The debate about man vs robots is an evergreen and common thing now. While robots are viewed as an enabler of a dystopian future brought by digital disruption, the main question that has baffled minds is how smart are they. When it comes to human intelligence, there isn’t any other living being or ‘mechanical or AI mind’ that can draw parallel with us. Yet, robots powered by AI have been able to perform trivial, monotonous tasks with accuracy far better than us. It is important to note that this does not imply robots have acquired cognitive intelligence nor common sense which are intrinsic to humans, despite de facto of the recent marvels of robotics.

The main problem is that most of the algorithms that are written for robots are based on machine learning coding. These codes are collected from a particular type of data, and models are trained based on individual test conditions. Hence, when put in a situation that is not in their code nor algorithm, robots can fail terribly or draw a conclusion that can be catastrophic. This has highlighted in Stanley Kubrick’s landmark film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The movie features a supercomputer, HAL-9000, who is informed by its creators of the purpose of the mission: to reach Jupiter and search for signs of extra-terrestrial intelligence. When HAL makes an error, it refuses to admit this and alleges that it was caused due to human error. Therefore, astronauts decide to shut HAL down, but unfortunately, the AI discovers their plot by lip-reading. Conclusively, HAL arrives at a new conclusion that wasn’t part of its original programming, deciding to save itself by systematically killing off the people onboard.

Another illustration which experts often mention it that, while we can teach a robot on how to open a door by training it and feeding data on 500 different types of door, the robots will still fail when asked to open the 501st door. Also, this example is the best way to explain why robots don’t share the typical thought process and intelligence of humans. Humans don’t need to be ‘trained’ they observe and learn, or they experiment thanks to curiosity. Further, every time someone knocks the door, we don’t tend to open it, there is always an unfriendly neighbor we dislike. Again we don’t need to be reminded to lock the door either, but robots need a clear set of instruction. Let us consider other aspects of our life, robots and AI are trained on a particular set of data; hence they will function effectively when the input is something they have been trained or programmed for, beyond it the observation is different. For instance, if one uses the expression “Hit the road” while driving a car, she means to say to herself or the driver to begin the journey emphatically. If a robot does not know the phrasal meaning of the same expression, it may believe that the person is asking to ‘hit’ the road. This misunderstanding can lead to accidents. While researchers are working hard, devising algorithms, running codes, we are yet to see a robot that understands the way humans converse, all with accents, dialects, colloquy and jargons.

Michio Kaku, a futurist and theoretical physicist, once said that “Our robots today, have the collective intelligence and wisdom of a cockroach.” While robots of today can make salads on our command, or robots like Deep Blue or AlphaGo Zero can defeat humans in chess, it does not necessarily qualify as ‘common sense’ nor smartness. And let us not forget that Deep Blue and AlphaGo Zero were following instructions given by a team of ‘smart’ human scientists. These robots were designed by people who were smart enough to solve a seemingly impossible task. So to sum up, while robots are becoming smarter that, they are now able to fold laundry, impersonate as a person looking for dating online, they still lag when it comes to cognitive intelligence and common sense. It is a long wait till we find a robot we see in sci-fi movies, i.e. C3P0, R2D2 or WALL-E.

How do you calculate the coordinated movements of two robot arms so they can accurately guide a highly flexible tool? ETH researchers have integrated all aspects of the optimisation calculations into an algorithm. A hot-wire cutter will be used, among other things, to develop building blocks for a mortar-free structure.

A newborn moves its arms and hands largely in an undirected and random manner. It has to learn how to coordinate them step by step. Years of practice are required to master the finely balanced movements of a violinist or calligrapher. It is therefore no surprise that the advanced calculations for the optimal movement of two robot arms to guide a tool precisely involve extremely challenging optimisation tasks. The complexity also increases greatly when the tool itself is not rigid, but flexible in all directions and bends differently depending on its position and movement.

Simon Dünser from Stelian Coros' research group at the Institute for Intelligent Interactive Systems has worked with other researchers to develop a hot-wire cutter robot with a wire that bends flexibly as it works. This allows it to create much more complex shapes in significantly fewer cuts than previous systems, where the electrically heatable wire is rigid and is thus only able to cut ruled surfaces from fusible plastics with a straight line at every point.

Carving rabbits and designing façades

In contrast, the RoboCut from the ETH computer scientists is not limited to planes, cylinders, cones or saddle surfaces, but is also able to create grooves in a plastic block. The biggest advantage, however, is that the targeted bending of the wire means far fewer cuts are necessary than if the target shape had to be approximated using ruled surfaces. As a result, the bendable wire can be used to create the figure of a sitting rabbit from a polystyrene block through just ten cuts with wood carving-like accuracy. The outline of the rabbit becomes clearly recognizable after just two cuts.

In addition to the fundamental improvement on traditional hot-wire methods, the RoboCut project also has other specific application goals in mind. For example, in future the technology could be used in architecture to produce individual polystyrene molds for concrete parts. This would enable a more varied design of façades and the development of new types of modular building systems.

Three linked optimisations simultaneously

For Dünser, the scientific challenges were the focus of the project. "The complex optimisation calculations are what make RoboCut special. These are needed to find the most efficient tool paths possible while melting the desired shape from the polystyrene block as precisely as possible," explains the scientist.

In order to move the wire in a controlled manner, it was attached to a two-armed Yumi robot from ABB. First, the reaction of the wire to the movements of the robot arms had to be calculated. Positions that would lead to unstable wire placement or where there was a risk of wire breakage were determined by means of simulations and then eliminated.

ETH researchers were then able to develop the actual optimisation on this basis. This had to take into account three linked aspects simultaneously. On the physical level, it was important to predict the controlled bending and movement of the wire in order to carry out the desired cuts. In terms of the shape, a cutting sequence had to be determined that would effect a highly precise approximation of the surface to the target shape in as few steps as possible. Finally, collisions with robot parts or its environment and unintentional cuts had to be ruled out.

Preventing bad minima

Dünser is one of the first scientists to succeed in integrating all the parameters in this complex task into a global optimisation algorithm. To do this, he designed a structured methodology based on the primary objective that the wire should always cut as close as possible to the surface of the target object. All other restrictions were then assigned costs and these were optimized as a total.

Without further devices, however, such calculations always fall into local minima, which lead to a pointless end result. To prevent this, in a first step Dünser ironed out the cost function, so to speak, and began the calculation with a cut that was initially only roughly adapted to the target shape. The cutting simulation was then gradually brought closer towards the target shape until the desired accuracy was achieved.

Method with versatile potential

The method developed by Dünser is not just limited to hot-wire cutting. The design of tool paths for other cutting and milling technologies could also benefit from it in the future. The method creates a much greater degree of scope for simulation, particularly in the generation of complex non-rotationally symmetrical shapes.

Electrical discharge machining with wires could benefit directly from this, as this technology enables high-precision cutting of electrically conductive materials via spark ablation. In the future, this could involve bendable electrode wires. This means that—as with the hot-wire cutting of plastics—more complicated and thus more efficient cuts can be made more easily than with today's rigid wires.

One specific application for RoboCut is being planned jointly with a research group from EPF Lausanne. With the help of a large-scale version of the hot-wire cutting robot, systematic building blocks for building structures free of mortar and fastening technologies will be developed. The elements themselves must hold together in a stable manner. In the future, the robot should also be used to cut the polystyrene molds with which the various bricks are cast in concrete. The clever plastic cutter thus also creates the concrete construction technology of tomorrow.

Humanoid robots, those with bodies that resemble humans, could soon help people to complete a wide variety of tasks. Many of the tasks that these robots are designed to complete involve picking up objects of different shapes, weights and sizes.

While many humanoid robots developed up to date are capable of picking up small and light objects, lifting bulky or heavy objects has often proved to be more challenging. In fact, if an object is too large or heavy, a robot might end up breaking or dropping it.

With this in mind, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and National University of Singapore (NUS) recently developed a technique that allows robots to determine whether or not they will be able to lift a heavy box with unknown physical properties. This technique, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, could enable the development of robots that can lift objects more efficiently, reducing the risk that they will pick up things that they cannot support or carry.

"We were particularly interested in how a humanoid robot can reason about the feasibility of lifting a box with unknown physical parameters," Yuanfeng Han, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore."To achieve such a complex task, the robot usually needs to first identify the physical parameters of the box, then generate a whole body motion trajectory that is safe and stable to lift up the box."

The process through which a robot generates motion trajectories that allow it to lift objects can be computationally demanding. In fact, humanoid robots typically have a high amount of degrees of freedom and the motion that their body needs to make to lift an object should meet several different constraints. This means that if a box is too heavy or its center of mass is too far away from the robot, the robot will most likely be unable to complete this motion.

"Think about us humans, when we try to reason about whether we can lift up a heavy object, such as a dumbbell," Han explained. "We first interact with the dumbbell to get a certain feeling of the object. Then, based on our previous experience, we kind of know if it is too heavy for us to lift or not. Similarly, our method starts by constructing a trajectory table, which saves different valid lifting motions for the robot corresponding to a range of physical parameters of the box using simulations. Then the robot considers this table as the knowledge of its previous experience."

