CES 2012: Ava robot, controlled by iPad, Kinect, roams with ease [Video]

 

IRobot, the company that cribbed its name from the annals of sci-fi greatness, rolled out a drone at the Consumer Electronics Show designed to help engineers and developers explore how to get robots to do what we want, as well as things we never thought of but soon won’t be able to live without.

At first glance, iRobot's Ava looks like a Roomba vacuum cleaner jury-rigged with a Microsoft Kinect and an Apple iPad tablet. And, indeed, on a closer look, it is. But according to the company's brochure it is much more. It has a “comprehensive sensor arrays (laser, sonar, and 2-D/3-D imaging)...” The whole concept is that it is a development platform for the various technologies that make robots cool (or scary), so it is a very simple robot by itself, but it has the potential to do many thing you would expect from an autonomous robot, and possibly some you wouldn't.

The brochure also include some images of things you might want have your Ava do, like collaborative work, caregiver support, mobile kiosk or security. Mostly it shows things that you can already do with an iPad, but now it has legs of its own.

VIDEOS: 2012 Consumer Electronics Show

Other cool features include touch-sensitive skins, autonomous charging, speech recognition and omni-directional motion as well as Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.

The idea is that if you’re the guy who designs robotic claws, or facial recognition software that allows a robot dog to follow its human boy to the bus stop in the morning and pick him out of the crowd of kids getting off the bus at the end of the day, the first thing you need before you can really get down to business is a robot. One that actually works. This can be somewhat of a barrier to entry for roboticists who don’t work for DARPA or Michael Bay.

Ava can move independently, navigating through crowded rooms using its sensor array, or it can just follow you around, all while being aware enough of its surroundings to stay out of trouble while it tags along. That might not sound like a lot, but a lot of different technology is needed to make that happen.

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Enjoy a virtual holiday meal hosted by Wieden + Kennedy

Instead of sending out a traditional Christmas card, advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy's Amsterdam office has invited its friends, family, clients, and now the public to a super weird virtual holiday meal with humanoid robot dolls.

Here's how it works: You reserve 30 minutes of table time at virtualholidaydinner.com and at the appointed time you and four friends or co-workers or family members, or strangers -- all call into the dinner via Skype where your heads will appear on flat screens that sit on top the robot doll bodies. The company, known for its work with Nike, has employed facial tracking software so that if you turn your head at home, your virtual robot doll also turns his or her head. The room that the dolls are sitting in has been elaborately decorated to add to the holiday spirit.

This is the second year that the agency's Amsterdam office has hosted the virtual holiday meal, but this year it added three scripts to the mix -- so while you are sitting at the virtual table you can figure out something to say. The lines to the script appear on participants computer screens karaoke style, so you know what to say and when.

Here's a sample from the "Business as Usual" dinner script:

CLIENT TWO: Perhaps, since we are all here, you’d like to try to sell us a digital idea that you know is not possible to make unless we quadruple the budget.

AGENCY MD: That would be incredibly irresponsible of us. Shall we begin?

CLIENT ONE: Before you start let me just say that our ambition for this project is to make a world first idea that connects all living people on the planet in a purposeful way.

AGENCY WRITER: That’s it?

We spoke with someone who had done several of these dinners already and asked if the whole experience was as awkward as it looked like it could be.

"It's totally awkward," she said. "It's funny, but it's also super awkward. First of all you are on a robot doll, so it is kind of weird, but I think once you get started with the script it's hilarious and then once it's over it's super awkward again."

That's kind of exactly how we'd imagine it would be.

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Image: A picture of the virtual holiday meal in action. Credit: Wieden + Kennedy

 

Scientists creating very fast robotic ostrich legs

 

How do you create the world's fastest two-legged robot? One idea is to look to the animal kingdom.

That's what Johnny Godowski did when he first conceived of FastRunner, a two-legged robot modeled on an ostrich, which researchers say will be able to reach speeds of up to 27 mph.

