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London — BBC News reports on Experts developing a flexible surgical robot, known as the i-Snake, which they say could revolutionize keyhole surgery. It could enable surgeons to do complex procedures previously possible only through more invasive techniques.

A team at Imperial College London has been granted £2.1 million for the work.

The i-Snake, a long tube housing special motors, sensors and imaging tools, has the potential to allow complex heart and bowel operations to be carried out without making an incision.

According to the research team, the i-Snake could also be used to detect problems in the gut and bowel by acting as the surgeon’s hands and eyes in hard to reach places inside the body. The Imperial College team, which includes health minister and surgeon Lord Ara Darzi, will test the device in the laboratory first, before using it on patients.

Lord Darzi said i-Snake could be in use within five years, resulting in cheaper operations and faster recovery times for patients. The robot’s diameter will vary between that of a 5p and a 10p piece and it will contain fibre-optic cables to relay information to the surgeon.

“The unrivalled imaging and sensing capabilities coupled with the accessibility and sensitivity of i-Snake will enable more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures than are currently possible, BBC quoted Lord Darzi, as saying. More at BBC News.

Company Selected to Deliver up to 3,000 Military Robots in Expanded, Broad-Scale Robot Deployment to US Infantry Forces.

BURLINGTON, Mass — Dec 18, `07 — iRobot today announced it has been awarded the xBot contract, a $286 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

Under the terms of the contract, the Army could order up to 3,000 military robots, spare parts, training and repair services over the next five years.

The award marks a turning point in the way the Army uses robots in combat, which until now have been deployed in limited numbers only to explosive ordnance device (EOD) specialists. With this award, the Army broadens the deployment of robots in larger scale to general infantry forces for a variety of critical missions in addition to EOD. iRobot immediately will begin to deliver the first 101 robots for urgent deployment.

iRobot’s winning xBot prototype robot is based closely on the combat-proven iRobot PackBot military robot platform. xBot is a generic name, and the robots delivered to forces under the contract will be named iRobot PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit. These robots are smaller and lighter than the iRobot PackBot 510, with a robust gripper and an observation mast equipped with a low-light-capable zoom camera. More at iRobot.

Tokyo, Japan — Dec 06, ‘07 — TOYOTA (TMC) unveiled today two new robots, a “Mobility Robot” and a “Violin-playing Robot”—the newest additions to its Toyota Partner Robots being developed to support people’s everyday life.

The mobility robot, which is capable of autonomous movement over uneven ground and around obstacles, provides transport in places where people usually walk; the violin-playing robot, equipped with a total of 17 joints in both of its hands and arms, uses precise control and coordination to achieve human-like dexterity.

Toyota Partner Robots are envisioned to assist people in four main fields: 1) domestic duties, 2) nursing and medical care, 3) manufacturing and 4) short-distance personal transport. To this end, TMC’s primary developmental focuses are on technology that works in harmony with people—such as that for assistance devices that can help move heavy instruments in a factory, on mobility technology for autonomous movement, on full-body coordination for walking and jumping and on tool manipulation. The two robots presented today represent advances along these lines, with the mobility robot demonstrating achievements in field 4) and the violin-playing robot demonstrating achievements in fields 1) and 2).

Also, TMC announced today that it aims to realize practical use of Toyota Partner Robots in the early 2010s by furthering its robotic development and strengthening collaboration among industry, government and academia. More at Toyota.

Tokyo, Japan — Dec 02, ‘07 — At Tokyo’s 12th Robo-One Grand Championship match, two-legged robots jabbed, ducked, hurled balloons and even sang in their quest to become world champ, reports Reuters.

Twenty-five finalist robots put up their fists to knock one another out of a ring on Saturday, showing off some of the latest moves originated by children, homemakers and other robot fans in the world’s biggest robot market.

Hundreds of spectators clapped as robot “Arichyon,” clad in Christmas lights, sang “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” They then cheered when a robot with a penguin head toppled Arichyon over with a single punch.

