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Robotics Technology

Real-Time Control of a Humanoid Robot 36

Posted by Soulskill from the if-it-can-bunny-hop-we're-in-business dept.
An anonymous reader writes: A new project at MIT aims to put humans in real-time control of a humanoid robot. Operators strap into a vest that contains control circuitry and a pair of arm-like joysticks. As the operator grasps the ends and moves his arms, the robot mimics his arm movements in real time. A demonstration shows the robot crushing cans and punching through drywall. The operator is also given a pair of goggles that shows what the robot is currently "seeing," and the vest provides haptic feedback about what the robot is "feeling." According to a video MIT posted, the goal is to give robots human reflexes for tasks like keeping balance and basic maneuvering. The need for such technology was evident earlier this summer at the DARPA Robotics Challenge, where robots tasked with inspection and repair duties couldn't help but fall down as they moved throughout the testing grounds.
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Real-Time Control of a Humanoid Robot More

Real-Time Control of a Humanoid Robot

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  • Muppets (Score:3)

    by CanHasDIY ( 1672858 ) on Saturday August 08, 2015 @10:37AM (#50275007) Homepage Journal

    Operators strap into a vest that contains control circuitry and a pair of arm-like joysticks. As the operator grasps the ends and moves his arms, the robot mimics his arm movements in real time.

    Um, didn't the Jim Henson Company develop that technology 40-some-odd years ago?

    • Um, didn't the Jim Henson Company develop that technology 40-some-odd years ago?

      Pretty sure all the muppets were just linkages, right? Maybe a small handful used servo controls for some things, but IIRC they actually used OTS R/C gear and those controls were actually wireless. None of them are robots. They don't make decisions. Would be happy to be wrong, and read all about it.

      • None of them are robots. They don't make decisions.

        This, in fact, would be my criteria for "robot".

        Almost everything we call "robot" today is actually a waldo (like the "robot" in this article), or it's something that exhibits pre-programmed non-adaptive behaviour (like industrial robots; but I give them some leeway for fuzzy control systems for proximity, pick-and-place, orientation recognition, etc.).

        I also don't think a toy helicopter magically becomes a "drone" because you put a camera on it, and the FAA rules on "civilian drones" these days actually do

        • None of them are robots. They don't make decisions.

          This, in fact, would be my criteria for "robot".

          Well, it's the most important criteria, in the oldest definitions; robots have to make some decisions themselves, or they aren't robots. But there is a blurry area; what about a waldo that limits clamping force? What about how your car consults a map as to what you should do when you push the pedal, then builds a new map itself based on sensor observations and trial and error, and then consults that map? You ask it to do one thing, it does whatever it wants. Is that not robotic? A useful circuit has to sens

          • Re: (Score:1)

            by Anonymous Coward

            Well, it's the most important criteria, in the oldest definitions; robots have to make some decisions themselves, or they aren't robots.

            The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a "robot" as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man.

            The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation defines a robot as "Your Plastic Pal Who's Fun to Be With."

        • Actually a waldo is what this is. I suggest you look the word up again.

          • Actually a waldo is what this is. I suggest you look the word up again.

            So... I said it was a waldo, and then you "corrected me" by telling me it was a waldo, and now you want me to look up the word waldo?

            ???

  • ...just make it 50x bigger, we can have our very own Gundam!
    • Not with the kind of lag seen in those videos. They'd fall down at the first step. We'll have to reach the Robot Jox [wikipedia.org] stage and then the Pacific Rim [wikipedia.org] stage before we can even begin to think of something as agile as a Gundam.
  • Land based drones . superb concept. I hope the operator has 270 degrees "peripheral vision" of the combat .
    • ATV robots were some of the first attempts at robotic killers the military did. I was at Westinghouse for technology talks for highschool kids in like 93 or 94. Turns out that air based robots are easier to navigate because they don't have to go through a myriad of terrains. I think someday they'll make ground based guys, but I think before that happens, we'll have a self driving car. After all, if the thing can't drive on good terrain, what hopes does it have for forests, and hill/mountain/cliffs? S
  • this is a more practical way to proceed. Autonomy is only necessary where communication is unreliable, degraded or not possible, a subset of useful applications

    • Or when humans are too slow. For combat situations, being straddled to human speed reactions is definitely a disadvantage. Aimbots exist for a reason.

  • I am reminded of Joe Haldeman's Forever Peace, exploring the direct military implementation of a more sophisticated form of the same technology. Violently, as Joe Haldeman always does.

    Food for thought.

  • ...my surrogate be ready?

  • Huh (Score:1)

    by koan ( 80826 )

    Train your replacement...

  • no, not the rebooted beverage, but from the demo it is irrefutable that they are targeting the drywall of 'Murica in order to create a market for legendary French Canadian sheetrockers. They did such a good job the first time, now this is their only way to sustain their business. Disappointing, but what can you do...
  • The visuals are cool, yes, but the love the quick mention / shot that this rig can be used to learn more details about how humans balance while upright. The interplay of tetanus, balance and deliberate motion are important here. Groucho - I mean Asimo - may benefit.

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