That's still slower than a biological ostrich, which can sprint in short bursts up to 43 mph, and maintain a steady speed of 31 mph.

Godowski works for the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, where he is both "research associate" and "ostrich investigator." He was the idea originator of FastRunner, a joint project between IHMC and MIT.

"The reason we chose the ostrich, even over the kangaroo, is because the ostrich is doing the fastest running in a way that is also efficient," Godowski said in an interview with The Times. "When most animals run faster they also bounce higher, and kangaroos show us that limit. But the ostriches move their legs back and forth super quickly without lifting them that high off the ground."

The result is an animal that runs quickly without using an exorbitant amount of energy.

FastRunner is still in the early phases of development. Only 40% of the mechanical design is complete, and one full-scale leg has been machined with rapid prototyping techniques. But scientists have been able to show in simulation that the robot can go from a standing position to 20 mph in 15 seconds. The FastRunner can also handle gentle slopes.

Now, why does the world need a super fast bipedal robot?

The answer is maneuverability. On its Web page about biologically inspired robots, IHMC puts it like this: "Although a quadrupedal robot offers increased stability, a bipedal robot has the potential to match some of the impressive mobility capabilities of a human."

Godowski answered the question this way: "The reason DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is funding this is so that we can make search and rescue robots. These robots could go into war zones to deliver supplies or into buildings that are on fire. And the efficiency of the robots like the one we are building mean they could be where they need to be in 24 minutes, rather than 24 hours."

For comparison's sake, here's video of an actual ostrich running:

 

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Japanese engineers develop flying robotic orb [Video]

The research department at Japan’s Ministry of Defense has developed what it calls "the world’s first spherical flying machine" that can hover like a helicopter and fly in all directions.

Take a look at the video below posted on YouTube by DigInfo TV, a Tokyo-based online video news website. Watch as the orb zooms around a room to the amazement of the crowd.

The operator, who remotely controls the aircraft, gives it a few smacks and it still stays afloat -- thanks to onboard gyroscopes.

According to the video report, the machine weighs less than a pound, or about 12 ounces, and is made completely of off-the-shelf parts.

The cost? $1,400.

At the end of the video, the narrator says the gadget was made for rescue and reconnaissance.

“As it can take off and land anywhere, it’s hoped that this machine will be able to reach places that were hard to access by air before.”

Evidently, it wasn’t developed to train Jedis on their lightsaber skills.

 

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Photo: Screen shot of DigInfo TV's video posted on YouTube. Credit: DigInfo TV  

Air Force says drone computer virus poses 'no threat'

Concerns last week that combat drone aircraft were compromised by a computer virus were dismissed by the U.S. Air Force.

In a rare disclosure, the Air Force revealed that computer systems involved in its ongoing drone program were infected with a virus, but it did not hinder flight operations in any way.

"It's standard policy not to discuss the operational status of our forces," Col. Kathleen Cook, spokesperson for Air Force Space Command, said in a statement. "However, we felt it important to declassify portions of the information associated with this event to ensure the public understands that the detected and quarantined virus posed no threat to our operational mission and that control of our remotely piloted aircraft was never in question."

The disclosure aims to clarify numerous media reports that appeared last week, which stated that computers at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada -- where pilots remotely fly Predator and Reaper drones above the war zone -- were stricken with a virus that was logging pilots' every keystroke as they carried out their missions.

The Air Force shot down those claims, saying the virus “in question is a credential stealer, not a keylogger, found routinely on computer networks and is considered more of a nuisance than an operational threat. It is not designed to transmit data or video, nor is it designed to corrupt data, files or programs on the infected computer.”

The Air Force discovered last month that the virus infected a ground system that runs backup power supplies, environmental controls and workstations. Those systems are separate from the flight-control system that pilots use to fly the aircraft remotely, the Air Force said.

But military officials did not address another aspect of last week’s reports, which said that the virus has remained on Creech's computer system despite multiple efforts to remove it.

