The difference between rating a solid state device and an electric motor can make all the difference in actual practice. Since we know that solid state electronics can only handle 200% operation for a limited period of time, proper drive or solid state starter ratings will have everything to do with reliable operation. In most […]
Pick a place and learn about robotics
30+ robotics-related events dot the global map and offer you a range of interesting robotic conferences and trade shows. Pick a place and learn. Click here to link to the map and then click on the markers to see which events are where you want to visit. Then you can link to the registration and…
9 Epic Drone Fails You Need to Watch
There’s been a lot of discussion this week about drone crashes thanks to the White House incident. We revisit some of the most epic drone failures ever.
Can AI Correctly Pick a Super Bowl Winner?
Microsoft’s Cortana AI says the New England Patriots will beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Let’s see how smart artificial intelligence really is.
Robot Spine Surgery Corrects Woman’s Congenital Scoliosis
Deirdre McDonnell, 34, underwent a magnetic expansion control system rod operation to have a magnetic rod screwed onto her spine. The rod was then controlled externally to correct the curvature caused by scoliosis.
January fundings are off to a great start!
Rethink Robotics, Xenix, Rapyuta, Perceptron, Skydio, Sarcos and JIBO have all announced substantial fundings for a wide range of robotic ventures. Plus there are some new funders joining the fray. Andreessen Horowitz lead a $3M financing of Skydio, a Silicon Valley startup developing collision avoidance AI systems for drones. Texas-based XENIX, the germ zapping mobile…
Bill Gates: Why Wouldn’t You be Concerned About AI
Bill Gates on the threat of AI: “First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent. That should be positive if we manage it well. A few decades after that though, the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern. “
DJI Blocks Drone Flights in Washington DC After White House Crash
Mandatory firmware update for the Phantom 2, Phantom 2 Vision, Phantom 2 Vision+ will ensure compliance with the federally mandated no-fly zone around Washington DC. DJI says this same update will also hit the Inspire 1 in the coming weeks.
Panasonic’s Triangular Rulo Robot Vacuum Cleans Your Pesky Corners
Panasonic’s MC-RS1 Rulo robot vacuum has rotating brushes on two of its three corners that get into those corners and drive the dirt into the unit’s main cleaning mechanism.
5 Robot Snow Plows to Unbury You from Snowmageddon 2015
Want a robot to shovel all that snow for you? Here are some prototypes and DIY snow plows that can help unbury you from Snowmageddon 2015.
Drone Crashes at White House: Secret Service Investigating
Officials say early indications are that the drone didn’t pose a threat.
Motor and Drive Sizing – Part 2
Sizing a motor correctly is easy. It’s all about the load conditions. Starting and running. Those are the two operating points we have to know about in order to get it right. Most of the time the starting conditions are the most severe. When expressed as current, the starting current is generally expressed as a […]
Clamor for Bay Area and Silicon Valley Talent
Silicon Valley and the whole San Francisco Bay area have such an abundant talent pool that global companies and startups alike are setting up research labs and offices there to secure engineering and programming expertise. The diversity of the talent pool can be seen in the goals and job descriptions of companies doing research there.…
Drones at Super Bowl a ‘Concern’ for Security Officials
While security officials say it’s a pretty small concern, they are addressing the possibility terrorists could use drones to attack Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 1.
Just Bought a Drone? Make Sure You Know the Laws Before Flying
A couple recent incidents highlight the importance of knowing the dos and don’ts of flying your drone.
Watch 100 Humanoid Robots Perform a Flash Mob
The “100 Robi” project was designed to show that robots can be produced in large numbers at a low cost.
You Can Buy This $1 Million Shooting Robot on Amazon
Kuratas is a $1 million mech suit with a BB Gatling gun that fires off 6,000 rounds per minute. It takes cues from your facial expressions and fires off the Gatling gun when you smile at it.
Rapere Intercept Drone Will Destroy Your Precious Little Drone
The Rapere drone, only a concept at this point, is being designed to seek and destroy rotary-style drones in under two minutes by dropping tangle line onto a drone’s rotors.
AI Helps Super Mario Learn to Play Video Games Without You
Mario can learn how to kill his enemies, autonomously navigate the Mushroom Kingdom, and react based on his feelings.
$87 million in European robotic projects funded
The EU, under Horizon 2020, the mechanism the European Commission is using to stimulate robotics-related research, has co-funded 17 new robotics-related projects. All of these projects focus on developing critical technologies for commercialized industrial and service robotics applications and all (except one) are managed by a consortium of corporate and academic/research partners. Emphasis is placed…
Motor & Drive Sizing
It has been over 100 years since the invention of the AC motor by Nicola Tesla. You would think that after all this time, that getting the motor and drive size right would not be a problem. Yet it remains one of the most common difficulties in modern manufacturing. This is due, in part, to […]
A cruel waste of STEM talent
“Spare Parts” is a new movie showing grit, creativity, determination, and leadership in robotics through teamwork and individual success. The movie has a Hollywood ending: teacher and kids inspire each other to make wonderful things happen and they win the contest. Since then, however, a truly unhappy story has unfolded for these four young talented students.…