The technique developed by Han, in collaboration with his colleague Ruixin Li and his supervisor Gregory S. Chirikjian (Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUS) allows a robot to get a sense of the inertia parameters of a box after briefly interacting with it. Subsequently, the robot looks back at the trajectory table generated by the method and checks whether it includes a lifting motion that would allow it to lift a box with these estimated parameters.

If this motion or trajectory exists, then lifting the box is considered to be feasible and the robot can immediately complete the task. If it does not exist, then the robot considers the task beyond its capacity.

"Essentially, the trajectory table that our method constructs offline saves the valid whole-body lifting motion trajectories according to a box's range of inertia parameters," Han said. "Subsequently, we developed a physical-interaction based algorithm that helps the robot interact with the box safely and estimate the inertia parameters of the box."

The new technique allows robots to rapidly determine whether they are able to complete a lifting-related task. It thus saves time and computational power, as it prevents robots from having to generate whole-body motions before every lifting attempt, even unsuccessful ones.

Han and his colleagues evaluated the approach they developed in a series of tests using NAO, a renowned humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Robotics. In these trials, NEO quickly and effectively identified objects that were impossible or very difficult to lift via the new technique. In the future, the same technique could be applied to other humanoid robots to make them more reliable and efficient in completing tasks that involve lifting large or heavy objects.

"Our method can significantly increase the working efficiency for practical pick-and-place tasks, especially for repeatable tasks," Han said. "In our future work, we plan to apply our approach to different objects or lifting tasks."

 How Is Artificial Intelligence Used in Analytics?

Analytics powers your marketing program, but how much value are you really getting out of your data?

Artificial intelligence can help.

AI is a collection of technologies that excel at extracting insights and patterns from large sets of data, then making predictions based on that information.

That includes your analytics data from places like Google Analytics, automation platforms, content management systems, CRMs, and more.

In fact, AI exists today that can help you get much more value out of the data you already have, unify that data, and actually make predictions about customer behaviors based on it.

That sounds great. But how do you actually get started?

This article is here to help you take your first step.

At Marketing AI Institute, we’ve spent years researching and applying AI. Since 2016, we've published more than 400 articles on the subject. And we've published stories on 50+ AI-powered vendors with more than $1 billion in total funding. We’re also tracking 1,500+ sales and marketing AI companies with combined funding north of $6.2 billion.

This article leans on that expertise to demystify AI.

And, it'll give you ideas on how to use AI for analytics and offer some tools to explore further.

Ask 10 different experts what AI is, and you'll get 10 different answers. A good definition comes from Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, an AI company that Google bought.

Hassabis calls AI the "science of making machines smart." Today, we can teach machines to be like humans. We can give them the ability to see, hear, speak, write, and move.

Your smartphone has tons of AI-powered capabilities. These include facial recognition that unlocks your phone with your face (AI that sees). They also include voice assistants (AI that hears and speaks). And, don't forget, predictive text (AI that writes).

Other types of AI systems even give machines the ability to move, like you see in self-driving cars.

Your favorite services, like Amazon and Netflix, use AI to offer product recommendations.

And email clients like Gmail even use AI to automatically write parts of emails for you.

In fact, you probably use AI every day, no matter where you work or what you do.

"Machine learning" powers AI's most impressive capabilities. Machine learning is a type of AI that identifies patterns based on large sets of data. The machine uses these patterns to make predictions. Then, it uses more and more data to improve those predictions over time.

The result?

Technology powered by machine learning gets better over time, often without human involvement.

This is very different from traditional software.

A typical non-AI system, like your accounting software, relies on human inputs to work. The system is hard-coded with rules by people. Then, it follows those rules exactly to help you do your taxes. The system only improves if human programmers improve it.

But machine learning tools can improve on their own. This improvement comes from a machine assessing its own performance and new data.

For instance, an AI tool exists that writes email subject lines for you. Humans train the tool's machine learning using samples of a company's marketing copy. But then the tool drafts its own email subject lines. Split-testing occurs, then the machine learns on its own what to improve based on the results. Over time, the machine gets better and better with little human involvement. This unlocks possibly unlimited performance potential.

Now, imagine this power applied to any piece of marketing technology that uses data. AI can actually make everything, from ads to analytics to content, more intelligent.

Here are just a few of the top use cases we’ve found for artificial intelligence in analytics today.

Artificial intelligence excels at finding insights and patterns in large datasets that humans just can't see. It also does this at scale and at speed.

Today, AI-powered tools exist that will answer questions you ask about your website data. (Think "Which channel had the highest conversion rate?") AI can also recommend actions based on opportunities its seeing in your analytics.

Some tools to check out here include:

AI systems exist that use analytics data to help you predict outcomes and successful courses of action.

AI-powered systems can analyze data from hundreds of sources and offer predictions about what works and what doesn't. It can also can deep dive into data about your customers and offer predictions about consumer preferences, product development, and marketing channels.

AI is also used to unify data across platforms. That includes using the speed and scale of AI to pull together all your customer data into a single, unified view. AI is also capable of unifying data across different sources, even hard-to-track ones like call data. 

 This is a technology of AI with which the robots can see. The computer vision plays vital role in the domains of safety, security, health, access, and entertainment.

Computer vision automatically extracts, analyzes, and comprehends useful information from a single image or an array of images. This process involves development of algorithms to accomplish automatic visual comprehension.

This involves −

OCR − In the domain of computers, Optical Character Reader, a software to convert scanned documents into editable text, which accompanies a scanner.

Face Detection − Many state-of-the-art cameras come with this feature, which enables to read the face and take the picture of that perfect expression. It is used to let a user access the software on correct match.

Object Recognition − They are installed in supermarkets, cameras, high-end cars such as BMW, GM, and Volvo.

Estimating Position − It is estimating position of an object with respect to camera as in position of tumor in human’s body.

The robotics has been instrumental in the various domains such as −

Industries − Robots are used for handling material, cutting, welding, color coating, drilling, polishing, etc.

Military − Autonomous robots can reach inaccessible and hazardous zones during war. A robot named Daksh, developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), is in function to destroy life-threatening objects safely.

Medicine − The robots are capable of carrying out hundreds of clinical tests simultaneously, rehabilitating permanently disabled people, and performing complex surgeries such as brain tumors.

Exploration − The robot rock climbers used for space exploration, underwater drones used for ocean exploration are to name a few.

Entertainment − Disney’s engineers have created hundreds of robots for movie making.

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AI Robotics pro

We don't renovate spaces,we transform them

We can make Robots as smart as a human by using a cloud brain.
Helpful humanoid robots will be affordable for homes by 2025.

This will be achieved by cloud-connected robots,
where diverse models of robots share a brain hosted on a cloud platform.

Your robot will have access to an ever-growing number of skills
similar your smart phone’s access to apps today.

We make helpful robot services possible; and to make them safe, secure and affordable.

Our mission is to implement the Vision. As breakthroughs continue along the way to the Vision becoming reality, AIRoboticsPro is preparing to be an operator of diverse models robots
for people with a wide range of interests and needs.

Have a robot?  We can make it smarter. 
Have AI skills?  We can integrate them into ever-expanding cloud brains.

AIRoboticsPro is the creator of an emerging fabric to connect a multitude of AI skills to cloud robots (and other smart devices).

We are a catalyst that increases the value of AI developed anywhere in the world
by creating seamless interoperability with robots (and other smart devices).

When it comes to high-quality primary care, a strong patient-provider relationship is imperative. At the end of the day, care isn’t just about the services rendered — but rather, patients want to derive meaningful value from their overall experience with their doctors. 

Dr. Wendy Ju is an Associate Professor at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and in the Information Science field at Cornell University. She is also on the faculty at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Note: The above photo was taken prior to the start of Covid-19.

2020 is finally over! As we’ve all experienced, it was perhaps the most tumultuous, uncertain, and challenging year that many of us have ever endured. While we are excited to move on to a new chapter (and year) ahead, I wanted to first take this opportunity to reflect on this whirlwind of a year.

If there’s one phrase that we’ve heard countless times throughout this pandemic, it’s that “humans are social beings.” We absolutely are — and our innate ability to form bonds and make connections with those around us is an essential component of who we are. Yet today, perhaps the most prevalent, perpetual “relationship” within many of our lives — especially as we self-isolate at home — is not with other people, but rather, with technology.

In the last few years alone, user experience (UX) has quickly become the driving force behind nearly every form of technology that we interact with. Some might even go as far as to argue that in certain cases, the design of a product is even more important than its utility.

Whether it’s a voice user interface, wearable gadget, or otherwise, now more than ever, people are yearning for seamless, personalized experiences — and with the growing presence of agents embedded into the products we use every day, human-agent interaction (HAI) design will be even more critical going forward.

 SEE source:  https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/education/article262901353.html

From this am's In Box...