Instead, Cook said the Air Force continues to strengthen cyber defenses, "using the latest anti-virus software and other methods to protect Air Force resources and assure our ability to execute Air Force missions. Continued education and training of all users will also help reduce the threat of malware to Department of Defense systems."

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Photo: A Predator drone flies a training mission over Victorville last year. The robotic plane was controlled by a pilot on the ground at the U.S. Air Force 163d Reconnaissance Wing of the California National Guard at Southern California Logistics Airport. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Combat drones' computer systems reportedly infected with virus

A computer virus has infected the U.S.-based cockpits of the military’s Predator and Reaper drones, according to media reports.

The robotic planes are controlled remotely from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada as they fly above Afghanistan, Libya and other war zones. The drones are manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. at its sprawling campus in Poway.

The virus, first reported by Wired magazine's defense blog, is allegedly logging pilots' every keystroke as they carry out their missions. The article, which relies on unnamed sources, says the virus was first detected two weeks ago and has remained on Creech's computer system despite multiple efforts to remove it.

“Military network security specialists aren’t sure whether the virus and its so-called ‘keylogger’ payload were introduced intentionally or by accident; it may be a common piece of malware that just happened to make its way into these sensitive networks,” the article says. “The specialists don’t know exactly how far the virus has spread."

Reuters posted a story that says the drones continue to carry out missions even with the virus. The article also quotes an unnamed source who said: “Something is going on, but it has not had any impact on the missions overseas.”

The Creech Air Force Base public affairs office responded to inquiries about the reports with the following statement:

"We generally do not discuss specific vulnerabilities, threats, or responses to our computer networks, since that helps people looking to exploit or attack our systems to refine their approach. We invest a lot in protecting and monitoring our systems to counter threats and ensure security, which includes a comprehensive response to viruses, worms, and other malware we discover."

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Photo: A Predator drone flies a training mission over Victorville last year. The robotic plane was controlled by a pilot on the ground at the U.S. Air Force 163d Reconnaissance Wing of the California National Guard at Southern California Logistics Airport. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Human-like robot comes alive aboard space station

A 330-pound humanoid robot was electronically awakened aboard the International Space Station this week, beginning its life as an astronaut's assistant.

The robot named Robonaut 2, or R2, will help with routine tasks such as holding tools and vacuuming air filters. The robot was sent up on space shuttle Discovery in February, but it wasn't powered up until now.

Check out the video above as R2 gets unpacked.

Clad in a gold helmet with a shiny metallic visor, R2 has a torso, two arms and two five-fingered hands. For now, it sits on a fixed pedestal inside the space station.

"Next steps include a leg for climbing through the corridors of the space station," NASA said.

Once fully built, NASA envisions R2 assisting astronauts during space walks as they make mechanical fixes to the outside of the space station.

R2 was jointly developed and built by NASA and General Motors engineers at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. But some of the engineering know-how and robotic innards came from California, such as HRL Laboratories in Malibu, JR3 Inc. in Woodland and Cirexx International Inc. in Santa Clara.

If you want to find out more about R2 or talk to it, NASA has established a Twitter account for the robot. Take a look here.

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Libyan rebels use mini-drones in march on Tripoli [Video]

To help aid in its victorious raid on Tripoli, Libyan rebels used small drones to gather intelligence on Col. Moammar Kadafi’s forces, according to a Canadian drone maker.

Aeryon Labs Inc., based in Waterloo, Ontario, issued a news release that said the Transitional National Council, a formal name of the Libyan rebel force, has been using a hovering mini-robotic aircraft day and night to determine the locations of enemy troops and artillery positions.

The disclosure is the latest example of how drones are transforming modern warfare.