Japan, home to 40 percent of the world’s robots, is also fertile ground for amateur programmers, who invest serious pocket money and hours into making the ideal biped out of server motors, cameras, sensors and wires.

To win the tournament and the title of the world’s strongest two-legged fighting robot, contestants need to be able to keep their balance while punching and dodging blows, and get up when pushed down.

“Companies can’t make money making robots like these,” said Terukazu Nishimura, chairman of the Robo-One committee. “The future of robotics depends on amateurs.”

The cost of developing robots has compelled electronics firms to pull the plug on cutting-edge robots targeting the consumer market. The most prominent example is Sony Corp’s Aibo dog robot, discontinued last year. More at Reuters.

HITACHINAKA, Japan — Nov 22, ‘07 — The AP is reporting on Hitachi’s new toddler-like robot rolled around and waved for reporters Wednesday, only to crash into a desk and demonstrate the challenge of turning automatons into everyday helpers.

The AP further writes, “The red and white robot, designed to run errands in offices, wasn’t prepared for the jam of lunch-break wireless network traffic at the company’s research center. Unable to communicate with its handler’s laptop, it smashed into the office furniture as reporters gasped.

Still, the 31.5-inch tall, 29-pound EMIEW 2 was able to show how it can scoot on two wheels, get on its knees to move on four wheels and even lift its foot about an inch to step over thresholds and bumps.

One feature - wireless control - was at the heart of Wednesday’s mishap.

While showing off its ability to understand human speech, a spectator asked where someone was sitting. It responded in a boylike electronic voice: “I will take you there. Follow me.”

Seconds later, when it tried to maneuver between two desks, it smashed into one of them. A demonstrator reached out just in time to catch the robot by its winglike handles before it toppled over.

Reporters had to wait for an hour until after the lunch break to watch the robot repeat the demonstration - this time smoothly making its way between the desks.

“We are studying what hurdles need to be overcome to make robots practical,” said Hitachi researcher Takashi Teramoto. “One characteristic we feel we need to ensure for robots is safety.”

EMIEW 2 robot also features a gyrosensor to maintain its balance, lithium ion batteries for an hour worth of power before recharging and a laser radar to map out its surroundings in its computer brain, according to Hitachi.

Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. have also developed human-like robots that reporters have seen working as guides at the Japanese automakers’ facilities. Other electronics makers such as NEC Corp. and Fujitsu have shown robots, but Sony Corp. has discontinued the Aibo dog-shaped entertainment robot.” More at AP.

Nov 09, ‘07 — Tech-On! is reporting on an “underfloor inspection robot” developed by Sanyo for detached housing.

“This inspection robot can go around or over obstacles under the floor. It enables users to remotely inspect the leakage of the piping, corrosion and deterioration of structures. It is also capable of displaying images in real time.

The robot makes it possible to automatically perform difficult operations in dark, narrow spaces, which is otherwise human-intensive work, and enables users to monitor the operations above ground.

The robot is operated by the user with a remote controller. Thus, it is capable of transmitting clear images of the piping and other structures while avoiding obstacles in narrow places under the floor. It also displays the inspection image on a monitor at hand.

The robot automatically creates the inspection report for easier data management. It can clime over the obstacle with a height up to 85mm. The robot has small dimensions of 420 (L) x 260 (W) x 200mm (H), and weighs as light as 9.6kg. It runs on a lithium ion rechargeable battery, and can be operated continuously up to 140 minutes.” More at Tech-On!, Sanyo.

The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, known as ESMD, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, who oversees the Constellation, human research, exploration technology development and lunar precursor robotic programs as well as the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Project has announced which agency centers will take responsibility for specific work to enable astronauts to explore the moon. The new assignments cover elements of the lunar lander and lunar surface operations.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will take the lead for specific robotic surface mobility efforts. An example is the “All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer” (known as Athlete). JPL will also provide a broad range of support for lunar lander design.

NASA’s Constellation Program is working to send astronauts to the moon, where a lunar outpost will be established to support long-term exploration of the moon and, eventually, Mars.

