Important Innovations

  Israeli Scientists Teach Gold Fish to Steer & Control a Robotic Vehicle                          Source:  Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Fish Are Smarter Than You Think! This is not a fish tale; it is real science.  Israeli scientists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have trained six gold fish to individually drive, control and steer a robotic vehicle to receive treats.  They have developed an FOV or fish operated vehicle.  It consists of a mounted, plexiglass water tank, motorized wheels, a camera to track the fish's location and a computer and lidar to collect data on the vehicle's ground location. It is an awesome example of the intersection of robotic and AI enabled technologies, animal cognitive capabilities and the power of positive reinforcement on the brains of six goldfish. Breakthrough Technology and Incredible Results The fish gets control of the vehicle via the computer, camera and omniwheels.  The vehicle moves and reacts to the fish's position.

  Israeli Scientists Teach Goldfish  to Steer & Control a Robotic Vehicle                          Source:  Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Fish Are Smarter Than You Think! This is not a fish tale; it is real science.  Israeli scientists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have trained six gold fish to individually drive, control and steer a robotic vehicle to receive treats.  They have developed an FOV or fish operated vehicle.  It consists of a mounted, plexiglass water tank, motorized wheels, a camera to track the fish's location and a computer and lidar to collect data on the vehicle's ground location. It is an awesome example of the intersection of robotic and AI enabled technologies, animal cognitive capabilities and the power of positive reinforcement on the brains of six goldfish. Breakthrough Technology and Incredible Results The fish gets control of the vehicle via the computer, camera and omniwheels.  The vehicle moves and reacts to the fish's position.

New Human-Canine Communications Source:  Ben Gurion University Wireless, Remote Controlled Dog Vest to Guide the Dog Engineers at Ben-Gurion University in Israel have invented a haptic vest for search and rescue, military and service dogs.  It enables the handlers to direct the animal even when they are out of sight or out of vocal range.  Haptic technology simulates the sense of touch and motion.  The system operates by wireless remote control. Remote Controlled Guidance and Commands The team used a standard dog vest and placed four, small motors inside that operate by remote control.  They vibrate against the dog's back and sides.  The dog is trained to understand the vibrations and respond properly to them.  It enables the animal to be guided remotely. Proof of Concept The team calls the haptic vest a "proof of concept" that shows very promising results.  They say it opens the way toward using haptics as a new form of human-canine communications.  In their

Drone Shifts from Air to Ground Source:  University of Ben-Gurion of the Negev  FSTAR Drone The Flying STAR drone can drive, fly and even make itself smaller.  All of these functions are achieved using the same set of motors.  FSTAR stands for flying, sprawl-tined autonomous robot.  It's an outstanding achievement by a team at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.  It flies like a quadcopter, drives on tough terrain and squeezes into tight spaces. A First This drone is a first.  It can travel on the ground up to 8 feet per second, can climb or go under obstacles and compress itself to traverse narrow spaces.  The drone flies flat.  The sprawl, which adjusts from flat to 55 degrees, allows it to transform from a flying quadcopter to a car-like robot. This hybrid flying, driving quadruped is unique.  It has low power needs and may have a big role in package delivery, search and rescue and other uses.