Aeryon Labs offers this description of the robotic aircraft:

The Aeryon Scout is a small, easy-to-fly man-packable flying robotic reconnaissance system design for operation in real-world, harsh conditions. It weighs just 3 pounds, packs into a suitcase or a backpack and can be quickly and easily deployed and operated by soldiers in the field. Instead of using joysticks, the Scout uses a map-based, touch-screen interface that allows new users to pilot the system in just minutes. The Scout essentially flies itself allowing the operator to focus on acquiring imagery.

The company said it “immediately” delivered the drone “to those fighting at the front” by a Canadian security company called Zariba Security Corp., which also trained the rebels on how to use it.

See the video above for an idea of the drone’s capabilities and its appearance. (Remember *batteries not included?)

Aeryon Labs has also posted a photo gallery on the operations in Libya.

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Photo: A drone aircraft that Aeryon Labs Inc. says was used in recently in comabt in Libya. Credit: Aeryon Labs Inc.

Hand-held drone flies around targets like a maple seed

 

Drone aircraft has taken on all shapes and sizes in recent years: stratosphere-skimming spy jets,  helicopters, birds with flapping wings.

Now we see a flying machine based on "the seeds that drop from maple trees," according to an article in the Air Force Times.

The Lockheed Martin Corp.-made drone, dubbed the Samarai, is slated to make an appearance this week at the Assn. for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference in Washington, D.C., the article said.

Lockheed engineers gave the Associated Press a preview last week at an indoor soccer field in Southampton, N.J. The field is near the company’s Advanced Technology Laboratories in Cherry Hill, N.J., where the Samarai was built.

"We have taken the shape and design of a maple seed and harnessed it with intelligent flight controls and avionics," Bill Borgia, director of Lockheed’s Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, said on the company’s website. "The design is incredibly simple, making Samarai quite affordable even in small quantities."

The Samarai is about a foot long. It has just two moving parts and carries a camera, Lockheed said. The Associated Press reports that it can be controlled by a remote control or by an app on a tablet computer.

“Troops could carry the devices in their backpacks, launch them by throwing them like boomerangs and use real-time images from cameras to find out what might be around the next corner,” the Air Force Times article says.

Take a look at the video above posted on YouTube by an Aviation Week & Space Technology editor. The clip was posted about a year ago, so the drone’s capabilities may have been improved.

Those attending the Assn. for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference will find out whether it has been fine-tuned this week. The event is an annual showcase for defense contractors to showcase their newest robotic wares. It starts tomorrow, so stay tuned.

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Toyota Prius Plug-in, electric RAV4 showcased at Little Tokyo Design Week

Toyota’s eco-friendly autos are center stage at a Little Tokyo event this weekend showcasing new technologies and designs from Japan.

Visitors to the Little Tokyo Design Week area can peek inside the Prius Plug-in hybrid, the RAV4 EV battery-electric vehicle and the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid vehicle that are sitting in the plaza beside the Japanese American National Museum.

The Prius Plug-in will be able to run for 13 miles on power from its Lithium-ion battery, according to Toyota. More than 160 of the vehicles are already being driven in the U.S. as a demonstration program before sales start in earnest next year.

Toyota is working with Tesla on the electric RAV4, which is also expected to become available to buyers in 2012. Meanwhile, the automaker plans to spread more than 100 of its advanced fuel-cell vehicles around the country by 2013 through another demonstration program, with hopes of bringing the technology to market by 2015. 

The rest of the event, which lasts through Sunday, involves more than 15 steel storage containers acting as temporary exhibit space.

The Giant Robot retail chain has a makeshift gallery featuring products such as a “crunching dog” USB stick with a model canine doing sit-ups on the end. There’s a “Robot Box,” with various automatons and other machines. Representatives from USC, UCLA and SCI-Arc have their own boxes too.

Near the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, there’s an extended garden set up on stilts with tomatoes, carrots and beans.

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Photo: A Toyota Prius Plug-In on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2009. The model is being exhibited this weekend as part of Little Tokyo Design Week. Credit: Ferdinand Ostrop / Associated Press