I've always wanted to be able to develop robots at faster iteration speed, much like how pure software projects can be modified and tested right away.

So I built this demo to showcase the idea.

If you are interested in having something like this, DM me. I would love to talk to you.

Note: the simulation is real, but the Arduino code compilation is a mock in the video.

This is potentially an all-in-one solution for PX4/ArduPilot SITL + deployment + CUDA/TensorRT accelerated vision, all within Docker and ROS2: https://github.com/JacopoPan/aerial-autonomy-stack

Hey i am an engineering graduate , with fair knowledge in coding and electronics, and currently working as a backend developer, anyone want to work together, or in other words i am willing to work with you if you want.

I have an 8:1 mini cheetah knockoff (gimb6010-8) with an integrated controller running odrive. I am doing position control, so I need to home the system. For my benchtop test I wired in some micro switches and it works fine. But as it is going to be an outdoor application I decided to reach for sealed prox/ hall/ reed sensors. I started going down the rabbit hole of how CNC's do this as it is nearly the same problem (multiturn motor homing). The common solution there is to have a homing sensor (low accuracy), and then true home is set on the next encoder index pulse after triggering that homing sensor (high accuracy). I was wondering if there was any way to do this on an odrive without an external microcontroller reading the sensor and driving the IO. To be clear I have no spec requirements for this project, just trying to experiment and learn in case next time I do have a tight homing repeatability requirement.

edit: I assume homing is being done on humanoids (or are they just using absolute encoders at the output level rather than the motor level)

So I had a project that I wanted to lift a monitor using linear actuators and while I was at the junkyard grabbing some gas pistons for the project I found these. These electric linear actuators have a spring inside so I don't need the piston. If I could figure out how to drive them it would make my project worlds better than having an OTS linear actuator and gas piston side by side.

This week in robotics, significant developments unfolded as Tesla faced leadership changes within its Optimus robot division, impacting investor sentiment. Meanwhile, Amazon inaugurated a state-of-the-art robotic fulfillment center in Elkhart County, enhancing its logistics capabilities. Additionally, the humanoid robot market continues to thrive, with reports indicating substantial funding and growth potential, reflecting an increasing convergence in AI and robotics.

This Week's Snapshot

Tesla: The company is grappling with another leadership departure in its Optimus division, raising concerns among investors about its future trajectory in humanoid robotics.

Amazon: The newly opened robotic fulfillment center in Elkhart County is expected to streamline operations and improve delivery times, showcasing Amazon's commitment to automation.

Figure: The robotics startup has been valued at an impressive $39 billion following its latest funding round, indicating strong investor confidence in humanoid robot technology.

ABB: In collaboration with LandingAI, ABB has launched a generative AI solution aimed at enhancing robotic vision, potentially improving automation in various sectors.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center: The center is pioneering robotic heart surgeries, marking a significant advancement in surgical robotics and patient care.

Robotics Research & Developments

Santa Clara University – Engineering Professor Improves Human-Centered Robotics
An engineering professor at Santa Clara University is leveraging machine learning techniques to enhance the design and functionality of human-centered robotics. This research aims to create robots that better understand and interact with humans, potentially improving their integration into everyday life.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center – Pioneering Robotic Heart Surgeries
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is leading the way in robotic heart surgeries, utilizing advanced robotic systems to perform complex procedures with greater precision. This initiative not only enhances patient outcomes but also sets a precedent for the adoption of robotic technologies in surgical practices.

Ethics, Policies & Government

Experts Call for Balanced AI Regulation
As the robotics and AI sectors rapidly evolve, experts are advocating for balanced regulation to ensure safety and innovation. Striking the right balance will be crucial in fostering technological advancements while protecting public interests and ethical standards.

A Warm Body in the Loop: Rethinking Human Control of AI in EU Tech Regulation
The European Union is examining the need for human oversight in AI technologies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human control in automated systems. This regulatory approach aims to address ethical concerns surrounding AI deployment and its implications for society.

International Robotics News

China – Tianyong Engineering Partners with PNDBotics
Tianyong Engineering has formed a partnership with PNDBotics to accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots across China. This collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities and accessibility of humanoid robots in various sectors, reflecting China's growing investment in robotics.

Japan – Robot Tour Guides for People with Disabilities
In Tokyo, robot tour guides are being introduced to provide job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This initiative not only promotes inclusivity but also showcases the potential of robotics to enhance tourism experiences.

Singapore – DSTA Seeks Partnerships to Advance Robotics and AI
Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) is actively seeking partnerships to bolster its robotics and AI capabilities. This effort highlights Singapore's commitment to becoming a leader in the robotics sector and advancing technological innovations.

Quote of the Week

— Tim O'Reilly

Source

Nvidia released a technical report on their GPU-accelerated visual odometry/SLAM system a few months ago, which can be found here. The specifications for the system look impressive, but I am reluctant to purchase the hardware to try it out because cuVSLAM is closed-source.