After three months of trials and competitions, the 2021 MWRC Global Online Finals was successfully concluded. More than 200 teams from around the world engaged in the competition, including Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Finland, Hong Kong (China), UAE and Australia, etc.

In this competition, which was themed [Join and Protect Our Animals], children from all over the world created various animal protection plans by combining wonderful ideas with the topic Environmental Protection and using their own coding works. That was amazing

The young contestants were ingenious and their division of work was clear. They used paper, brushes, Lego blocks and other readily available materials to create a conservancy in their own minds.

Little Matatalab guardians can be seen everywhere, whether in the jungle, in the desert or on the glacier. 

Some were cleaning up garbage over and over on the wavy seashore. 

Some were secretly patrolling in the jungle. 

Some were walking between volcanoes and glaciers.

Some were cleaning up plastic garbage in the conservancy.

Members of each team participating in the competition worked hard and cooperated quite skillfully. It can be seen at a glance that they have practiced a lot. No wonder the works presented were so amazing.

We are so proud to see the smiling faces of the children from worldwide! 

There were so many participating teams, and wonderful works were emerging one after another. Which teams would then finally stand out and win the honors of the year?

 From the Journal & Courier https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2021/08/21/gps-guided-robot-helps-turn-lafayettes-loeb-stadium-into-soccer-pitch/8208720002/ 

 LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Loeb Stadium is much more than just a baseball field with it being used as a commencement ceremony site, a venue for possible future concerts and now, a soccer field…

…The soccer field lines were painted on by field management company GPS Lining. According to GPS' website, "the world’s first and most comprehensive autonomous GPS paint robot" is used for painting the soccer field. "Intelligent One," as the robot is called, uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to paint concisely straight lines. "It's a really neat process, they used a robot," Miner said. "They gave it like two GPS points and that robot would get to where the line stopped and it shut off the chalk paint and would turn around and come back."

 From T.H.E. Journal... https://thejournal.com/articles/2021/08/12/4-keys-to-robotics-activities-for-young-learners.aspx

STEM Education

Physical computing with robots for young learners offers an engaging, collaborative, creative and standards-based approach to any makerspace program.

As more students return to classrooms in the fall, they will be looking for the kinds of hands-on activities they couldn’t experience during distance learning. Educators will also be looking for ways to get students problem-solving, collaborating, and sharing ideas in ways that couldn’t happen over Zoom. Making physical computing with robots part of a makerspaces program addresses these issues and re-engages students in learning.

In my work with schools to design makerspaces and STEM programs, I’ve found a few key features that help when introducing robots to young learners. First, the activities should quickly engage students and bring them into the learning process. Second, teachers should consider time and space requirements for robotics activities to get the most out of formal and informal learning opportunities. And lastly, activities should be aligned to grade-level standards as much as possible.

The robots I’ve found most engaging for introducing pre-K–1 students to physical computing are KIBOs from Kinderlab Robotics. Students are drawn to the tactile features — it has a wooden top and thick plastic sides that make it approachable and easy for young students to grip as they develop fine motor skills. It’s also screen-free: Students program their robot with blocks that are also made of wood, similar to building blocks.

Finally, KIBO doesn’t have what I call a pre-made “personality.” Some robots designed for young learners are already an animal or have features that limit creative imagination. It doesn’t have features that make it easy to fit into a gender, which avoids the biases that can push girls out of STEM. Students quickly discover that their robot can be anything they want it to be.

Once students have been introduced to the parts and basic programming features, like getting their robot to move, teachers can increase engagement through storytelling. An introductory activity that I like incorporates the book Move!, by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page.

In the makerspace, teachers read the story, which involves descriptions of different animals and how they move. Students are asked to draw a picture of an animal, either from the story or one they know about, and tape it to the top of their robot. Then, students design a program with motion blocks to have the robot move like their animal. Having students work in pairs can promote productive talk, and teachers will hear students reflecting on parts of the story as they work to sketch and design the movement for their animal. An assessment might involve interviewing students to find out why they made a certain animal, how their computer program works, or how the story influenced their project.

I like this activity for other reasons, too. Depending on school bell schedules, reading and drawing can be done one day and programming the next. Drawings can be easily stored, which helps with managing the activity. Students can work in defined areas of the makerspace that don’t require a lot of room. The activity relies on simple materials: paper, crayons, and tape. There’s potential to align it with content standards, such as reading, talking, and writing. And there’s a high ceiling for creative thinking. I once observed two kindergarten girls imagine KIBO as a polar bear. They built an ice wall with the wooden programming blocks and screamed with delight when they got their program working and the bear smashed through the ice wall!

From my in box...I've long been a fan of sensible learning challenge-type events as learning contexts associated with Student Robotics.

Mechatronics, an interdisciplinary field combining robotics with electrical and mechanical engineering, is an in-demand field for engineers and a burgeoning program at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

Berry's diverse engineering interests came together in the study of mechatronics at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which began offering as a bachelor's in applied science degree two years ago.

"When I heard about what was going on at UTC, I jumped at the chance to come here and it was a great opportunity to use all of the engineering skills and fields I was interested in and it was great to be able to do that in much more personalized program," said Berry, who graduated as one of the first UTC graduates of the mechatronics engineering program last December.

In July, the 25-year-old Chattanooga engineer will join Thermo Fisher Scientific where he hopes to advance into engineering and managements jobs in the growing field of robots, artificial intelligence and other machine-based disciplines.

"Mechatronics is really key to the new applied technologies we're seeing in manufacturing, medicine, the automotive industry and many other businesses and there are a lot of exciting opportunities," said Berry, who likens the field to a swiss army knife capable of many diverse uses. "I was able at UTC to work on two published academic articles and also start a student mechatronics club while at UTC. I think there is a huge potential for more growth here and to do it in an environment where you are regarded as much more than just another number or another student."

As demand for mechatronics talent continues to grow, UTC's engineering school became only the second four-year degree program in Tennessee to offer a mechatronic engineering specialty. Ahad Nasab, head of the Department of Engineering Management and Technology, brought the program to UTC after creating the state's first four-year program in mechatronics engineering at Middle Tennessee State University, starting in 2013..."

Read the full article at its source: https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/Mechatronics-Degree-Program-Growing-at-UT-Chattanooga.html?utm_term=READ%20MORE&utm_campaign=Mechatronics%20Degree%20Program%20Growing%20at%20UT%20Chattanooga&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email 

 https://youtu.be/wwSGYmrUHHA

 From https://www.newsandtribune.com/
news/mission-to-mars-henryville-students-build-mars-rovers/article_b2905a4e-88df-11eb-ab26-5f74825e284f.html 
By APRILE RICKERT aprile.rickert@newsandtribune.com

"HENRYVILLE — NASA’s latest mission to Mars is providing a unique experience for Henryville High School students to learn about what it takes to make a rover successful on the red planet, which educators say they hope can help inspire students toward future careers.

Students in teacher Donna Gatza’s Biology classes are spending seven weeks of their 18-week semester on a series of projects related to the Mars rover Perseverance, which launched July 30 and landed Feb. 21 in the Jezero Crater on Mars. The mission’s aim is to seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples, potentially to take back to Earth.

“NASA has provided all kinds of incredible activities for the kids to learn hands-on, to be exposed to different careers, to be experienced to different things,” Gatza said. “Until this happened, how many people knew there was a thing called Astrobiology? It’s important to get the kids excited about something and out of their books.”

The lesson plans and activities have included students building their own rovers. Working in teams, they selected the size and type of materials (made from dried pasta) based on their budget, then designed and built the rovers using an app on their Chromebooks.

“[They] had to pick a launch system, there was budget in this and everything has a cost,” the teacher said. “So they had to design their entire mission based on what they had a budget for. And then there were some funky things like they missed a launch date, the government cut their funding — the things that really happen.”

Study finds new technologies have created and upskilled jobs but disparities in education and investment may affect pace of change

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automated equipment has an overall positive impact on jobs, new research has found, with more than three-quarters of firms reporting that use of the technology had created new roles within the company and the majority reporting that job quality had improved.

More than 1,000 UK firms were asked about their adoption of the new technologies during the past three years, in research by the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW), Imperial College London and Warwick Business School. More than 860 confirmed they were using AI and other automated technology, with 78% of those companies reporting this had resulted directly in the creation of new jobs.

There are better ways to support care home residents, such as improving conditions for staff, writes Chris Phillipson

Your report (‘It’s almost magical’: how robotic pets are helping UK care home residents, 1 September) made for depressing reading. Some 70% of residents in care homes do indeed have some form of dementia or severe memory problems. Evidence that they can be helped by interaction with robotic dogs, cats and seals is mixed, to say the least.

Much more important is creating an environment where staff work in conditions that allow them to provide the sort of support that can enable residents to reach their full potential. Yet adult social care workers are among the lowest-paid in the UK. Research suggests more than a quarter of residential care workers are living in, or close to, poverty. Overseas migrant labour is increasingly common in care homes, with use of exploitative sponsorship schemes.

