Posted on 05/10/2016 10:24:30 AM PDT by Reeses
Engineers have developed a machine with two highly dexterous arms that are capable of unscrewing even the trickiest of lids.
The talents of the RE2 Robotics High Dexterous Manipulation System extend even to tying knots, opening zips, making balloon animals and cutting snowflakes out of folded paper.
RE2, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said it has delivered one of its systems to the US Army's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centre.
The robot can be controlled either semi-autonomously, by following a series of set commands or with a remote controlled 'imitator' that causes it to mimic the actions of a human operator.
RE2 said the humanoid arms could be used in a range of settings including the military, manufacturing, healthcare and the home.
Jorgen Pedersen, president and chief executive of RE2, said it expected the Army to use it for disposing of unexploded ordinance.
But as the arms can be attached to almost any platform, it could ultimately lead to robots that are able to help out around the house, much like the Wonderbot in the cartoon Robots.
He said: 'The direct benefit of the HDMS technology to Army personnel is significantly increased performance and capability over currently fielded manipulators for both tele-operated and semi-autonomous use on mobile robot platforms.
'These manipulation improvements directly correlate to a reduction in time-on-target and overall mission time, resulting in increased safety for all mission personnel.'
The Highly Dexterous Manipulation system uses two arms that can be moved independently and have up to 16 degrees of freedom.
Weighing 33lbs (15kg), it is capable of lifting more than 100lbs (45kg).
Demonstrations of the technology show the robot being able to remove shapes from a series of pegs and place them back on other pegs.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
"Oh...so now you tell me! Now, where do I get one?"
And speaking of bees...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/10/feds-pay-researcher-have-bee-sting-his-penis/
(That didn't come out right...)
Not sure there is enough $$ for me to do that.. lol
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