Robotics - Robot News

‘Hundreds of South Korean scientists are working to develop robot caregivers which could tackle the chores and monitor the health of elderly people, a report said Tuesday.

The project is due for completion in 2013, Kim Mun-Sang, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, was quoted by the Korea Times as saying.

When the project is completed, a senior citizen could instruct a robot equipped with voice recognition software to order food from a nearby restaurant for dinner. ‘

Read more at South Korean scientists develop robot maids for elderly people

‘Robots have made their debut at a Japanese hospital where an android receptionist and two porters now work alongside their human counterparts.

Aizu Central Hospital in Aizu-Wakamatsu 200 kilometers north of Tokyo introduced the trio on October 28 at a cost of 60 million yen.

The receptionist robot, produced by Japanese robot maker Tmsuk, welcomes visitors and answers spoken inquiries.’

Read more at Robots make debut at Japanese hospital

“Engineers at the US-based National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are developing a robotic system that may offer wheelchair-dependent people the ability to move to and from beds, chairs and toilets without assistance.

The lifting ability of the system, which is called the “HLPR Chair” (for Home Lift, Position and Rehabilitation), also should significantly reduce the injuries of caregivers and patients.”

Read more at Robot wheelchair

“Reality is finally catching up with the 1966 science fiction movie Fantastic Voyage; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology researchers have found a way to propel an as yet-undeveloped tiny swimming robot through the spinal fluid between the vertebrae in the human body. Sending a robot through the arteries is about three years in the future, the developers predicted.

The minuscule robot’s swimming mechanism is especially suited for movement in water or other clear fluids. When the swimming mechanism is attached to a tiny camera, it will be able to travel inside the spinal column to the target area and broadcast video images or photos. The robot itself is still under development at the Technion.”

Read more at Technion researchers develop robot to travel inside spinal column

“China Youth Daily reported that the world’s first robot chef cooking Chinese cuisine has been developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Yangzhou University. The robot was recently on show at the eighth Shenzhen High-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. Henceforward, cooking delicious Chinese cuisine will be simple. However, the preparation will still require human input. The raw materials must be manually prepared in accordance with nutrition and health standards and the recipe programmed in. The robot will then identify the recipe and begin cooking automatically. A few minutes later the food is ready to be served.”

Read more at Chinese robot chef debuts

“The company has successfully tested the treatment in removing hair follicles from the back of the neck, multiplying them and then re-implanting the cells, reported the online edition of BBC News.

It initially tested the treatment on seven men with male pattern baldness, five of whom grew hair. They are to test the treatment on 20 more men. The most common form of baldness is triggered by the male hormone dihydrotestosterone, which causes follicles to shrink and hair to thin, before it disappears altogether. At present there is very little treatment for baldness.”

Read more at Now a robot to treat baldness

“The latest advances and opportunities in mobile robot technology in Japan are outlined in a new report available from the Electronics Enabled Products Knowledge Transfer Network. The free report, available for download from the organisation’s website, focuses on the main areas of development in the field including: porter robots to provide care for the elderly and disabled; entertainment robots; service robots; and safety, security and rescue robots. Compiled by DTI International Technology Promoter Phillip White, based on observations from recent visits to Japan, the report gives UK companies access to the latest knowledge and advances.”

Read more at Report looks at Japanese mobile robotics

“Like tiny mechanised David Beckhams, the two soccer-playing robots designed by Epsom teenager Martin Spencer track, chase and score goals. Just about the only thing the robotic pair cannot do is blub like a baby when England bow out of the World Cup yet again.

The King’s College student’s remarkable creations have won him a prize at one of the country’s top competitions for young inventors. The Bright Sparks HiTech Awards, which take place at Auckland’s SkyCity Convention Centre today, showcase the talents of some of this country’s technically-savviest young people.

Winning entries range from a pet food protector, which prevents non-residents from stealing the family moggy’s food, to an elaborate combat simulator.”

Read more at Soccer robots score big at tech awards

‘The world’s largest shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to become a leading producer of industrial robots as well. The company said Wednesday it hopes to be one of the world’s top five industrial robot makers by 2010. To that end, it plans to boost its annual production capacity of industrial robots from the current 1,500 units to 10,000 within four years by expanding facilities.’

Read more at Hyundai Heavy Eyes Industrial Robot Industry

‘Korea’s second humanoid robot, named EveR-2, will debut this week at Robot World 2006, the robotic exhibition that begins a five-day run at COEX in Seoul, Wednesday (Oct. 18).

The “female” robot will demonstrate more advanced capabilities than its predecessor EveR-1 at the annual event, according to its creator Sunday.

“The lower half of EveR-1 is immobile because she is fixed to a base. But EveR-2 has motors in one of her legs allowing it to stand up and sit down,” said Baeg Moon-hong, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH). ‘

Read more at Korea’s 2nd humanoid robot moves, talks and reacts

‘A restaurant in China is proving a big hit with customers, and it’s not just because of the food being dished up.

Instead it’s the way the food is being served that’s filling chairs and tables with hungry people, with robots replacing waiters and waitresses.

The robot shows customers to their tables, they place their order into his microphone and their food is cooked.’

Read more at Robots take orders in restaurant

‘China’s new counter-terrorist robot was drawing crowds on Wednesday at the ongoing 2006 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Beijing.

Looking like a cross between a tank and a crane, the robot was put through its paces at a mock danger zone at the conference center.

Suddenly, a detonator-like object emerges in its sight and the robot immediately locks on target. Rushing toward the danger, it adroitly clamps on to the suspicious object with its silvery white arm, throwing it into an explosive disposal container.’

Read more at China-made counter-terrorist robot showcased in Beijing

‘Chinese scientists have invented a cooking robot that is capable of cooking thousands of local dishes. The robot can fry, bake, boil and steam, and perform other function necessary for cooking Chinese food.

The robot called AIC-AICookingrobot - developed by Fanxing Science and Technology Co. Ltd in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, is capable of cooking thousands of Chinese dishes including Sichuan, Shandong and Canton cuisines, according to a report in the Shenzhen Economic Daily.’

Read more at Chinese scientists invent cooking robot

‘Surgeons in Australia have unveiled details of the the first kidney operation performed completely by robots.

The delicate operation was carried out at Sydney’s St Vincent’s hospital.

Surgeon Raji Kooner from Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital says robotic surgery offers many advantages for the patient in quicker recovery times and less bleeding.’

Read more at Robots carry out kidney surgery

‘RTL’s n-tv news television centre in Cologne has become one of the first customers for a new robotic camera system, RoboKam, developed by Robotics Technology Leaders GmbH and debuted at IBC.

Incorporating both face-tracking and object-tracking, the new system is controllable from a standard PC. Three RoboKam systems have been sold for use at n-tv and further trials are now in progress.’

Read more at Rise of the robots