The World Robot Conference 2023 has opened in China, aimed at promoting scientific and technological progress. The event is a forum for participants to network and seek resources for further innovation. There’s also the opportunity for ice-cream served by a robot

All aspects of artificial intelligence will get the comic treatment at this summer’s festival

A comedy show is probably not the first place to hear about a burning new issue, but standup routines have a habit of swiftly reflecting the worries of our times. This summer’s Edinburgh festival fringe lineup of acts has taken up the threat of artificial intelligence and run with it.

A string of performers at the month-long festival, which begins on 4 August, will either use the technology to generate a show or play with the fears prompted by the rapid surge in its use.

Developers should grasp the opportunity to address misogyny in society rather than entrench it, says Liz Jackson

Your article (Never underestimate a droid: robots gather at AI for Good summit in Geneva, 6 July) begins by listing four of the robot delegates that are attending the AI for Good summit – all four are “feminised robots” – and I remembered the thought I had when I saw Ai-Da perform poetry at the Ashmolean in Oxford in 2021: why does a robot need boobs?

Robotics and AI are fields undoubtedly occupied primarily by men and yet many robots, and AI assistants (think Siri, Alexa and so on) often take on a “feminised” form. Perhaps we are more comfortable telling a feminised voice to do things for us.

Humanoid robots speak – with some awkward pauses – in ‘world first’ press conference at Geneva AI summit

Robots have no plans to steal the jobs of humans or rebel against their creators, but would like to make the world their playground, nine of the most advanced humanoid robots have told an artificial intelligence summit in Geneva.

In what was described as “the world’s first human-robot press conference”, one robot, Sophia, said humanoid robots had the potential to lead with “a greater level of efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders” but that “effective synergy” came when humans and AI worked together. “AI can provide unbiased data while humans can provide the emotional intelligence and creativity to make the best decisions. Together, we can achieve great things,” it said.

Ideas for improving standards of care include robotics, more time for GP consultations and a tax on salt

As the NHS turns 75, it is under unprecedented pressure: record waiting lists, demand for care and delays in discharging patients who are well enough to go home are putting all parts of the health service under immense strain. Sickness absence is at record levels, while nearly 170,000 NHS workers in England quit their jobs last year. Recent strikes by nurses, ambulance staff and junior doctors, coupled with the historic decision by consultants and radiographers to strike, too, show the depth of anger. Five experts spell out what’s needed to make the health service thrive again.

Robots that can assist caregivers have been talked up as being transformative. But some researchers fear such technology could take more than it gives

Ingrid’s 22-year-old son Tom doesn’t understand danger. He cannot leave the house by himself because he does not know that cars may kill him and, in winter, he forgets to wear enough clothes to stay warm. He was born with Down’s syndrome and Ingrid says that “he’s calm and shy and really polite, but he needs help with everything”.

Ingrid is one of millions of people caring for a loved one at home today. In the UK, “family caregivers” constitute about 9% of the population and they outstrip paid care workers by more than three to one. This is because most care continues to be carried out in people’s homes, rather than in residential facilities or by paid workers in the community. For this oft-overlooked army of supporters, it’s a difficult life. According to an annual survey of family caregivers in the UK, 45% had been providing support for 90 hours or more each week, and a similar proportion had not taken a break from caring in the past year. Caregivers consistently report lost income, higher than average rates of depression and anxiety, lack of time to rest, exercise or socialise, or to attend their own medical appointments – to do much of anything for themselves, really.

Robots praised by New York mayor for searching ruins of a parking garage collapse, but critics fear robots will collect private data

“Digidog is out of the pound,” Eric Adams declared in April. The New York City mayor also insisted the successful use of the controversial robot in response to a recent building collapse should convince critics such devices can improve safety in the city.

Adams commended first responders’ use of the four-legged robot in the ruins of a parking garage collapse last week in Manhattan, in which one person was killed and five injured.

Boston Dynamics’ canine automatons steal show in Paris as maison stages modern fable, designers say

Welcome to the age of the super-robot.

With their impossible proportions, thousand-yard stares and supernatural ability to walk in 5in heels, catwalk models often appear a different species to regular humans.

But it was the models, including Kate Moss’s daughter Lila, who played the role of vulnerable, flesh and blood creatures at the Coperni fashion show in Paris, where they shared the stage with five robots.

Coperni partnered with Boston Dynamics for the first fashion show in which robots, rather than models, were the star turn.

As the lights went down, four pairs of green eyes began to flash in the darkness. When the “Spots” – Boston Dynamic’s robot canines, in tarantula stripes of yellow and black – stalked into the room, there was an audible collective intake of breath as each creature seemed to lock eyes with, and approach, an audience member.

Both Arduino and Raspberry Pi have become fundamental building blocks to handle digital information for everyone from the home hobbyist to professional designers of electronic interfaces. Despite any perceived similarities, they are really two very different products developed for very...

The post What is Arduino and Raspberry Pi? appeared first on ServoDriven.

For those of you that are not familiar with Robotis, it has been building a following for decades centered around increasingly refined servomotor designs.  Trade named Dynamixel servos are the engines that control robotic motion.  The Dynamixel servo is a...

The post ROBOTIS IS BRINGING THE FUTURE IN FOCUS appeared first on ServoDriven.

from Robosen licensed by Hasbro You’ve watched six Transformer movies since the first one came out in 2007 and watched the fight for humankind as Autobots and Decepticons battle for dominance. Under the leadership of Optimus Prime the Autobots protect...

The post FLAGSHIP OPTIMUS PRIME appeared first on ServoDriven.

Boston Dynamics is one of the premier humanoid robot research companies in the world.  It started in 1992 building 3D flight simulators for pilot training.   By 2005, they had moved on to introduce their first autonomous robot known as “Big...

The post THE STANDARD FOR ROBOT MOBILITY appeared first on ServoDriven.

In this age of advancing automation, software, and robotics the burning question is, “Will the workforce of humans eventually be replaced by robots?”  And by robots, it’s understood to mean some form of automation and/or software – not necessarily a...

The post Robots ate my lunch appeared first on ServoDriven.

dusyadork:

to all the robots out there

If it works, it works.

elfwreck:

spacecatsunited:

andreathemagpie:

mmeveronica:

quasi-normalcy:

You might think that I’m joking when I say that we need cyborg rights to be codified into law, but I honestly think that, given the pace of development of medical implants and the rights issues raised by having proprietary technologies becoming part of a human body, I think that this is absolutely essential for bodily autonomy, disability rights, and human rights more generally. This has already become an issue, and it will only become a larger issue moving forwards.

No but seriously we need cyborg rights, in case you don’t know how many people count as cyborgs here are some examples;

There are even edge cases revolving around how much electricity and integration into the body are necessary to make someone a cyborg.

The list could go on but I think I made my point that cyborgs are a lot more than just people with robot arms, they are the disabled deserving of the rights to the technology their lives literally depend on.

This is needed.

Earlier this year, a woman was forcibly deprived of a brain implant that was treating her epilepsy because the company that made the implant went bankrupt. Here’s a link to one of several articles about it:

Doctors Forced To Remove Patient’s Brain Implant After The Maker Went Bust

This story happened back in the 2010s according to the first article but is still relevant. Also if my cochlears were repossessed by the company for some asinine reason I would literally stop being able to do 80% of the things I do and my future would be ruined. Cyborg rights are necessary and should have been codified decades ago

Their Bionic Eyes Are Now Obsolete and Unsupported

This was in 2020, and the patients weren’t even informed of it - one day their eyes just stopped working because the company that made them went out of business.

findingfeather:

queenlua:

jaggedwolf said: can’t say this and not link/say which one it is

the original “turing test” paper is so beautiful.  more beautiful, i imagine, than most expect going in—he’s got this underlying warm humanism and gentle humor throughout.  (it’s present even in his more technical papers, but it shines here)

and the section that slays me each time is this:

“It will not be possible to apply exactly the same teaching process to the machine as to a normal child. It will not, for instance, be provided with legs, so that it could not be asked to go out and fill the coal scuttle. Possibly it might not have eyes. But however well these deficiencies might be overcome by clever engineering, one could not send the creature to school without the other children making excessive fun of it […]”

like.  this is the original “turing test” paper.  this is the first dude to formally conceptualize the whole “~*~what if computers learn to think, how could we tell~*~” thing.  which, in subsequent SF invocations, is used mostly in spooky or paranoid contexts: the Voigt-Kampff test of Blade Runner, the preemptive rushes to constrain that budding will in I, Robot and others, and in modern worries over AGI.  and i like those stories!  they’re interesting and cool and eerie!

but

but

the original guy was not scared or unsettled or spooked by the prospect of new minds.  this dude’s primary concern, when facing the dawn of artificial intelligence, was instead: “what if we teach computers to think and then the other kids on the playground bully the computer, that would be so mean :(((”

i love that, so much.  i love people so much, sighs into hands

This is an example of why I am so protective of Turing’s memory.

stevebattle:

TORTIS (Toddler’s Own Recursive Turtle Interpreter System) by Radia Perlman (1974), MIT. TORTIS is a device that lets pre-school children communicate with and program a robot turtle. It has three button boxes, designed so that key concepts can be introduced gradually. The first box has buttons for simple turtle actions, ‘forward’, 'back’, 'right’, 'lift’, 'toot’, 'penup’, 'pendown’, 'light on’, and 'light off.’ A 'commands box’ has the same nine buttons, with an additional row of numbers 1 to 10; pressing a number before the action button, repeats the action that many times. A third 'memory box’ can be plugged in, that stores and recalls sequences of actions. Perlman went on to invent the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), that allows Ethernet networks to transport data while avoiding loops, a development that was key to the growth of the internet.

stevebattle:

Robotron by Donald Rich (1957), Kew Gardens, Queens, New York. Here we see 14 year old Donald with his creation at the International Gadget & Invention show at Madison Square Garden (second photo). Robotron, “is capable of ‘seeing’ with his electronic eyes and of 'sensing the presence of a human being, can pick up objects manually or magnetically and moves about on wheels powered by electric motors. Donald holds a computer he designed to fit the robot like a vest, enabling Robetron to do mathematical calculations” – Corpus Christi Times, Friday 9th August, 1957.

