 |
WiiBot Kuka Robot Controlled WiiMotely
WiiBot is the pet project of two engineers who apparently have way too much hardware and time on their hands. On the other hand, maybe they should be running a company that actually makes real things that work (as opposed to companies that just spit out business plans).
(Wiibot video)
As long as you have a Kuka KR16 industrial robot to work with, why not see if you can control it with the WiiMote from the new Wii interactive video game? First, you program the Kuka robot to perform the basic motions of tennis and fencing using a mouse-driven interface. Identify points in space, and the robot will follow them.
Then, you need to feed the signal from the WiiMote to a computer that would recognize the same basic motions, and then tell the robot which motion to perform. If hacking a program to do this on your Saturday off doesn't sound like fun, you're not an engineer. View the results in the video below.
(Wiibot)
Science fiction fans of course recall that in Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune, members of royalty must be able to defend themselves using swords and knives. A special fencing robot and mirror system are used by a trainer to help royal family members, like Paul Atreides, to prepare:
He [Swordmaster Gurney Halleck] gestured to the practice dummy. "Now, we'll work on your timing. Let me see you catch that thing sinister. I'll control it from over here where I can have a full view of the action. And I warn you I'll be trying new counters today."
(Read more about the fencing robot and mirror)
The fencing robot/mirror system also had higher and higher skill levels available; it could defeat even the most skilled human practitioners (unless they were prescient, of course).
Check out the prior art: the Fighting MUSA Kendo Robot from the Manufacturing & Mechatronics Lab of Seoul National University.
Check out these Kukalinks:
- Juke Bot Robot - Kuka Kicks It
Industrial-grade techno music w/Kuka DJ. - Snake-Arm Robot In A Plane
No, really. They are inspectors. - RoboCoaster G2 - Extreme Robot Roller Coaster
Next-generation extreme ride.
Story via Robots.net via Gizmodo via Hackaday via Slashgear. (Break this chain and your server crashes.)
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 1/30/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do. Kind of like a full-torso waldo.
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
They're making great progress with Neal Stephenson's 'smart wheels' - take a look at the video.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Just how much help should human beings give to robots as they evolve toward greater functionality?
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot? Little PALRO might fit the bill.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.
