Sunday, September 28, 2014

MIT Robotic Cheetah



Published on Sep 15, 2014
MIT researchers have developed an algorithm for bounding that they've successfully implemented in a robotic cheetah. (Learn more:http://mitsha.re/1uHoltW)

The key to the bounding algorithm is in programming each of the robot's legs to exert a certain amount of force in the split second during which it hits the ground, in order to maintain a given speed: In general, the faster the desired speed, the more force must be applied to propel the robot forward. In experiments the robot sprinted up to 10 mph and MIT researchers estimate the robot may eventually reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

The MIT Cheetah 2 contains the custom electric motor designed by Jeffrey Lang, the Vitesse Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT and the amplifier designed by David Otten, a principal research engineer in MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics.

This work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

MIT Cheetah robot 2 run fast and jump high
http://youtu.be/vUmLwKGiyf8

Sangbae Kim: Inspired by Nature - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSWAb...

Video: Melanie Gonick, MIT News
Additional footage: Hae-Won Park and José-Luis Olivares
Music sampled from "Spooky" by Alastair Cameron
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ala...
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Empire Robotics: VERSABALL handling sharp objects



Published on Jan 7, 2014
This video demonstrates VERSABALL®, the first commercial jamming gripper by Empire Robotics, handling sharp objects (specifically, a razor blade and broken glass). For more VERSABALL® demo videos, please visit our YouTube page or our website.

***As of 1/7/2014***
VERSABALL® kits are now for sale! For more info, please visit our website: http://empirerobotics.com/

Empire Robotics is delivering highly adaptive universal robot grippers and automation components to the industrial automation market that increase efficiency and productivity across a spectrum of applications.

VERSABALL® Demo on a UR5



Published on Sep 4, 2014
visit http://www.empirerobotics.com/ for more information.

This demonstration showcases the following VERSABALL features:

Flexibility – with four very different objects (brick, light bulb, steel gear, billiard ball)
Delicate object handling – CFL light bulb
Repeatability – putting objects in the same place every time within the jig tolerance (plug bulb into a socket)
Reliability – zero drops after 8,000 cycles
Durability – metal gear and brick are sharp and abrasive

Robot Cheerleaders Roll In Precise Formations



Published on Sep 24, 2014

SPARKED: A Cirque Du Soleil Live Interaction Between Humans and Quadcopters



Published on Sep 22, 2014
Cirque du Soleil, ETH Zurich, and Verity Studios have partnered to develop a short film featuring 10 quadcopters in a flying dance performance. The collaboration resulted in a unique, interactive choreography where humans and drones move in sync. Precise computer control allows for a large performance and movement vocabulary of the quadcopters and opens the door to many more applications in the future.

SPARKED: Behind the Technology: http://youtu.be/7YqUocVcyrE

Cirque du Soleil: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/
ETH Zurich: http://www.idsc.ethz.ch/Research_DAndrea
Verity Studios: http://www.veritystudios.com/

Le Cirque du Soleil, l’ETH Zurich et Verity Studios se sont associés pour réaliser un court-métrage mettant en vedette 10 quadricoptères dansant. La collaboration s’est soldée par une chorégraphie unique et interactive où les humains et les drones se meuvent en parfaite synchronisation. Les fonctions informatiques précises utilisées permettent de doter les quadricoptères d’un langage scénique et corporel complexe tout en ouvrant la porte à de futures nouvelles applications.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

2014 - 2015 FTC Game Video Cascade Effect



Published on Sep 6, 2014
Welcome to the 2014 - 2015 FTC Cascade Effect! After watching the Game Animation, please be sure to read the FTC Game Manual Part II for a detailed description of the Game rules.

DARPA's Ground X-Vehicle Technology Concept Video



Uploaded on Sep 5, 2014
One of the key goals of DARPA's Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) program is improving the survivability of ground-based armored fighting vehicles by increasing vehicle agility. Vehicle agility involves the ability to autonomously avoid incoming threats, either by rapidly moving out of the way or reconfiguring the vehicle so incoming threats have a low probability of hitting and penetrating—all without injuring the occupants in the process. This concept video illustrates three of many potential approaches: active repositioning of armor, burst acceleration and suspensions that would enable the vehicle to dodge.