Robotics: Universal Robots: The History and Workings of Robotics


Robug III - Intelligent walking and climbing robot and Dr. Bing L. Luk [Click for a larger image.] Photo courtesy of Dr. Bing L. Luk.

Robug III is designed to operate in radioactive areas, like the core of a nuclear reactor. With eight legs and vacuum gripper feet, Robug III can walk over obstacles and even climb walls. Strong for its small size, it can drag loads of over 220 pounds. Mounted video cameras let human operators see and assess any damage.

Robots Are Coming Home

Robot scientists predict that in a few decades, we’ll all have home robots to do our chores. But why wait?

Eureka has recently unveiled a prototype robotic vacuum cleaner. Equipped with a microprocessor "brain" and sonar "eyes," this round robot can turn on a dime to extricate itself from corners and other dead ends. It starts by going once around the perimeter of the room; then it crosses and recrosses the room in a random pattern.

Already for sale is a robotic lawn mower from Friendly Robotics. Bump sensors tell it when to stop and go around obstacles. For safety, the mower automatically stops if the front end is lifted upward. Under ideal conditions, it can mow 3200 square feet on one charge of its rechargeable batteries. What keeps it from wandering out of your yard and terrorizing the neighbors? Electrified wire laid around the perimeter of the yard sends a signal to the mower that it has reached its limit.

On the less hazardous side, specially-designed robots also venture into tight spots like sewers, pipes, and AC ducts for routine inspection and maintenance. These robots can access difficult-to-reach areas, and can be equipped with video cameras and tools for performing necessary repairs.


See a 360 degree panorama (160KB) that was taken during the HipNav trial. [Need help?] Photo courtesy of Anthony M. DiGioia, MD.

Robots are becoming increasingly common in medicine. Already, robotic messengers are used in some hospitals to carry supplies and equipment from one place to another. Robots can help during certain types of microsurgery, by "shrinking" all of the surgeon’s movements and filtering out any natural shakiness. This allows surgeons to perform delicate procedures that would otherwise be too fine for human hands. Other medical robots allow surgeons to operate on patients remotely. Feedback sensors let the surgeon "feel" the tissue underneath the robot’s instruments. Robotic "patients" that respond to treatment and can even "die" are used to train paramedics and other medical students.

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