Machine learning is a special branch of artificial intelligence. Sadly, a lot of the terminology used in discussion of these subjects is ambiguous and designed to suggest equivalence with humans at some level. At this point, none of the applications of artificial intelligence are anything of the sort. There are, however, a number of applications […]
The delicate balance between brilliance, safety and arrogance
Silicon Valley and other technology centers have their share of brilliant minds. Some of them have similarly outstanding egos. A few of those have very short fuses. Such is the story of George Hotz. Hotz is certainly brilliant. He was the first person to unlock the iPhone and hack the PlayStation3. Recently his 2,000-line deep…
Sumo Robot League: Robots & Sports Spark STEM Interest
The Robotics Trends Show talks with the Sumo Robot League about how it’s combining robotics and sports to address STEM education for middle school and high school students.
Donald Trump Wins Presidential Election, AI Predicts
MogIA analyzes 20 million data points from public forums such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, basing its predictions on the level of engagement a candidate generates.
Jibo 7-Minute Workout is Your In-Home Personal Trainer
This new skill gives Jibo the ability to walk you through a quick 7-minute workout.
Comma.ai Cancels Comma One Semi-Autonomous Driving Kit
The NHTSA sent Comma.ai CEO George Hotz a letter encouraging him to delay the Comma One semi-autonomous driving kit over concerns it “would put the safety of your customers and other road users at risk.”
Take Our Reader Survey for a Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card
Every so often, we check in with our readers to find out how we’re doing, what stories we might be missing, and what we can do to improve Robotics Trends. Please take a few minutes to fill us in, and you’ll be entered to win $100 and $25 American Express gift cards.
Low-cost ID vision sensors enable more accurate inspection
Teledyne DALSA has announced its new BOA Spot ID vision sensors; the latest in its series of low-cost and easy-to-integrate vision solutions for the factory floor. BOA Spot ID combines 1D/2D code reading with OCR and verification tools for a number of product identification and verification applications, including quality control, traceability and logistics management, and product […]
Otto Self-Driving Truck Makes First Delivery: 51,744 Beers
An Otto self-driving truck made its first delivery, driving 51,744 cans of Budweiser 120 miles through Colorado, marking the first time commercial cargo was delivered by a self-driving truck.
The changing landscape of drone funding
CB Insights Drone Quarterly Financing Trends to VC-Backed Companies shows a downward trend. The Robot Report's monthly funding reports shows something different: a change in the nature of drone applications getting funded. According to CB Insights, there was $55 million invested in eight VC deals for the drone industry in the third quarter, compared with…
Candy-Dispensing Robot Makes Halloween Fun Again
The LEGO Halloween Candy Thrower flings mini chocolate bars to trick-or-treaters. It uses an EV3 IR sensor to detect when someone is in front of the machine to trigger the throwing mechanism.
Anti-Drone System Helps Secure Presidential Debate
To help secure the final presidential debate, Las Vegas police used Dedrone’s DroneTracker system to scan the surrounding airspace for unauthorized drones.
Matrox Indio to add industrial I/O and communication capabilities to PCs
Matrox Imaging has announced the launch of the Matrox Indio input/output (I/O) and communication card for vision applications. The PCIe x1 add-in card offers discrete I/Os with real-time synchronization and industrial networking using the EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and PROFINET protocols, turning any PC into a vision controller. With eight inputs and eight outputs, the Matrox Indio […]
Calibrate video machines quickly and easily
A VED (Video Edge Detection) Calibration Slide makes it simple to calibrate pixel size of a camera within a Video Measuring Machine, and is available from HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION. While machines typically are set up at the time of installation, it is good practice to keep tools on-hand in case calibrations are lost or verification of […]
Matrox Imaging announces release of flowchart-based vision software
Matrox Imaging has announced the upcoming release of the Matrox Design Assistant 5 software, a new version of its flowchart-based integrated development environment (IDE). On display at Vision 2016 (Stuttgart, DE, Nov. 7-11, booth 1F21) and Pack Expo (Chicago, IL, Nov. 6-19, E-7747), the update to the Design Assistant software, created with user experience and […]
Project Wing Drone Delivery Boss Steps Down
Dave Vos, head of Alphabet’s Project Wing drone delivery initiative, is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. Vos has been with the company for about two years.
nuTonomy Self-Driving Car Hits Truck in Singapore
As it tried to change lanes, a nuTonomy self-driving car hit a truck in Singapore Tuesday. Nobody was injured in the accident. This is the first self-driving car accident in Singapore.
Massachusetts Companies Start Chinese Robot Visit With High Hopes
Ten robotics companies from Massachusetts are visiting China’s Guangdong Province this week. What are they looking for, and what social responsibilities do robotics makers bear?
Drones to Deliberately Crash Into Planes in Midair Safety Tests
UK Civil Aviation Authority will purposely crash drones into the windows and fuselage of passenger jets in flight during upcoming safety tests.
Why SNL’s Humanoid Robots Skit is a Major Problem
Public perception might be the biggest problem facing the robotics industry. Look no further than the “Saturday Night Live” skit that mocked Asimo, which is arguably the world’s most advanced humanoid robot.
Why DJI is succeeding in making and selling drones and 3DR didn’t
It was clear that DJI was winning the drone war by the end of 2015. Today's best sellers are mostly DJI products. Other makers (Parrot, 3D Robotics, Autel, Yuneec et al) haven't been able to capture any significant portion of the camera drone market. Most saw the writing on the wall and began switching to becoming…
Robots and Automation
In manufacturing circles, the recent headline that Foxconn, Apple’s biggest contract manufacturer, intends to install 60,000 robots to replace workers is big news. The implications of that news are something we should all take time to consider. Work. Is there anything we do to avoid it? Since the earliest days of the industrial revolution human […]