Super-Fast Bionic Arm Catches Flying Objects
- 10 years ago
Researchers in Switzerland have created a bionic arm capable of catching objects launched at it from myriad trajectories in under five hundredths of a second.
Researchers in Switzerland have created a bionic arm capable of catching objects launched at it from myriad trajectories in under five hundredths of a second.
It was designed to explore the possibilities of using robots for object capture.
So far, this one has successfully grasped in-flight tennis equipment, bottles, and even managed to secure its grip onto an airborne hammer.
The arm itself features three hinges, is about 5 feet long and has a four-fingered hand attached to it.
Its ability to detect objects coming within its reach is the result of a multi-camera system and a unique learning system.
While most robotic machines are pre-programmed, this one was made to build skills and an information base by trial and error, much like how humans do.
It was also given a basic understanding of its range of movement and potential actions via hands-on demonstrations.
One of the techniques used was guiding it to target points repeatedly, allowing the arm to learn how to perform the task on its own.
Outside of the lab, it’s hoped that a mechanized retrieval device such as the arm could be placed on a satellite and help with collection of space debris.
Researchers in Switzerland have created a bionic arm capable of catching objects launched at it from myriad trajectories in under five hundredths of a second.
It was designed to explore the possibilities of using robots for object capture.
So far, this one has successfully grasped in-flight tennis equipment, bottles, and even managed to secure its grip onto an airborne hammer.
The arm itself features three hinges, is about 5 feet long and has a four-fingered hand attached to it.
Its ability to detect objects coming within its reach is the result of a multi-camera system and a unique learning system.
While most robotic machines are pre-programmed, this one was made to build skills and an information base by trial and error, much like how humans do.
It was also given a basic understanding of its range of movement and potential actions via hands-on demonstrations.
One of the techniques used was guiding it to target points repeatedly, allowing the arm to learn how to perform the task on its own.
Outside of the lab, it’s hoped that a mechanized retrieval device such as the arm could be placed on a satellite and help with collection of space debris.