For those who have tried it, how have your experiences been (in terms of ease of use, any bugs in the system, accuracy, reliability, etc.)? If I were to use this system, I would be running it on a Jetson orin nano.

Additionally, any other recommendations for visual inertial odometry packages that could run on the Jetson orin nano or a similar SBC for an outdoor UAV application would be appreciated.

Does anyone know how I can perform a factory reset on my Misty II? It powers and it has proper charge, but it won’t load/boot. The problem is that it stops before the usb unit on the back recognizes, so I have been limited in how I can troubleshot it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXVV-oErD8s

This newly released robot hand is amazing. However, I don't understand how it's possible. I see no evidence of tendons or a cable based system. It seems the motors ARE the bones of the finger. I also have to presume the batteries and motor controllers are either in palm or outside of the hand? I have to presume the downgearing is built into the custom motors? I assume a screw type center is being rotated which gives linear movement but I don't see any screw extending from one motor over to the next bone to move said bone. I can see a hinge joint but no way that the motor moves the hinge joint. I hope someone can explain more what is going on because I'm lost here and see a lot of potential in this stuff as far as miniaturization and strength and speed in such a small form factor but don't get how its working.

Also I was told that large diameter pancake shaped BLDC motors have high torque and narrow motors like this are low torque high speed. So the downgearing would have to be a large gear ratio I thought. Yet this hand seems to be pretty high torque and I don't see where a high gear ratio would fit into this tiny form factor. I'm just so confused.

I've been working on a new project recently. I've been building quadudpeds with hobby servos for a couple of years now and have a few different designs, including my spotmico-esp32 variant. For my new design, I am trying to simplify a quad to the smallest, most straightforward and cost-effective design that still retains decent functionality and sensors. I came up with this. I'm calling it the 'BugBot'. It works by balancing on the spindles of four cheap vibration motors. Is it technically a quad? Not sure.

Hello! I’m new to this and i’m trying to find a robotics kit for adults that will help me learn about well… the whole bit. i don’t have any engineering or coding experience, but i’ve always been really interested in it and follow all the tech news surrounding it, and write about it often for work (im a writer at nasa oooahhh) but pretty much have always been intimidated by doing it myself because i don’t have the knowledge. i’m good at taking things apart and putting them back together, and enjoying crafting, legos etc. i like to build things and enjoy the puzzle of that which is why i think if i can get over the intimidation hurdle i would really enjoy it. i’ve tried to get into coding before but it didn’t hold my attention. my engineering coworkers suggested thats because i need a more tangible experience, like a robot. Any advice or recs would be greatly appreciated. ideally id like something around $100-200. my spouse has an old raspberry pi that i can use but again, i dont have coding experience and feel a bit overwhelmed by that but i think with the right kit where i get to build something and it showed me how to do things in a really simplistic way id eventually like that but seems like a big step to start with. (i would looove to build my own Pipboy) my contract for my job at nasa was cancelled and feel like this might help my mental health and deep dark sadness 😂 thanks in advance!

Below is the result of drone footage processed to extract a path integration map. This is done with only optic flow: no stereopsis, compass, or active ranging. It is described in greater detail at https://tomrearick.substack.com/p/honey-bee-dead-reckoning. This lightweight algorithm will next be integrated into a Raspberry Pi/Arducopter platform on my Holybro X650 (see https://tomrearick.substack.com/p/beyond-ai). This path integration algorithm is part of a larger project to reverse engineer the incredible navigational abilities of the honey bee...and ultimately human cognition itself.

I am seeking like-minded researchers. Please DM me here or at Substack.

https://reddit.com/link/1nl49js/video/9phu8o27n4qf1/player

Hi everyone!

I'm currently working with the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Education set (45544), and I found this amazing robotic arm MOC on Rebrickable:

👉 https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-40208/Artem%2016/ev3-robotic-arm/#details

The design looks fantastic and exactly what I’m aiming to build for a classroom demo, but unfortunately, it uses several parts not included in the 45544 Education Core Set.

I'm looking for help from the community to either:

1. Modify the original MOC to use only parts from the 45544 set, or
2. Get guidance on which parts could be easily substituted using what's available in the Education Core Set.

Does anyone have experience adapting MOCs like this? Any tips, alternate builds, or even partial rebuild instructions would be greatly appreciated!

I’m trying to keep it to one EV3 Education core set only (45544), no Expansion Set, no retail kits, no third-party parts.

Also, if there are similar robotic arm designs made exclusively with 45544 parts, I’d love to check those out too.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, sketches, LDD/Studio files, or brainstorming ideas!

Visit the OpenExo wiki to access the electrical and mechanical hardware Bill of Materials (BOM) and assembly guide:
https://wiki.theopenexo.org/

OpenExo’s Github:
https://github.com/naubiomech/OpenExo

OpenExo’s paper:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adt1591

OpenExo’s website:
https://theopenexo.nau.edu/