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Friday, 29 March 2013

Scientists Use Tiny Robots to Understand Ants


Scientists Use Tiny Robots to Understand Ants [Video] | Observations, Scientific American Blog Network:A study published in PLOS Computational Biology explains how researchers used tiny robots to investigate ant behavior.

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Saturday, 16 March 2013

Locust-Based Robotic Vision Technology | Engineering On The Edge

Locust-Based Robotic Vision Technology | Engineering On The Edge: "Scientists from the universities of Lincoln and Newcastle have replicated the way locusts use visual input to keep from flying into things to develop a computer simulated model that could be used in advanced collision avoidance systems for vehicles and in other applications. The simulation has already been used to help a robot autonomously navigate a path using visual input.


The Khepera II robot uses the same visual sensing method that locusts use to avoid collisions.
The technology could potentially be used to develop accurate vehicle collision sensors, surveillance systems, and to improve video game programming, the researchers said.

Why locusts? The insects process information using electrical and chemical signals while in flight, providing a fast, accurate warning system to help avoid collisions.

Prof. Shigang Yue of the University of Lincoln and Dr. Claire Rind of Newcastle University developed a visually stimulated motor control (VSMC) that converts visual information into motor commands. The system was based around the way the locust brain detects approaching objects."

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Internet for robots comes online

Internet for robots comes online:


"Just recently European scientists have released the first part of the  Rapyuta program – a global world wide web for robots. Now, don’t get this wrong. This isn’t a place where robots can chat, surf websites or browse facebook. On Rapyuta, robots will have access to open data like a massive database, as well as additional computing power, in order to cope with the harsh world humans live in."

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Even Brainless Robots Can Show Swarm Behavior - IEEE Spectrum

Even Brainless Robots Can Show Swarm Behavior - IEEE Spectrum: "Bristlebots are robots without sensors or brains that do things that robots without sensors or brains do. As it turns out, this is a lot more than you might expect, since researchers at Harvard have shown that if you stick enough of them in a small space, they self-organize into swarms.
A Bristlebot consists of nothing more than a toothbrush head (a custom 3D-printed one, in this case) hooked up to a pager vibrating motor and battery. You can build one yourself in five minutes for a couple bucks, making this one of the simplest and cheapest robots in existence. It's a little bit surprising, then, that these little guys are good for some serious research"

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Monday, 4 March 2013

LEGO NXT Balancing Road TwoWheels Robot - YouTube

LEGO NXT Balancing Road TwoWheels Robot - YouTube: "LEGO NXT Two Wheels self balancing inverted pendulum Gyro stabilized position course and speed. Jumping and climbing functions in Road Mode. http://nxttwowheels.blogspot.com/
NXT Ballbot applies the same technology on two axis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eau8y...
NXT Ballbot Simulation with MsExcel: http://ballbotexcel.blogspot.com/
Lego NXT TwoWheels es un robot de dos ruedas estabilizado con gran movilidad y posibilidades. Está programado en RobotC y gracias a su interfaz Bluethoot puede ser controlado desde un ordenador o smartphone."

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