70sscifiart:

Happy Spherical Robot Head Reflection Saturday! Here’s Katsuhiro Otomo’s homage to the classic MC Escher artwork.

appendingfic:

greelin:

“can a robot even have mental illnesses” they are allowed to have whatever they want. don’t be fucking rude

robots can have mental illnesses we can’t even conceive of - like shrimp colors

retrocgads:

UK 1985

The servo looks like a top hat.

What a distinguished looking robot arm.

I feel like I really need some context for this video.

I keep imagining that it is covering itself out of some sense of embarrassment.

commodorez:

datamined:

Im Very Pleased to share this website my partner directed me to. You’re interested in retro techand/or robotics, The Old Robots is a unique and surprisingly thorough archive of all sorts of real robots from as early as the 1940’s to as late as the 2000’s. I especially love the dated nature of its aesthetics. But, seriously- there’s pages and pages worth of these robots. Many robots also include videos embedded in the site to show them in action.

An excellent resource for those interested in robotics, the history of robots, robotic toys, or just goofs like me that love to see little funny hard metal and plastic fellas.

This site has been around for a long time, I remember using it when I was in high school to learn about robots. He’s added onto it since then, which is cool.

Acquisition to accelerate Rockwell’s end-to-end autonomous production logistics solutions, providing safer, more efficient manufacturing environments for customers   MILWAUKEE – Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous […]

The post Rockwell Automation signs agreement to acquire autonomous robotics leader Clearpath Robotics appeared first on Clearpath Robotics.

The post Washington State University Utilizes Warthog to Improve Nitrogen Management in Orchards appeared first on Clearpath Robotics.

The post Clearpath Robotics and Fresh Consulting Join Forces to Enhance Mobile Manipulation appeared first on Clearpath Robotics.

Precision plant phenotyping is an essential practice for breeders to make informed decisions to meet the demands of modern agriculture and to contribute to resilient and sustainable crop production.  Decades of extensive research has resulted in the establishment of genetic resources for upland cotton, a globally significant crop that holds tremendous economic importance. With a […]

The post University of Texas at Arlington Employs Husky UGV for Automated Plant Phenotyping appeared first on Clearpath Robotics.

In March of 2023, Clearpath Robotics announced Husky Observer™; an all-terrain, rugged robot with an integrated payload for inspection. We are thrilled to launch Husky Observer at ICRA this year. The new robotic system combines Husky™, a popular and versatile robot from Clearpath Robotics with OutdoorNav Autonomy Software™; a software platform that enables autonomous navigation […]

The post Clearpath Robotics to Launch Husky Observer at ICRA 2023 appeared first on Clearpath Robotics.

The Robotics Startup Boot Camp at RoboBusiness will provide “tips of the trade” around the challenges that can make or break a startup.

The post Robotics Startup Bootcamp at RoboBusiness appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

The Florida manufacturer of exhaust parts has increased weld speed tenfold, lower lead times, and improve quality using its new cobot colleague

The post Cobot Welder delivers 10x production boost at DeAngelo Marine Exhaust appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

ReAutomated: The virtual experience will focus on three applications within industrial automation: welding, machine tending and palletizing.

The post Universal Robots launches ‘ReAutomated’ virtual events to boost cobot education appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

Universal Robots' UR20 cobot is debuting its welding abilities with Vectis Automation, Hirebotics, and Melton Machine & Control Company.

The post Universal Robots debuts UR20’s welding abilities appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

The partnership includes a memorandum of understanding for Doosan Robotics to use Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service for a GPT-based robot control system. 

The post Doosan, Microsoft plan to build GPT-based robots appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

Thursday, September, 7 2023 2:00 PM EST Packaging and palletizing are end-of-line tasks found in almost all production facilities. Automating these processes with a reliable and efficient system is crucial to any business’ continuity – and scaling up your systems with modular hardware and plug-and-play software is a must-have as your business grows. Tune into […]

The post Optimizing your factory floor: integrating Universal Robots, Vention to create turnkey solutions appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

Why is simply considering the sensitivity of a safety function insufficient to assess the level of safety provided?

The post The dual aspects of robot safety appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

Buy your early bird pass for RoboBusiness in Santa Clara on October 18-19 now and save $300 on full conference registration.

The post RoboBusiness early bird pricing ends August 18 appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

DoBot Robotics has signed a Letter of Intent with VenHub, a company developing a modular retail platform built on expendable containers. 

The post DoBot Robotics signs letter of intent with VenHub appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

Taking a regional perspective on the components in the industrial robots market, Japan is currently the largest market, but China will catch up by 2027 in terms of revenue.

The post Industrial robot components market worth more than $18B by 2027 appeared first on Collaborative Robotics Trends.

By 2029, the worldwide market for industrial robots is expected to be worth $35.68 billion, up from an estimated $16.78 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.4%. Amid this rapid growth, collaborative robots or ‘cobots’ are making a significant mark in various industries, most prominently in manufacturing. They offer unparalleled agility, precision, and […]

The post Robotic Arms in Manufacturing: How Cobots are Revolutionizing Material Handling appeared first on Techman Robot.

What Is AOI (Automated Optical Inspection)? Automated Optical Inspection, commonly known as AOI, is a machine-based inspection technology that enables the detection of defects and flaws in various production processes, including PCB and electronics manufacturing, automotive, medical, and aerospace industries.  AOI machines, on the other hand, use advanced computer vision algorithms and diverse lighting techniques […]

The post Introducing AOI Applications in PCB Manufacturing appeared first on Techman Robot.

The rise of collaborative robots, also known as cobots, has revolutionized modern industrial settings. Cobots are robots that work alongside humans to enhance efficiency, safety, and flexibility. They are equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that enable them to perform dangerous, tedious, or repetitive tasks. Cobots have become an indispensable part of logistics, […]

The post How Cobots and Humans Are Working Together in Logistics appeared first on Techman Robot.

In the latest installment of our conversation series, we get to know Kenneth Ramah, one of the core members of our dedicated team. Sharing more of the heartbeat behind our operations and what makes our team thrive, we delve into Kenn’s role within the organization, his journey to get where he is, and the shape […]

The post In Conversation with… Kenneth Ramah, WeRobotics Coordinator & Tech Support appeared first on WeRobotics Blog.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the Flying Labs Network is, “How many Flying Labs are there in the Network?” This is an essential question as the actual size of the Network influences its growth on multiple levels, such as local representation, diversity of experiences and approaches, and collective learning, to name a […]

The post Turning a Growing Network Into a Thriving Network appeared first on WeRobotics Blog.

In a webinar organized by WeRobotics on Thursday, March 16, 2023, the stage was set to showcase the transformative potential of drones in two critical areas: unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and methane detection. Speakers from SPH Engineering and Senegal Flying Labs unveiled groundbreaking insights from their collaborative methane detection project conducted in Senegal, a remarkable initiative supported by the […]

The post Using Drones for Clearance of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Methane Detection appeared first on WeRobotics Blog.

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Zaki Hussein, the CEO & Founder of Touchlab, the award-winning startup that exists to solve the great challenge of touch in robotics, and specialises in electronic skin (e-skin) and teleoperated avatar technology. During our interview, we asked more about the mission and founding of the company,

The post Zaki Hussein talks founding Touchlab and pioneering work fitting TIAGo robot with e-skin to work in hospitals appeared first on PAL Robotics Blog.

In a world where technological advancement is reshaping industry, healthcare stands at the forefront of transformation, as the integration of social robots in healthcare has the potential to enhance patient care and support the overburdened healthcare system. We had the opportunity to interview Dr. Séverin Lemaignan and Dr. Raquel Ros, both experts in social robotics,

The post Exploring the potential and challenges of social robots in healthcare appeared first on PAL Robotics Blog.

