers" to massage the scalp and has the memory capacity to store preferences for different people. The other new technology is a wheelchair that can convert into a bed.
These new developments in health care are important as the world's population ages. Health care workers do not need to spend the time doing mundane tasks that a robot could easily do for them and when there are more important things to take care for the elderly patient, such as getting the right medicine or preparing meals. The pneumatic controls on the wheelchair bed allow the caretaker to handle it easily. The wheelchair bed also minimizes the risk of a patient falling or getting hurt when being transferred from the wheelchair to bed. These technologies are very useful, but may need some getting used to from the older patients.
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These new developments in health care are important as the world's population ages. Health care workers do not need to spend the time doing mundane tasks that a robot could easily do for them and when there are more important things to take care for the elderly patient, such as getting the right medicine or preparing meals. The pneumatic controls on the wheelchair bed allow the caretaker to handle it easily. The wheelchair bed also minimizes the risk of a patient falling or getting hurt when being transferred from the wheelchair to bed. These technologies are very useful, but may need some getting used to from the older patients.
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