| Robotics news Top stories from the net - January 2010 |
Mint Robot Set to Swiffer Your Floors 01.07.10 Evolution Robotics new automatic floor cleaner uses "indoor GPS" to do its work. by Lance Ulanoff The new battlefront for the hearts and minds of the consumer robotics-buying public has moved swiftly down and to the ground—more specifically, to the floor below your feet. In the space of just a few weeks, we've witnessed the launch of Neato Robotics SLAM-based robotic vacuum and now the introduction of the Mint Automatic Floor Cleaner from robotics industry veteran Evolution Robotics. Inside the Mint is an ARM processor filled with hundreds of thousands of lines of code and the outside has infrared sensors. In tandem, they help the Mint navigate the room, track the ceiling beacon, and avoid obstacles. Unlike iRobot's Scooba and Roomba and Neato's XV11 vacuum, the Mint has no openings to suck up dirt or water. Instead, the base consists of two big wheels and a removable pad holder. The holder is a crucial player in the Mint's cleaning strategy. Pirjanian explained that consumers will remove the pad, which is held on with magnets, and slip on a wet or dry Swiffer pad (or a micro-fiber pad), replace the pad holder, set the Mint on the floor, and push a button to have it start cleaning. Mint should arrive in major retail outlets late this year and list for under $250. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2357782,00.asp Army scientists bring robots to San Antonio high schools Jan 7, 2010 By Matthew Hickman (U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command) Photo credit Tom Faulkner SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Jan. 6, 2010) -- Thousands of local high school students interacted with the newest Army technology as civilian engineers, scientists, and researchers toured the area and answered questions from teenagers interested in pursuing Army civilian careers. The RDECOM scientists and engineers involved in the program hope to leave a lasting impact on the students that they may consider a field in Army technology. The program has had a positive effect as feedback from students and school administrators has been supportive. The engineers want the students to know that there are several different ways to support the Solider. "You don't just have to wear a green uniform," he said, "you can get a engineering degree and support them on the civilian end." Theisen hopes these programs encourage students to take that path. http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/01/07/32543-army-scientists-bring-robots-to-san-antonio-high- schools/ Robot helpers. The Japanese see more mechanical assistants doing daily chores in the future Sat, 09 Jan 2010 From SUN2SURF website A supermarket in Kyoto added a robot that looks like something out of a Star Wars movie to its workforce in early December to help elderly shoppers. A shopper can send a shopping list from her remote control to a robot in advance. When she arrives at the supermarket, the robot greets her at the entrance, helps locate the items on the list and even gives some suggestions on shopping. The roboshopper is a recent version developed by the ATR (Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International) Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories in Kyoto. http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=42021 |
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