In today's retail industry, efficient inventory management is crucial for the success of any business. Retailers often face numerous challenges in this regard, including inaccuracies in stock information, difficulties in locating products, out-of-stock situations, and misplacements. These issues can result in customer dissatisfaction, lost sales, and inefficient operations. To overcome these challenges, we have developed

The post StockBot: empowering retail excellence through advanced inventory management appeared first on PAL Robotics Blog.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that hydropower was responsible for 6.2% of the United States' total electricity production and approximately 28.7% of the total for renewable energy generation in 2022. Renewables provide about 20% of the country’s electricity, and this number is projected to increase over the next few years. 

This article covers the basics of hydropower, explaining how it is generated and the role of penstocks – one of the most important components of hydropower systems. It also discusses how modern nondestructive testing technologies can help ensure these critical structures operate efficiently and reliably as the demand for renewable energy grows.

You’ve seen the signs on the gates of refineries and other process industry facilities: “This plant has worked 147 days without a safety incident.”

For some plant managers, this sign is validation that good processes are in place. For others, especially plant safety engineers and managers (EHS), it’s counting the days leading to something bad inevitably happening.

The impacts of safety are twofold when it comes to asset management. First, traditional inspection methods are inherently dangerous to the facility workers and inspectors involved. There’s also a bigger picture that goes beyond the plant level. Without proper procedures, technology, and analysis, nearby communities and the environment are also at risk of disastrous events.

Here, we break down three ways that robotic inspections improve safety – at the plant level and beyond.

The world’s supply chain continues to adopt modernized approaches as consumers expect fast, often overnight delivery of goods. By replacing manual processes with digital transformation tools and connected technologies, supply chains are boosting their efficiencies, visibility, and flexibility to build resilient end-to-end operations. 

Many businesses now rely on implemented technologies like autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and warehouse management systems (WMS) to streamline workflows and gain real-time views into the point-by-point handling of goods across supply networks. A tremendous amount of data is being collected and analyzed about the movement of goods to avoid delays and bottlenecks. However, this data is missing a crucial primary step that impacts all subsequent supply chain stages.

Before goods are received at a warehouse or distribution center, they must safely and reliably travel from ship to shore. Maritime transport is the foundation of global manufacturing and trade. It’s reported that 90% of world trade is carried by maritime vessels. More than 50,000 ships are dedicated to transporting an estimated 11 billion tons of goods each year. The average reliability of container shipping lines arriving on time has historically hovered around 66%– leaving significant room for improvement.

If a maritime vessel requires unplanned maintenance while transporting cargo, this causes significant delays and disruptions to the on-time arrival of goods. With such an impact on our daily access to goods and the global economy as a whole, the digitalization principles that are revolutionizing critical phases of the supply chain should also be applied to how we maintain and monitor the structural health of the vessels that transport goods across the sea.

Oil refineries help keep the world running by turning crude oil into products that heat our homes, fuel our cars, and serve as several essential items in our daily lives. With such significance, refineries must maintain safe, uninterrupted production by avoiding asset failures, extended downtime, and potentially catastrophic events. 

Refineries typically conduct a turnaround, commonly called a TAR, to combat these challenges. During the turnaround process, assets are taken offline for an extended period to complete scheduled maintenance, perform inspections, repair or replace equipment, conduct cleaning activities, and ensure compliance. 

The primary goal is to complete the turnaround as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible. The key to successfully achieving this goal is effective pre-turnaround planning. Discover how to build an impactful pre-turnaround plan and the benefits of optimizing your roadmap.

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting gathers government, business, and civil society leaders in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss global issues and make positive, impactful changes happen. 

Gecko Robotics CEO Jake Loosararian was invited to speak at the forum on a panel titled, “In the Name of National Security.” In this session, he joined the Global Editorial Director of Wired Magazine Gideon Lichfield, FBI Director Christopher Wray, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, and Cloudflare, Inc. CEO Matthew Prince to discuss dual-use technologies and why robotics, AI systems, and data software solutions are critical in driving energy security and national defense. This blog highlights and expands on Jake’s discussions from the panel. 

By Katie Brenneman 

A robust STEM education is key to student success in the digital age. A strong grasp of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ensures that the pupils of today have the skills they need to find personal and professional success in the future.

However, many students find STEM classes dull and unengaging. This is largely due to misconceptions about the purpose of STEM classes and outdated lesson plans that fail to capture the student’s imagination.

Unfortunately, social inequalities exacerbate disinterest in STEM fields. Black and Hispanic folks are underrepresented in the STEM industry and women in STEM only earn 77% of the average salary that a man in STEM receives. These inequalities push some students away from STEM and must be addressed by teachers who want to cultivate interest and inclusivity in the classroom.

By Devin Partida

Photo by : Unsplash 

Pursuing equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is an ever-evolving conversation around representation and diversity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a frontier within STEM itself — emerges not just as an object of study but as a tool to promote equity among students who want to pursue a career in this field. However, can teachers really use AI to champion inclusivity, adaptability and accessibility to create a brighter future for minorities?

By Devin Partida

Our world is changing so rapidly that sometimes, it's challenging to predict what the future will look like. But one thing is certain — kids have different needs now than they did 20 years ago.

Gone are the days when being intelligent and hardworking is enough. Now, more factors contribute to determining the future generation's success. But just how can we prepare our kids to become key leaders in future industries?

The answer can be found in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. A STEM education significantly impacts children's future as these subjects can teach kids many soft and hard skills that will enable them to perform at a globally competitive level.

By Softbank Robotics

New technologies like remote learning platforms, big data, and AI are changing the way students learn (and the way schools are managed). From early childhood, to K-12, to higher education, and beyond, new tech in schools is opening up transformational possibilities for instruction, student support, and school operations. Below, we cover some of the most valuable technological innovations helping school administrators and their staff deliver a quality educational experience while adapting to staffing challenges and tight budgets.

By Katie Brenneman

Image Source: Pexels

The continued rise of the digital landscape has revolutionized the world we live in. A range of day-to-day interactions are influenced by advanced tools and technical ideas. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that students today benefit from a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, alongside an understanding of robotics. After all, these elements are likely to continue to be core parts of their future.

However, as important and fascinating as these subjects are, not all students will be enthusiastic about them. Some of the ideas can be complex or might seem to not tie into the more creative subjects certain students prefer. This is where identifying innovative approaches to STEM and robotics curricula can ensure you can offer students an engaging and enriching education.

Roboguide is a well-known software tool for programming FANUC robots… but it’s not the only available option. You might not have realized this before, but there are other offline programming …

The post Roboguide: How To Program a FANUC Robot appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Are you looking for ways to improve your production process? Whether you are looking to optimize your workflow, automate bottleneck tasks, or prioritize continuous improvement, RoboDK can help. Simulation and …

The post 9 Ways to Improve a Production Process with RoboDK appeared first on RoboDK blog.

The RoboDK API offers a powerful set of tools for you to quickly and easily program more complex robot tasks. It is the perfect tool for automating repetitive robot programming …

The post Introduction to RoboDK’s API: How to Automate Repetitive Tasks appeared first on RoboDK blog.

ABB is one of the top robot brands in the world – being one of The Big 4 robot companies. If you use ABB robots, this spotlight guide is for …

The post Spotlight on ABB: How to Program ABB Robots appeared first on RoboDK blog.

What could your business achieve if you could minimize downtime? Downtime is an inevitable part of any manufacturing process. But too much downtime can quickly add up. If you aren’t …

The post How to Minimize Machine Downtime with RoboDK appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Robot programming is an integral part of automation deployment. But you need to optimize your programming workflow if you want to deploy robots efficiently and get the most from your …

The post Optimize Robot Programming for Efficient Deployment appeared first on RoboDK blog.

In a recent collaborative effort with FORCE Technology and Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence using ESPRIT additive toolpath programming, an industrial robot was programmed using RoboDK’s simulation software. ESPRIT and RoboDK, a …

The post Gear Repair Collaboration with RoboDK appeared first on RoboDK blog.

In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever to stay competitive. One way to do that is by incorporating flexible manufacturing into your business. According to the Deloitte 2022 Industry …

The post Is Flexible Manufacturing Right for You? How to Stay Competitive appeared first on RoboDK blog.

This Series A funding round brings Boxbot's total funding raised to date to $29.5 million for its package handling system. 

The post Boxbot brings in $12M for package handling system appeared first on The Robot Report.

Over the next 10 years, Waabi and Uber Freight plan to deploy Waabi Drivers alongside carrier partners on the Uber Freight network.

The post Waabi partners with Uber Freight to deploy autonomous trucks at scale appeared first on The Robot Report.

CMR Surgical announced today that it raised a funding round worth $165 million (£133 million) and hit a milestone with its surgical robot.

The post CMR Surgical brings in $165M to support surgical robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

A cartesian robot system that uses XYZ coordinates to move multiple axes—typically three—to a specific location within its workspace.

