Robotics

On January 5, 2005, in Uncategorized
Another new lifeform — a “biobot” made of silicon and animal cells — has been created.

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Like South Korea, Japan is starting to get serious about networked robotics.

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Chemically-powered artificial muscle that works more like natural muscle than current electrically-powered artificial muscle is under development for the US military.

Bionanobots

Rat heart cells grown on silicon chips have been induced by UCLA researchers to move themselves without any external source of power. One of the “biorobots” or “biobots” has silicon bones with hinges allowing them to move and bend. They look (under a microscope) like tiny frog legs. They are induced to move by nano-scale manipulation of the surface chemistry. They could be used as miniature electrical generators to power computer chips.

Reference: Pease, Roland (2005). “‘Living’ robots powered by muscle.” BBC News, January 17.

Networked Robots

Japanese giants Matsushita and Toshiba are working jointly with four research institutions to begin full-scale testing of networked robots on the streets of Kansai Science City. The goal is to produce robot guides and vehicles for visitors and for the elderly and physically disabled, and to produce network robot communication standards to which all manufacturers would adhere.

Reference: Unknown (2005). “Matsushita, Toshiba to test network robot.” Yomiuri Shimbun, January 15.

Artificial Muscle

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have been awarded a US$750,000 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant to develop artificial muscles that convert chemical energy to mechanical energy. Electrically-powered artificial muscles based on electroactive plastics and carbon nanotubes are already at the commercialization stage in the United States, Japan, and Sweden. The chemically powered artificial muscle will be more like natural muscle, but stronger and faster, and will have a greater range of contraction than electrically-powered artificial muscle. It will convert a high energy density fuel to electrical energy, store this energy and use it to actuate carbon nanotube yarns.

A prototype has been demonstrated, but it will take some time before the muscles are ready for use in robots and people with disabilities.

Reference: Unknown (2005). “Research On Artificial Muscles Could Lead To Advanced Limbs For Amputees, Robots.” Science Daily, based on University Of Texas At Dallas press release, January 10.

 

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