The Future of Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robot models, while being amongst the smallest service robot groups in the present marketplace, have the highest potential in becoming the future’s industrial tool. Companies such as Softbank Robotics developed human-appearing robot models to be utilized as teaching aids and medical assistants. At present, humanoid robot models are excelling within the medical field, particularly as companion robots.

Maja Matarić, professor with the University of S. California, has been coupling robot models with patients since the year 2014. Her robots assisted children who have autism in copying the motions of socially-assistive robot models and, in the year 2015, the robots helped recovery victims of strokes with their upper extremity therapy. These people were more responsive to the therapy when motivated and promoted by a robot.

But, companies now are using humanoid robot models in order to fill engineering activities. A research study was performed by Joint Robotics Lab, as well as Airbus Group that used humanoid robotic tech within aircraft manufacturing centers. In using humanoid robot models on an aircraft assembly line, Airbus looks to alleviate humans of some of the more dangerous and laborious activities. Human employers then could focus upon higher value activities. The main difficulty is the confined areas the robots must operate in and having the ability to move without hitting surrounding objects.

Joint Robotics Lab created the HRP-4 and HRP-2 robots with a robotic movement tech named multi-contact locomotion. In using its whole body to touch its environment, and not just its feet, such a robot may climb up ladders and get into confined areas. The robot’s multiple contact points assist in increasing a robot's stability, as well as provides improved force control while executing tasks. Finally, the anthropomorphic form of such robot models provides more flexibility for working in various environments.

NASA

Valkyrie robot is going to aid NASA in exploring Mars as a humanoid robotic assistant.

NASA is utilizing Valkyrie for likewise projects, albeit upon future journeys to Mars. It’s a humanoid robot that weighs 300 pounds. The robot’s brain is powered by a couple of Intel Core i7 computers; its head contains cameras, lidar sensors, and Multi-sense SL camera that continuously scans the surrounding environments and objects. Its Multi-sense camera combines 3D stereo, laser, and video that senses its environment. Hazard cameras peer ahead, as well as behind from its torso to discover potential dangers.

However, Valkyrie’s true value is in the hands. Taskin Padir, professor with Northeastern University has been leading his research staff in crafting human like flexibility to the hands of the robot. According to Padir, NASA’s Valkyrie features one thumb and three fingers on both hands.  He adds that all digits have knuckle-like joints, and every hand contains a wrist that easily rotates. He is working on developing motions—blends of wrist, arm, thumb, and finger movements that all do a task, such as moving a wrench within a circular motion in order to tighten bolts, or pull carts from place to place.

The goal of a robot model such as Valkyrie includes manning the future journey to Mars. These robots may be sent on scouting journeys to Mars and utilized to establish living compounds, and maintain power, as well as life-support systems for manned missions in the future.

Columbia Engineering

Engineers with Columbia University are discovering new methods of replicating human muscle. They’ve made a synthetic muscle able to lift a thousand times its very own weight, pull, push, twist, and bend. This muscle is a three-dimensional printed silicone rubber matrix mixture that has ethanol distributed all throughout in bubbles, and doesn’t require electrical equipment or outside compressor to run. Its muscle is low power and moved electrically by utilizing a resistive, thin wire.