Video: Athlete of the Future: JPL engineers built a futuristic robot that may one day go to the moon.

VICTORVILLE, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A self-driving SUV called Boss made history by driving swiftly and safely while sharing the road with human drivers and other robots. The feat earned Carnegie Mellon University’s Tartan Racing first place in the DARPA Urban Challenge.

Officials of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) today declared Boss the winner of Saturday’s event, which pitted 11
autonomous vehicles against each other on a course of suburban/urban roadways. The first place prize includes a $2 million cash award.

After reviewing judges’ scorecards overnight, DARPA officials concluded that Boss, a robotized 2007 Chevy Tahoe, followed California driving laws as it navigated the course and that it operated in a safe and stable manner. Surprisingly, many of the robots made good decisions, said DARPA Director Tony Tether.

That meant speed became the determining factor, Tether said, and Boss was the fastest of the competitors by a large margin. Boss averaged about 14 miles an hour over approximately 55 miles, finishing the course about 20 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Stanford.

“Robots sometimes stun the world, inspire a lot of people and change the belief of what is possible,” said William “Red” Whittaker, a Carnegie
Mellon robotics professor and team leader of Tartan Racing. “We’ve seen that here and once the perception of what’s possible changes it never goes back. This is a phenomenal thing for robotics.”

Showing the world that autonomous driving technologies are robust and will ultimately make driving safer and more enjoyable has been a major goal of the 45-member Tartan Racing team.

“This is really a fantastic accomplishment,” Tether said. “I watched these things driving and I forgot after awhile that there was nobody in
there.” Autonomous driving technology will save lives on the battlefield, he said, by removing soldiers from supply convoys and other vehicles in harm’s way, he added.

DARPA had declared Boss the top-rated robot in the event based on its performance on a series of qualifying runs at the former George Air Force Base in the week prior to the final event. Boss was slated to start first on Saturday morning, but radio frequency interference caused in part by a Jumbotron television monitor next to the start chute jammed GPS signals to Boss. The TV monitor was subsequently shut down, the GPS signals returned and Boss was ready to go.

The delay cost Boss the pole position it earned in qualifying runs and resulted in Boss being the 10th robot to start. But the robot performed
impeccably despite occasionally being caught behind slower moving vehicles in the early going. With each of its three required missions, Boss steadily gained time on its rivals. Stanford’s robot, which started second and about 20 minutes ahead of Boss, was the first to cross the finish line, but Boss beat Stanford’s time by 20 minutes.

“Everything that I saw Boss do looked great,” said Chris Urmson, the team’s director of technology. “It was smooth. It was fast. It interacted
with other traffic well. It did what it was supposed to do.”

As the second place finisher, Stanford received $1 million. Virginia Tech’s Victor Tango team finished third and received $500,000. The robots
entered by teams from the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell and MIT also finished the race, though Cornell and MIT both exceeded the six-hour time limit set by DARPA.

Tartan Racing includes Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students from the School of Computer Science’s Robotics Institute, as well as Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering. It received major support from General Motors, Caterpillar and Continental AG. Strengthening the team were engineers from GM, Caterpillar, Continental and Intel who were embedded with the team in Pittsburgh.

Boss was rigorously tested during its development, with two identical versions of the machine logging more than 2,000 autonomous miles, many on a brownfield site in Pittsburgh known as Robot City. One of the team’s advantages was a software system it developed called TROCS, which produced graphic animations of Boss’s sensor and data inputs during each run. Much as game day video allows the Pittsburgh Steelers to review and analyze their play, TROCS enabled Tartan Racing to understand what Boss saw as it drove and how and why it responded to its environment. DARPA Urban Challenge, TartanRacing.

Victorville, CA –Nov 03, ‘07 — Cars sprouting whirling lasers on top, moving cameras on the sides, and banks of computers inside sped through the streets of a California desert ghost town on Saturday in a robot race — no drivers needed.

Spectators gasped as cars with empty driver’s seats pulled out of the starting blocks, steering wheels turning on their own, and headed into the neighborhood streets of a deserted air force base.

