robotics

Open-Source development on the Atmel AT91SAM7X256 ... (Read full text)
stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog: Lately I’ve been busy with university stuff. In particular, my final year project, which is investigating Controller Area Networks, in the context of the Atmel AT91SAM7X256 MCU. These microcontrollers are a low-cost system-on-chip based around the ARM7TMDI core. This particular one includes 64KB RAM, 256KB flash, RS-232, device-side USB 2.0, 10/100Mbps ethernet, and of course, a CAN interface. Advertisement: read more

ITT selects Sun Java RTS and Solaris OS for Space Surveillance Radar ... (Read full text)
Sun Microsystems announced that ITT Corporation has selected the Sun Java Real-Time System 2.0 (Java RTS) and the Solaris 10 Operating System (OS) as the software development platform for its Eglin Control and Signal Processing Upgrade (CSPU) program.

New UAVs Flying in Antarctica to Study Warming ... (Read full text)
As global warming erodes the massive Antarctic ice shelves faster anticipated, you may not be expecting any good news from the south pole. But According to the Engineer Online, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the University of Braunschweig (TUBS) have teamed up for a series of UAV flights in the Antarctic. While the article describes these as the first UAVs to be used in this part of the world, a reader comments that Russian researchers were flying fixed and rotary wing UAVs in Antarctica as much as 5 years ago [...]

Blue Brain Out-Thinks Its Critics ... (Read full text)
We first posted about the Blue Brain Project back in 2005. The idea was to use massive computing power to accurately simulate enough biological neurons to reproduce part of a mammal brain's functionality. The project was widely criticized as "ridiculous". With the recent successful conclusion of the project's first phase, critics who claimed the project was "bound to fail" have been effectively proven wrong. The current system accurately reproduces the neocortical column of a two-week old rat, composed of 10,000 neuro [...]

Talking Robots: Kerstin Dautenhahn ... (Read full text)
The latest Talking Robots episode interviews Kerstin Dautenhahn from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. Dautenhahn uses robots in therapy sessions with autistic patients. Autism spectrum disorders are fairly common, with almost 1 in 100 people affected. Symptoms include impaired social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before the age of three. According to Dautenhahn, who has extensively studied interactions between robots and autistic children, a main [...]

GALS for the Electronics Hobbyist ... (Read full text)
No, this isn't about picking up girls, you're still on your own there. Instead we're talking about Generic Array Logic devices. The uC Hobby blog posted a good introduction to GALS that explains what they are and what you can do with them. "GALs are the simplest member of the programmable logic family that also includes CPLDs and FPGAs. They are the modern replacement for the one-time programmable PAL devices that were first introduced in the late 1970’s. Unlike PALs, GALs can be erased and reprogrammed many times. An [...]

Via Pico-ITX Form Factor Becomes a Standard ... (Read full text)
A recently formed non-profit industry group. the Small Form-Factor SIG (SFF-SIG) has adopted Via's 72mm by 100mm Pico-ITX form factor as a new standard. Expect to see other companies releasing micro-controllers with this form factor. And expect to start seeing them turn up in robots too. SFF-SIG says the standardized form-factor will soon include a stackable interface called the Stackable Unified Module Interconnect Technology (SUMIT) based on high-density blade connectors. PCI Express is another technology you can exp [...]

Heart Surgeons Recruit Slithering Robot ... (Read full text)
Carnegie Mellon's CardioArm is aimed at helping surgeons perform heart surgery using only a single, tiny incision. The system outperforms standard endoscopic tools because it can be programmed to follow the surgeon-directed head automatically. The 102 joints are able to wrap around organs and slither through narrow pathways avoiding delicate tissue. The benefits will be reduced blood loss, decreased pain and shorter hospital stays. Startup Cardiorobotics is perfecting the snake-like robot and has already perfo [...]

Largest Robot Exhibition in the US Announced ... (Read full text)
Mike Marcus of the Carnegie Science Center writes, "At a press conference April 9, Carnegie Science Center will announce plans to open the nation’s largest and most comprehensive robotics exhibition in Spring 2009. This first glimpse at the multimillion-dollar, 6,000 square-foot exhibition will feature a special celebrity appearance and several world-famous robots." He goes on to say that actor Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in Star Wars, will be on hand for the official announcement, along with Pittsburgh Mayor, L [...]

Cyborgs Solve the Manned vs Robotic Space Debate ... (Read full text)
For years, scientists as well as the general population have argued about manned space flight versus robotic exploration. Robots are cheaper goes the argument from one side. But since the goal is survival of the human race through colonization of other planets, what's the point of sending robots if humans can't follow, counters the other side. The accepted wisdom these days seems to be that robots go first and humans follow when the budget allows. A new article from Space.com puts some interesting spins on the idea, quo [...]




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