The post What is a cartesian robot and how is it used in automation? appeared first on The Robot Report.

Waymo will be offering free rides to residents and visitors across different LA neighborhoods ahead of a wider service launch. 

The post Waymo to give free robotaxi rides during LA tour appeared first on The Robot Report.

Virtual Incision announced that it added a $30 million extension to its previous $46 million Series C financing round.

The post Virtual Incision raises $30M for mini surgical robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

TRI said new approach is a step towards building Large Behavior Models (LBMs) for robots, analogous to Large Language Models (LLMs) for conversational AI.

The post How TRI is using Generative AI to teach robots appeared first on The Robot Report.

Interact Analysis expects the mobile robot market to reach an installed base of over 4 million mobile robots by the end of 2027.

The post Learn the fundamentals of designing AMRs at RoboBusiness appeared first on The Robot Report.

This blog contains an event preferencing reminder and a series of event updates/news.

It’s that time of year where we share award updates for the new season!

We are so excited to announce some updates to the Dean’s List Award!

We want to let our FIRST Robotics Competition teams know about the potential grant opportunities our generous sponsors have to offer. 

Sharing a change coming to the robot rules for the 2024 season to help teams and vendors make better informed decisions as they prepare for Kickoff.

Paul's string art robot is impressive, but the path he took to get there - as well as the persistence required - is what is really impressive

The post Building a String Art Robot Looks Difficult appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

Have you ever wanted a hand-held knife launching robot that always hits it’s target? No? Well Quint Builds did and he (and his son) went through the exhausting process of designing it. This build is so much more complex than it looks at a glance. Take for example the “simple” task of holding a knife. […]

The post How To Build A Knife Throwing Robot appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

Want to build your own battle robot? Today’s the day. Kerfuffle is a mini bot designed to inflict mechanical damage to other machines in caged combat. If you’ve ever seen the show BattleBots then you already have a very solid idea of how these robots operate. Kerfuffle is a 1lb robot in the plastic antweight class, meaning […]

The post Build Your First Combat Bot! appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

The idea came to me while I was listening to a great Seattle fingerpicking guitarist, the late Klaus Lendzian, at a favorite local restaurant. I’d been hearing him play at various venues around town since the 1980s.  As I watched him play, I thought, “He’s really good. Lyrical, a great sense of timing. Wow, I […]

The post How I Built A Guitar Picking Robot appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

These awesome, somewhat aged, industrial arms are out there, and most of us have seen them floating around on ebay or other various auction sites. However, when you look at the details you see that the cnc “brains” are machines from the 90s with floppy drives and antequated hardware, and more often than not, simply […]

The post Bringing A Broken Industrial Arm Back To Life As A CNC Mill appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

We are living at the dawn of the general-purpose robotics age. Dozens of companies have now decided that it's time to invest big in humanoid robots that can autonomously navigate their way around existing workspaces and begin taking over tasks from human workers.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Artificial Intelligence, LLM (Large Language Model), Toyota, Robotics

Most robots use electric actuators, but this little fella packs a lot more punch. Researchers have created a new type of minuscule combustion engine that gives this tiny frog robot explosive leaping abilities, as well as fine movement control.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Biomimicry, Engine Technologies, Cornell University, Robot, Robotics

In recent years we've seen quadruped robots, self-balancing robots, and omnidirectional robots. Should you want one of your own, the UGOT Robotic Kit now allows users to build all of those bots and more.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Kickstarter, Modular Robotics

Most of German Bionic's power suits are designed to assist workers in industrial facilities, but the company's latest device is aimed at supporting healthcare professionals in hospitals, elderly care or rehab units.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Exoskeleton, Health, Assistive Technologies, elderly home care

While forklifts do work well for lifting and moving heavy loads indoors, they're bulky (in close quarters), expensive, and can't lift loads over a certain footprint size. That's where the FORMIC modular robotic transportation system is designed to come in.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Swarm Robotics

A team of researchers has developed the world’s first humanoid robot pilot. As well as being able to slide easily into the pilot’s seat and use its hands to flip switches in the cockpit, the robot – called PIBOT – uses AI technology to memorize flight charts and emergency protocols.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Robot, Humanoid, GPT, Pilots, KAIST, Aircraft

China's consumer technology giant Xiaomi has unleashed the second iteration of its robot pooch. The CyberDog 2 looks much less business-like and more like a family companion, comes packed with sensors, and can still do back flips.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Xiaomi, Quadruped, Robots, Dogs

Keeping panels clear of dust in large solar farms can be a time-consuming, wasteful and costly business. A Sicilian technology startup called the Reiwa Engine has developed an autonomous robot called SandStorm to reduce maintenance and cleaning costs by as much as 80%.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Solar Power, Cleaning, Robot, Autonomous, Sustainable, Electric

When baby sea turtles hatch from their buried eggs, they use their powerful flippers to make their way up through the sand. A new "sand-swimming" robot, inspired by those hatchlings, could one day save lives or even explore other planets.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: UC San Diego, Biomimicry, Swimming, locomotion, Sand

Inspections of tall metal structures or machines can be difficult for people to perform up-close and in person, and while aerial drones may help, their limited battery life is a problem. That's where the magnetic-footed Magnecko robot is intended to come in.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: ETH Zurich, Biomimicry, Magnetic, Quadruped, Climbing

Arizona's Revolute Robotics has presented its autonomous Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR), a whirling, spherical cage that can fly like a multicopter, or roll in any direction using two gyroscopic gimbal rings. It's one heck of a thing to see in motion.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Robot, drones, Aerial

Chinese company Fourier Intelligence says it plans to manufacture 100 of its GR-1 general-purpose humanoid robots by the end of 2023, making the remarkable promise that they'll be able to carry nearly their own weight. They also have a unique focus.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Humanoid, Robot, China

In recent years, we've seen wood used in the construction of traditionally non-wooden things like transistors, bicycles and drones. Now, scientists have used the stuff to create a robotic gripper … which definitely has its selling points.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: National University of Singapore, Wooden

As much as a robot might excel at a certain mode of transport, as soon as conditions change it can become hopeless. Now engineers at Caltech have designed a new robot that can roll around on four wheels, flip them into rotors to fly, or transform for six other types of motion.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Robot, Robots, Robotics, Robotic, drones, Wheel, Caltech, Transformable

While farmers have to perform a number of difficult tasks, tending to the grain stored inside grain bins (aka granaries) is particularly arduous – not to mention dangerous. That's where the Grain Weevil grain bin management robot is designed to come in.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Farming, Agriculture, Autonomous

Often referred to as the lungs of the planet, the Amazon rainforest is in trouble – with around a third reported as already gone or degraded. A pocket of resistance in Peru has now been joined by a dual-armed robotic gardener to help with reforestation.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Robot, Conservation, Forest, Tree, Automation

Oceanbotics' SRV-8 underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) is certainly no slouch, nor is its more capable sibling, the SRV-8X. The latest version of the vehicle, the SRV-8 MDV, takes things even further – it blows up sea mines.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Remote-Control, mine detection, Underwater, Explosives

There's a tradeoff with robotic graspers – they're typically either firm enough to securely grab and lift sturdy, heavy objects, or soft enough to lift fragile objects without breaking them. A new sponge-based system, however, could allow one grasper to switch back and forth between doing both.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: University of Bristol

For the past year, Uber-backed Serve Robotics' wheeled robots have been delivering takeout food and groceries to customers in the Los Angeles area. The company has now announced that up to 2,000 of the bots are set to enter use with Uber Eats in other North American cities.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Food, Uber, Autonomous, Delivery robots

In order to keep from accidentally hurting their human coworkers, many industrial robots have sensors that detect physical contact with people or other objects. Scientists have now devised a high-tech sweater which brings this functionality to robots that don't have it already.

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Category: Robotics, Technology

Tags: Carnegie Mellon, Electronic skin, Smart Fabric, Touch

By Deborah Pirchner, Frontiers science writer Image: Shutterstock.com Malaria is an infectious disease claiming more than half a million lives each year. Because traditional diagnosis takes expertise and the workload is high, an international team of researchers investigated if diagnosis using a new system combining an automatic scanning microscope and AI is feasible in clinical settings. They found that the system identified malaria parasites almost as accurately as experts staffing microscopes used in standard diagnostic procedures. This may help reduce the burden on microscopists and increase the feasible patient load. Each year, more than 200 million people fall sick with malaria and more than half a million of these infections lead to death. The World Health Organization recommends parasite-based diagnosis before starting treatment for the disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. There are various diagnostic methods, including conventional light microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests and PCR. The standard for malaria diagnosis, however, remains manual light microscopy, during which a specialist examines blood films with a microscope to confirm the presence of malaria parasites. Yet, the accuracy of the results depends critically on the skills of the microscopist and can be hampered by fatigue caused by excessive workloads of the professionals doing the [...]