Stanford University’s “Junior” was the first to pass the finish line, followed by cars outfitted by Carnegie Mellon University and Virginia Tech within the six-hour time limit.

The joint University of Pennsylvania-Lehigh University vehicle arrived close to the limit, while cars from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University were the last of the 11 finalists to get through the course, both arriving about seven and a half hours after the start.

The winner of the $2 million prize, scheduled to be named on Sunday, will be determined based on safety as well as speed through the 60-mile (100-km) course.

“We could not be more pleased with our finish in this tough competition,” said Dr. Burkhard Huhnke, executive director, Electronics
Research Laboratory, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Junior performed exceptionally and has helped provide Volkswagen with valuable information as we continue to work on advancing passenger safety technologies and help to bring these technologies to future drivers.

“This research is an important step for Volkswagen Research towards the next generation of vehicle electronics, and vehicle safety features that will ultimately benefit our customers,” Huhnke continued.

“Junior” is one of only 11 vehicles that advanced to the final round of the DARPA Urban Challenge, an autonomous driving challenge where vehicles traverse an urban environment for 60 miles — merging with moving traffic, navigating traffic circles and busy intersections, avoiding obstacles and finding parking spots. Out of 167 teams who participated in the DARPA “Site Visit” in June and July 2007, 35 were chosen to advance to the National Qualifying Event, held October 26-31. More at PRNewsWire, DARPA Urban Challenge.

Stereo Vision System To Enhance Unmanned Mobile Robot’s Ability To Navigate Martian and Lunar Terrain. MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — TYZX, Inc., the 3D vision technology company, today announced that it is working with the National Aerospace and Science Administration (NASA) to enhance navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities of mobile robotic test platforms with faster stereo vision processing targets.
TYZX is working with NASA Ames Research Center’s Intelligent Robotics Group and their K10 rover, a mobile robot with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. The K10 is being used to conduct geophysical site surveys of lunar and Martian analog sites on Earth, and going forward, such surveys will focus on resource prospecting, including subsurface structure mapping and water detection with a ground-penetrating radar, as well as charting terrain topography with stereo vision and 3D lidar.

“Working with TYZX, NASA hopes to achieve faster stereo vision processing and enhanced surface-modeling capabilities, both directly applicable to future Mars missions,” said Lisa Lockyer, chief of the Technology Partnerships Office at NASA Ames. “This partnership is an excellent example of what NASA’s Space Act authority is designed to achieve: technology transfer in both directions that enhances NASA missions, improves the quality of life on Earth, and leverages taxpayer dollars.”

One of the key challenges in mobile robot navigation is determining which areas of the local environment are topographically safe for driving. In particular, the robot has to identify regions that are hazardous to traverse due to slope, obstacles, depressions, etc. Thus, successful site-surveying endeavors are contingent on NASA’s ability to analyze traversability, both for local obstacle avoidance and global path planning.

More at PRNewsWire

Tokyo, Japan — Reuters — David Beckham doesn’t have anything to fear from robot players — for now. At an indoor field in Tokyo, dozens of robots played soccer while others danced to samba music to cheer them on. For the contestants, most of the movements were, well, mechanical and even a little clumsy — far from the acrobatic grace of premier-league soccer stars. Take a look at this Robots-Dream.com video via YouTube.

Several small humanoid robots taking part in “Robot Athletic Meet 2007″ toppled over as they collided on the indoor field, their every move buzzing with the sound of their motors. In most cases, the robots — some remote-controlled by their owners and others pre-programmed to respond to the ball’s movements — were able to pick themselves up and carry on with the match.

“Today’s robots are still toddlers, so to speak, in terms of their physical capabilities,” said Senoh, a professor of advanced science and technology at the University of Tokyo.

“But it’s only a matter of time that they will catch up with humans and eventually outrun us — just in the same way personal computers, which were slow and not up to par until just a few decades ago, can now perform various tasks much faster than humans.”

More at Reuters