The post New high-tech microscope using AI successfully detects malaria in returning travelers first appeared on Science & research news | Frontiers.

by Inês Hipólito/Deborah Pirchner, Frontiers science writer Image: shutterstock.com Inês Hipólito is a highly accomplished researcher, recognized for her work in esteemed journals and contributions as a co-editor. She has received research awards including the prestigious Talent Grant from the University of Amsterdam in 2021. After her PhD, she held positions at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Currently, she is a permanent lecturer of the philosophy of AI at Macquarie University, focusing on cognitive development and the interplay between augmented cognition (AI) and the sociocultural environment. Inês co-leads a consortium project on ‘Exploring and Designing Urban Density. Neurourbanism as a Novel Approach in Global Health,’ funded by the Berlin University Alliance. She also serves as an ethicist of AI at Verses. Beyond her research, she co-founded and serves as vice-president of the International Society for the Philosophy of the Sciences of the Mind. Inês is the host of the thought-provoking podcast ‘The PhilospHER’s Way’ and has actively contributed to the Women in Philosophy Committee and the Committee in Diversity and Inclusivity at the Australasian Association of Philosophy from 2017 to 2020. As part of our Frontier Scientist series, Hipólito caught up with Frontiers to tell us [...]

The post Why diversity and inclusion needs to be at the forefront of future AI first appeared on Science & research news | Frontiers.

By Deborah Pirchner, Frontiers science writer Image: Shutterstock.com Compostable plastics are on the rise. Despite their merits, these products, including wrappers and packaging, can contaminate conventional plastic waste in the recycling process. Now, scientists used highly sensitive imaging techniques and developed machine learning methods that can identify compostable plastics among conventional types. Disposable plastics are everywhere: Food containers, coffee cups, plastic bags. Some of these plastics, called compostable plastics, can be engineered to biodegrade under controlled conditions. However, they often look identical to conventional plastics, get recycled incorrectly and, as a result, contaminate plastic waste streams and reduce recycling efficiency. Similarly, recyclable plastics are often mistaken for compostable ones, resulting in polluted compost. Researchers at University College London (UCL) have published a paper in Frontiers in Sustainability in which they used machine learning to automatically sort different types of compostable and biodegradable plastics and differentiate them from conventional plastics. “The accuracy is very high and allows the technique to be feasibly used in industrial recycling and composting facilities in the future,” said Prof Mark Miodownik, corresponding author of the study. Up to perfect accuracy The researchers worked with different types of plastics measuring between 50mm by 50mm and 5mm by 5mm. [...]

The post Machine learning helps researchers separate compostable from conventional plastic waste with ‘very high’ accuracy first appeared on Science & research news | Frontiers.

by Liad Hollender, Frontiers science writer Image: Prof Thomas Hartung Over just a few decades, computers shrunk from massive installations to slick devices that fit in our pockets. But this dizzying trend might end soon, because we simply can’t produce small enough components. To keep driving computing forward, scientists are looking for alternative approaches. An article published in Frontiers in Science presents a revolutionary strategy, called organoid intelligence.   This emerging scientific field aims to create biocomputers where lab-grown brain organoids (three-dimensional brain-cell cultures) serve as biological hardware. According to the authors, this technology could also drive progress in biomedicine, providing unprecedented insight into the human brain.  To learn more about this exciting new field, we interviewed the senior author of the article, Prof Thomas Hartung. He is the director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing in Europe (CAAT-Europe), and a professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.  How do you define organoid intelligence? Reproducing cognitive functions – such as learning and sensory processing – in a lab-grown human-brain model.   How did this idea emerge? I’m a pharmacologist and toxicologist, so I’m interested in developing medicines and identifying substances that are dangerous to our health, specifically [...]

The post ‘My dream is for AI and brain organoids to explore each other’s capabilities’ first appeared on Science & research news | Frontiers.

In the evolving field of robotics, a novel breakthrough has been introduced by researchers: a soft robot that doesn't require human or computer direction to navigate even complex environments. This new invention builds upon previous work where a soft robot demonstrated basic navigational skills in simpler mazes. Harnessing Physical Intelligence for Navigation Jie Yin, the […]

The post “Brainless” Soft Robot Navigates Complex Environments in Robotics Breakthrough appeared first on Unite.AI.

In a significant leap forward for robotics, a team of engineers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), in collaboration with researchers at the BASF corporation, has developed a 3D-printed robotic gripper that operates without the need for electronics. This innovative device, which can pick up, hold, and release objects, is a testament to […]

The post Revolutionizing Robotics: A 3D Printed Gripper That Functions Without Electronics appeared first on Unite.AI.

In the future era of smart homes, acquiring a robot to streamline household tasks will not be a rarity. Nevertheless, frustration could set in when these automated helpers fail to perform straightforward tasks. Enter Andi Peng, a scholar from MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department, who, along with her team, is crafting a path […]

The post Human-guided AI Framework Promises Quicker Robotic Learning in Novel Environments appeared first on Unite.AI.

Swarm behavior from the biological world and polygon meshing from the digital sphere come together to inspire the creation of the Mori3 robot, a breakthrough in the realm of modular robotics. This novel invention developed by researchers at EPFL exhibits the potential of morphing from 2D triangles into virtually any 3D object, heralding a significant […]

The post The Future of Modular Robotics: EPFL’s Mori3, the Polygon Meshing Robot appeared first on Unite.AI.

Cambridge University's engineering team recently revealed a pioneering development in robotics: a robotic chef capable of learning and replicating recipes simply by watching food preparation videos. This breakthrough combines computer vision, machine learning, and robotics, pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities in understanding and executing complex tasks. The robot's unique learning ability is built on […]

The post Robotic Chef Masters Recipe Recreation by Watching Food Videos appeared first on Unite.AI.

It's no secret that nonverbal cues play an essential role in our daily interactions, often offering a sense of engagement that words simply cannot. What if we could recreate that in remote settings? This question was the guiding force behind a new project out of Cornell University, which has led to the creation of a […]

The post ReMotion: The New Robotic Telepresence by Cornell Researchers appeared first on Unite.AI.

Robot deception is an understudied field with more questions than answers, particularly when it comes to rebuilding trust in robotic systems after they have been caught lying. Two student researchers at Georgia Tech, Kantwon Rogers and Reiden Webber, are attempting to find answers to this issue by investigating how intentional robot deception affects trust and […]

The post Trust and Deception: The Role of Apologies in Human-Robot Interactions appeared first on Unite.AI.

An international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Linz, Austria, and the University of Colorado (CU Boulder), Boulder, USA, have brought sustainability to the forefront of soft robotics. Together, they developed a fully biodegradable, high-performance artificial muscle made of gelatin, […]

The post Pioneering Sustainable Soft Robotics: Biodegradable Artificial Muscles for a Greener Future appeared first on Unite.AI.

News briefs for the week take a look at special cobot debuts at FABTECH and Pack Expo:  Neuromeka's robot welding cell for shipbuilding and Staubli's TX2-60 Stericlean for high-risk sterile environments, the first-ever, mass-producedhumanoid robots, a robot system, after 250,000 tries, discovers toughest known structure, subsea robots service “floating” wind farm, and Aura, the humanoid "spokesbot" for the new Las Vegas Sphere.

With a payload capacity of 18 kg (40 lb) and stacking heights of up to 2150 mm (84 in), this turnkey solution is designed to help businesses effectively scale future operations and achieve a quick return on their investment.

News briefs for the week take a look at cobots and robots getting their own brand of GenAI, a new retail robot in the beauty business painting fingernails in 10 minutes for $10, an automated rail track repair system for European railroads, a subsea robot and automated surface vehicle that work together as a team, and an automated navigation system for any industrial vehicle from farm tractor to bulldozer.

Businesses evolve rapidly. Companies across various industries are grappling with many significant challenges. The labor shortage, giving headaches to many business managers, is a problem that has been exacerbated by ongoing global events and demographic shifts. Another significant, and equally pressing issue, is the ever-increasing need to enhance productivity to meet rising customer expectations.

In the world of palletizing, the debate between standard and customized solutions is a hot topic. As businesses strive for safety, efficiency, productivity, cost savings, scalability, versatility, reduced downtime, ease of maintenance, and long-term investment, the choice between standard and customized solutions becomes critical. This article illuminates these aspects, underscoring the advantages of standard solutions over the potential risks of custom palletizing solutions.

Are we navigating by the stars under cloudy skies? This year’s equity market trading has certainly been characterized by much trepidation as the market struggles to find its true north. Yet, for all the mental scar tissue around what could go wrong, it has been remarkable to see how much has gone right. Not only has economic growth remained relatively robust amidst inflation abating, but consumer spending and corporate margins have also sustained at healthy levels. Yes, it seems like the skies have at times been cloudy, but when will this market let go of the concern that every cloud may bring thunderous rain? 

By: David Edelsohn, ROBO Global Venture Advisor & Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM Research

ROBO Global is a leading provider of research-driven disruptive technology portfolios; acquisition boosts total assets tracking VettaFi indexes to more than $17 billion